Spartacus Blood and Sand

[TancredTheNorman]

Has anybody ever scene a more pathetic attempt at disguising pornography as a tv series?

I'm serious, I just saw it's preview and a few episodes and I have noticed no plot whatsoever, no character development, extremely innacurate ((according to Roman Law and Roman Literature that survived) social arrangements, mediocre acting, BUT it has some redeeming features.

It allows you to see naked women in front of your girlfriend and get called tasteless instead of perverted, you see more blood then in Gladiator or for that matter even a Mel Gibson movie like Braveheart (just without any artistic pretense), with extreme elitism it starts out claiming somehow that they have proof of how Romans spoke in daily life (most likely because they drink when writing the script so every other word is swearing), and they are the first ones who managed to make Lorica Segmentata NOT look nicely.

I mean seriously does anyone have any respect for Starz here after that series? I posted it here because the historical realism mod is most likely to agree with me that non stop sex and violence does not a good or accurate depiction of the Ancient World make.

[Megas Methuselah]

It's exactly like 300, y'know? Pretend this doesn't involve history in any way whatsoever, but is, in fact, a completely fictional show. That will allow you to better enjoy the women.

[mountaingoat]

i thought 300 was a documentary ?

[antisocialmunky]

i thought 300 was a documentary ?

About why Frank Miller is overrated, yes.

[Christianus]

Maybe not historically accurate, but realy good braindead entertainment If one aint to exsited about over-analysing historical series not meant to be historically accurate.
I dont mind watching hot women in ancient dress.

[Zradha Pahlavan]

If you've got nothing to do and a big bag of food, watching crap on television can be a great way to pass the time. Just remember to turn your brain off first, so that its batteries don't overheat. Hot women on the show are a plus, because then you can pay even less attention to the show's other aspects.

[Antonivs Silvicola]

I was unaware the coliseum was located in Capua ca. 200 years before it was constructed, the Getai are sub-human axe wielding mutants, and lorica segmentata was used then as well. Ive never seen a bigger piece of horse dung. Next thing you know, Russell Crowe will be playing Robin Hood...

[antisocialmunky]

Russell Crowe is a fun actor to watch. I'd watch it.

[Antonivs Silvicola]

Russell Crowe is a fun actor to watch. I'd watch it.

I admit it could be much worse. See Troy...

[Atilius]

I was unaware the coliseum was located in Capua ca. 200 years before it was constructed, ...

I haven't seen the series and have no desire to contradict your judgement of it, but on this matter you are probably being unfair.

During the reign of Augustus, an enormous amphitheater was constructed in Capua. This arena was later used as a model for the Colosseum, which was only slightly larger than its predecessor. While this building also predates Spartacus' gladiatorial revolt, it's reasonable to suppose that any structure existing at the time would have differed little in appearance.

[Lvcretivs]

...especially keeping in mind the 'spectacula' of Pompeii - built nearly contemporaneous to Spartacus' revolt (~70BC) by political entrepreneurs hoping to ensnare the bloodthirsty veterans of Sulla's 'Colonia Cornelia Veneria Pompeianorum' ;)

[Fluvius Camillus]

I was unaware the coliseum was located in Capua ca. 200 years before it was constructed, the Getai are sub-human axe wielding mutants, and lorica segmentata was used then as well. Ive never seen a bigger piece of horse dung. Next thing you know, Russell Crowe will be playing Robin Hood...

Well I am currently watching the show.

I feel different about it than most here. I know about the Getai demons and the constant LS. A lot more is garbage but I can still enjoy the show. I watch it to relax or entertain, I spot the faulty historical representations, but do not bother to get angry about it. I actually don't care wether the nudity and the violence are compensation for the bad story or ahistorical. I enjoy it both, I am a male human for that.

I follow the story and I like it. But now comes the turning point in my story, one thing that does bother me is the fake 300 digital blood, it looks so stupid really, I liked the HBO Rome kills much better!

But it is far worse than that, recently my inner historian could no longer be surpressed when I was watching episode 11... It started with this warning, and please be warned yourself, this can be bad for your health.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Also DO NOT watch when you just had lunch!

