Spartacus (1960)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Jonathan H

  
  Spartacus is like most Kirk Douglas vanity projects, only this time, it's longer, more overwrought, and wholly self-righteous. Douglas didn't get the lead in Ben-Hur, he pouted, and bought the film rights to Howard Fast's novel himself so he can be in an epic too. What… More
  Spartacus is like most Kirk Douglas vanity projects, only this time, it's longer, more overwrought, and wholly self-righteous. Douglas didn't get the lead in Ben-Hur, he pouted, and bought the film rights to Howard Fast's novel himself so he can be in an epic too. What a petulant child -- excuse me, what a petulant child, who's a horrible actor. The only redeeming quality is the strong supporting cast (Olivier, Ustinov, and Laughton, most notably). Kubrick's imprint is nowhere to be found, and really, can you blame him for wanting to distance himself from this film? If I wanted to watch a bloated lead character performance with broadly-drawn altruism and inane inspirational speeches, I'd go to a community theater production.

• Reid V

  
  While not the Kubrickian spectacle I was hoping for, a spectacle none the less. While it suffers from a ham fisted performance by Douglas and moments of nauseating sentiment, it also thrives on some well crafted battle scenes. This film feels big and I got to hand it to a young… More
  While not the Kubrickian spectacle I was hoping for, a spectacle none the less. While it suffers from a ham fisted performance by Douglas and moments of nauseating sentiment, it also thrives on some well crafted battle scenes. This film feels big and I got to hand it to a young Kubrick for saving this once doomed production. While I would have loved to see Kubricks flare a little more throughout the film, Trumbo's anti-establishment message is well realized. In the grand scheme of things, it isn't my favorite of Kubricks. Yet, it is still an enjoyable watch if you can stomach the running time.

• Graham J

  
  Kubrick steps into a new realm for his most epic film.

• Zach B

  
  Hmm. Now this is a rather odd film for Kubrick to have directed. I mean, I know that he was known for directing all sorts of genres during his career, but for him to direct this 3 hour epic in the early stages of his career, I must say that I am impressed. Okay, I guess that some back… More
  Hmm. Now this is a rather odd film for Kubrick to have directed. I mean, I know that he was known for directing all sorts of genres during his career, but for him to direct this 3 hour epic in the early stages of his career, I must say that I am impressed. Okay, I guess that some back story is needed to understand the way this film was even made. Kirk Douglas was, at the time, out of work and he needed a job to help him get by. So what he had done was finance a film adaption of the novel Spartacus by Howard Fast and have him (being Douglas) portray the title character. Due to creative differences with the original director Anthony Mann, Douglas went back and hired Stanley Kubrick whom he had previously worked with on the acclaimed Paths Of Glory. What resulted would be the first of Kubrick's four epics he would go on to create (the others include 2001: A Space Odyssey, Barry Lyndon, and The Shining) and this has to be, just for the scope of this film alone, one of his most wonderful films ever. With this film, Kubrick created something that appeals to everyone from the people who like romance to the people that love war. This film has it all. Now for my reaction. For the most part, my reaction to this film was in complete shock. After hearing things via word of mouth, I learned quite an interesting bit about this film and the reputation it has on being great. After sitting through this beast of a film, I understand the love people have. But for the most part with ranking this film with Kubrick's other films, I will have to say that this film is in the middle with being on my list of being the greatest. It is not that I have anything against this film. It just that it does not appeal to me on a personal level like how his other films would. But, for an epic period piece, it is by far one of the greatest I have seen. Okay, now for the details. The first is with direction. If you go into this film expecting a typical Kubrick film filled with Kubrick's trademarks that he is associated with, you will be disappointed severely. Things like Kubrick using still cameras to follow people around and the use of classical compositions are not found here. But this is an exception due to this being made early in his career and he was still trying to find his own way of making films. But what really sets this film apart and what makes me love this film is how he films the action sequences that had happened through out. Anyone who knows Kubrick knows that he is beyond difficult with his cast and crew to such a point that they start to loose their minds (ex: Shelly DuVall in The Shining), so one has to wonder how exactly the actors felt during those scenes and how many retakes there must have been. For the overall work and looking at the entire scope of this film, Kubrick done a damn good and impressive job. For acting, well, we have some of the finest performances you will ever see. First I must talk about Kirk Douglas. Now, I have never seen any of his films prior to me writing this review, but due to me seeing a good many of his son's (Michael Douglas) films, I will say that Kirk is a damn fine actor and this film proves it. The main thing that stands out with his acting is just the image and presence he presents on screen. When he is on screen, you are just aware of his control. You know he is in power and that he will steal every shot he is in. It is easy to see where Michael got his acting abilities. The next person will have to be Jean Simmons (yes, I know her name sounds like the Rock God Gene Simmons). Her role in this film is the love interest of Spartacus and my main thought on her is that she is kind of bland. Do not get me wrong: there are moments in which she shines through (professing her love for Spartacus, protecting someone dear to her near the end of the film, etc.), but at times, she just seems to have the same expression on her face. Personally, it would of worked better if she had some more expression. But overall, a rather decent to good performance. Lastly will be the young Tony Curtis. Now, I am mostly a fan of his wife Janet Leigh and his daughter Jamie Lee Curtis' films more, but this being my first introduction to him as an actor, I will admit that I do like his acting. He plays this youthful character that has complete undying loyalty towards Spartacus and Curtis just shows off this entire innocents that works well with the character as a whole. Personally, I love him in this film and I would not mind seeing more of him in other films. Now for the score. Personally, as an original score, I do like how it has a certain Roman flare to it that actually makes it enjoyable. The only thing I would of liked would be if during the fight scenes, the music would have been a tad bit more epic and exciting enough to get your heart racing. But, then again, that would of just added to the stereotypes of Epics, so this is understandable. But, for the music and what it is, I like it. Lastly the script. It is, believe it or not, hard to make a three plus hour film and keep it entertaining and the script does just that. The dialogue seems natural, the scenes are well written, and the film just flows wonderfully. Personally, I would not be surprised if this film won the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screen Play. Well written. Overall, this is a good early Kubrick film and it just shows what was to come in the future for him.

