Rating: 
Summary: A Great Classic
Review: I purchased this at Christmas time for my mother. She had been searching high & low to find this movie. She didn't care whether it was brand new or used, she just wanted it for her collection. I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised that amazon.com had this video, and the price was excellent! I had to laugh though as I didn't know how to spell Spartacus so when I put in my spelling of it amazon.com came back with something about unable to find my spelling version but they did have Spartacus (trust me, you don't want to know what my spelling version looked like!). So, with that, amazon.com can even correct your spelling so you can find the item - thanks amazon.com!This is a great classic, and if you know someone looking for it or you want to add it to your own collection, I would highly recommend buying it ...
Rating: 
Summary: Could have shorter.
Review: I believe this picture to be above average in acting but there were scenes that dragged on into eternity at times, the flight from the Romans, the day to day struggles. At times I wanted to say "okay, I get the idea, it's rough being pursued by Romans and making a living at the same time". This is one Biblical epic that could have been trimmed time-wise by forty-five minutes and the quality would have been improved. All in all still a good flick.
Rating: 
Summary: Ridiculous
Review: Poor Stanley Kubrick. It is my understanding he disowned this Hollywood epic and was deeply ashamed of it. For good reason. Perhaps the most absurd part of the movie was the role given to Tony Curtis: a youthful "singer of songs" as he was called (and as Tony frequently referred to himself throughout the movie). Though this signer of songs was supposed to be a mere boy, he was obvioulsy a thirty-something actor that could not sing. [No offense to Tony Curtis, a good actor when properly cast.] But back to the story: since Tony could not sing, he recited (laughs) poetry! He never sang, not even once, not even to the character played by Olivier who takes the "singer of songs" into slavery as his houseboy. Reacting with disgust to the sexual advances made by Olivier, Tony escapes his slavery to join the gladiator group lead by Spartacus. Then, he becomes a singer of songs for Spartacus and his group of gladiators, former slaves and highly skilled professional killers. The real Spartacus story is fascinating and quite incredible; it inspired me to rent the movie. The gladiators were tough, absolutely brutal men with nothing to lose. They took on and defeated the Roman army. They could have escaped into the Alps, but overruling their leader, chose to return and face the fully mobilized Roman army. When they were finally defeated, the gladiators--thousands of them--were crucified and left for display along the Roman highways. What a great story. The movie, however, conveys little of this dramatic story but, instead, focuses on the sappy love story between Kirk Dougals and his leading lady. The movie is simply ridiculous, with Spartacus being portrayed as an earnest, somewhat sensitive, 1950-60's style man, not the brutal miliary genius he apparently was. Kubrick was a great director. He was quite yong when he made the movie and apparently lost control of the film. The movie was totally Hollywoodized. Unfortunate.
Rating:
Summary: Occasionally effective, but hardly a masterpiece.
Review: Kirk Douglas stars as Spartacus, the Thracian slave who leads a massive rebellion against the Roman empire. One of Stanley Kubrick's earlier films, this is an occasionally rousing epic with well-choreographed action sequences and grand speeches. Unfortunately, the forest sets reek of cheapness, dialogue ranges from witty to supremely awful, and most of the performances are perfunctory and wooden. Recommended for those seeking a large-scaled epic, but this movie certainly hasn't aged well.
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely powerful classic
Review: This movie affected me like very few have. I was so distraught by the ending of this movie. Not because it was poorly written or poorly acted but because it was supremely written and acted. For a fan of true classics this should be in your top ten. Douglas gives his best performance. Highly recommend.
Rating:
Summary: There Should Be A Law:
Review: There should be a law on rating a movie like this any less then "5". This is a serious movie which has little romance, enough action and a ending that may have your wife in tears. What more could you ask for. Kirk Douglas is at his best in this one. Another Classic to be listed in your collection. A MUST.
Rating: 
Summary: Pretty good
Review: I'm 14 so i of course didn't grow up at the time when this movie was popular, even so from the first time i saw it i thought this was one of my 20 favorite movies (it is number 20 as a matter of fact,and thats only for the cheap battle scenes)i was also astounded at how historical this film was,if was to take a guess i'd say its about 25% accurate, and thats good for a movie from the 60's.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best films I've seen till today
Review: An emotionally super-charged epic whose theme is: 'Man's struggle for his freedom-and (more importantly) his love for freedom'; 'Spartacus' glorifies three cardinal virtues of Man the Hero: his independent spirit, his sense of honor and his ability to hold his head high in the worst of losses & failures & never surrender his dignity. The film depicts all the torture and agony of the human spirit under subjugation-when a man is not free to make his own choices & pursue his own happiness, and all the bliss and ecstasy of freedom - when he can. This film dramatizes the essence of the Roman psyche: the lust for gaining control, for power-without really earning it, by using fear & brute force(basically throught the character of Crassus); and historically, the cruelty & inhumanity of slavery under the Roman rule. As another reviewer has correctly pointed out, this film also deals with the theme of fraternity and solidarity - it clearly portrays how the deprivation of a fundamental universal value: freedom - makes men transcend regional and other man-made barriers and ties them in such a powerful bond that they're willing to die for one another. The story revolves around a group of slaves being trained as gladiators-who, led by Spartacus, rise in revolt against the mighty Roman rule - their only aim being to go back home and live their lives as free men. What I loved most about the character Spartacus is that he shall fight for his freedom even though he knows he shall lose, that he may be killed-it represents a supreme sense of self-esteem - a spirit which can never be bent, broken or subdued - and the conviction that a death bought by your struggle for freedom is far more honorable and glorious than a life obtained at the price of your dignity and quietly submitting to subjugation and injustice. This film has several beautiful, unforgettable scenes-the most famous being the one in which each of Spartacus' men claim that he himself is Spartacus (so that Spartacus is saved)-representing a tremendous sense of hero-worship, unity and courage; I also loved the scene in which Spartacus and Antoninus are made to fight each other. As for the performances, Kirk Douglas was fabulous. The other actor whose performance I really applauded was Peter Ustinov (whom I liked better as Nero in the film 'Quo Vadis?'). Needless to say, the other performances were excellent too. This film is a must-see for all who not only enjoy historical epics but who also love the projection of man as a heroic being. 'Spartacus' is a tribute to all those known and unknown heroes of the world who have the conviction and courage to pay the price of their blood for their values.
Rating:
Summary: One Of The Best Films Ever Made
Review: Buy this movie now on the special Criterion edition. this film is one of the first movies to openly defy the blacklist-supurb acting, directing, and story.
Rating:
Summary: Terrific Douglas
Review: Inspiring visual treat that rarely failes to rile an audience, "spartacus" and in particular this DVD release stands as a masterpiece rivalled only by Ben Hur and Gladiator at least in theme, tone and sense of place. Douglas is heroic in a daring role that he embodies and plays to the fullest. On the whole, the film isn't as powerful and grand as either Ben Hur or Gladiator, yet it has withstood the test of time and deserves a repeat viewing. If for no other reason, to see Douglas at the pinnacle of his career (even as we all worry for his health noawadays.) The legend lives HERE.
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