Spartacus

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Spartacus

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Spartacus

Charles Laughton, Jean Simmons, Kirk Douglas, Laurence Olivier, Peter Ustinov

Spartacus (Kirk Douglas) is a rebellious slave purchased by Lentulus Batiatus (Peter Ustinov), owner of a school for gladiators. For the entertainment of corrupt Roman senator Marcus Licinius Crassus ...( read more  read more... )(Laurence Olivier), Batiatus' gladiators are to stage a fight to the death. On the night before the event, the enslaved trainees are rewarded with female companionship. Spartacus' companion for the evening is Varinia (Jean Simmons), a slave from Brittania. When Spartacus later learns that Varinia has been sold to Crassus, he leads 78 fellow gladiators in revolt. Word of the rebellion spreads like wildfire, and soon Spartacus' army numbers in the hundreds. Escaping to join his cause is Varinia, who has fallen in love with Spartacus, and another of Crassus' house slaves, the sensitive Antoninus (Tony Curtis). The revolt becomes the principal cog in the wheel of a political struggle between Crassus and a more temperate senator named Gracchus (Charles Laughton). Anthony Mann was the original director of Spartacus, eventually replaced by Stanley Kubrick, who'd previously guided Douglas through Paths of Glory. The film received 4 Academy Awards, including Best Supporting Actor for Ustinov. A crucial scene between Olivier and Curtis, removed from the 1967 reissue because of its subtle homosexual implications, was restored in 1991, with a newly recorded soundtrack featuring Curtis as his younger self and Anthony Hopkins standing in for the deceased Olivier.~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Id: 10901938

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Spartacus Recent Reviews
  • jplong39
    July 21, 2009
    jplong39
    Not a great film, but an important milestone in the career of Stanley Kubrick who was a replacement for Anthony Mann. The antagonism between Kubrick and Star/ Producer Kirk Douglas is well known, and that led to Kubrick being his own producer for the remainder of his career.

    S...( read more)partacus was significant in being a non-biblical period piece, for touching upon the subject of homosexuality, and for openly listing black-listed writer Dalton Trumbo.
    This is one of those big budget films that needs to be seen on the big screen to get the full impact...
  • PvtCaboose91
    May 5, 2009
    PvtCaboose91
    "And maybe there's no peace in this world, for us or for anyone else, I don't know. But I do know that, as long as we live, we must remain true to ourselves."


    One of the most quintessential swords-and-sandals epics of all time, Spartacus is a stirring and pass

    ...( read more)ionate historical saga chronicling the military career of an indomitable gladiator who commanded a Roman slave revolt. This is a brilliant, seminal piece of filmmaking that inspired several other great epic films, including Mel Gibson's Braveheart and Ridley Scott's Gladiator (both of which earned Oscars for Best Picture). In a way, Spartacus is an extraordinary family picture as the central character fights not only for freedom but additionally for dignity, family, brotherhood and father-son relationships.


    Spartacus is an epic of superior quality due mostly to its disregard of the Christian motif - a motif commonly marring similar productions. This is instead a film founded on ideals, convictions and moral dynamism, and it enthrals through sheer force of intellect. It may disregard Biblical themes, but it's indeed set during Biblical times and its story seems like something Biblical - slave is carted off to gladiator school, slave falls in love, slave escapes and becomes an esteemed hero to thousands, slave loses big war and is crucified as a result... But perhaps that's being a tad flippant.


    "I'M SPARTACUS!"