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

~Fluvius

[moonburn]

I admit it could be much worse. See Troy...

thats being unfair if one reads homer one understands that they could have made 12 movies each 3 hours long and still half of the beauty of the epic wouldn´t and couldn´t have been properly made and thats from a screenwriter and directors view as for the acting and stuff it was made for the average american audience it wasn´t suposed to be historically correct :/

[antisocialmunky]

One can compress it into a one week long Operation: Anatolian Horse without making it idiotic. Heck, it would have been hilarious to see date captions and people getting pissed that it took 10 years.

I MEAN PARIS LIVES WATEHA!#*%$Y&(!@#(PTUYQW#$HIORG

Plus it did not have Diomedes. Diomedes was the best hero there.

[Mulceber]

thats being unfair if one reads homer one understands that they could have made 12 movies each 3 hours long and still half of the beauty of the epic wouldn´t and couldn´t have been properly made and thats from a screenwriter and directors view as for the acting and stuff it was made for the average american audience it wasn´t suposed to be historically correct :/

I agree completely. My opinion on Troy: it has a great production design, some cool casting choices (I mean come on, Brad Pitt as Achilles is pretty badass). The plot wasn't all that well done, but tbh, I've seen worse. Watch the Odyssey from the late 90's - it goes through the plot of The Iliad and TOTALLY butchers it. I actually had to stop watching.

BTW, Fluvius, that picture was HORRIBLE. [shudders]

Also, with regard to 300, I have to say I liked it. Was it accurate to the actual battle? Heck no, but then again, neither was Herodotus. His statistics are generally considered to be wildly inaccurate. I just view 300 as a movie that uses history as a jumping off point for an entertaining experience. And I don't think I'm alone - my Ancient Greek Professor's reaction to 300 was (and I quote) "that was the best portrayal of the LEGEND of the 300 I've ever seen!" It's just a movie building its plot around some very basic historical details, it wasn't meant to be a documentary. -M

[TancredTheNorman]

Well I am currently watching the show.

I feel different about it than most here. I know about the Getai demons and the constant LS. A lot more is garbage but I can still enjoy the show. I watch it to relax or entertain, I spot the faulty historical representations, but do not bother to get angry about it. I actually don't care wether the nudity and the violence are compensation for the bad story or ahistorical. I enjoy it both, I am a male human for that.

I follow the story and I like it. But now comes the turning point in my story, one thing that does bother me is the fake 300 digital blood, it looks so stupid really, I liked the HBO Rome kills much better!

But it is far worse than that, recently my inner historian could no longer be surpressed when I was watching episode 11... It started with this warning, and please be warned yourself, this can be bad for your health.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Also DO NOT watch when you just had lunch!

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

~Fluvius

Needed a bigger warning, my inner historian cried when reading that mate.

I mean seriously, I am actually into social history so Spartacus Blood and Sand really is, well you get the picture.

The sad thing is that some people will actually think Spartacus Blood and Sand is mildly accurate, at least Oliver Stone's Alexander had it's redeeming features, like soundtrack, the music in Starz original butchery is appaling. We don't know what Roman music sounded like but I highly doubt 21st century heavy metal was similar to it.

It becomes hard for me to relax when I see that screenshot, and a minute later you hear a Lanista who suffered Infamia (lose of suffrage) is about to become a Senator?

Seriously the brainless oaf who does research for Starz needs a good firing.

[B-Wing]

I agree with your thoughts on 300, Mulceber. I find it pretty laughable when I read some people on these forums talking about how inaccurate the movie was. I thought it was pretty common knowledge that it was originally a comic book (technically a graphic novel, but clearly in the same category of entertainment). Frank Miller chose the Battle of Thermopylae as the basis for his work because the legend itself is so outrageous and over the top. While I have no opinion on the accuracy of Herodotus's account, the story is that of an allied band of bravehearts defending their homeland from an invading empire's army that outnumbered them 10 to 1 or worse. They eventually lose the battle, but win a great moral victory, and ultimately win the war. By the time the story's reached a listener's ears, it's historical significance ceases to matter. It's a story of heroism, valor, defiance, and freedom. If you're worrying about it's accuracy, you've missed the story altogether.

