I had a bit of a late night TV session. Watched Gladiator II (from Sky movies) straight after BBC 1 had finished showing the first movie. I've always liked the first movie, but was a bit disappointed by the second. It was apparently directed by Ridley Scott, but I don't think he had much input otherwise. It was technically clever, though a bit far fetched in places (the arena fighting baboons & a Naval battle re-enactment in shark-infested waters within the Colosseum?) Being a bit of an anorak for simple historical flaws though I spotted one early on There was a brief scene in Egypt, with the Giza Pyramids in the background. The Pyramids were shown as they look today - with most of the smooth facing stone stripped away from them, and only a little remaining near the top of one. I believe I read once that the facing stones were not stripped from the Pyramids until stone-masons stole them while constructing Medieval Cairo, several hundred years after 200AD (The time of the movie).
I don’t see how the BBC can survive in its present form. Paying the licence fee is optional, and the majority of young people don't bother. They get some income from selling the likes of Dr Who and Strictly, but have to pay for the radio stations, including the wonderful World Service. It's constantly under attack from right-wing press and politicians, and Reform may well form the next government, so some sort of change in funding will have to occur, although I've no idea what.
