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Colosseum: A Gladiator's Story [2003] (REGION 1) (NTSC)


Our Price: £15.42 (subject to change)

Something to note...
Review date: 2008-05-23 Rating: 8 out of 10

Something that I hadn't noticed and that is not clear on Amazon was that with this DVD includes a bonus extra is a second documentary/program called 'Colosseum : a gladiators story'. This 50 minute feature is also available as a separate DVD in its own right, so this is potentially good value and if you were thinking of getting the other one perhaps go for this '2 for 1' option instead ?

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Reviews


One of the best Docu-Dramas yet
Review date: 2006-09-28 Rating: 10 out of 10

Although I have not yet bought the DVD I certaintly plan to. This wa sone of the best docu-dramas on Rome I have ever seen. Not was it historically very accurate but you were also able to get a fell for the people involved. You connected with them and that really helps you get into the story. I thought it was interesting to see the different classes in society each dealt with the disaster from the aristocracy in their great villas to the slaves and each had to overcome personal struggles at the same time.Definitly a ten out ten for this one!

I love to see this, but...
Review date: 2006-07-01 Rating: 10 out of 10


Region 1 encoded, NTSC ?

Where can I get a region 2 encoded PAL version, or is that still in the making ? If not, then can somebody please explain why. This is a BBC documentary, isn't it ?


Best DVD eva
Review date: 2006-04-03 Rating: 10 out of 10

This has to be one of the best documentries I've seen on this subject. The charcters really brought the events to life and the special effects were fantastic. You could really understand what the people went through. I haven't bought the DVD yet but I definatly plan to!

Great historical re-creation
Review date: 2005-02-09 Rating: 10 out of 10

The documentary on the Colosseum (not quite a docu-drama, but done in a dramatic fashion that makes things a bit more interesting than a straight lecture piece) follows the story of Verus, one of the most famous gladiators in Roman history, and his friend (and occasional rival) Priscus. Verus and Priscus date from the inaugural games of the Colosseum, at that time known as the Flavian Amphitheatre, built by the Emperor Vespasian and opened by his son, Titus. Verus and Priscus were both slaves, caught in different parts of the empire during different wars, but ended up in the same quarry and had the same fate, to be selected and trained as gladiators for Rome.

The documentary works to dispel many of the false notions about gladiators and similar entertainments of the time. Many gladiators were not slaves, but rather willing participants after fame and fortune. Most gladiators did not die in the arena - in fact, survival chances were as high as ninety percent, and those who were injured got the best medical care in Rome. While animals were used as entertainment, often they would cower at the sound of the crowd and the overwhelming sense of being surrounded, which surely must have affected the human participants, too.

The match between Verus and Priscus is one of the few recorded in detail in Roman literature, and the words and situations shown in this documentary come from the records of the time. The poet Martial wrote an extensive description of their match during the inaugural games; other archaeological and historical research provided insight to filling out the rest of the story. The acting is well done, and the sets and effects are convincing, with high production values.

This documentary gives insight into worlds far removed from our modern times, and yet make sense in many ways - human nature and aspiration continues to share many common threads, even with people thousands of years ago. This is part of our own history.

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
Rachel Atkins
Omar Berdouni
Emily Canfor-Dumas
Jim Carter
F. Murray Abraham

Creators:
F. Murray Abraham (Primary Contributor)
Rachel Atkins (Primary Contributor)
Ailsa Orr (Producer)
Andrea Cornwell (Producer)
Jonathan Stamp (Producer)
Edward Canfor-Dumas (Writer)
Georgann Kane (Writer)
Steven Manuel (Writer)

Director(s):

Recording label: BBC Warner
Manufacturer: BBC Warner
EAN: 9780790787046
Binding: DVD
ISBN: 0790787040
Number of items: 2
Format: Anamorphic, Colour, DVD-Video, NTSC,
Release date: 2004-11-02
Universal product code (UPC): 794051192226
Aspect ratio: 1.77:1
Region code: 1
Running time: 100 minutes
Theatrical release date: 2004-03-14
Language: English (Original Language)
Language: English (Subtitled)

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