Summary
The popularity ofThose About To Die, a streaming successdespite its 50%Rotten Tomatoesscore, speaks to the unwavering interest in stories about the notorious Roman Empire. The hit show is a reminder to revisit the 2018 seriesBritannia, which covers an earlier period of Roman history. Set in 43 AD, this historical fantasy drama explores the invasion of Britain from the perspective of the native Celts, who battle the Roman incursion as they navigate their own tribal feuds. Most notable for its psychedelic folk-horror flavor,Britannia’sthree-season run earned it a respectable 92% score onRotten Tomatoes.
Britanniawas written by Jez Butterworth, the celebrated English playwright, in collaboration with his brother Tom. It was touted as the epic fantasy successor toGame Of Thrones.Fans of Amazon’s gladiatorial drama will appreciateBritannia’smedley of violence and political intrigue,as each character pursues their own motives. Just asThose About To Diefeatures characters drawn from history,Britanniais based on true events. Set far away from the heart of the empire,it provides an alternative perspective on this period of ancient history,butBritannia’sheady mix of fantasy and fact is what makes it truly unique.
Every Major Change Those About To Die Makes To History: How Accurate The Peacock Show Is
Those About to Die may take inspiration from a book, but that doesn’t mean it — or its source material — is an accurate depiction of ancient Rome.
Britannia Explores The Brutality Of The Roman Empire
David Morrissey Plays A Formidable Villain In The Series
Gratuitous violence is a given in any series that covers Roman history, the ancient civilizationimmortalized for its brutality.This is no less the case inBritannia,which finds its villain in General Aulus Plautius. His actor, David Morrissey, may be recognized from his role as the Governor, a loathsome antagonist inThe Walking Dead.Those who enjoyedIwan Rheon’s role inThose About To Diewill findsimilarities in Plautius' scheming ambition.Along with his 20,000-strong legion, Plautius seeks to achieve for Rome what Julius Caesar failed to secure: the subjugation of Britain.
His men are unnerved by the strange land they find themselves in, butPlautius represents the self-assured ruthlessness of Rome, crucifying captives and planting the SPQR banner among piles of burning Britons. Throughout the series, he exploits the divisions between the warring Regni and Cantii tribes to secure Rome’s foothold in the territory.Plautius has his own motives unbeknownst to the Empire, however. Convinced by the power held by Britain’s Druid priests, he becomes a servant of the earth demon Lokka, committing some truly atrocious acts under his sway.
Britannia Tells The Story Of Rome From The Perspective Of Its Enemies
Britannia’s Celts Are As Ruthless And Terrifying As The Roman Forces
Britanniaquickly proves why the Romans were so reluctant to return to Britain.The Celts are just as bloodthirsty as their invaders.The series boasts captivating female leads in the form of rival warrior queens, Kerra and Antedia, both styled in the image of Celtic Britain’s most famous queen, Boudicca. The show takes some liberties with its costuming, but its pagan-punk aesthetic is effective, and is employed to full effect with the show’s Druids, whose actual magical powers make them a terrifying force. There’s more spectacle than accuracy in Butterworth’s first century romp, rife withcannibalistic cults and drug-induced visions.
Britanniapresentsan outlandish vision of Britainin the tradition of the Romans themselves, whose records provided a detailed if biased account of its people.Those About To Diecenters characters from all corners of the world, from North Africa to Scandinavia, telling stories of those whose lives have been ruined by encounters with Rome.Britanniaalso offers a different perspective on the period,viewing Roman conquest from the outskirts of the Empire. It draws heavily on mystical themes to create a historical drama with a folk-horror twist.
There’s more spectacle than accuracy in Butterworth’s first-century romp
Britannia’sfantastical elements won’t be to everyone’s taste, but those who like their history set to a 60s psychedelic soundtrack will love this bizarre, lurid retelling. The show is fun, balancing gore with humor, and will be a good follow-up watch after some of the heavier storylines featured inThose About To Die.The seriesonly had a three-season run before its untimely cancelation, but that shouldn’t dissuade anyone from watching it. Viewers seeking an interesting take on the history of the ancient world will find thatBritanniais quite unlike any they’ve seen before.
