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Spartacus: Gods of the Arena

John Hannah , Dustin Clare    NR (Not Rated)   DVD
4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
List Price: CDN$ 44.98
Price: CDN$ 17.99 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over CDN$ 25. Details
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Spartacus: Gods of the Arena + Spartacus: Blood and Sand - The Complete First Season + Spartacus: Vengeance - The Complete Second Season
Price For All Three: CDN$ 73.95

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  • Spartacus: Blood and Sand - The Complete First Season CDN$ 24.97

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  • Spartacus: Vengeance - The Complete Second Season CDN$ 30.99

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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

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Most helpful customer reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Lust, Life and Love in the Ludus Nov 14 2011
By Lesley Zychla TOP 1000 REVIEWER
Format:DVD
Take the SPARTACUS series...go back a little in time...experience the turmoil that set the stage for the greatest revolt in history. There you have "Gods of the Arena". It suffers no loss in writing, acting, set/staging or any other factor. This series stands alone in all its glory.

So many revelations come to us while watching this series. Batiatus and Lucretia, while still rather despicable characters, display the human struggle to which we all fall prey. There are family squabbles Roman-style, inlaw situations, fertility issues, family business problems. Here we are enticed to feel some of the angst Batiatus has trying to be "the good son", to equal if not outdo his father's success. His marriage to Lucretia against his father's wishes is a thorn in his side. However, it is not his wife who causes him this pain. Lucretia while scheming, arrogant and sometimes cruel will support her man to the very end....and she does! Watching this family's dynamic is like watching a reality show today...mesmerising!

Perhaps, some wonder if the lack of the character of Spartacus himself would not weaken this series...absolutely not! In the footsteps of all those gladiators before and after him, Gannicus too takes up the sword. Excellently played by Dustin Clare, Gannicus gives us everything we hope for in a hero. He is physically awesome, easy on the eye and an in-depth, fully-rounded character in his own right. Gannicus is perhaps a conglomerate of all gladiators and in his plight we can follow that track on which they are proplelled by fate. To train, to fight, to live for the glory and blood and agony of the arena, that was the life of a gladiator. Few were given their freedom at the end of a glorious career. For most, it was a gift just to see another sunrise, to touch the soft skin of an erstwhile lover one more time, to take one more breath before the roar of the ravenous crowds engulfed them.

They are all here, Naevia, Oenomanus, Barca, the beloved Crixus etc. to draw us back into the thick air of the ludus, to lure us into the orgies and outright sinful fun of the house of Batiatus. New characters too, all insatiable in their own ways, rivet us to the screen, leave us longing to walk the rowdy streets of Capua beside them, to peek into their windows and out from under their beds....longing to be a part of the scene that was the Roman Empire.

Watch it....if you loved Spartacus, chances are you will get lost in this series too. Fantastic fun!
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Show Oct 26 2011
By Ken
Format:Blu-ray
What a great show, I can not wait until season 2 of Spartacus in 2012! If you like blood sex and violence in one package get this series. Spartacus Blood and sand in my opinion was better but this was a great series to keep people satisfied while they found a new actor for Spartacus.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent series with no holds barred. Mar 9 2012
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is an excellent series, very well made and acted. Not for the squeamish or prudish though. Very graphic sword fighting and full frontal nudity both male and.female. Very well written stories.
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Most recent customer reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars A good prelude
Well done - following in the footprints of the first season - quite excellent - always amazed at the cinematography, great action scenes. Nice prelude to season one for sure.
Published 1 month ago by Rolandontheriver
4.0 out of 5 stars GOOD WAY TO SPEND A RAINY DAY
THE STORY IS REALLY THE FIRST THAT SHOULD BE VIEWED IN THE "NEW" SPARTACUS DVDS AVAILABLE . EITHER WAY IT GIVES THE VIEWER BACKGROUND INTO THE REST OF THE SERIES... Read more
Published 1 month ago by picture_nut
5.0 out of 5 stars Très bonne mini série
Très bonne série, scénario intéressant, visuel exceptionnel et que dire du cast parfaitement choisi. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Roxanne Roux
5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome
Gods of the arena is absolutely fantastic!!! Gannicus is a great addition to the show, and Crixus and Oenomaeus are excellent
Published 2 months ago by Pen Name
5.0 out of 5 stars Spartacus
Très satisfait. Par contre, il n'y a pas de version en français, ce qui est décevant, mais j'étais au courant.
Published 2 months ago by Olivier Pelletier
5.0 out of 5 stars THE SECOND BEST IF NOT THE BEST OF ALL THE SPARTACUS SEASONS!!!!
AFTER WATCHING THE FIRST SEASON (BLOOD AND SAND) I DIDNT REALLY LIKE THE IDEA OF GOING BACK IN TIME AND NOT HAVING SPARTACUS HIMSELF IN THE SPARTACUS SHOW... Read more
Published 3 months ago by S. L. Valdes
5.0 out of 5 stars Spartacus: Gods of the Arena
This film was sent to a relative of mine. He enjoyed watching them immensely. Said that it was a very explosive film.
Published 15 months ago by Dolly
5.0 out of 5 stars Spartacus: Gods of the Arena [Blu-ray]
Supper good and worth watching! The only down side is there is only six episodes and not more. Can't wait for the next season to come out on Blue Ray!
Published 19 months ago by Andrew
5.0 out of 5 stars Spartacus Gods of the ARena
The condition of the copys and delivery was excellent. I ordered on the Monday and it arrived on the Wednesday. Read more
Published 19 months ago by Levisham
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