• Adriel L

  
  A seminal classic of sorts. One that is of true, simple story about injustice, the absurd and of freedom. With profundity, it is most memorable and ultimately humanistic.

• Tim S

  
  A very sweeping and dazzling epic with great acting moments, dazzling cinematography, and a great director in training. I feel like Braveheart is an echo of this film as it plays almost entirely the same way. Maybe Mel Gibson had this movie in mind, or maybe Randal Wallace did.… More
  A very sweeping and dazzling epic with great acting moments, dazzling cinematography, and a great director in training. I feel like Braveheart is an echo of this film as it plays almost entirely the same way. Maybe Mel Gibson had this movie in mind, or maybe Randal Wallace did. Either way, it doesn't really matter. As with a lot of films, I felt it was a bit too long and some scenes felt a little extraneous and unneccesary, like the relationship berween Antoninus and Crassus. Not because of the gay thing, it just didn't really seem to add much to the overall plot of the thing and never really got a payoff, so I felt like it could've been taken out quite easily.

• Jennifer D

  
  HOLY LONGNESS. Maybe this was made as an offering to the Roman god of LONG FILMS. I, to be perfectly honest, found it fantastically boring. But I did like Tony Curtis. Even though he still spoke from New York. Bless the man. And I did like Charles Laughton as well as Peter Ustinov.… More
  HOLY LONGNESS. Maybe this was made as an offering to the Roman god of LONG FILMS. I, to be perfectly honest, found it fantastically boring. But I did like Tony Curtis. Even though he still spoke from New York. Bless the man. And I did like Charles Laughton as well as Peter Ustinov. Sorry, not even I will fully redeem a film just because it's old and was directed by Kubrick.

• El Hombre I

  
  Least favorite Kubrick, mostly due to Kirk Douglas' hammy acting technique. Despite its' dated elements, it's still an engaging epic with some incredible imagery. Watching this film, one can almost hear the old dinosaur of Hollywood dying. Luckily, upon completion… More
  Least favorite Kubrick, mostly due to Kirk Douglas' hammy acting technique. Despite its' dated elements, it's still an engaging epic with some incredible imagery. Watching this film, one can almost hear the old dinosaur of Hollywood dying. Luckily, upon completion of this project, nobody would ever tell Stanley Kubrick what he could or couldn't do, especially Douglas. <a href="http://s273.photobucket.com/albums/jj203/goji9000/?action=view&current=spartacus.png" target="_blank"><img src="http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj203/goji9000/spartacus.png" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

• Jon L

  
  This was a good film overall and had all the makings of a great epic. I find it hard not to compare it to other Biblical epics such as "Ben-Hur", especially watching them almost back to back and unfortunately I felt that is had fell slightly short in comparison. On its own… More
  This was a good film overall and had all the makings of a great epic. I find it hard not to compare it to other Biblical epics such as "Ben-Hur", especially watching them almost back to back and unfortunately I felt that is had fell slightly short in comparison. On its own it is a fabulous film and has become a classic for a reason; however I feel it lacks in certain areas. Having said all that, movie lovers of all kinds should watch this film.

