It's as simple as this: Why try to do a remake of an incomparable masterpiece as Kubrick's Spartacus, even if you're gonna add new twists to the story? And if you do try, where are you gonna find actors like Olivier, Ustinov, Douglas and Laughton again? This new movie just doesn't work. That Goran guy who plays Spartacus is a horrid actor; the guy who played Crassus is not as bad as Goran, but it's plain sad to see him reprise the role made famous by King Olivier. Rhona Mitra is sexy and gorgeous, which is fine for me, but it's pathetic to imagine that sex goddess as a poor roman slave.
The only good (and sad) thing in this film is the presence of the wonderful Alan Bates. In his last movie role, Bates kept his inner glow, his charm and those beautiful blue eyes.
That's it. Go watch Kubrick's version and forget about this dumb TV version.
The only good (and sad) thing in this film is the presence of the wonderful Alan Bates. In his last movie role, Bates kept his inner glow, his charm and those beautiful blue eyes.
That's it. Go watch Kubrick's version and forget about this dumb TV version.