Rating: 
Summary: Do you like gladiator movies?
Review: Currently in the United States, the USA Network is showing a remake of the story of 'Spartacus', taken from the same novel text as the classic 1960 Oscar-winning film of the same subject, so I thought this might be the opportune time to look at this classic film and tale. The author of the novel, Howard Fast, was also the author of many novels-turned-films like 'The Crossing', 'April Morning', 'Freedom Road', and 'How the West was Won'. Fast passed away just last year, while the current remake of Spartacus was in production. The original film, based as it was on Fast's novel, takes many liberties with history. The characterisations of Spartacus' early days with Varinia, for example, are mere speculation. The course of the slave-army progress through Italy is similarly an invention made for easier poetic rendering - the slave-army in fact wandered throughout Italy in a much different fashion, with different results than shown in the film. The film portrays a rather simple pattern of slaves accumulating to the slave-army in droves as they march toward a port to escape from Italy; this is much easier to portray than the actual course. What this film does not do is set the stage properly historically - this was not the first slave revolt in Roman history, and Spartacus and his band of gladiators drew strength and inspiration from the Sicilian and southern Italian revolts of the then not-too-distant past. However, the main object of Fast's novel, and Stanley Kubrick's realisation of such in cinema, was the story of the quest for freedom against oppression and tyranny. There are echoes of the cold war here, to be sure - the autocratic Crassus threatening the freedom of a great republic is easily translated into the 'Red Scare' that so many people in the West, particularly in America, perceived in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Kubrick already had a reputation as a good director, but the film 'Spartacus' may be what made his reputation of being a master of the directing arts (films such as '2001: A Space Odyssey', 'Clockwork Orange', and 'Dr. Strangelove', a much less subtle 'Red Scare' film, were all to come later). His casting decisions from the young Kirk Douglas as Spartacus to Laurence Olivier as the conniving Roman power-broker Crassus to Peter Ustinov (who was also a script-writer, uncredited) as the gladiator-school owner Lentulus are all inspired. The film was nominated for six Academy Awards, of which it won four, including a nod to Ustinov as best supporting actor. It also won the Golden Globe as best picture. Crassus, by all historical accounts, was a schemer who wanted absolute rule in Rome. He was not the first, nor the last, but was one of the fore-runners of the Emperors who would spring from Julius Caesar's line. Crassus was for a time the wealthiest man in Rome, competing with Pompeii for power and influence. Crassus did not have the military experience Pompeii had, and so had to make up for this by crushing the slave rebellion. Olivier plays the calculating senator with grace and subtlety, but perhaps the most daring scene (on occasion omitted) was the bath scene with the mis-cast Tony Curtis, in which they speak of bisexuality and homosexuality in very oblique terms; of course such divisions of sexuality were, by many accounts, much less rigid in the past than our post-Victorian sensibility makes them out to be. As I say, Tony Curtis seems mis-cast here as Antoninus. The 'singer of songs' is an unlikely slave and unlikely leader in the army, and almost wholly an invention for dramatic device, to give Spartacus a stronger connection to Crassus and a dramatic denouement. The only primary female character in the film is Varina, superbly played by Jean Simmons, whose beauty was at its height during this time, and whose timeless voice carried much of the meaning of the slave revolt in real human emotions. The underutilised character of Draba, the African slave whose refusal to kill Spartacus in a private match staged by Lentulus, is ably played by Woody Strode, whose filmography includes an astonishing 76 films over the course of 50 years. The staging of the film was dramatic and well-constructed; the sets were very realistic, particularly for a time before the invention of computer generated imagery. The gladiator training camp and army maneuvering showed researched into the training and tactics used in actual Roman settings, even if the blood was still a bit unrealistic by comparison to today's special effects standards. The film is in vivid technicolour, making this a real production of the 'glory days' of Hollywood, where things were larger than life. Despite ending with the crushing of the slave revolt, the whole film turns history around, as those watching will know the outcome. The freedom of Rome will itself soon come to an end, only to fall under its own weight a few centuries later. The cycle of history continues, and human freedom is something that is always to be valued, and requires the courageous and strong to work together and be willing to sacrifice - this is the moral of the story. The famous scene where all the conquered slaves stand to claim the identity of Spartacus is legendary, for good reason. Oft repeated, oft used in parody, this scene shows both the cost and value of loyalty.
Rating:
Summary: Pure Perfection
Review: I absolutely loooove this movie! Even after watching it 7 or 8 times, I find myself hoping that certain situations will turn out differenty! But then of course, it would not be the masterpiece that it is...