    Based on a novel by author Howard Fast, Spartacus is the story of a rebellious Thracian chum known as Spartacus (Douglas). After being born into slavery and raised as a slave, he's sold to gladiator trainer Lentulus Batiatus (Ustinov) who owns a school in Capua. (Note: this aspect is among the film's several historical inaccuracies - Spartacus was in fact a freeborn who served as an auxiliary in the Roman army in Macedonia. He deserted the army, was captured, sold into slavery, and then sold to Batiatus' gladiatorial school) Early into the picture he meets a slave girl named Varinia (Simmons) who's used to 'entertain' the gladiators. From there, Spartacus is forced to endure a gruelling and brutal training period. He refuses to allow himself to be demeaned by the Romans. His newfound love for Varinia, coupled with his loathing for the devastating treatment and callous slaughtering of his fellow slaves, ignites his passion for freedom. Spartacus instigates a slave revolt at the gladiator school, forming a slave army that has the Roman Senate in a tizzy. The rest of the film tracks the escapades of Spartacus and his army as they travel across Italy freeing slaves who gladly join his quest to conquer the decadent Roman Empire.


    Meanwhile, a political storyline emerges concerning two great Roman Senators (who were also adversaries): Crassus (Olivier) the patrician (representing the interests of the aristocrats), and Gracchus (Laughton) the plebeian (representing the interests of the commonplace Roman citizens). These men employ their wealth and cunning to battle each other for control of the Senate...and Rome itself. With the Roman Army primed to attack, the slave army prepared to counter-attack, and the Roman Senators skirmishing amongst themselves, Spartacus is poised for a maximus climaxus where there will be more losers than winners.


    The story behind the film's creation is almost as interesting as the film itself. Kirk Douglas eagerly sought after snatching the title role of the epic Ben-Hur. However William Wyler (director of Ben-Hur) assigned the role to Charlton Heston as an alternative. Extremely irked, the hot-headed Douglas aspired to make his own Roman epic. He secured the rights to Howard Fast's novel Spartacus and hired blacklisted screenwriter Dalton Trumbo to pen the screenplay. Due to Trumbo being part of the Hollywood blacklist he'd been writing under a pseudonym for years. Douglas (an active executive producer for the film) opted to credit Trumbo for his contributions to the script (Mr. Douglas is now recognised for breaking the blacklist).


    Following a mere week of filming, original director Anthony Mann was sacked (or he quit...depends on which story you believe). Douglas selected a prompt replacement: youthful director Stanley Kubrick, who had helmed Paths of Glory (also starring Douglas) years earlier. Much ruckus has been sparked concerning Kubrick's contribution to the film. Because Kubrick never directed the same film twice, some think it fits nicely into the Kubrick oeuvre. Others believe Kubrick didn't do much at all, and was pressured into being a director-for-hire employed to ensure the production didn't violate the Director's Guild rules. While Kubrick was present on set, Kirk Douglas in fact directed a majority of the film himself. Kubrick later disowned the movie as he felt he didn't have adequate creative control. He even attempted legal action to have his name removed from the credits!


    Rumoured to have a budget of over $US12 million, Spartacus was the most expensive Hollywood film ever made in 1960. A great deal of gossip regarding the problematic production is well-known: the Kubrick disputes as noted above, the heated arguments between Kirk Douglas and Kubrick which ended both their friendship and professional relationship, the battle of egos between the stars (each believed they had superior dialogue) as well as the uncredited script 'doctoring' by Peter Ustinov. Despite all this, Spartacus is a stirring, unforgettable, remarkable epic. Regardless of its mammoth scale it never forgets its characters, the detail, the excellent story, and the timeless fight for freedom it conveys.


    The scale and scope of the invigorating battles is phenomenal, and they are coupled with exhilarating gladiatorial matches. The intricate detail in the costumes and locations is breathtaking. In this digital age audiences are accustomed to witnessing a computer-generated "cast" of thousands. It's powerful and awe-inspiring to behold hordes of practical extras pervading the frame for the massive battle scenes. Kubrick would've had to command these extras as firmly as Crassus ruled Rome. With thousands of meticulously-costumed extras, it puts digital Hollywood "epics" to shame. Decades on, Spartacus still holds its own - even alongside films such as Gladiator and Braveheart.

    The cast is particularly top-notch as well, with a passionate Kirk Douglas leading the enormous cast. The strength and conviction of Douglas (and his powerful "inny" chin) carries the day.


