The Red Serpent

"Spartacus: Blood and Sand" S1 E1 explodes onto the screen with a visceral and captivating introduction to the legendary Thracian warrior. This premiere episode sets the stage for a brutal and thrilling saga, filled with intense action, political intrigue, and complex characters.

The episode wastes no time in establishing the harsh realities of the Roman world, as we witness Spartacus (Andy Whitfield) ripped from his homeland and forced into slavery. The gladiatorial arena becomes a crucible of violence and survival, where Spartacus must learn to fight for his life and his freedom.

The action sequences are brutal and stylized, showcasing the raw power and skill of the gladiators. The episode's visual style is bold and distinctive, with its use of slow-motion and graphic imagery creating a visceral and unforgettable experience.

Beyond the bloodshed, the episode also delves into the complex relationships and power dynamics within the ludus, the gladiatorial training school. The characters are richly drawn, with John Hannah's portrayal of Batiatus, the cunning lanista, being particularly memorable.

The episode's ending leaves you wanting more, with a cliffhanger that sets the stage for Spartacus's rise to rebellion and his quest for vengeance. "Spartacus" S1 E1 is a bold and captivating introduction to a legendary story, offering a thrilling blend of action, drama, and historical intrigue.

I knew the show wouldn't be your usual historical drama but I didn't expect it to be that brutal. It was one hell of a bloody pilot ! When Rome impressed us with its high-end production and mature cast, The Red Serpent was more about the dark deoxygenated visuals and hyper dynamic action. But like in The Tudors it was also a lot about the relationship between power and women.

To tell the truth it took my neurons some time to coagulate because of the numerous brilliant ideas that could make Spartacus : Blood and Sand the 300 of television. First it's not a surprise Sam Raimi co-created it considering his past works. Ready for an other Army of Darkness night fever ? However it wasn't funny at all and definitely not a parody of Gladiator (2000). The only humorous scenes involved John Hannah's character and his greedy wife. He was so hilarious in The Mummy that I'm glad to see him back. Moreover his profile should help to take all the graphic violence more lightly. In fact once a body part was cut sharp the red fluid was pouring so much that I found most of the scenes jaw dropping. They even match some Mortal Kombat fatalities ! The last time I was so fascinated by such fights was probably while watching Braveheart but let's consider that I haven't seen 300 yet.

As for the cliché but inspiring story of course it's all about Spartacus and his beautiful damsel in distress, Sura. The first seconds made me skeptical about the digital visuals but I instantly knew Andy Whitfield was the perfect match for the famous slaves leader. Erin Cummings is also great as his wife. She both has an irresistible sex appeal and strong charisma. In fact the scene where she picks straw fruits is my favorite because she looked like a nose bleeding Little Red Riding Hood. There was something fantastic about the ambiance and the following minutes were just astonishing. In fact I was very impressed by the editing in general because some transitions were just mesmerizing. One second Spartacus is warming up with his friends, the next they're fighting deadly cells in a plasma of snowflakes. It's not everyday that you can see so much creativity. I wouldn't be surprised if it rained vampire cats and zombie dogs in the upcoming episodes !

But the problem is that I was so pleased by this pilot that I'm already asking for more and the next episode, Sacramentum Gladiatorum, better be even more gory and unpredictable. They definitely have to take things to the next level ! For example I wouldn't be against some mythological elements like in the God of War video game series. I also think that visually playing with the vital importance of organs like heart could bring some depth to the cut scenes. Anyone for ogres in bloodlust ? What about turning deadly injured characters into stones ? What if some of them actually had green blood ? The sexual elements could also use some dirty cleaning because the lust scenes were quite boring and after the epic butchery they seemed even more conventional. What about playing with the most controversial feelings of the tortured characters ? These few ideas could modestly be the necessary subtances that could raise the show among the pioneers of a new visual and savage era.