I don't know about y'all, but I go to the theaters for an entertaining and (hopefully) moving experience, not to watch a historical documentary. Factual information on the Battle of Thermopylae is (as far as I know) very limited, but the inspirational and entertainment value of the story is ridiculous. To most modern audiences, its much more than just an event, and 300 attempted the capture the energy and emotion one feels at the thought of it. Heck, I love the rhinoceros scene. Obviously that didn't really happen, but it's symbolic of the whole struggle. A mighty, foreign beast rampaging toward a seemingly helpless group of victims, felled by the unexpected skill and bravery of its opponent.

Well, that turned into more of a rant than I intended, and I certainly don't mean any offense to anyone who dislikes 300 for whatever reasons. I just don't think it's reasonable to judge the movie (or any movie) based upon its historical accuracy. Its a movie. If you want a documentary, there's TV channels for that sort of thing.

[Mulceber]

I agree with your thoughts on 300, Mulceber. I find it pretty laughable when I read some people on these forums talking about how inaccurate the movie was. I thought it was pretty common knowledge that it was originally a comic book (technically a graphic novel, but clearly in the same category of entertainment). Frank Miller chose the Battle of Thermopylae as the basis for his work because the legend itself is so outrageous and over the top. While I have no opinion on the accuracy of Herodotus's account, the story is that of an allied band of bravehearts defending their homeland from an invading empire's army that outnumbered them 10 to 1 or worse. They eventually lose the battle, but win a great moral victory, and ultimately win the war. By the time the story's reached a listener's ears, it's historical significance ceases to matter. It's a story of heroism, valor, defiance, and freedom. If you're worrying about it's accuracy, you've missed the story altogether.

I don't know about y'all, but I go to the theaters for an entertaining and (hopefully) moving experience, not to watch a historical documentary. Factual information on the Battle of Thermopylae is (as far as I know) very limited, but the inspirational and entertainment value of the story is ridiculous. To most modern audiences, its much more than just an event, and 300 attempted the capture the energy and emotion one feels at the thought of it. Heck, I love the rhinoceros scene. Obviously that didn't really happen, but it's symbolic of the whole struggle. A mighty, foreign beast rampaging toward a seemingly helpless group of victims, felled by the unexpected skill and bravery of its opponent.

Well, that turned into more of a rant than I intended, and I certainly don't mean any offense to anyone who dislikes 300 for whatever reasons. I just don't think it's reasonable to judge the movie (or any movie) based upon its historical accuracy. Its a movie. If you want a documentary, there's TV channels for that sort of thing.

I completely agree, although I'd point out that there really aren't even tv channels for the documentaries anymore - the History Channel is REALLY inaccurate.

[DaciaJC]

The Getai are portrayed as half-human, half-demon? Huh, has me interested.

[Hannibal Khan the Great]

I completely agree, although I'd point out that there really aren't even tv channels for the documentaries anymore - the History Channel is REALLY inaccurate.

Yep, and half the stuff they show has to do with either logging, monsters, or trucking in the frozen north

[Mulceber]

Yep, and half the stuff they show has to do with either logging, monsters, or trucking in the frozen north

Oh and can't forget the future of human life on earth. -M

[Fluvius Camillus]

Yep, and half the stuff they show has to do with either logging, monsters, or trucking in the frozen north

Oh god no! Every time I am so bored and turn it actually on...

I hope that the show is the rise and fall of the roman empire, although it has its faults, its quite nice to see the common knowledge. It does feature Greeks much less, but if it does its worth the watch.

But no, my hopes are in vain! I spot a cursing Alaskan beardguy talking about his hard work, or a guy in Canada cutting down a tree or a scared man who is afraid of an oversized pike...

~Fluvius

[Phalanx300]

What a lot of people seem to forget, its not ment to be historical but ment to be entertaining to watch. And just like movies as 300 it is exactly that. When you are not liking it because its inaccurate then you just ruin the series/movie for yourself for no reason.

