This 2003, one-hour BBC special dramatizes the only detailed description of a gladiatorial fight that has survived to the present day. The actors speak in Latin. The narrator and protagonist (main character), Verus, speak in English.
This one-hour special far exceeds the Russell Crow movie, Gladiator. in my opinion. The special has more historical detail, excellent visuals, and excellent fights; a much happier ending.
It’s not just the title bout in AD80 that’s featured… as background the special tells the story of how the Colosseum came to be (Emperors Vespasian and Titus) and Verus’ own biography. Many gladiators were volunteers rather than slaves forced to fight. Gladiators were hot!
You can catch this on Netflix or YouTube.
Netflix: http://movies.netflix.com/WiPlayer?movieid=60034722&trkid=2722743&t=Colosseum%3A+A+Gladiator%27s+Story
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fy_0CvfsJ7o
Wikipedia: Verus
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