It's useless to resist the infection because this review should have already spread some parasites in your veins. You already want to know what happened to Sura and how Spartacus managed to defeat his enemies. And as every hero has a nemesis I can't wait to watch the upcoming episodes. Moreover the ending was so captivating and twisted that I really wonder what his love for her will allow him to do, beside painting sand. I also found quite smart to give so much meaning to words in such a physical show. It successfully brought some depth to it. In Spartacus blood is not associated to its importance to life but to the death caused by fatal injuries. Its creators gave birth to a creature whom blood is shed for us in a cup of entertainment and visual madness. That is their testament. Not watching it would make you an heretic and trust me, you don't want to wake up the berserker within him !

I doubt Stanley Kubrick or Kirk Douglas would be losing sleep over this.

The first episode is a cross between 300, Gladiator and Rome.

Spartacus and his villagers joins the Roman to kill the barbarians that periodically attack them. After being betrayed by the Romans, he finds himself taken to a gladiatorial stadium to do battle.

After seeing his fellow villagers being slayed by more powerful warriors, it is his turn enter the arena.

The first episode is told in flashbacks to establish the character of Spartacus and his beef with the Romans.

The Executive Producer is Sam Raimi. This is Hercules and Xena with swearing, strong violence and CGI with claims to serious storytelling. It is still campy as hell.

There is also a lot of nudity but it is all done for genuine artistic purposes (honestly!)

It only comes on its own with the violence in the gladiatorial arena so the fake CGI blood can flow freely.

I, like many people, was very much looking forward to this mini series..the trailer had huge potential, and after films like 300 and Gladiator, you would think that the creators would have much to work with. But, unfortunately, the result was incredibly lame..and here's why: acting - sub par at best..lines were presented half ass and didn't show emotion that is necessary for an epic of this scale.

action scenes - amateurishly shot. now here is where 300 comes in..because anyone could tell that they took what was made in that movie and threw it into this one..but with terrible results..i have never seen a more obvious studio room setting since the old horror movies from the 1920s. im sorry, but slow motion every half a second and CGI blood slatters do not a good story make.

thats really all there was to it..action and acting..for those into costumes and the like, there is much to enjoy looking at. but other than that..a huge disappointment of a first episode..and i can only speculate that the coming episodes will be just as lame. the hour i watched was like watching every scene from 300 thrown into a smaller time limit, with worse acting and worse direction. oh..and there is plenty of sex. shot exactly like the scene in 300. jeez..this is pretty much the poor mans 300. enough ranting for me, but cmon people, be more creative than that.

Brilliant retelling. The first episode is unlike any other throughout the entire series but it is very tender and easy to follow. It sets a compelling back story for Spartacus that can neither be confirmed nor denied by historians. (Which is in part, the genius of the show itself. With history offering so little fact on Spartacus, the writers take liberty with each episode on the understanding of; "We're not saying it actually happened this way, but who's to say it didn't?" The introduction of the characters taking place in Thrace, gives the viewer an almost "Braveheart" experience, along with the stylized "300" action. Some of the CGI and blood work is rough and sloppy but done tastefully enough considering the short production schedule for a television show. Actors were very well chosen. Particularly, the star character and the villain. Craig Parker's range as an actor was seen within one episode and his character is someone that you want to stay alive just so you have someone to hate fervently. Andy Whitfield, brings a deep and tragic charisma to a character that History can say was nothing more than a brutish and skilled soldier and strategist. He is easily very likable. Erin Cummings gives a mesmerizing performance as Sura, the prophetess wife of our hero. Though Cummings attempt at donning an English accent is not carried well, she compensates with the other aspects of her acting. (Almost forcing the audience to step inside of her emotions within each scene that she's in) The episode concluding in Capua and setting the stage for what the rest of the first season would look like, was a nice touch and not over done. (We as the audience were given enough time to grieve the life that Spartacus and Sura once shared and were eager to see what rests for their futures.) Very well done Pilot. They have set the stage for a show that could create a huge following.