Kirk Douglas (Spartacus) ... in the best role of his career,a slave who would rather "Die free- than live a slave." This is the passion that drives him to challenge the power of the The Roman Empire. And General Crassus -(Beautiful-Laurence Olivier)...Who is threatened and deeply jealous of Spartacus...whom has many followers who would die for this simple, brave, amazing slave turned gladiator. The all star cast is just as spectacular...Tony Curtis,Charles Laughten and the stunning Jean Simmons (as Spartacus's wife). There is an exceptional scene where Spartacus and Virinia are lying down on the ground and Spartacus is running a blade of grass down her neck, cheek, arm, stomach and says..."I want to know every inch of you." OOOOH, Love that. Or the scene when Crassus screams, "Tell me who Spartacus is and you will all save yourselves!" One by one they all step forward.
"Then kill them all." He says. But the scene at the end kills me, absolutely rips my heart out... Spartacus is on the cross, dying. Virinia finds him and holds his son up towards the cross. "This is your son, Spartacus. This is your son. He is free. Free." I only wish I hadn't watched this movie before...so I could experience it for the first time again! "Spartacus" moved me off my seat and brought every emotion the the surface.
Now that's what a powerful motion picture should do!
Rating:
Summary: A Classic
Review: I am somewhat puzzled by some of the negative reviews I have seen here. This movie is the prototype for such future blockbusters as "Braveheart", "Gladiator", and "Glory". All three of those movies have scenes in them which were almost directly ripped off from Spartacus.
As for Kubrick, it is true that he was not the director at the onset of production. Yet, he has never demanded that his name be taken off of the credits.
It seems that many of my fellow reviewers have forgotten that this movie was made in 1960. I admire this film for its great "cast of thousands" battle scenes, the grandeur of Rome, and the realism of the gladiator training camp. I excuse it for the hokiness of the love story between Douglas and Simmons because they were doing as much as you could get away with in that era.
All in all, when one puts the film in its historic perspective, it was a milestone in Hollywood cinematography. Bravo!
Rating: 
Summary: I couldn't finish watching it.
Review: I couldn't finish watching 'Spartacus'. It was long, long, long, and boring, boring boring. Don't listen to those Kubrick fans who pretend to like it and say it is great.
Rating:
Summary: GREAT FILM BUT HISTORICAL RUBBISH
Review: I would recommend "Spartacus" as excellent entertainment from the time when Hollywood could still produce epic films, and this one of course was directed by none other than Stanley Kubrick. However, the script is filled with historical innacuracies and is heavily influenced by the political leanings of author Howard Fast and screen writer Dalton Trumbo, who project 20th century ideologies onto people utterly different from ourselves. Spartacus was a Roman, or at least an Italian, soldier who was probably enslaved for disciplinary problems and sold to a gladiatorial school. The term "Thracian" comes not from his geograpic origins, but from his fighting style in the arena; gladiators who fought with a short sword and small round shield were called "Thracians." No one but a Roman or Italian could have organized a force capable of defeating a legion, and one had to grow up in the right environment to imbibe the necessary ideas. Barely 50 years earlier, 20,000 Roman soldiers led by Gaius Marius had destroyed a Germanic army of over 200,000. If you weren't born in Italy, you wouldn't have had the chance to learn the necessary military science. The film's opening narration refers to "The pagan tyranny that was Rome." Of course, everyone at that time (except the Hebrews) was "pagan," so no one would have resented the Romans for that fact. Also, compared to other governments of the day, Rome was a model of enlighenment. At least the Romans gave something in return for taxes (roads, aqueducts, etc.), whereas other rulers merely plundered their subjects to finance extravagant lifestyles and foreign adventures. If the Roams could be cruel, that was a trait shared by all their contemporaries. One review refered to "decadence" and the "Empire." Rome was still a republic at this time, and far from being decadent, was about to create the world's first supranational state, which would last for almost four centuries (12 if one includes the Byzantine Empire). Had they been truly decadent, the Romans would have been incapable of such a feat. On a lighter note, during a break in filming Kirk Douglas had arranged a trip to Palm Springs. He was persuaded to take a limousine as befitting his "star" status. He left the studio still in costume, and while driving through the desert fell asleep under a blanket until the driver stopped for gas. Kirk got out of the limo to stretch his legs, and the driver, thinking his passenger was still asleep, took off and left him behind. Kirk finished the trip by hitchiking wearing his tunic and sandals! Watch this film for its' entertainment value and maybe a morality sermon on the values of courage and perseverance, but beware the political overtones. Oppression and sexual freedom are concepts unique to our time; the peoples of the ancient Meditarranean saw their world in terms defined quite differently from ours.
