{ { Infobox television
| image = SpartacusMiniseries.jpg
| image_size =
| image_alt =
| caption = UK Region 2 DVD cover
| genre = DramaAction
| creator =
| based_on =
| writer = Teleplay:Robert Schenkkan
| screenplay =
| story =
| director = Robert Dornhelm
| starring = Goran VisnjicAlan BatesAngus MacfadyenRhona MitraIan McNeiceRoss KempBen Cross | narrated = | theme_music_composer = Randy Miller | country = United States | language = English | num_episodes = 2 | producer = Ted Kurdyla | editor = Mark ConteVictor Du BoisCindy Mollo | cinematography = Kees Van Oostrum | runtime = 171 minutes | company = | budget = | network = USA Network | first_aired = | last_aired = }}Spartacus''' is a 2004 North American miniseries directed by Robert Dornhelm and produced by Ted Kurdyla from a teleplay by Robert Schenkkan. It aired over two nights on the USA Network, and stars Goran Visnjic, Alan Bates (in his final television appearance), Angus Macfadyen, Rhona Mitra, Ian McNeice, Ross Kemp and Ben Cross. It is based on the 1951 novel of the same name by Howard Fast.
The plot, setting, and costumes are nearly identical to those of Stanley Kubrick's 1960 version; however, this adaptation follows Howard Fast's novel more closely than does Kubrick's film. (Two of the more noticeable omissions from the new adaptation are the "I am Spartacus!" scene and the reunion of Spartacus and his wife after the battle.) The miniseries is shown as a story a woman narrates to her son, who are later revealed to be Spartacus' wife and son.
A notable piece of dramatic license has Spartacus' son born exactly at the moment Spartacus dies in battle. As Marcus Crassus and Pompey Magnus are being proclaimed co-consuls, the announcer calls Rome an Empire, when it was still a Republic at the time. However, in contemporary Latin, the meaning of “Imperium“, empire, just meant area where one exercises power.
Plot
The Gaul woman Varinia (Rhona Mitra) and her village are attacked by the Romans. Her entire village is taken into slavery, and she is sold to Lentulus Batiatus (Ian McNeice). Spartacus (Goran Višnjić), a Thracian slave condemned to the mines, attempts to protect another slave. Spartacus is nearly crucified before Batiatus purchases the man. Spartacus and a handful of other slaves are brought to Batiatus' ludus to be trained as gladiators. Spartacus and the other slaves are brought to the gladiators to eat, where he meets Nardo (Chris Jarman), Draba (Henry Simmons) and David (James Frain). Before a fight breaks out between Draba and Gannicus (Paul Telfer), they are stopped by their trainer Cinna (Ross Kemp).
Cast
Goran Višnjić as Spartacus
Alan Bates as Antonius Agrippa
Angus Macfadyen as Marcus Crassus
Rhona Mitra as Varinia, Spartacus' wife
Ian McNeice as Lentulus Batiatus
Paul Kynman as Crixus
Paul Telfer as Gannicus
James Frain as David
Henry Simmons as Draba
Chris Jarman as Nordo
Ross Kemp as Cinna
Ben Cross as Titus Glabrus, based on Gaius Claudius Glaber
Niall Refoy as Publius Maximus, based on Publius Varinius
George Calil as Pompey Magnus
Richard Dillane as Julius Caesar
See also
List of historical drama films
List of films set in ancient Rome
List of films featuring slavery
Third Servile War
Spartacus'' (2010 TV series)