| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Save now on popular classic TV favorites such as Charlies Angels, Sanford and Son, Soap and many more. Offer ends May 31, 2013. |
Frequently Bought Together
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images? |
Special Features
Starz Studios: Gods of the Arena
Extended Scenes
Alternate Endings
Content Too Risqué for Cable TV
Convention Panel
Arena Bloopers
On Set With Lucy Lawless
Post Production: The Final Execution
Weapons of Mass Disruption
Battle Royale: Anatomy of a Scene
10 Easy Steps to Dismemberment
Dressed to Kill
Enter the Arena: Production Design
Extended Scenes
Alternate Endings
Content Too Risqué for Cable TV
Convention Panel
Arena Bloopers
On Set With Lucy Lawless
Post Production: The Final Execution
Weapons of Mass Disruption
Battle Royale: Anatomy of a Scene
10 Easy Steps to Dismemberment
Dressed to Kill
Enter the Arena: Production Design
Watch Free Previews and Buy Episodes from Amazon Instant Video (Learn More)
| Spartacus Season 0 | - Available Formats |
|
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.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
189 of 204 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
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.
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.
77 of 93 people found the following review helpful
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...
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...
73 of 88 people found the following review helpful
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.
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.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Series
If you're into a style of show where it's almost more graphic novel than this is the show for you. It's the prequel to Spartacus Blood and Sand and has just as much action. Read more
Published 3 hours ago by Keari
5.0 out of 5 stars
best series ever!
This series was addictive. Great characters and actors. I'm sad to see it end but glad to be able to see it again and again on dvd!
Published 1 day ago by Rhonda Beckett
5.0 out of 5 stars
Another great!!
This story had so many great characters. Some real, some fictional. The acting was fantastic. I got caught up in so many of them. Their dialog was wonderful.
Published 2 days ago by Jackie Choate
5.0 out of 5 stars
AWESOME!!!
It is just like the other spatacus seasons. So if you liked the other ones you will love this one. It gives you a back story
to some of the best characters before spartacus... Read more
to some of the best characters before spartacus... Read more
Published 3 days ago by Arlen
4.0 out of 5 stars
Love it
Great i got this for my brother and he loved it, it was here on time and was cheap. i even watched it
Published 8 days ago by JAR5783
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Prequel
It really fleshed out some characters, in particular Batiatus, Lucrezia and Onemeaus. It introduced us to a kickass new Gladiator and important figure in the rest of the series,... Read more
Published 9 days ago by Claudia Pepin
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of the best TV series ever.
This was such a good series and it gives you a feel for the way gladiators would have lived and trained in their day. Great acting and the fighting wasn’t too over the top.
Published 10 days ago by Charles Carfagno Jr
5.0 out of 5 stars
SPARTACUS IS EXCITING
The acting in Spartacus is superb. The sets, camera work, and the writing are extremely well done. The language and nudity were perhaps overdone, but the attempt to portray Rome as... Read more
Published 12 days ago by Richard Fowler
5.0 out of 5 stars
Step two
The genesis of the ludus .....u can't revisit the beginning in better style. Full episodes that takes us back to the beginning.
Published 12 days ago by clayton Blair
5.0 out of 5 stars
AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!
Blood, guts, sex. The Roman elite knew how to live. They use naked women by putting hors'dourves on them, using them as a serving tray at parties. Read more
Published 15 days ago by EPCWV
