Spartacus: Blood And Sand - Series 1 (4 Discs)

This is absolutely one of the best TV series ever made, fantastic stories, every episode is jam packed with bloody carnage, sex, betrayal and back stabbing, all the stories build up with much enthusiasm to the audience with good twists and turns every time. The cast is fantastic all round a very good group of actors and actresses. Overall its fun, insanely violent, very sexy and makes you always wanting more, a must own. Make sure you also see the prequel series set before blood and sand, Gods of the arena.

The legend of the rebel slave.
Spatacus is brought to gory, lusty life in this shamelessly OTT cable series.
Created by Smallville/Angel producer Steven S DeKnight, Blood and sand follows titular warrior Andy Whitefield as he messily dispatches of his foe in the arina and plots the downfall of his captors including his master's power hungry wife (lucy Lawless). shot in the same saturated slow-mo dismemberment as 300, and featuring frequent bouts of flesh-rending and skin baring, this is brilliantly pulpy but irresistible fun that leads everything up to even more violent second series.
This is brilliant over the top comic book TV.
See If you like.....
300
Rome seasons 1 -2
Gladiator.
Centurion.
Caligula

The legend of the rebel slave.
Spatacus is brought to gory, lusty life in this shamelessly OTT cable series.
Created by Smallville/Angel producer Steven S DeKnight, Blood and sand follows titular warrior Andy Whitefield as he messily dispatches of his foe in the arina and plots the downfall of his captors including his master's power hungry wife (lucy Lawless). shot in the same saturated slow-mo dismemberment as 300, and featuring frequent bouts of flesh-rending and skin baring, this is brilliantly pulpy but irresistible fun that leads everything up to even more violent second series.
This is brilliant over the top comic book TV.
See If you like.....
300
Rome seasons 1 -2
Gladiator.
Centurion.
Caligula

Those other reviewers who liken 'Blood And Sand' to 300 or even Gladiator are seriously selling this show short. It is truly an epic show and one of the very few programs I've ever seen - possibly the only show in at least the last five years - which has left me breathless with anticipation for the next episode and has never failed to please.

Pretty much all of the characters you can associate with, liken to or at least understand them as you follow their own courses during the series. Batiatus, the social climber, played almost with ease by the incredible John Hannah, in possibly the best role I've ever seen him in. Lucretia, his wife, elegantly portrayed by Lucy Lawless, demonstrating how underused her talents as an actress were as Xena and how stunning she still looks over a decade after the role, her character torn between the prestige her husband is bestowing on the house, her passions for Spartacus' predecessor - the excellently gritty Manu Bennett as Crixus - and her desire and obligation to bear a child to continue the family name and succeed her husband as dominus over the house and diplomatic leader of Capua. There's noble Varro, portrayed with subtle grace by Jai Courtney, who values the bonds of family and the honour of friendship above the glory of the arena. and then there's Spartacus himself - Andy Whitfield - who for me is a revelation as an actor, who plays his role with such subtlety and pathos it truly brings tears to the eyes in some episodes. He carries with him a screen presence rarely seen since the likes of Sidney Poitier, Yul Brynner or Toshiro Mifune and his abilities as an actor hint at a similar calibre.

Look past the sex and gore of this series - they're merely means to an end - and what you have here is the makings of truly classic television and an epic journey worth joining.

Spartacus is everything you could possibly want from a sword and sandles epic! Blood, Combat, Sex and some incredible story plots that leave you guessing the entire time. John Hannah does a cracking job as Spartacus' Dominus, as does the old Zena Warrior Princess! Andy Whitfield could not portray Spartacus any better and all going well he will be back for the next series as it would not work without him. Cannot wait for this and the 6 part prequel! They will hopefully be as action packed and absorbing as this one! A must have!