[Fluvius Camillus]

What a lot of people seem to forget, its not ment to be historical but ment to be entertaining to watch. And just like movies as 300 it is exactly that. When you are not liking it because its inaccurate then you just ruin the series/movie for yourself for no reason.

When I watch the HISTORY channel I want a historical documentary/show, because that is what they stand for, that is what the title implies. For the other stuff there is already Natgeo and Discovery.

I never said I dont like 300 or Spartacus.

~Fluvius

[Phalanx300]

When I watch the HISTORY channel I want a historical documentary/show, because that is what they stand for, that is what the title implies. For the other stuff there is already Natgeo and Discovery.

I never said I dont like 300 or Spartacus.

~Fluvius

Point being? We're just just agreeing here.

[Fluvius Camillus]

Point being? We're just just agreeing here.

That shows who are NOT historical do not belong on the HISTORY channel.

What a lot of people seem to forget, its not ment to be historical but ment to be entertaining to watch.

If that was not aimed at Ice road truckers, monster quest etc. Than I certainly made no point.

~Fluvius

[Ibrahim]

Has anybody ever scene a more pathetic attempt at disguising pornography as a tv series?

I'm serious, I just saw it's preview and a few episodes and I have noticed no plot whatsoever, no character development, extremely innacurate ((according to Roman Law and Roman Literature that survived) social arrangements, mediocre acting, BUT it has some redeeming features.

It allows you to see naked women in front of your girlfriend and get called tasteless instead of perverted, you see more blood then in Gladiator or for that matter even a Mel Gibson movie like Braveheart (just without any artistic pretense), with extreme elitism it starts out claiming somehow that they have proof of how Romans spoke in daily life (most likely because they drink when writing the script so every other word is swearing), and they are the first ones who managed to make Lorica Segmentata NOT look nicely.
I mean seriously does anyone have any respect for Starz here after that series? I posted it here because the historical realism mod is most likely to agree with me that non stop sex and violence does not a good or accurate depiction of the Ancient World make.

well, at least its not illegal asian porn, or FF porn

But it is far worse than that, recently my inner historian could no longer be surpressed when I was watching episode 11... It started with this warning, and please be warned yourself, this can be bad for your health.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Also DO NOT watch when you just had lunch!

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

~Fluvius

:

wth? these people are that stupid? do they think that their audience-namely us-are stupid? the movie is just there to capitalize on the US love of the "SPF" mentality. tragically, gore sells here, and people can easily get away with saying this-the same way Kent hovind gets away with his crap. why? cuz people here are often braindead.

thus, they should market it for what it is: another SPF movie, with no real pretense. not some Historical mumbo-jumbo. this is false advertizing ladies and getlemen-false advertizing.

[caetrati]

The romans have been always one of the great Bad Boys from the Hollywood History, even among some professionals of History. We speak more about their Slaves than about their Aqueducts, while about ancient Greeks we mention more their Monuments (but they used slaves too).

We speak more about the Democracy in Athens even when they had several despotic rulers, while with the Romans we point about their dictators and crazy emperors but not their Laws that are our base.

Probably the best option is watching these tv series as entertainment, and not to think about them as a serious study.

[Fluvius Camillus]

The romans have been always one of the great Bad Boys from the Hollywood History, even among some professionals of History. We speak more about their Slaves than about their Aqueducts, while about ancient Greeks we mention more their Monuments (but they used slaves too).

We speak more about the Democracy in Athens even when they had several despotic rulers, while with the Romans we point about their dictators and crazy emperors but not their Laws that are our base.

Probably the best option is watching these tv series as entertainment, and not to think about them as a serious study.

Yep, although it deeply saddens me that there are people who see series like this as a historical source. At least 300 did not pretend to be historically accurate, it was preseting the legend. Spartacus pretends they do act like in history, which less educated will believe, and hold this as an example of Roman social life.

~Fluvius

[Drunk Clown]

OH COME ON!!

Who doesn't laugh when you see this:


If someone believes thinks this is a correct reflection of warfare from the old.... Well, there isn't much hope for you.

EDIT: Well..... that's a fail...
I suppose I'll have to post the link..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_X2UMP8LLg