Rating: 
Summary: Classic Hollywood epic looks great
Review: If you're a fan of the movie Sparatus, this is the version to get; the Universal DVD is as bare bones as they get with just the movie. The Criterion version looks great. The facelift the film received help return much of its luster. Kubrick later disowned his version of the epic Hollywood Sword & Sandal genre, but Kubrick brings much of his sensibility to bear; the fight sequences and epic vistas bring to mind Kubrick's work on Paths of Glory and 2001. True, this isn't a complete Kubrick picture; Kubrick had nothing to do with the screenplay and Douglas had all but cast the picture in collaboration with director Anthony Mann (dismissed after butting heads with Douglas one too many times). Is it Kubrick's finest film? Well, frankly no it isn't. It's an interesting mishmash between Kubrick's detached, ironic style and Hollywood glitz. Spartacus is Kubrick for people who don't care for Kubrick's detached style. It doesn't measure up to Lolita, Dr. Strangelove, 2001 or A Clockwork Orange although it does compare favorable to the much darker Paths of Glory. Kubrick stated that his intend at the time was to subvert the cliches of the genre. As a result, Kubrick manages to reinvent a genre that was in danger of becoming a parody of itself. As a collaborative effort, Spartacus is a great piece of entertainment and far more sophisticated than almost everything else that came out of Hollywood at the time. The transfer is beautiful with much of Kubrick's bold use of color restored. The strong acting of most of the cast has always been a virtue of Sparatcus. The soundtrack has been meticulously transferred to 5.1 and Alex North's beatiful score has never sounded so sweet, tragic and powerful before. The audio commentary is the same one that was on the laserdisc version. It provides additional understanding about the complexity of making an independently produced project like Spartacus. Kirk Douglas' bold decision to produce the film himself (with Universal-International distributing)was a leap of faith in both the material and the talented director. The second disc is stuffed with supplements that are found nowhere else.There's two older interviews with Peter Ustinov, Jean Simmons plus one that Ustinov did in 1992 for the laserdisc edition. It's delightful and he shares a number of funny stories about the picture. There's also a text overview of Kubrick's career and his involvement with the picture. Included also are sketches Kubrick made for the motion picture (artistically they're nothing special but they do provide insight into Kubrick's role in the visualization of the film). Included are some vintage newsreels and a promotional film originally made but unfinished for Spartacus that gives us a glimpse behind the scenes. The promotional film is missing it's soundtrack (in fact, it might have been lost if not for the forsight of a private collector) and has much from North's score. We also get to glimpse at Saul Bass' wonderful title design sequence. Criterion has been both praised and criticized for their DVDs and laserdiscs before. While they tend to be expensive, this is the complete package. Occasionally Criterion will release a package that isn't up to their usual standards. Spartacus isn't one of them. Robert Harris (Harris restored the film along with Vertigo)evidently was also involved in the transfer to DVD. If you want a spectacular transfer of the film, loads of extras about the making and background of the project from those involved, this is the set to pick up.
Rating: 
Summary: 3 Stars For 3 Outstanding Performances...
Review: Kubrick replaced Tony Mann on directing duties for this brave, but lumbering costume epic which is ultimately propped up by three beautiful performances. Peter Ustinov(won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his work here), Charles Laughton(should have been similarly nominated)& Laurence Olivier all do incredible work under the guidance of a very young Kubrick & all deliver what comes very close to their best work. Their presence is notable chiefly for the fact that without them, SPARTACUS would never have been the extraordinary spectacle it surely is. Kirk Douglas gives a brooding(& lifeless)performance in the title role, ultimately undermining any sequence not containing the three aforementioned thespians. Jean Simmons, as the love interest, is similarly uninteresting & while undeniably beautiful, fails to evoke for the viewer the love & devotion she receives from Douglas & ultimately Olivier. Pre CGI, it comes armed with some beautifully choreographed & violent battle sequences, but for those looking for an earlier version of Ridley Scott's GLADIATOR, this one may come off a little old-fashioned. It is worth noting(& you'll learn this from the wonderfully insightful 1992 Ustinov interview[his impersonation of Laughton is a riot]contained in the bonus material)that Ustinov rewrote all the scenes he plays with Laughton. It should come as no surprise to the discerning viewer, they are easily the best moments in the film.....
Rating:
Summary: The Original "Gladiator" - beautifully restored on DVD!
