Remember the classic movie "Spartacus" in 1960 starring Kirk Douglas? Well, Starz has made a TV series out of the story of the famous Gladiator who led a memorable rebellions against the Roman Empire around 74~71BC. Is it a good show? This is what I will like to talk about here.
A word of warning up front, at the beginning of each show, the viewer is first greeted by this warning message "The show is a historical portrayal of ancient Rome society and the intensity of the content is to suggest an authentic representation of that period". The result? Well, Spartacus Blood and Sand is like 300+ The gladiator, with overexposure of colour contrast like 300 but with such extreme blood, gore, violence, perversion, sex, nudity scenes that makes any R-rated tv series or movies look like some Disney family entertainment.. you get the picture.
The question is, do all the violence and sex scenes mean something? Well I think the violence and sex in this R-rated TV series are necessary. Why? Let me start by introducing some story element here.
The story started as we are introduced to Spartacus, a Thracian. His tribe made a mutual agreement with the Romans to denfend their homeland. The Romans dishonored the agreement, ordering the Thracians to advance the army in a different direction leaving their villiage unprotected. The Thracians led a rebellion against the Romans so they can return and defend their village. This lead to Spartacus and his wife's capture by the Roman general Cladias Glaber. Spartacus was sold into slavery and his wife shared the same fate. He was brought to Capua, scheduled for execution in the gladiator arena in a fight against four gladiators. Somehow, Spartacus bested and killed the four executioners in the arena and was purchased by a lanista (slave master, trainer of gladiators) Quintus Batiatus. Spartacus was sent to the training house, where he met the gladiator champion Crixus, a fellow trainee Varro and the whip wielding trainer Doctore. It is there Spartacus began his journey filled with blood, death, loss of friends, being betrayed, and lots of pain and grief, forever hoping that one day he can re-unite with his wife.
Season 1 has 13 episodes, and the series ended with Spartacus' successful rebellion against his slave master Batiatus. This show is full of violence, sex and swearing words, pretty much every episode has scenes of decapitation, sex and constant use of F-words. For example, some of the scenes of disembowlment during the gladiator fights actually depicted internal organs flowing out from the slashed open stomach. While most of the sex scenes are quite explicit and are perverted. This demonstrated how morally defunct the Romans were back in the days. All in all, I think the violence and the sex is there to depict how disgusting and defunct the Roman society was back in those days. And if that was the director's intention, then I think the maker of this tv series did a good job at portraying the ancient Roman society.
An interesting thing I noticed in this show is that during that era, the Romans were pagans who were also polytheistic. It is worth noting that the Romans view of their Gods is one that is based on materialistic blessings. In other words, the Romans viewed their Gods as someone almost like Santa Claus, they believed that if they please their Gods by doing something then they will be granted with material blessings in life. There is no real relation between human and God in their religion, never mind real faith.
In the show, the slave master Batiatus and his wife are a couple who craves for power and will do anything to gain power. However, it is interesting to see that their fellow Romans also played games of their own. As if their entire Roman society is filled with treacheries, lies, murders, and sexual immorality. Honour and justice are but lip services, while the cultured and civilised appearances are put up to cover up for the animals they really are underneath. In many ways, I think things has not changed much since then, and much of our modern day society reflects the ancient Roman society. As I finished watching the series, I was fairly disgusted with the ancient Romans, but was also thoroughly disturbed with the reflection that our society bears shocking resemblance to the one depicted in this tv series.
Another theme in this tv series focuses on the master and slave system in ancient Rome. If you were a slave, then your life is pretty much worth nothing. A slave in that era had to obey whatever their master commands them to do. From killing, getting killed to having sex with anyone his/her master commands to. There is no dignity for slaves as human beings. As I was watching this series, as I felt anger for the injustice brought upon the slaves by their masters I also came to realize and appreciate the Biblical teaching from Roman chapter 6 more than ever, that through Christ we are no longer slaves to sin which leads to death, but set free to be slaves to righteousness which leads to real life. I wonder what the slaves in ancient Rome thought when they heard this, it must be the best news they've ever heard in their entire lives. By receiving Jesus as their saviour, they can hope and rest assured that they will receive the kingdom of heaven, when there will no pain nor suffering, and everything will be made right...
What about us? Although slavery no longer exist in our society (if you live in a developed country) but can anyone really claim that we are free? What about drug addictions? sexual addictions? Trying to gain power and money? Career growth? worry about retirement fund? popularity? always need good food and luxury cloth? worry about health? obsessed about beauty? addicted to coffee? attached to watch tv shows? addicted to video games? No matter who you are or what you do, we are all struggling with some obsessions that makes us slaves, because sin exists in our world. Spartacus led a rebellion against the Roman empire, it was an anti-slavery statement right into the Roman's face. His fight was the one for all people to be treated with the dignity they deserved, perhaps his vision was a kingdom for all. His actions and spirits are commendable, but as history told the tale, Spartacus ultimately failed and most of his comrades and possibly himself were killed in a battle. He is celebrated as a hero today. However, there is another man, Jesus who have died for us and have came back, he have defeated death and our slave master "sin". He promised that if we follow him then we can be free from slavery of sin, and one day receive the kingdom of heaven, which is something far better and important than a human envisioned "utopia". If Spartacus, someone who fought for equality of human, but have failed is celebrated as a hero, then what's stopping us from following and loving Jesus, who have died for us and came back to live, therefore defeated death/sin itself and promised us kingdom of heaven?
Final score:
Story 8/10 - The story is good, Spartacus' love and loyalty to his wife is truly moving. The story is also filled with political struggles and some surprise elements.
Cinematography 7.5/10 - Intensive use of CGI, lots of slow motions with awesome fighting scenes. The maker of this tv series unshamefully borrowed cinematography from 300, but did a good job.
Violence Extreme: I have never seen a more violent and gory media production in my entire life, get the picture?
Sex/nudity Extreme: There are sex scenes every 10 minutes in every episode. I think the sex scenes aroused more feeling of disgust towards the Roman culture rather than fuelling lust, but it depends on people. Still, I think there is just way too many sex scenes in this tv series, and many times it is quite unbearable.
Final verdict 8.5/10 - To be honest, I really enjoyed this tv series, this is one of those things that is good and terrible at the same time, and I watched the entire season in 3 days. It is a show about Spartacus and the gladiators. I think the show depicted the lives in ancient Rome really well, and also gave great insight into the gladiators. However, this show is NOT for the feint -hearted, and in my good conscience I cannot think of anyone I can recommend this show to , especially NOT amongst my circle of friends. A new rating should be introduced for this show, maybe like RRR-rated? Anyway, you have been warned! -
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