Gladiators have always been a popular topic for movies, plays, and books. Many of these warriors have become famous for centuries. One of them is Guy Gannik - a brave leader of the uprising of slaves who died in the struggle for freedom.
Guy in history
Many historians believe that Gaius Gannicus, or, as Plutarch called him in his annals, is Gaius Cannis, born in the 2nd century BC. e. Some consider Gaul to be his homeland, others speak of Celtic roots. There is a version that Guy belonged to the Samnites - ancient Italian nationalities.
The captured Gannik became a gladiator and was sold to Kapuya to the school of gladiatorial skill of Lentul Batit, where he became friends with Spartak, the future leader of the slave revolt.
In 73 BC e. it was Guy who became the head of a large detachment of rebels in southern Italy. In addition to him, the detachments were led by Cast, Enomai, and Crixus. In 71, Spartak decided to lead his army to Thrace and Gaul. At the final stage of the uprising, when the capture of Brundisy was planned, Gannik and Caste separated from the main army with 12 thousand soldiers.
After some time, the rebels met with the Romans, who outnumbered the slaves by 3 times and were more professional warriors. In a battle near Regia, Guy Gannicus died heroically fighting.
Movie character
In the movie, the image of Guy Gannik was used several times. In 1960, Stanley Kubrick made the film "Spartacus," where Gannika played actor Paul Lambert. 44 years later, in the film of the same name directed by Robert Dornhelm, the image of the glorious gladiator, played by Paul Telfer, was also involved .
But the most beloved hero for the audience was Guy Gannik in the film "Spartacus: Blood and Sand" and its continuation - "Gods of the Arena", "Revenge" and "War of the Damned."
In the film, Guy is presented as an intelligent and prudent person, a real gladiator with a notion of honor, possessing charisma and attractive appearance.
In the arena, this warrior is a real lion, in ordinary life he seeks to enjoy every pleasant moment. In Batiatus ludus, he is the best. His friend Enomai and his wife Melitta are, in fact, the most dear people. Although friendship sometimes creates some problems due to the emerging sympathy of Guy and Melitta.
Gannik received a rare opportunity to gain freedom and took advantage of it. At the opening of the new gladiatorial arena, he won the decisive battle and ceased to be a slave.
Unlike his prototype, Guy decided not to participate in the uprising with Spartacus, but to engage in his life. Such a choice cannot be called strange just because a person did not want to lose everything that he had achieved through hard work.
Dustin Claire
An Australian by origin, Dustin Claire, first received public acclaim after the series "Enjoyment," where he played Sean. For this work he received an award as the most outstanding actor.
Guy Gannick to the actor brought special popularity and recognition to the public. Also known for his roles in the series "Lower Abdomen" and the Australian melodrama "Daughters of Maclead," which brought him the award as the best young actor.
Image work
Dustin, when creating his idea of the character, kept in his head the image of Anthony Mendein, who was an aboriginal of Australia and a famous boxer in his homeland. He, like Gannik, is an artist and showman in the ring. This does not prevent them from being true professionals in their field. Guy can have various feelings, but it is impossible not to notice.
The director of the series tried to show the audience that the actors in the roles of gladiators are strong not only in spirit, but also physically. Therefore, many were trained to handle different types of weapons, trained hard and maintained the necessary physical shape. Guy Gannick (photo by Claire) confirms this fully.
Some actors were injured during training and on the set, but a team of wonderful stuntmen greatly facilitated the life of the “gladiators”. Claire's understudy was Jacob Tomuri, who performed particularly dangerous stunts. Dustin developed friendly relations with him throughout the entire filming process.
Claire learned to handle two swords at once. The actor plans to use the knowledge and skills gained in combat techniques and dance lessons in other roles.
Training on horseback riding took up most of the time, because in the series Gannik is very often on horseback. Dustin even had to jump over a galloping horse himself. Not all attempts were successful, but in the end the scene turned out.
The opinion of the actor about his character
Claire considers his character in many ways an antihero as opposed to Spartacus. “They have different traits of character, and this is what attracts them to each other. In one they are similar - both do not tolerate power over themselves and despise slavery.”
According to Dustin, Gannik hides his true image behind some sloppiness, idleness and love of wine and women. When a gladiator receives such a longed-for freedom, he goes on a journey with the goal of knowing the world and himself. Upon returning, the hero becomes more focused and disciplined, he clearly observes the inner core, which for a long time was visible only to the elect.