Review: Long before Russell Crowe picked up his sword and battled corrupt Roman emperors, Kirk Douglas showed him the way in "Spartacus". This epic 1960 film still ranks as one of the best performances in Douglas's distinguished career, and it marked his second collaboration with famed director Stanley Kubrick. Even more than "Gladiator", "Spartacus" is based on a real historical event, although it greatly exaggerates the actual history. Spartacus was a Roman slave in the first century AD who became a gladiator for the Romans, but escaped and then formed an enormous army (estimated at anywhere from 50,000 to 75,000) of freed slaves and gladiators. For the next year this army, under Spartacus's leadership, terrorized the Italian countryside, until they were finally trapped and destroyed in battle with the still powerful Roman Army. As an old-fashioned Hollywood epic, "Spartacus" doesn't disappoint the viewer - there are epic battle scenes, high drama, and some great acting by several Hollywood legends. Interestingly, the film's producers felt that the contrast between the slave-gladiators and their corrupt Roman masters would be given greater contrast if they cast British actors (Sir Laurence Olivier, Peter Ustinov, Charles Laughton) as the leading Roman characters, and American actors as the slaves (Douglas, Tony Curtis, Jean Simmons). All of the actors listed above shine in this film - Olivier drips with menace and hypocrisy as the great Roman General Crassus, who will stop at nothing to crush the slave revolt and bring the entire Roman Empire under his personal control. Laughton is delightful as Gracchus, a fat and somewhat corrupt, but also clever and freedom-loving, Roman Senator who loathes Crassus and tries desperately to keep Crassus from becoming a dictator and destroying the individual freedoms of the Roman Republic. He fails, but nonetheless emerges as the sole Roman hero of the movie. Peter Ustinov steals every scene as the bumbling and craven owner of a gladiator training school who rescues Spartacus from certain death and makes him into a gladiator, then reluctantly helps Gracchus gain one last "victory" over Crassus by stealing Crassus's new love interest (and Spartacus's former wife) and taking her to freedom. As for the slaves, Douglas is superb as Spartacus - if the real Spartacus had been as noble and heroic as Douglas's character, then Roman history might have been very different! (Historically, the real Spartacus and his slave army could have escaped from Italy, but instead went on a wild looting and stealing spree across the Italian countryside, thus wiping out any moral advantage they had over their corrupt Roman masters, and also throwing away their chance to gain permanent freedom. This led many sympathetic Romans to join the fight to crush the slave revolt, which was done, brutally). Jean Simmons portrays Spartacus's "wife" (they're never legally married) as a strong and honorable woman; and Tony Curtis plays the cultured and well-educated, but also tragic slave of Crassus who escapes and becomes like a son to Spartacus. The scene near the end of the movie where Crassus forces the two to fight to the death is especially poignant. In many ways this is a movie ahead of its' time - it delicately but still decisively suggests that Crassus was bisexual and had a strong sexual interest in Tony Curtis's character (which led Curtis to escape). In terms of scope, emotional impact, and visual splendor it's hard to top this film. Anyone who's interested in the golden age of Hollywood films and enjoys watching some legendary actors in their prime will love "Spartacus"!
Rating:
Summary: Classic Gladiator
Review: One critic thought there were several Spartacus characters. Those that said they were Spartacus didn't really mean that was their name. The reason they said they were Spartacus is so the real Spartacus would not be executed. It's called loyalty, not duplicate names. Check the credits. How many played Spartacus?This film even compared to todays greats like Braveheart and Gladiator holds its own. A must have for any classic movie collector. You won't go wrong buying this DVD. The restoration is excellent, and the cast, sets, and music are incredible. In one scene we see the armies marching into postion from a hillside and the view is spectacular. The arena fight scenes are still great to watch even after seeing recent special effects in movies like Gladiatior. You feel you are there at the height of the Roman Empire. The love scenes between Spartacus and Varinia are well done. Good entertainment for all but the very young.
Rating:
Summary: "I Am Spartacus!"
Review: One of Hollywood's greatest historical epics, SPARTACUS is easily in the all-time Top Ten "Real Man's Movies." Starring Kirk Douglas and a literal cast of thousands, this film recounts author Howard Fast's version of the tale of a Roman slave-turned-gladiator-turned-liberator. Douglas's acting is, as usual, both rife with tight-jawed machismo and full of emotional depth. Douglas dominates the film in a way no actor working today ever could (Goran Visnjic's recent remake is simply watery in comparison). Truly stellar performances are turned in by Tony Curtis (as Antoninus, the slave-poet), Peter Ustinov (as Batiatus, a comedic gladiatorial schoolowner), Sir Laurence Olivier (as Crassus), and Charles Laughton (as the philosophic Roman Senator Gracchus). The beautiful Jean Simmons plays Varinia, Spartacus's wife. Roman brutality, with its gladiatorial games and crucifixions is set against nobility of spirit and the power of dreams. It's no contest. The glory that was Rome is pallid beside the strength of just a single man. Classic scenes include the recently-restored bathhouse scene between Crassus and Antoninus (with its homosexual overtures) and the great capture scene which has ten thousand men declaring "I am Spartacus!" in the face of a terrible death. Directed by Stanley Kubrick, but conceptualized by Kirk Douglas himself, the film lauds old-fashioned virtues, celebrates the human spirit, and is a paean to freedom, as an intellectual's epic. Of note is the fact that Douglas broke the back of the Hollywood blacklist by openly crediting Dalton Trumbo as the author of the screenplay. The extras disc is loaded with goodies, but the best thing about SPARTACUS is simply losing oneself to the power of this amazingly well-crafted cinematic classic.
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