just prior to watch this and i read the other review of this . while there be only two that be particularly negative ( and i would not claim that theyre in the wrong . in fact and they bring up good point ) and i find my expectation lower . and not be much of a fan of documentary and and have little interest in history and they weren not high to start with . i try to keep an open mind and and it work while i like what i saw . instead of be purely a documentary and the narrator introduce u to verus and our lead and within the first few minute . after which and he join in the narrating . from that point on and the narration be somewhat mixed . verus tell u what he see and experience and and whenever he isn not in the scene ( and occasionally while he be ) and the present day narrator explain about the gladiator and the time in which this take place . and slay several wide spread myth about both and in the process . the drama and the documentary element aren not separate . while it could have choose to be either a full on drama ( no doubt evoke more emotion from the audience ) or a genuine documentary ( most likely be able to include even more information about the time ) and it choose an interesting path and involve both . the plot be as factual a it can be ( a be all the tidbit of information ) and and it well tell . the direction be impressively effective and be dramatic when it should be . the pace be very good . i be never bore for a second . the dialog be all in latin and which be definitely commendable . the narration explain the important thing say and though subtitle would have be nice . the fight and while they be fairly frequent and could have be just slightly well . be a big fan of martial art and they be a big part of why i watch this at all . and i would be lie if i claim that i be not impress with them . but the filming should have cover them well and the editing should have be tight . far too often and the momentum and the intensity be lose and if only for a second or two . bad still and there be time when it be difficult to tell what be go on . if this be do on purpose and if the direction take when make this be to show how chaotic these fight be and then it would have be a good creative call . but this be suppose to be a factual and detailed depiction of gladiatorial combat and and induce head scratch ( as well a possibly cause some viewer to rewind in order to try to pick up on what do happen ) be not good . the act varies . all in all and i would say that anyone interested in the history will almost certainly like this . anyone want an authentic drama set in this period will be satisfy . i would advise anyone simply in it for the fighting to not spend too much money on it and a you may find it unimpressive ( compare to hollywood and recent tv show fight scene ) . i recommend this to anyone in the aforementioned group and and there be a bonus to anyone who speak latin ( a every single line of dialog speak be in this language ) . a very well do piece of film and documentary . positive .