Product Details

• Actors: John Hannah, Lucy Lawless, Dustin Clare, Peter Mensah, Jaime Murray
• Producers: Robert Tapert, Sam Raimi, Steven S. DeKnight, Joshua Donen
• Format: Blu-ray, NTSC
• Language: English
• Subtitles: English, Spanish
• Dubbed: Spanish
• Region: Region A/1 (Read more about DVD/Blu-ray formats.)
• Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
• Number of discs: 2
• Rated: Unrated
• Studio: Anchor Bay Entertainment
• DVD Release Date: September 13, 2011
• Run Time: 347 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (404 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B004HW7JMY
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,358 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• Learn more about "Spartacus: Gods of the Arena [Blu-ray]" on IMDb

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

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 has towered above the city of Capua for many years. Spartacus: Gods of the Arena will explore its deadly history before the arrival of Spartacus, and the death he carried with him. Loyalties will be tested, lives shattered, and battles waged in this thrilling prequel to Spartacus: Blood and Sand.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

188 of 203 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Blood And Villainy Highlight This Six Part Prequel To The Starz Sensation February 4, 2011

By K. Harris HALL OF FAMETOP 10 REVIEWER

Format:DVD

When the first season of the Starz original production of "Spartacus: Blood & Sand" came to its frenzied and gore soaked conclusion, I screamed in horror as my favorite evil doers lay in pools of blood. Okay, first I was laughing delightedly at the over-the-top genius and spectacle of that last episode--but then I realized that the second season might go on without the cunning antics of Lucy Lawless and John Hannah. And that, my friends, is a scary thought--because their diabolical machinations were a principle selling point of the show! For the record, I don't know their specific fate--but visually it didn't look very promising! However, when lead Andy Whitfield was diagnosed with cancer, it left the second season upended to see what would happen. Whitfield did, indeed, have to drop out--but the series went forward with another actor cast. This delay, however, caused the creation of the six part "Spartacus: Gods of the Arena" prequel. And while not as instantly compelling as its insane predecessor, the show does allow viewers to spend more time with Batiatus (Hannah) and Lucretia (Lawless)!

Set in the period prior to "Blood and Sand," "Gods of the Arena" charts the trials and tribulations as Hannah tries to maneuver his gladiator house into a position of prominence. There is a new set of political opponents, plenty of familiar faces among the gladiator ranks (including the arrival of bad boy Crixus), and a fresh faced hero of the Batiatus house. Dustin Clare as Gannicus is filled with charm and bravado--but being a gladiator star may be a short lived occupation! Those that come to the show for its action elements will be delighted by the continuous blood-letting and the vibrantly ridiculous CGI effects.... Not aiming for realistic violence, one of the pleasures of these programs is the gleefully over-the-top spectacle presented within each episode. One of my favorite confrontations is a blind-folded Gannicus doing battle with a top rival in another house. The fight scenes are choreographed with gruesome precision and are always loads of fun.

Some of the soap opera drama, however, is not quite as effective as the original show. One particularly awkward moment of unnecessary histrionics comes when a married slave woman is required to have sex with Gannicus, who happens to be a friend of her husband. How much sex, debauchery, murder and perversion have we seen in the Batiatus home? I mean seriously! This little act of infidelity seems pretty minor and yet Lawless seems disturbed to have to require it and the slave weeps at the indiscretion (before enjoying it, of course). She's a slave--and slaves are tortured and abused--how much emotion am I supposed to work up because she has to have sex? It's even tender and loving!

Through it all, though, Lawless is a delight and Hannah oozes menace. Their campy villainy remains a highlight! But I've saved the best for last, "Gods of the Arena" has added an absolutely delicious new character in Jaime Murray's Gaia. Murray, who I've appreciated in everything from "Hustle" to "Warehouse 13" to "Dexter," plays a cohort of Lawless. She inhabits the role with sly malevolence and indisputable sexiness. She may be what I remember most about this incarnation of the series! If you enjoyed the original show, this should be fitful entertainment as you await the arrival of Season Two. It may not possess the madcap and operatic genius of the Whitfield story arc--but there are still plenty of depraved pleasures to be had! KGHarris, 2/11. Read more ›

74 of 89 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Different, but the same February 25, 2011

By Damian P. Gadal VINE™ VOICE

Format:DVD

Gods of the Arena came about due to the illness of Andy Whitfield (godspeed on a full recovery), so in essence, this isn't part of the Spartacus: Blood and Sand story, but rather a prequel. The show, is different, and yet the same.

We've still got Quintus and Lucretia (who deserve each other) constantly plotting against all that gets in the way of their devious pursuits of fame and power. In addition, we get the back story of Oenomaus, Crixus, and Ashur, who play important roles in the Blood and Sand series.

We also get to see the building moral decline of Quintus and Lucretia through their association with Gaia, and the seedy elements she brings to the House of Batiatus.

Spartucus: Gods of the Arena exceeded my expectations, and was a wild ride well worth watching.

