The colorful pseudo-historical series tells over 4 seasons about the history of ancient Rome known to everyone from school. Reviews for the series "Spartacus: Blood and Sand" are the most controversial. Men mostly like violent battle scenes and fairly frank colorful scenes of bed comforts. Women, on the contrary, do not like this; the most advanced of them also note a lack of historical authenticity.
General information
The American series "Spartak" began to be shown from the end of January 2010 on the paid cable channel Starz. The plot of the series was based on the story of Spartacus, who led the largest and relatively successful uprising of slaves in the Roman Republic during its heyday and power from 74 to 71 BC. The creators of the film initially concentrated on the insufficiently studied early periods of the hero's life, which were not included in historical records. The series consists of three seasons and a prequel.
The film was inspired by Stephen S. DeNight, who became the main screenwriter and executive producer. He wrote the scripts for the first two seasons and the prequel and two more episodes of the last part.
Season 1. "Spartak: Blood and Sand" (2010)
The picture was shot in New Zealand, so many New Zealand and Australian actors were involved. The main character is played by Australian actor and model Andy Whitfield. In reviews of the series "Spartacus: Blood and Sand", viewers note his brutal appearance and powerful figure. After the premiere of the series, the actor became popular in many countries of the world. This was Whitfield's last film; in 2011, he died of lymphoma.
The action of the picture begins against the backdrop of the war of the Roman legions and allied Thracian tribes against the Geth. Roman commander Guy Claudius Glabr (Craig Parker), yielding to the persuasion of his wife, decides to redirect troops to the king Pontus Mithridates. The Thracians return home to protect their villages from the Getae. Legat Glabr declares them deserters and captures one of the tribal leaders and his wife Suru (Erin Cummings). Spartacus, along with other tribesmen, is sent in a wooden cage to Capua, and Sura is sold to a Syrian slave trader. Captured Thracians must fight in the gladiatorial arena at a celebration in honor of Senator Albinius, father-in-law Glabra.
Spartak wins and is sold to the owner of the local gladiator school Lanist Quintus Lentulius Batiatus (John Hannah). In Kapua, he begins to be taught the difficult profession of murder for the amusement of the public, along with future uprising comrades-in-arms by the gladiators Crixus (Manu Bennett), Ashur (Nick E. Tarabey) and their mentor Enomay (Peter Mensa). Even in the latest reviews of the 2018 Spartak series, it is noted that the quality of visual effects and entertainment even today amazes and delights viewers, despite the fact that the picture was shot 7 years ago.
The prequel. "Spartacus: Gods of the Arena" (2011)
Despite the resounding success of the first season, the shooting of the second had to be postponed due to the illness of the leading actor Andy Whitfield. As a result, the creators of the series had the idea of releasing a prequel, telling about the formation of the famous gladiatorial school. Starz made a beautiful story in the format of a 6-episode mini-series in which Spartak was not. Despite the absence of a hero loved by everyone, the reviews about the series “Spartak: Arena Gods” were no less enthusiastic than about the first part.
The gladiatorial house of Batiatus is at the peak of fame and fortune, thanks to the victories of the magnificent Gannik (Dustin Claire). The invincible master of the blade in between fights quenches the thirst for life with wine and numerous ties with women. Slaves and patricians all want to bask in the rays of champion glory. The young Lanista Batiatus is ready to overcome all obstacles for the sake of money and power. In backstage intrigues, he is helped by the economic and seductive Lucretia (Lucy Lawless), who is helped by her slutty and treacherous girlfriend Gaya (Jamie Murray). Offering all the spectacles of bloody battles and sex, they strive to reach the heights of power in Capua.
Season 2. Spartak: Revenge (2012)
After the death of Andy Whitfield, another Australian actor Liam McIntyre was invited to the main role. In the reviews of the Spartak series, most viewers noted that, despite the replacement, the rating of the series did not suffer at all.
After escaping from Batiat school, the rebels hide in the city sewer, from time to time making sorties for weapons and food. Gladiators terrify the people of Capua and the surrounding area. Glabr takes the place of praetor and at the head of the Roman troops goes for the gladiators to destroy the detachment of Spartacus, which is rapidly increasing its number due to the slaves who join it. The rebels defeat the Roman troops at the foot of Vesuvius.
Season 3. "Spartacus: War of the Damned" (2013)
It is difficult to maintain the interest of viewers in a story whose sad end has been known to people for more than 2000 years. Many viewers noted in the reviews of the series "Spartak" that the series began to lose dynamism.
The season begins with the defeat of the rebellious slaves of the Roman legions led by Cassinia and Fury. Rome begins to understand the seriousness of the problem, and the famous commander Guy Julius Caesar (Todd Lassance) and the richest senator Mark Licinius Crassus (Simon Merrells) unite to defeat the army of Spartak.
According to reviews of the Spartak series, this film is more aimed at the male audience. There are many scenes of cruelty, blood, severed limbs mixed with a lot of naked bodies and wild sex. Thanks to computer graphics, many scenes look overly colorful and bloody.