Review

by Clarence B

With 'Ben-Hur', the original man-of-the-people period epic

After turning on his ‘owners’ Spartacus builds an army of ordinary people with extraordinary beliefs. Outnumbered, under-equipped and against a nation, these heroes battle against the odds to fight for love, honour and above all freedom. This may sound like your average impassioned and clichéd action film about a hero of the people (ala Braveheart and Gladiator) and it more or less is. The only difference is that ‘Spartacus’ was the original trendsetter that the modern pretenders have tried to match – and this alone makes it essential viewing. If you can empty your head of Russell Crowe and Mel Gibson for the duration of the film then it is quite a journey. The acting is commendable, the script is gripping and above all ‘Spartacus’ is a moving and plausible tale of genuine human courage. I am Spartacus!