Composer:
Joseph LoDucaCast:
Andy Whitfield, Liam McIntyre, Lucy Lawless, John Hannah, Viva Bianca, Manu Bennett, Craig Parker, Lesley-Ann Brandt, Erin Cummings, Peter Mensah, Jai Courtney (more)VOD (3)
Seasons(3) / Episodes(33)
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Blood and Sand (2010) - 13 episodes
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Vengeance (2012) - 10 episodes
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War of Damned (2013) - 10 episodes
Plots(1)
Betrayed by the Romans. Forced into slavery. Reborn as a Gladiator. The classic tale of the Republic’s most infamous rebel comes alive in the graphic and visceral new series, Spartacus: Blood and Sand. Torn from his homeland and the woman he loves, Spartacus is condemned to the brutal world of the arena where blood and death are primetime entertainment. But not all battles are fought upon the sands. Treachery, corruption, and the allure of sensual pleasures will constantly test Spartacus. To survive, he must become more than a man. More than a gladiator. He must become a legend. (official distributor synopsis)
(more)Reviews (3)
Starz! took inspiration from the success of HBO, FX, and Showtime to make a new Spartacus series full of action, blood, and raunchy sex. In the beginning, they wrapped it all up in a neat digital package and stories from a gladiator school where everyone has their own dreams and goals. That in and of itself might have been interesting enough - less so for me - but I have to pause to reflect on the excellent actors in the key roles. They are, after all, the main spicy attraction. The perfect couple, Batiatus and Lucretia, are played by John Hannah and Lucy Lawless, who work together to enhance the best of their careers. John hasn't just been the Mummy sidekick and Lucy just Xena for a long time. Although Xena was a character with so many faces that most actresses dream of. It's almost unbelievable how natural all the scenes feel, with death struggles and never-ending sex in many ways being an integral part of it all... The nudity is not outrageous and action is a necessity. Lucy reveals all to give a hint of more... how is that possible? And of course, the intrigue of Ilithyia Viva Bianca is very much on point. Andy Whitfield in the lead role initially looked like he was going to be the weakest link, but he evolves along with his character and gradually becomes another elite favorite of the show. It would have been a shame if he hadn't made it even halfway, although, of course, certain stages of his character development are less believable. Of the directors, Michael Hurst is the absolute best, and his interpretation of the rain bearer was breathtaking, and the fight with the giant was the most mythical. Joe LoDuca also logically confirmed his high standard as a musician. Thanks to the perfect Gods of Arena prequel, I've survived the wait for the new series Spartacus Vengeance very nicely, and I settled for the opening episodes Blood and Sand, which fell far short of the delight and solace of the second half of the series. Spartacus is the direction of the modern television drama. The story of the revolution of the third failed slave revolt in ancient Rome does not speak so much to today as the defiance of nobility, intrigue, ambition, and lust.
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I haven't gotten this "into" a show in a long time. Spartacus is charged with energy and a desire for revenge, which comes in the last episode with everything! Great performances by Andy Whitfield, fantastic music and effects and shameless sex... that's the magic of Spartacus! A leader in its field!
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Blood and Sand – 90% – I thought I had made the wrong choice with this one. The first episode is empty in its dialogue, strangely unfocused in introducing the main characters, and ridiculous in its special effects – but then it only gets better. Capua contains strong characters, shocking twists, unexpected losses at all hierarchical levels, and a plot that escalates almost unbearably. The creators are not afraid to push the viewer into a position where they can't help but look forward to the next bloodthirsty fight, as that's how strongly and precisely the series attacks low instincts, even though it immediately evokes tears with its unwavering empathy. Andy Whitfield was a king who, even though he didn't act convincingly in some moments, always had charisma. The palpable hatred towards Crixus or Batiatus in John Hannah's indulgent performance was the greatest treasure that propelled the series to its peak right from the beginning. Vengeance – 80% – Great respect to the creators for how bravely they dealt with everything. We are watching a new series for almost half of it, where fortunately the city intrigues and attempts to distract the crowd are gone (the arena fights of anonymous characters were a big mistake). The wandering adventures of the main group are only sporadically entertaining if you look the other way. The vulnerable bravery of the original protagonist is gone; Liam McIntyre does his best, but in this season, the age difference compared to Whitfield is unpleasantly noticeable and distracting. What is shameful is the recasting of Naevia. Of course, no one could expect Cynthia Addai-Robinson to be identical to her predecessor, but this is such a difference that it might have been better to let her character die and find a completely new love interest for Crixus. So even though Vengeance is lacking in acting, writing, and adventure, two factors greatly save it. The first is the carefree bohemian Gannicus, who joined the party from a prequel arena gem and adds the element that the brave uprising was missing. The second are the two final episodes. These are nothing but a noble, bloody, and merciless ancient tragedy with losses of life everywhere you look. An unbelievable affair precisely because the series caught me unprepared at that moment. War of the Damned – 70% – I entered the final season with a shiver down my spine because the chapters of history taught back in school also came to mind with the arrival of Marcus Crassus. Sometimes, I couldn't believe how quickly the modest story of a smoldering rebellion turned into a grand war strategy. Unfortunately, the series develops better as a whole than its characters manage to do. Everyone is at the beginning where they should be (the brave alcoholic Gannicus, the perpetually in love warrior Crixus, the pensive strategist Spartacus, and unfortunately, the warmongering hydra Naevia), and the story revolves around this quartet somewhat in circles. Once again, it is necessary to have the story in one specific place, this time it is the city of Sinuessa. Here the war unnecessarily stops and, until the Romans attack the city walls, it becomes a waiting game by Crassus and the creators. It doesn't work; the pack of new characters don't grow on the viewer's heart, especially since you can sense that they won't become too attached to the screen, and that in most cases they can expect another quick end. But it wasn't until the blizzard that I managed to tune in to the right note and began to feel that this is where the beginning of the end is. The shivers with the knowledge of who will die or should die are paralyzing, and the final episode Victory, although it didn't hit me directly, is more than a dignified culmination. It was the story of brave men, great lords, and beautiful women (Mira, Ilithyia, Seppia, and Sibyl took your breath away). It was far from perfect, but I am very glad that it outgrew its shadow of a series cashing in on the phenomenon of 300. I am Spartacus.
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Photo © Starz Entertainment, LLC.
![Spartacus - Photos - Pana Hema Taylor, Ditch Davey, Cynthia Addai-Robinson, Barry Duffield](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w663/files/images/film/photos/163/016/163016547_468b5d.jpg)
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