Horrible Histories: The Movie - Rotten Romans

Humorous historical drama for kids.

This is the full length feature film release, based on the BBC 'CBBC' TV series. Best way to describe this is to think of an educational 'Blackadder' (another humorous TV history series aimed at older kids and adults).

The plot revolves around the Roman Empire and the rise of Boudicca, stars many familiar British actors, with loads of silly toilet humour and several musical numbers which were just ok.

We took nine-year-old granddaughter who fidgeted a lot, this film probably would have been better as a made for TV special. Stay in your seats while the end credits roll for some funny accompanying commentary from a rat puppet.

'Horrible Histories: The Movie - Rotten Romans (2019)' isn't very good. It's harmless enough, of course, but it really isn't anything special. I mean, it's just not funny. There are maybe two or three smile-worthy gags but that's about it. The rest of the time, the jokes fall flat and that's an issue when the jokes are, realistically, the entire point of the piece. The narrative is, basically, as basic as possible, focused around a kind of platonic 'Romeo and Juliet' (sans suicide). It wraps itself up in a weirdly rushed and unsatisfying way, backtracking upon its recently established stakes to just sort of finish for no real reason. This is probably because it wants to remain as kid-friendly as possible, despite its numerous on-screen deaths, and requires an overtly 'happy ending' to do so. This is, essentially, the product of a half-baked screenplay. The central character conflict is, too; it heads in a traditional direction but then doesn't get properly addressed in the finale, simply wrapping up as if it's been properly tended to. However, it's probably worth noting that these now glaring narrative issues are, for me, only noticeable in retrospect. That's not because the flick is so engaging so as to make them non-bothersome. In fact, quite the opposite. The story isn't compelling in any real way. It's serviceable stuff but there's no real meat to it. The same can be said of the entire affair, really. Even though it's probably one of the least effective films of the year, it's difficult to actively dislike because it seems earnest and sticks to the very 'DIY' attitude of its source television show. It would've been nice if it had featured that series' original cast but, as it is, it's an average experience that I don't really have any strong feelings about either way. I suppose that says something in itself, doesn't it? 5/10

A Horrible Histories movie should definitely include the amazing comedians of TV's Horrible Histories, Mathew Baynton, Simon Farnaby, Jim Howick! The movie is not bad, made in the style of the series, but it could have been way better. I hope that in the sequel we get to see some of our favorite comedians.

As someone who watched the show growing up, I had high expectations for the film due to the nostalgia I have from the show and I have to say the expectations were met.

The humour has not changed at all even if the cast did, (however there are some notable people to look out for if you grew up on BBC/CBBC shows. The transition from being a sketch show to film was well done and as always you learn a surprising about the Roman Empire, Boudica's uprising and Celtic Britain.

If you enjoyed the show you'll enjoy the film but if your tastes are a bit more high brow I suggest you give this one a skip.

We are huge horrible histories fans in our house. This fell short of our expectations as adults. Missing the original cast and the format of the TV show which makes it all so funny. Seemed at parts to be taking itself a little too seriously, which makes it disconnected to both the TV show and the books which are very much tongue in cheek humour and light-hearted and fun.

The cast that were in it were good, but just not from the TV show. History facts were accurate. Storyline was minimal and not offensive.

However, my kids did enjoy it and my 6 year old was engrossed.