“The heat boils off the screen. The discomfort twists the subjects’ ill-used features.
It’s a classy piece.”
Donald Clarke, Irish Times
BUY THE DVD
The DVD of The Road to Sparta is out and available to buy : the perfect Christmas present.
The 60-minute film comes with Greek and Spanish subtitles and includes interviews with directors Barney Spender and Roddy Gibson as well as a previously unseen video of Tryfon and Andreas of Old House Playground composing the main theme by the side of the road.
The price of the DVD is £10.95 (plus £6.95 p&p*) – £17.90 total
Buy 2 for £19.95 (plus £11.15 p&p*) – £31.10 total
All orders through PayPal to raggedrockfilms@gmail.com
For inquiries on multiple orders send an email with your details to raggedrockfilms@gmail.com
* P&P is correct as of November 19, 2020 but may be subject to change
THE ROAD TO SPARTA
The Road to Sparta, the first feature-length documentary from Barney Spender and Roddy Gibson, tracks four runners, including “UltraMarathon Man” Dean Karnazes as they take on the ultimate footrace: the Spartathlon.
Taking place between Athens and Sparta, a distance of 246 kilometres in the searing heat of Greece, the equivalent of six marathons back to back, the race creates a unique set of difficulties for each of the runners.
Finishing the race is no certainty for any of them.The fifth runner in the story is Pheidippides, the man sent by the Athenians in 490 BC to ask the Spartans for military help against the Persians. It is that run that is celebrated and replicated every year with the Spartathlon.
His story is told through the verse of the acclaimed American poet AE Stallings, specially written for the film, and the fresh, vibrant score from Greek band Old House Playground.
Two years in the making and set against a current backdrop of fear and crisis in Greece,
The Road to Sparta is a love letter to an extraordinary race and an equally remarkable band of human beings.
The Road to Sparta runs 60 minutes in duration.
AWARDS
SATISFIED EYE FILM FESTIVAL 2018 – EPSOM
Best Documentary – Winner
ENGINUITY FILM FESTIVAL 2018 – LAS VEGAS
Best Director – Winner
MOTION PICTURES FILM FESTIVAL 2018 – LAGOS
Best Poetry – Winner
OTHER AWARDS AND NOMINATIONS
THE NORWEGIAN INTERNATIONAL SEAGULL SHORT FILM FESTIVAL 2020
Nominated for Best Music
BUENOS AIRES RUNNING FILM FESTIVAL 2019
Official Selection
PELOPONNESE INTERNATIONAL DOCUMENTARY FILM FESTIVAL 2019
Official Selection
OUT OF THE CAN FILM FESTIVAL 2018 – DERBY
Best Documentary – Runner-up
Best Original Music – Runner-up
ROME INDEPENDENT PRISMA AWARDS 2018
Official Selection
MELBOURNE DOCUMENTARY FILM FESTIVAL 2018
Official Selection
ENGINUITY FILM FESTIVAL 2018 – LAS VEGAS
Best Writing – Runner-up
Best Female Voiceover – Runner-up
Best Trailer – Runner-up
LONDON GREEK FILM FESTIVAL 2018
Best Documentary – Runner-up
UK SPORTS JOURNALISTS’ ASSOCIATION AWARDS 2016-2017
Best Documentary – Highly Commended
ATHENS ADVENTURE FILM FESTIVAL 2016
Official Selection
WHAT THEY SAY ABOUT THE ROAD TO SPARTA
“The heat boils off the screen. The discomfort twists the subjects’ ill-used features. It’s a classy piece.”
Donald Clarke, Irish Times“Grim viewing at times – more like a war zone than a mere running race! But it fully deserves all its plaudits.”
Professor Paul Cartledge, chief historical consultant for TV’s The Greeks and The Spartans“Enlivening and deeply touching. Combining Greek history, music, and poetry the film extends beyond pure athleticism to culminate in a viewing experience that is both immersive and highly gratifying.”
Documentary Drive“A beautifully told, uplifting story of human endeavour. Inspirational and gripping. I loved it.”
Pauline McLynn (Father Ted, Shameless)“The Road to Sparta makes for highly entertaining and engaging viewing. The music sets the tone and the story lets you in. A beautifully told account of the human will to succeed against all odds.”
Gillies Mackinnon, Film director (Hideous Kinky, A Simple Twist of Fate)“Fascinating stories of heroic endeavour both contemporary and ancient are interwoven skilfully in this engaging and beautifully filmed documentary.”
Helen Hawken, Documentary producer (Big Brother)“A real heart-pumping lesson in near flawless documentary filmmaking. A great film.”
Chris Hastings, Artistic Director Satisfied Eye Film Festival“The Road to Sparta brilliantly captures the essence of a race that has no equal on the planet, with stirring intensity.”
Dean Karnazes, Runner and Author
The Road to Sparta movie 