Spartacus

Spartacus (1960) was a director for hire gig for Stanley Kubrick. Kirk Douglas was in a pinch for his next film project. He was making an epic film about a slave in the roman republic who rebels against his masters. Anthony Mann stepped down from the director's chair and Mr. Douglas needed someone to take over. Enters Stanley Kubrick. Although he has little creative input (i.e. script and story wise) he manages to make a compelling movie with his keen eye and directorial abilities.

Filmed in a grand scope and in such great detail, Spartacus is eye candy for fans of epic film making. I can only imagine what the film would have been like if he had total control over the project. Kirk Douglas is the man as Spartacus, Tony Curtis is quite good as his sidekick, Charles Laughton is wise and witty as the elder senator, Peter Ustinov is a hoot in his role as the poor victim of fortunate (and unfortunate) circumstance and Sir Laurence Olivier shows why he was the premier actor of his day as Crassus.

Highly recommended for Kirk Douglas fans and Stanley Kubrick philes.

A famed masterpiece and marvellous epic version about Spartacus life that won 4 Oscars, containing exciting drama and overwhelming battles featuring thousands of real extras. The true story of a gladiator who leads other slaves in a rebellion against the power of Rome in 73 BC. This is the classic version about the true story of gladiator Spartacus. At the beginning , the Thracian slave laboring in harsh rock, when he's purchased by obese Battiatus (Peter Ustinov). Brought back to Capua in a gladiator's school, he meets corpulent gladiator named Draba (Woody Strode) and falls in love with Varinia, a gorgeous slave (Jean Simmons). He escapes and stirs up all gladiators and slaves in a revolt (73 B. C.) against the power of Rome .After various generals are vanquished , the rebellion is put down by Crassus (Laurence Olivier) who confronts with wily old senator Gracchus (Charles Laughton). Spartacus actually died in battle and his body was not found. Electrifying Excitement!. The Electrifying Spectacle That Thrilled the World!. Human Desires so Strong they changed the course of History...of a Rebellion that shook a Civilization in a Pagan era, 71 B. C....the grandeur and might of Rome and the challenge of an immortal gladiator...of a love that changed the world.

Spartacus history, based on Howard Fast's novel, is imaginatively brought to life on groundbreaking frames with great production values, outstanding scenarios and Kubrick's control of the massive battles is commendable. Sword cross, drama, gladiators fights abound in this spellbinding adaptation on audacious Spartacus existence, one of the most rebels in the history. Kirk Douglas, whose political leanings are amply on display herein, also served as executive producer , surrounding himself with best talent available. Magnificent climatic battle scenes, featuring 8.000 real, live Spanish soldiers to stunning effect. It is a fitting description of Spartacus character, and it doesn't insult the viewer's intelligence. But it is in the observation of human detail and in many memorable little scenes when the film gets splendor. The picture score most heavily over other epics and in which it finds an inner strength. It's all immensely grand, though predictable , but also its predictability is redeemed in part by the charismatic performances of excellent starring with flawless portrayals and all around with the best talent available. Jean Simmons as Varinia , Charles Laughton as Gracus Peter Ustinov as Batiatus, John Gavin as Julius Caesar, Nina Foch, John Ireland, Herbert Lom, John Dall, Charles McGraw, all do commendably craftsmanlike work. A version featuring Kubrick's 'director cut' is nowadays available featuring a restored, controversial homoerotic bath scene wit Laurence Olivier and Tony Curtis. It contains a rousing and pulsing musical score by Alex North. As well as impressive cinematography in mighty 70mm and on the Giant Panoramic Screen by Russsell Metty with colorful images when the rebels are defeated and crucified along Via Appia, in a sea of crosses silhouetted against a sunset. The film was excellently directed by Stanley Kubrick that gave much-desired financial independence. Anthony Mann is uncredited as co-director.

The Spartacus life was previously adapted in 'Spartacus' (2004) by Robert Dornhelm with Goran Visnjic, Ben Cross, Angus McFayden, Ian McNeice, Rhona Mitra, Alan Bates. 'Spartacus' (1952) by Riccard Freda with Massimo Girotti and Ludmilla Tcherina. 'The son of Spartacus'(1962) by Sergio Corbucci and with Steve Reeves and a silent adapatation Espartaco (2013) by Giovanni Enrico Vidali . And TV series 'Spartacus , Blood and Sand' (2010-2013) with Liam McIntyre, Erin Cummins, Lucy Lawless, John Hanna. The movie will appeal to people enthusiasts for historic deeds and epic feats.

This is Kubrick's farewell to Hollywood. I would have liked to be a fly on the wall. I don't believe for a minute that it was a cordial parting of the ways. I mean, Kubrick never returned, never! With "Paths of Glory" Kubrick gave Kirk Douglas, not just his best part as an actor, but his best movie. By the time Douglas called Kubrick to "take over" "Spartacus" Douglas was already a huge star with too much saying in the matter. Look at it, it's clear. "Spartacus" is more Douglas than Kubrick. Great fun to watch, yes, absolutely. A terrific script by black listed Dalton Trumbo. Some fight sequences unequalled in the history of film. Look at the fight between Douglas and Woody Strode and compare it to the ones in "Troy" or "Gladiator" for that matter. It is sad an embarrassing to realise how low we've fallen. Computer generated images or not. The cast is unbelievable but it's clearly not Kubrick's. The casting of his movies was part of his master plan. He would cast a Ryan O'Neil as Barry Lyndon for instance so he can blend perfectly with the magnificent tapestry, without adding any colours of his own. The same can be said of Keir Dullea, in 2001, a robotic non entity in a showdown with a voice. When he needed actors to be at the very pinnacle of his universe he went to Peter Sellers, Malcolm McDowell or James Mason. Even the casting of Tom Cruise made a lot of sense. He used the star and his wife to talk about the dreamlike powers of betrayal. In "Spartacus" Tony Curtis, plays Antoninus, a teacher of the classics. A campy idea never seen in a Kubrick film, before or since. To be fair, there are some spot on, brilliant pieces of casting. Charles Laughton is, as usual, superb. Peter Ustinov, terrific. Laurence Olivier manages to give a multifaceted portrait of weakness, fear and greed. Jean Simmons makes the reason to survive totally believable. But the cutesy love scene between her and a shiny muscular, coiffed Spartacus is truly terrible. As a final blow, the scene is enveloped in a sticky, corny music theme. Having said all that. Don't you dare missing this epic. I'ts Kubrick's goodbye to Hollywood and like everything else that the master said or do, he really meant it.

Another Kubrick's masterpiece and very influential movie in it's genre. Kirk Douglas did great job as Spartacus but for me the best charachter in this movie was Laurence Olivier as Crassus. He brings on of the best villain performances I've ever seen. Spartacus had a lot of influence on Ridley Scoot's Gladiator, from way of acting (especially the similarity between Joaquin Pheonix and Laurence Olivier's character) to the way camera moves and shots are taken. This is truely a great historical film and a classic you should see. It will be hard for me to rank it amongst other Kubrick's films but I will try it (don't get angry if you disagree).

A very moving and compelling story of epic proportions. The plot is relentless, propelled by a dazzling screenplay. Kubrick draws some of the greatest performances of the cast, and fills the screen with images that fascinate throughout. Well paced for a movie of this magnitude.

To those who complain of anachronisms and poetic license with historical events, I say to them, 'Remember, it is a movie.' To be truly accurate, the cast would be delivering their lines in Latin and ancient Greek, with English subtitles. Whatever Kubrick might lose with historical inaccuracies, he gains far more in his ability to convey the story to the viewer. Even though it is over forty years old, the film tells us more of the present day than it does of the past.