There are plenty of twists and turns that will keep the viewer guessing, and most often they don't turn out the way one would expect.

77 of 93 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent - but what's up with the price?! March 5, 2011

By lbcaguy

Format:DVD

Excellent series and a great prequel that fills in back stories mentioned in Blood & Sand. And again we're left wondering about Lucretia's fate since there is still movement when they show the final scene of Blood & Sand in the beginning of Gods of the Arena.
But jeez, what's with price of the 6-episode series being almost as much as the 13-episode original season? And that's even with Amazon's 30% off...

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Blood And Villainy Highlight This Six Part Prequel To The Starz Sensation September 14, 2011

By K. Harris HALL OF FAMETOP 10 REVIEWER

Spoiler Alert: If you haven't seen the original show--the "Blood and Sand: Season One" conclusion is referenced in first paragraph.

When the first season of the Starz original production of "Spartacus: Blood & Sand" came to its frenzied and gore soaked conclusion, I screamed in horror as my favorite evil doers lay in pools of blood. Okay, first I was laughing delightedly at the over-the-top genius and spectacle of that last episode--but then I realized that the second season might go on without the cunning antics of Lucy Lawless and John Hannah. And that, my friends, is a scary thought--because their diabolical machinations were a principle selling point of the show! For the record, I don't know their specific fate--but visually it didn't look very promising! However, when lead Andy Whitfield was diagnosed with cancer, it left the second season upended to see what would happen. Whitfield did, indeed, have to drop out (sadly, he passed away on 9/11/11 at age 39)-but the series went forward with another actor cast. This delay, however, caused the creation of the six part "Spartacus: Gods of the Arena" prequel. And while not as instantly compelling as its insane predecessor, the show does allow viewers to spend more time with Batiatus (Hannah) and Lucretia (Lawless)!

Set in the period prior to "Blood and Sand," "Gods of the Arena" charts the trials and tribulations as Hannah tries to maneuver his gladiator house into a position of prominence. There is a new set of political opponents, plenty of familiar faces among the gladiator ranks (including the arrival of bad boy Crixus), and a fresh faced hero of the Batiatus house. Dustin Clare as Gannicus is filled with charm and bravado--but being a gladiator star may be a short lived occupation!... Those that come to the show for its action elements will be delighted by the continuous blood-letting and the vibrantly ridiculous CGI effects. Not aiming for realistic violence, one of the pleasures of these programs is the gleefully over-the-top spectacle presented within each episode. One of my favorite confrontations is a blind-folded Gannicus doing battle with a top rival in another house. The fight scenes are choreographed with gruesome precision and are always loads of fun.

Some of the soap opera drama, however, is not quite as effective as the original show. One particularly awkward moment of unnecessary histrionics comes when a married slave woman is required to have sex with Gannicus, who happens to be a friend of her husband. How much sex, debauchery, murder and perversion have we seen in the Batiatus home? I mean seriously! This little act of infidelity seems pretty minor and yet Lawless seems disturbed to have to require it and the slave weeps at the indiscretion (before enjoying it, of course). She's a slave--and slaves are tortured and abused--how much emotion am I supposed to work up because she has to have sex? It's even tender and loving!

Through it all, though, Lawless is a delight and Hannah oozes menace. Their campy villainy remains a highlight! But I've saved the best for last, "Gods of the Arena" has added an absolutely delicious new character in Jaime Murray's Gaia. Murray, who I've appreciated in everything from "Hustle" to "Warehouse 13" to "Dexter," plays a cohort of Lawless. She inhabits the role with sly malevolence and indisputable sexiness. She may be what I remember most about this incarnation of the series! If you enjoyed the original show, this should be fitful entertainment as you await the arrival of Season Two. It may not possess the madcap and operatic genius of the Whitfield story arc--but there are still plenty of depraved pleasures to be had! KGHarris, 2/11. Read more ›

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars I gotta say..I enjoyed it more than Blood & Sand April 11, 2011

By C. Powell

Format:DVD

Spartacus: Gods of the Arena begins strong and ends amazing. I enjoyed this miniseries to the fullest extent. I must say I wish it were longer than just six episodes but those six episodes are full of action, blood, sex, betrayal, everything that Blood and Sand was & more! Gannicus was a great character to have and was not as annoying as Spartacus was in Blood and Sand. This prequel to the first season presents an abundant amount of missing and unknown information from the first season which provides better understanding to what is going on, who is who, why they were or were not there in the first season and much more..The nudity, sex and goofy language is there just as it were in Blood and Sand, but I must admit I was not as put off by it as I was with the first season. By now the obscene, yet rather odd, language is quite enjoyable and laughable where as in the first season I was not to favorable of it. Naked people are all over the screen yet again, most are quite pleasing to look at though. I read that the blu ray release will contain extended episodes too much for tv as the first season did which is always a nice plus to have. I will be purchasing this on blu ray once it is released and will be purchasing Blood and Sand so that I can go back and watch it again. I'm sure I'd enjoy it much much more the second time around. I hope I've been helpful..

-Cam