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Amazon.co.uk Review
The title is misleading--there is no Spartacus to be found here--but little matter, as Gods of the Arena is a prime example of making lemonade from lemons. Faced with the unavailability of Andy Whitfield, star of Spartacus: Blood and Sand, due to a recurrence of cancer, the folks at Starz chose to go ahead without him and create a prequel, a resourceful way of buying some time until a new Spartacus could be found while employing several actors already under contract. The focus throughout these six episodes is on the house of Batiatus. It is there that gladiators hone their skills as they prepare for glory and/or death in the arena under the evil eye of Quintus Batiatus (John Hannah), whom Blood and Sand viewers will recognize as the principal villain of that series. The younger Batiatus, already blindly ambitious, wants to make his mark in the gladiator biz, aided by his sexy, scheming wife, Lucretia (Lucy Lawless), and her licentious friend Gaia (Jaime Murray)--and they have just the warrior to do it with in Gannicus (Dustin Clare), a preening stud described by one show exec as "Han Solo meets Achilles." There are, of course, numerous obstacles, ranging from Batiatus's own father to various rival gladiatorial operations. But really, who cares about plotting when a show has as much sex and violence, usually directly juxtaposed, as this one? True to the Blood and Sand precedent, every episode offers a steady parade of gratuitous, risibly over-the-top beheadings and other mayhem, much of it lovingly shot in slow motion, along with ample nudity (some of it full-frontal) and sex (all of it soft-core). With drugs, torture, and constant profanity also in the mix (who knew the ancient Romans dropped so many F-bombs?), this is definitely not a program for the young and impressionable. Nor is it one that's big on nuance; almost without exception, Batiatus and his ilk are depicted as frivolous, depraved, and conniving, while the gladiators and slaves are lowly but noble (not to mention as gloriously muscled and sweaty as your average Chippendales dancer). But this isn't a documentary--it's entertainment, and on that level, Gods of the Arena totally works. --Sam Graham
Product Description
The House of Batiatus is on the rise, basking in the glow of its infamous champion Gannicus, whose skill with a sword is matched only by his thirst for wine and women. These are the times a young Batiatus has been waiting for. Poised to overthrow his father and take control, he'll freely betray anyone to ensure his gladiators are in the highest demand. And he'll have his loyal and calculating wife Lucretia by his side for every underhanded scheme, drawing on the brazen talents of her seductive friend Gaia when it counts. Together, they will stop at nothing to deceive the masses, seize power and bleed Capua dry in this audacious prequel to Spartacus: Blood and Sand.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
70 of 73 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I had watched Spartacus blood and sand and loved it.
I have always been fascinated with Ancient Rome and i thought this series was in fact spectacular to watch.
It follows of rise of Gnaeus Cornelius Lentulus Batiatus played by John Hannah and explains how he became the Dominus of his house and Gladitorial school following the death of his father.
This series also follows the rise of Crixus who you were introduced too in Spartacus: Blood And Sand Season 1 [DVD] [2010] i found it quite interesting to watch this season as Crixus was a nobody and had to fight very hard to earn his place as Champion of the house.
It also goes into detail about how he came to be the lover of the Lucretia, Domina of the house played by Lucy Lawless.
Most importantly however it details the story of Gannicus, who was not only the Champion of the house before Crixus and earns his freedom, but goes onto become one of Spartacus's most loyal generals in the slave rebellion, this by the way is historical fact, you can read about it here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third_Servile_War
This season is short at only 6 episodes but at an hour each it really is worth the money.
Its authentic, violent, bloody and at times extremely brutal, and very very graphically sexual, so i would not recommend it for kids viewing even for historical purposes.
Personally i would highly recommend it but make sure that you buy the 1st season as well, ive included the link at the top of the page.
I have always been fascinated with Ancient Rome and i thought this series was in fact spectacular to watch.
It follows of rise of Gnaeus Cornelius Lentulus Batiatus played by John Hannah and explains how he became the Dominus of his house and Gladitorial school following the death of his father.
This series also follows the rise of Crixus who you were introduced too in Spartacus: Blood And Sand Season 1 [DVD] [2010] i found it quite interesting to watch this season as Crixus was a nobody and had to fight very hard to earn his place as Champion of the house.
It also goes into detail about how he came to be the lover of the Lucretia, Domina of the house played by Lucy Lawless.
