Epic Roman film and TV costumes coming to Torquay Museum

Hollywood Rome: Reel Life in the Ancient World exhibition revisits one of the most popular periods of history, Ancient Rome, for an entirely new take on one of the world’s great civilisations.
The Roman era has interested storytellers from William Shakespeare to Stanley Kubrick. From AD 2000 with the release of Ridley Scott’s Gladiator, the Hollywood Roman epic was reborn.
With the sequel to Gladiator now in production and with a new and controversial version of Cleopatra starring Gal Gadot ready for release, the Hollywood sword and sandal movie genre looks set to be making another resurgence.
This exhibition is drawn from Pop-Up Exhibition’s outstanding collection of original cinema and television props, costumes and armour, from films such as Gladiator (2000), King Arthur (2004), Centurion (2009), The Eagle (2011) Ben-Hur (2016) and the TV series Spartacus (2010-13).
It also includes some very rare costume and memorabilia from Spartacus the 1960 action adventure starring Kirk Douglas. The costume on show was used at the film’s premier in London in 1960 which was attended by Princess Margaret.
The exhibition interprets these props and costumes in the context of the history and archaeology that have inspired the film makers. It presents the lives of historical figures in a way that will connect with modern audiences and fans of historical cinema, explaining the history and influences that the film makers have drawn upon.
This is a must-see exhibition for fans of historical drama of the big and small screen. The exhibits include Oscar-winning costumes designed by Janty Yates for Gladiator including an iconic full Praetorian costume and a Battle of Cartage arena costume.
There is also Galahad’s armour designed and crafted by legendary screen armourer Terry English for King Arthur, alongside costumes worn by Liam McIntyre in the Spartacus TV series and Dominic West in Centurion.
To add to the show, Torquay Museum will be displaying some of its original Roman artefacts that include a vase from Pompeii and lamps with gladiator designs.
There will also be a rare chance to see one of Devon’s only Roman burials, a young woman found on the Hookhills estate in Paignton.
The exhibition includes interactive and handling elements, a children’s trail, original cinema posters, banners and screen-used fabric hangings that formed part of Maximus’ tent in Gladiator.
The exhibition opens on Saturday, July 8, and will run until the end of September, with the museum's Six-Legged Superheroes: Insects Saving the Planet exhibition. Visitors will get two exhibitions for the price of an entry ticket.