Spartacus (Criterion)
Stanley Kubrick directed a cast of screen legends - including Kirk Douglas as the indomitable gladiator that led a Roman slave revolt - in the sweeping epic that defined a genre and ushered in a new Hollywood era. The assured acting, lush Technicolor cinematography, bold costumes and visceral fight sequences won Spartacus four Oscars®; the blend of politics and sexual suggestion scandalized audiences. Today Kubrick's controversial classic, the first film to openly defy Hollywood's blacklist, remains a landmark of cinematic artistry and history.
Member Reviews
Still Fun After All These Years - MovieProf
"Spartacus" was made at a time when Hollywood was clamouring for big epic productions, and this one doesn't disappoint. Though directed by Stanley Kubrick, this is a very much a Kirk Douglas movie, and the results are no less rewarding. Based on a slave revolt around the year 73 B.C.E., and also on the novel by Howard Fast, "Spartacus" is is one of the best epics of its time, and still stands up today. Besides Douglas in the lead role, other notable actors are Laurence Olivier and Peter Ustinov, both of whom largely dominate the scenes they are in, even scenes with Douglas himself. Great fun.I Am Spartacus? - Gregg
Based on a true story, Spartacus is the story of slave revolt against the Roman Republic led by a gladiator. The film details both the conditions and the struggles of the slaves as well as the reactions from the Romans and the political intrigue involved in the response to the rebellion. There is of course also a love story which is well handled but not entirely in keeping with the rest of the film. The film moves along effectively but does clock in at over 3 hours.
The films great cast includes; Kirk Douglas, Jean Simmons, Laurence Olivier, Charles Laughton, Peter Ustinov and Tony Curtis. The film was directed by Stanley Kubrick
The score by Alex North is very effective for a score of that era.
Script was penned by Dalton Trumbo a blacklisted writer, who was credited for his efforts and effectively ended the blacklisting. Many blacklisted writers and other film makers had been working in Hollywood for some time but they were not credited or acknowledged for their efforts and instead used pseudonyms. Based on a novel by Howard Fast, who was also blacklisted and briefly imprisoned, which is where he would begin writing the novel.
The film has been almost entirely restored including scenes that had been cut for being to controversial at the time, but today seem remarkably tame.
The commentary track which includes the Kirk Douglas (Producer and Star), Peter Ustinov, Saul Bass (Design Consultant and Title Design), Howard Fast (novelist), Edward Lewis (producer), Robert A. Harris (Restoration Expert). The contributions are all recorded separately but well handled and some of the participants are more than willing to discuss both the films and crews shortcomings.
The film despite the controversy would go onto to be nominated for 6 Oscars of which it would win two; including Cinematography and a Supporting Actor nod for Peter Ustinov.
The film despite its age remains quite powerful especially the iconic I am Spartacus sceneBlacklisted but still had a fairly good message - fairweather
I can see why this film was blacklisted by the 'then much more moral than now' Hollywood of its time. What it accomplishes well is making you FEEL what a slave felt like in slavery. It is very powerfully acted in that way.
However, the content - such as slave girls being used for sex, complete nudity (but not seen), and the fact that you care about Spartacus and his people and hope their fate will be a good one - only to see them face the might of the Roman Empire with little leeway or options for their fate in battle.. inspires this tale which spins Spartacus as a leader like Moses.. who tragically does not deliver his people.
I think the somewhat dark matter, which includes a suicide, much murdering and sadism (gladitorial) would have made Hollywood rate it at that time very low. For mature audiences of today, however, it can show the resiliency of the human spirit in fighting against a corrupt and decadent system even in the face of death. It also shows dedication to a worthy cause - freedom, a lesson perhaps being learned in the Middle East at this time.
Member Reviews
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Still Fun After All These Years - MovieProf
"Spartacus" was made at a time when Hollywood was clamouring for big epic productions, and this one doesn't disappoint. Though directed by Stanley Kubrick, this is a very much a Kirk Douglas movie, and the results are no less rewarding. Based on a slave ...I Am Spartacus? - Gregg
Based on a true story, Spartacus is the story of slave revolt against the Roman Republic led by a gladiator. The film details both the conditions and the struggles of the slaves as well as the reactions from the Romans and the political intrigue involved in ...Blacklisted but still had a fairly good message - fairweather
I can see why this film was blacklisted by the 'then much more moral than now' Hollywood of its time. What it accomplishes well is making you FEEL what a slave felt like in slavery. It is very powerfully acted in that way.
However, the content - such ...