Spartacus (2004) (TV)

Director:

Robert Dornhelm

Writers (WGA):

Howard Fast (novel)
Robert Schenkkan (teleplay)

Release Date:

18 April 2004 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Action

Tagline:

Once a slave. Forever a legend.

Plot:

Sentenced to spend out the rest of his adult life laboring in the harsh deserts of Egypt, the Thracian...

Plot Keywords:

Slave | Gladiator | Colosseum | Beautiful Woman | Crucifixion

Awards:

Nominated for Primetime Emmy. Another 1 win & 5 nominations

Cast

Goran Visnjic	...	Spartacus
Alan Bates	...	Antonius Agrippa
Angus Macfadyen	...	Marcus Crassus
Rhona Mitra	...	Varinia
Ian McNeice	...	Lentulus Batiatus
James Frain	...	David
Henry Simmons	...	Draba
Ross Kemp	...	Cinna
Ben Cross	...	Titus Glabrus
Paul Kynman	...	Crixus
Paul Telfer	...	Gannicus
Chris Jarman	...	Nordo
Georgina Rylance	...	Helena
Stuart Bunce	...	Cornelius Lucius
Hristo Shopov	...	Maecenus

Runtime:

174 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Certification:

Brazil:14 | Netherlands:12 (TV rating) | Netherlands:16 (DVD rating) | Germany:12 | Singapore:M18

Filming Locations:

Sofia, Bulgaria

Company:

USA Network Pictures

Trivia:

Dedicated to Sir Alan Bates (Agrippa), who died of cancer shortly after filming ended.

Goofs:

Miscellaneous: When Spartacus is about to cut Crixus's throat, the fillings in Crixus's mouth are visible.

Quotes:

Spartacus: I am not a king. I am something better. A free man.

Movie Connections:

Version of Spartacus (1960)

Excellent Movie that is also true to history

I have done quite a bit of research regarding Spartacus and the slave revolt he was part of in the century preceeding the birth of Jesus. This version of Spartacus - made in 2004 follows the academic history of Spartacus and the uprising to the letter. Some versions show Spartacus being crucified, which is not true. Spartacus died in his last battle with Marcus Crassus, which is how the 2004 version is shot. The 2004 version also shows the fact that Pompey, a popular Roman General called upon by the Roman Senate to help stop the slave revolt, took credit for defeating Spartacus when in fact it was Marcus Crassus who actually defeated Spartacus and his army.

If there is one thing I would have liked added it would be some sort of trailer language that described the remaining years of Marcus Crassus as he was a main character in the movie but the movie sort of left him "hanging" in the end. In truth, Marcus Crassus never achieved the glory he desired for himself and eventually met a very horrible end when he battled the Persian Army years after the defeat of Spartacus. The Persian Army captured Marcus Crassus after defeating his army and to kill him, poured molten gold down his throat. He was then beheaded and his head sent to the King of Persia as a trophy. I think this was a fitting end for a man who was very vain, a glory seeker and who despised the idea of freedom for all men, except the rich Romans.