    In the early 1990s, a team worked to restore Spartacus and construct the definitive version of film. Footage that was initially removed for the theatrical release was inserted back into the final cut. Also, a scene had its dialogue altered for the 1960 theatrical release. For the restored version, the original dialogue was to be re-inserted but the original soundtrack couldn't be found. Laurence Olivier's voice in said scene (when he tries to seduce Antoninus in the bath) couldn't be restored. Therefore, as a replacement, actor Anthony Hopkins stepped in to lend his voice to the particular scene. The restoration is utterly marvellous.


    In spite of all its strengths, Spartacus isn't without faults. At a running time of over three hours it's challenging to sustain excitement levels from start to finish. The politics are too stilted and there are a few unnecessary, historically inaccurate sub-plots begging to be removed. The definitive biopic of Spartacus has yet to be made. At three hours, a majority of the film feels like padding. The acting is occasionally a tad wooden as well, almost campy.


    The authoritative acting, lush cinematography, bold costumes and visceral battles won Spartacus a total of four Oscars. This is a secular Roman epic and one of the best entries to the swords-and-sandals genre. It's a story of both inward and outward conflicts, well-written and executed by an ideal creative team. Those who adore the Golden Age of Hollywood will be extremely pleased with the big name cast, big name director in addition to the lavish sets, costumes and cinematography. Put your best sandals on, hitch up the chariot and seek out Spartacus. You will most certainly be maximus chuffedus if you do. Gladiator, Ben-Hur and Spartacus make the perfect triumvirate for lover of Hollywood epics.


    "This republic of ours is something like a rich widow. Most Romans love her as their mother but Crassus dreams of marrying the old girl to put it politely."
  • mrpopcorn
    December 11, 2008
    mrpopcorn
    "They trained him to kill for their pleasure. . .but they trained him a little too well. . ."

    Spartacus (Kirk Douglas) is a rebellious slave purchased by Lentulus Batiatus (Peter Ustinov), owner of a school for gladiators. For the entertainment of corrupt Roman senator Ma...( read more)rcus Licinius Crassus (Laurence Olivier), Batiatus' gladiators are to stage a fight to the death. On the night before the event, the enslaved trainees are "rewarded" with female companionship. Spartacus' companion for the evening is Varinia (Jean Simmons), a slave from Brittania. When Spartacus later learns that Varinia has been sold to Crassus, he leads 78 fellow gladiators in revolt. Word of the rebellion spreads like wildfire, and soon Spartacus' army numbers in the hundreds. Escaping to join his cause is Varinia, who has fallen in love with Spartacus, and another of Crassus' house slaves, the sensitive Antoninus (Tony Curtis). The revolt becomes the principal cog in the wheel of a political struggle between Crassus and a more temperate senator named Gracchus (Charles Laughton).

    Review
    "Spartacus" used the talents of Kirk Douglas and the other members of the cast to invoke a strong message against the ancient practice of slavery. Based in part on an actual time in the history of Rome, Spartacus, the slave portrayed by Douglas, does remain true to the times of this screen epic.

    Kirk Douglas did have a hand in some of the production tasks of the film, but the major part of the work goes to Stanley Kubrick. While on camera, Douglas delivered a performance that should have won an Oscar, but did not. However, Douglas did a lot of the physical stunts involved with the film, and delivered a very fine on-screen performance. Other members of the cast that made this film stand out were Jean Simmons, as his wife, Varinia, Charles Laughton, as a Roman senator, Laurence Olivier, as Crassus, the one that ultimately captured Spartacus, John Gavin as Julius Caesar, Tony Curtis as a friend of Spartacus, John Ireland and in a role that many actors relish, Peter Ustinov, who trained the slave as a gladiator, and then saw him lead the uprising against Rome. Battle scenes are first-rate, the gladiator contests are well staged, and the viewer is taken back to the city streets and arenas of Rome, when that location controlled all the known world. A lengthy film that gets better appreciated after each and every viewing.
  • BloodyKitten
    August 6, 2008
    BloodyKitten
    Great epic, even now. Lots of fun, a good historical flick that fans of movies like The 300 Spartans shouldn't miss.
  • sanjurosamurai
    July 9, 2008
    sanjurosamurai
    "I am not an animal". one of my favorite films of all time and a genuine cinema classic. spartacus is a grand epic and one of the greatest hero stories ever put to film. definitely my favorite kubrick picture which is ironic because kubrick went on to disown this film because ...( read more)it wasnt "his". He was a director for hire making the film kirk douglas wanted to make. regardless, its my favorite kubrick film and an amazing movie. "Im Spartacus!"
  • mcintyre157
    December 24, 2009
    mcintyre157
    I'm Spartacus!

