Customer Reviews
Something to note... - By: P. R. Nokes, 23 May 2008 
Something that I hadn't noticed & that is not clear on Amazon was that with this DVD includes a bonus extra is a second documentary/program callled 'Colosseum : a gladiators story'. This 50 minute feature is also available as a separate DVD in its own right, so this is potentiallly good value & if you were thinking of getting the other one perhaps go for this '2 for 1' option instead ?
One of the best Docu-Dramas yet - By: Jenny, 28 Sep 2006 
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 historicallly very accurate but you were also able to get a fell for the people involved. You connected with them & that reallly 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 & each had to overcome personal struggles at the same time.Definitly a ten out ten for this one!
I love to see this, but... - By: G. Scholten, 01 Jul 2006 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 - By: , 03 Apr 2006 This has to be one of the best documentries I've seen on this subject. The charcters reallly brought the events to life & the special effects were fantastic. You could reallly understand what the people went through. I haven't bought the DVD yet but I definatly plan to!
Great historical re-creation - By: Kurt Messick, 09 Feb 2005 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, & his friend (and occasional rival) Priscus. Verus & Priscus date from the inaugural games of the Colosseum, at that time known as the Flavian Amphitheatre, built by the Emperor Vespasian & opened by his son, Titus. Verus & Priscus were both slaves, caught in different parts of the empire during different wars, but ended up in the same quarry & had the same fate, to be selected & trained as gladiators for Rome.
The documentary works to dispel many of the false notions about gladiators & similar entertainments of the time. Many gladiators were not slaves, but rather willing participants after fame & fortune. Most gladiators did not die in the arena - in fact, survival chances were as high as ninety percent, & 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 & the overwhelming sense of being surrounded, which surely must have affected the human participants, too.
The match between Verus & Priscus is one of the few recorded in detail in Roman literature, & the words & 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 & historical research provided insight to filling out the rest of the story. The acting is well done, & the sets & effects are convincing, with high production values.
This documentary gives insight into worlds far removed from our modern times, & yet make sense in many ways - human nature & aspiration continues to share many common threads, even with people thousands of years ago. This is part of our own history.