Most importantly however it details the story of Gannicus, who was not only the Champion of the house before Crixus and earns his freedom, but goes onto become one of Spartacus's most loyal generals in the slave rebellion, this by the way is historical fact, you can read about it here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third_Servile_War
This season is short at only 6 episodes but at an hour each it really is worth the money.
Its authentic, violent, bloody and at times extremely brutal, and very very graphically sexual, so i would not recommend it for kids viewing even for historical purposes.
Personally i would highly recommend it but make sure that you buy the 1st season as well, ive included the link at the top of the page.
40 of 42 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I seriously considered not watching this, since I thought a series of Spartacus without Spartacus would be pointless, although I am so glad I did. The story line is just perfect, and as with the first series there are so many clever twists etc. Its fascinating seeing how the house of Batiatus got to where it was in blood and sand, and this mini series renders new meaning and shines light onto the blood and sand series. The acting, cast, storyline and everything is spot on. If you loved blood and sand and are doubtful about this because it doesn't have spartacus in, then don't be! give it a watch.
52 of 55 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
While the character who plays Spartacus fights illness the producers have created a 6 episode prequel mini series.
Despite its short length Gods of the Arena does an outstanding job of explaining many of the pre stories of Season 1 while injecting all the manoeuvring for favour, violence and sex that marked the series out as so exceptional.
The acting, characterisation, plot and dialogue has all the skill and conviction of a Shakespearian production. Graphically impressive the photography and direction capture the essence of the era beautifully.
As good as all the components are this is a series about gladiators and the real stars are the fight scenes - choreographed, performed and CGI'd into a heavily stylised brutal reality they are fully immersive and leave little to the imagination
Buy it, and if you haven't seen season 1 yet, buy that first to appreciate the character stories in full.
Despite its short length Gods of the Arena does an outstanding job of explaining many of the pre stories of Season 1 while injecting all the manoeuvring for favour, violence and sex that marked the series out as so exceptional.
The acting, characterisation, plot and dialogue has all the skill and conviction of a Shakespearian production. Graphically impressive the photography and direction capture the essence of the era beautifully.
As good as all the components are this is a series about gladiators and the real stars are the fight scenes - choreographed, performed and CGI'd into a heavily stylised brutal reality they are fully immersive and leave little to the imagination
Buy it, and if you haven't seen season 1 yet, buy that first to appreciate the character stories in full.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Not real but you could believe it
I think everything that can be said has been, what I liked apart from a story that, once captured kept my interest for the whole two series, was that having recently visited... Read more
Published 4 days ago by M. Parfitt
The mixture as before
The story goes that this was a "stop-gap" series to keep the story alive while Andy Whitfield (Spartacus) recovered from a serious illness. Read more
Published 20 days ago by BigJohn
"..BLOOD, SEX AND VIOLENCE.."
If youre a massive fan of blood and sand the epic first series of Spartacus then you must own this! An epic prequel series with some of the same cast returning and a great build up... Read more
Published 1 month ago by S. Drury
Best TV in years
Gods of the Arena is a work of genius. A must have for anyone who enjoyed Spartacus: Blood and Sand. Top quality.
Published 1 month ago by Nicholas Winstanley
Bloodsport & backstabbing
This series has it all: blood, sweat, tears and other bodily fluids. Without going into the plot, the series tells how the house of Batiatus (the family running the ludus or... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Wim Nelis
Utter Gold.
So sad to hear about Andy. Thoughts and best regards to his family.
This prequel is absolutely fantastic. Read more
This prequel is absolutely fantastic. Read more
Published 2 months ago by G Hynes
Blood, guts and naked boobs
The original Spartacus series, Blood and Sand, took a few of its 13 episodes to get into its stride. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Emilio Mestiga
Lakeside
The product was really good and excellent condition and the quality of the video was brillant and am very happy to continue to buy more things as well.
Published 2 months ago by mark8927
fab
fantastic prequel ties lots of storyline from blood and sandSpartacus - Gods Of The Arena [DVD] pity i had 2 copies of it one as a gift so sadly had 2 send my copy back
Published 3 months ago by Mrs. R. Stephens
secondhand goods!
i ordered this from a trusted seller and the quality is fantastic!!! the whole of the spartacus series are amazing defo one for the girls as well as the boys! ;)
Published 3 months ago by lala78
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