    No, I'M Spartacus.

    Forget him, I'M SPARTACUS!
  • eryri
    December 19, 2009
    eryri
    Excellent movie starring Douglas as the rebel slave Spartacus who revolts against the Romans.
  • adfill7
    December 12, 2009
    adfill7
    A classic movie that starts off really strong, but then I just lost interest. Kirk Douglas was also kind of bland in this movie.
  • rayld02
    December 5, 2009
    rayld02
    If there's one director that I'm most fond of, it would be Stanley Kubrick (next is Godard, then Hitchcock I should say). His works continue to surprise me as I swim into his archives. He is so versatile that I can't pick which of which is his best. They are of different intensit...( read more)ies, but they can top any criterion of a good film. Drama, science fiction, suspense, war epic, romance?

    SPARTACUS is a 1960 epic based on a novel of the same name written by Howard Fast in 1951. The film stars Kirk Douglas as the slave turned rebel Spartacus and Laurence Olivier as the power-greedy general of the Roman Empire.

    It's a story of struggle for freedom.

    As we all know, slaves at that time were treated most likely as animals (or some times worse). Spartacus was a slave and introduced in the film as one of those who were working for construction. But because of his physique and man power, he was chosen to be a "Gladiator" for the entertainment of higher ranking officials of Rome at that time. He was later put in a series of trainings and tests for his newly-given task. During then, he met a beautiful lady named Varinia (Jean Simmons) who soon became his wife.

    Marcus Licinius Crassus (Laurence Olivier) on the other hand was a Roman leader and the main protagonist of the film.

    Cinematography

    First thing that I noticed about this film is its excellent cinematography. Technically, the version that I've watched is the restored version by Robert Harris (nicely done).

    Kubrick I should say is a big fan of landscapes. Almost most of his films include pictures and scenes of great landscapes. Like those wallpapers in our personal computers. In "2001: A Space Odyssey" for example exhibits slideshows of great sunset sceneries in the desert or elsewhere. Another is in "The Shining" where in the start of the film when credits are rolled up, cameras are focusing on the road and side cliffs of a mountain. Nothing, those are just fantastic pictures to watch.

    Costumes were carefully designed for the film.

    Fantastic music. This film has a great musical score effective for those scenes especially when Spartacus and Varinia are together. And when the battle began for the slaves and the army of the Roman Empire.

    The Gladiators, I wish that it was more aggressive. That was the scene when
    Spartacus and the black guy were fighting in the arena.

    Laurence Olivier as Crassus

    He was very effective portraying his role. Actually while I was watching, I wish I could punch him right on his face. That's how effective he was. Really great actor.

    Sad ending for a hero.

    "I am Spartacus", every slave claimed that they were Spartacus to protect their leader. But fate was bad for him. Great Crassus had him crucified and the last scene showed Varinia, like Mary stood before Jesus. Varinia left crying with their son to escape Crassus from hurting them.

    Spartacus is a really sad story about a struggle to find freedom. Everyone wants to be a "free man". But you sure want to die as a slave after watching this one.

    Great film from great director and great actors.
  • feb14wale
    November 30, 2009
    feb14wale
    i love this movie and i love to watch it everyday.
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