This past Friday saw the end of the Starz original series Spartacus. It was a far cry from the 4-Time Oscar winning film starring Kirk Douglas from 1960. For a cable television series it did however have the look and feel of a feature film. It is very reminiscent in terms of style of the film 300. Spartacus had pushed the envelope in regards to both violence and explicit sexuality. It makes a show like HBO’s True Blood seem like a Saturday morning cartoon in comparison.
Spartacus tells the “true” story of a man, turned slave, turned gladiator, turned freedom fighter. He became more than a man, he became a symbol of freedom and the declaration of “I am Spartacus” has become the stuff of legend.
Premiering in January of 2010, this historical drama was the vision of producers Steven S. DeKnight and Robert Tapert. Australian Andy Whitfield was originally tabbed to play the title role and did so during the shows first season Spartacus: Blood and Sand. When he was later diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma, a prequel starring Dustin Clare as Gannicus called Spartacus: Gods of the Arena was made in order to keep the series moving while Whitfield was recovering. Unfortunately, Whitfield had succumb to cancer and passed away in September of 2011. Replacing him was another Australian, Liam McIntyre and the second season debuted in January 2012 with Spartacus: Vengeance.
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| Andy Whifield and Liam McIntyre as SPARTACUS |
The series focused on the 2-year period of the Thracian gladiator’s life that leads to the historical slave uprising against the Roman Republic
The series finale of Spartacus: War of the Damned was everything I expected it to be and more. A satisfying if not a bittersweet ending. Even the ending credits was a touching reminder of all the characters that took part in this series no matter how big or small their role may have been, saving the best for last with the late Andy Whitfield. Was it historically accurate? Probably not completely. But was it great theater, absolutely with wonderful performances by all led originally by Whitfield through McIntyre and Manu Bennett as the gladiator Crixus.
Although Spartacus lasted 3 seasons plus a prequel for a total of only 39 episodes, it help put Starz on the map as a serious player for original programming that was once only held by HBO. I am looking forward to seeing what future projects Starz will entertain us with. Whatever it may be, it better be as good if not better because Spartacus had set the bar pretty high. There was a great quote in the finale stating that “Rome
Although Spartacus lasted 3 seasons plus a prequel for a total of only 39 episodes, it help put Starz on the map as a serious player for original programming that was once only held by HBO. I am looking forward to seeing what future projects Starz will entertain us with. Whatever it may be, it better be as good if not better because Spartacus had set the bar pretty high. There was a great quote in the finale stating that “
May the Dork be with you,
JPB
The Dork Knight