• Mister C

  
  One of the highest grossing films of 1960,this was one astounding spectacle with Kirk Douglas as a gladiator who leads a revlot against the Roman Empire is one of the best in the genre that was a sweeping epic in cast,a sweeping epic in budget,and a sweeping epic in scope. The winner… More
  One of the highest grossing films of 1960,this was one astounding spectacle with Kirk Douglas as a gladiator who leads a revlot against the Roman Empire is one of the best in the genre that was a sweeping epic in cast,a sweeping epic in budget,and a sweeping epic in scope. The winner of 4 Oscars has been given a restored re-released in late 2010 for its 50th Anniversary. Stanley Kubrick replaced Anthony Mann as its credited director;then then blacklisted Dalton Trumbo was the original screenwriter along with producer Edward Lewis while Kirk Douglas was headed as executive producer. This all-star cast headed by Laurence Olivier,Jean Simmons,Peter Ustinov(who won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor), Charles Laughton and Tony Curtis.

• Conner R

  
  The ultimate tale of gladiators, a true historical epic. Kirk Douglas gives a flawless performance and Stanley Kubrick did an amazing job for not being on the project for nearly any of pre-production. I can't think of a better example of courage and bravery in the face of… More
  The ultimate tale of gladiators, a true historical epic. Kirk Douglas gives a flawless performance and Stanley Kubrick did an amazing job for not being on the project for nearly any of pre-production. I can't think of a better example of courage and bravery in the face of darkness, it's given influence on nearly every epic since. It's a film that's overlooked too much and I wish it got more credit.

• Lorenzo v

  
  <i>"They trained him to kill for their pleasure. . .but they trained him a little too well. . ."</i> Spartacus (Kirk Douglas) is a rebellious slave purchased by Lentulus Batiatus (Peter Ustinov), owner of a school for gladiators. For the entertainment of corrupt… More
  <i>"They trained him to kill for their pleasure. . .but they trained him a little too well. . ."</i> 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 (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). <b><u>Review</u></b> "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.

• danny d

  
  "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… More
  "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 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!"

• Pierluigi P

  
  Overwhelming epic production, left by Anthony Mann and assumed with undeniable talent by a then young filmmaker Stanley Kubrick. Dalton Trumbo's screenplay has priceless moments and dialogue. One of the best assembled casts in film history.

• xGary X

  
  Kirk Douglas stars as a gladiator who instigates a rebellion and forms an army of slaves to challenge the might of ancient Rome. The best of the swords and sandals epics, this is also probably Kubrick's most mainstream work although it still contains more adult material than… More
  Kirk Douglas stars as a gladiator who instigates a rebellion and forms an army of slaves to challenge the might of ancient Rome. The best of the swords and sandals epics, this is also probably Kubrick's most mainstream work although it still contains more adult material than most; the violence is relatively gruesome for something that has become accepted as a "matinee" style film, and it tackles subjects that were taboo at the time (ie. the now notorious "oysters and snails" scene). It was obviously a big influence on Gladiator, and like Scott's film contains some rousing action performed by a charismatic lead, skillfully intermingled with intriguing political machinations. The supporting cast is exceptional, featuring Lawrence Olivier, Charles Laughton and Peter Ustinov who all light up the screen when they appear with some fantastic dialogue. The only real drawback is it's length; the middle section is padded out with some unnecessary emotional button pushing and romantic interludes but otherwise, it's very impressive.

• A B

  
  Very moving and epic movie. Excellent performances. A must-see.

• moon r

  
  "i am spartacus!" one of the classics...i bet kirk douglas STILL watches it

• Michael S

  
  Better than Ben-Hur

• Michael G

  
  Probably the worst of Kubrick's films in terms of style, but still good.

• Dillon L

  
  'Spartacus' has a war loving plot and a story that keeps the viewer rooting for its title character the whole way through.

Read all 20 featured audience ratings