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Blood and Sand – Spartacus

Play trailer Poster for Blood and Sand – Spartacus Jan 2010 Drama Action Adventure Fantasy Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
52% Tomatometer 23 Reviews 89% Popcornmeter 250+ Ratings
Torn from his homeland and separated from the woman he loves, Spartacus is forced into slavery and condemned to the bloody gladiator's arena in Rome. As he navigates the violent and brutal world he realizes that not all battles are fought in the arena, and that he must overcome treachery and temptation to survive. This retelling of the story of Spartacus is rife with blood, violence and sex, set to the sounds of jarring guitars, so it's definitely not for the younger crowd.
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Spartacus — Blood and Sand

Spartacus — Blood and Sand

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Critics Consensus

Over the top and weighted down with excessive slo-mo action fights, Spartacus is pure bad camp.

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Critics Reviews

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Phelim O'Neill Guardian Mar 25, 2019
Spartacus: Blood & Sand is a terrific show - compelling, smart, intentionally funny. Go to Full Review Barry Garron Associated Press Aug 30, 2017
With such thin stories each week, it's small wonder that sex and violence are used to take up the slack. Go to Full Review Robert Bianco USA Today Jan 22, 2010
2/4
A heady mix of 300-style graphic violence and Debbie Does Rome soft-core porn, Spartacus: Blood and Sand is proof of TV's ever-expanding boundaries and ever-plummeting tastes. Go to Full Review C. Robert Cargill MTV Mar 25, 2019
The series works because the makers understand the fundamental nature of great epic storytelling: that our hero has to suffer for us to truly identify with him and appreciate his plight. Go to Full Review Will Wade Common Sense Media Mar 25, 2019
3/5
This series definitely isn't for the young or the squeamish. But that doesn't mean older viewers might not find the over-the-top drama and abundant skin a guilty pleasure. Go to Full Review Robert Moore PopMatters Mar 25, 2019
1/10
Spartacus could well represent a new low in television narrative. There have certainly been more boring series and more inept ones. But never has any TV show ever abused the visual surface of the medium to the degree that this one has. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Wade S. @Wademsiiii Apr 15, 2026 The original series (not the spin off about Asher) is an absolute masterpiece and one of the most underrated series ever. Even facing a crisis with their sole star facing an untimely, tragic death, the show runners are able to pivot and still make the series not only work, but thrive. I would argue that this is a better complete show than Game of Thrones, since the last two seasons of GOT are all time bad television. It's in my personal top ten all time. See more Daniel F. @wonderboyy.nemo Feb 12, 2026 Spartacus: Blood and Sand is beyond a great watch! Although it's historic fiction, and takes plenty of creative freedoms--the setting, the language, the explicit scenes, the violence, blood and gore all are combined to to create an amazing story, with great characters filled with their personal motivations that produced an authentic, ultra-realistic feeling of what ancient Rome was like. I can't imagine how anyone cannot enjoy this show. An Absolute Must Watch! See more corey F. @fordcj88 Dec 26, 2025 One of my favorite TV Shows ever! See more DeeMarie D. @GPK215 Dec 20, 2025 Amazingly riveting especially with Andy as Spartacus .. never be another like him was made for the part… he spectacular in emotions esp speaks with his eyes! God bless him RIP sweet gentle man! See more Robert H @Rwhobbs198 Dec 19, 2025 Spartacus: Blood and Sand is, in my opinion, the finest season of the entire series. While that may not speak poorly of what follows, it unquestionably set the standard and proved why the show deserved to continue. Led by the late Andy Whitfield, whose performance remains unforgettable, the series was firing on all cylinders before his tragic passing. The brutal gladiatorial combat is expertly choreographed, the violence and gore are relentless, and the constant web of politics, betrayal, lust, and revenge perfectly captures the ruthless world of ancient Rome. It's unapologetically graphic, but beneath the bloodshed is a compelling story filled with memorable characters and emotional stakes. For me, this is Spartacus at its absolute peak and one of the best historical action series ever produced. See more kevin c @Wolverinek Nov 6, 2025 Where it all started, amazing series See more Read all reviews
Spartacus — Blood and Sand

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Cast & Crew

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Steven S. DeKnight

Creator

Rick Jacobson

Director

Michael Hurst

Director

Grady Hall

Director

Glenn Standring

Director

Jesse Warn

Director

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Jan 22, 2010 The Red Serpent A Thracian warrior has his destiny seized by an act of rebellious violence and as punishment he faces death by battling in the gladiatorial arena. Details Episode 2 Aired Jan 29, 2010 Sacramentum Gladiatorum Spartacus becomes enslaved in gladiatorial school and his desire for vengeance must be suppressed after his new master promises to reunite him with his wife. Details Episode 3 Aired Feb 5, 2010 Legends Spartacus proves himself in training, but his attitude and determination to see his wife isolates him from Doctore and the other gladiators. Details Episode 4 Aired Feb 12, 2010 The Thing in the Pit After a shameful performance in the arena with Crixus, Spartacus is forced to fight in the Pits; Batiatus is determined to profit from Spartacus. Details Episode 5 Aired Feb 19, 2010 Shadow Games Batiatus is given a gladiatorial opportunity of a lifetime; Crixus and Spartacus must learn to fight as a team against an unbeaten opponent. Details Episode 6 Aired Feb 26, 2010 Delicate Things Spartacus looks forward to a reunion with his enslaved wife, a reward for his bloody victory in the arena. Details Episode 7 Aired Mar 5, 2010 Great and Unfortunate Things After dealing with his wife's death, Spartacus must decide between being the champion gladiator and death. Details Episode 8 Aired Mar 12, 2010 Mark of the Brotherhood Spartacus accepts his role as Champion of Capua and kills many opponents in the arena; Crixus is slowly recovering from his wounds and wants his title back. Details Episode 9 Aired Mar 19, 2010 W... A rich noble woman pays for a private encounter with Spartacus, which leads to Ilthyia arranging the same with Crixus, to the fury of Lucretia. Details Episode 10 Aired Mar 26, 2010 Party Favors Batiatus tries to gain favor with the magistrate by hosting his son's coming-of-age party, with Spartacus and Crixus competing in an exhibition match; Crixus is out for blood and wants his title back. Details Episode 11 Aired Apr 2, 2010 Old Wounds Spartacus is distraught at his part in the death of Varro; he leaves a wound from the fight untended and lapses into a fever of haunted and prophetic dreams. Details Episode 12 Aired Apr 9, 2010 Revelations Spartacus plans revenge against Batiatus for the death of his wife, but killing a master means the execution of all the slaves in the household. Details Episode 13 Aired Apr 16, 2010 Kill Them All Spartacus and Crixus are to battle at the ludus for the well-to-do of Capua; bent on revenge, Spartacus enlists help for an uprising, but there is one man who can stop him. Details

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Spartacus — Blood and Sand

Spartacus: Blood and Sand View more photos

Season Info

Director
Rick Jacobson, Michael Hurst, Grady Hall, Glenn Standring, Jesse Warn, Chris Martin-Jones, Rowan Woods
Creator
Steven S. DeKnight
Executive Producer
Rob Tapert, Sam Raimi, Joshua Donen
Screenwriter
Steven S. DeKnight, Brent Fletcher, Daniel Knauf, Miranda Kwok, Aaron Helbing, Tracy A. Bellomo, Todd Helbing, Andrew Chambliss
Network
STARZ
Rating
TV-MA
Genre
Drama, Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Original Language
English
Release Date
Jan 22, 2010
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