MELANIE MOORE

ONE of the joys of growing up in my house was sitting down with my dad on a winter's afternoon and watching a classic film on television - usually a three-hours or so epic that would keep me glued to the screen from the opening musical number until the titles rolled.

Most of the films I watched during those cosy afternoons from the age of about six to 12, remain among my favourites, The Vikings, Some Like It Hot, The Shop Around the Corner and top of the list, every Easter and Christmas holidays (not including The Wizard of Oz you understand), was Spartacus.

Thanks to the power of technology, this classic of the big screen has now been digitally remastered and released on two-disc dvd for a whole new generation, and a few ageing ones, to enjoy.

Stanley Kubrick's tale of the bold gladiator Spartacus (Kirk Douglas) - Russell Crowe's Maximus Decimus Meridias is the only other warrior fit enough to lick this hero's sandals - who challenged the power of Imperial Rome at its glorious height.

It's a classic inspirational true account of one man's struggle for freedom combining history with spectacle to recreate a loving drama of love and honour.

Also starring Tony Curtis, Jean Simmons, Peter Ustinov and a rather camp Laurence Oliver, it's got an all star cast that directors these days can only dream about

Extras include a commentary from Douglas and Peter Ustinov, deleted scenes, behind the scenes 'gladiator school' footage and sketches by Kubrick.

Our hero's debut in the gladiator's ring ranks alongside anything contemporary filmmakers can serve before us today while the show of unwavering support for their leader when their captors demand to know the identity of the rebel leader must be among the top ten scenes of all time. A classic of epic proportions!