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Kirk Douglas, Laurence Olivier, Jean Simmons, Charles Laughton, Peter Ustinov ... see more see more... , Tony Curtis , John Gavin , Nina Foch , Herbert Lom , John Ireland , John Dall , Joanna Barnes , Harold J. Stone , Woody Strode , Peter Brocco , Paul Lambert , Robert J. Wilke , Nick Dennis , John Hoyt , Dayton Lummis , Arthur Batanides , Buff Brady , Jerry Brown , Paul E. Burns , Chuck Courtney , Dick Crockett , Ted de Corsia , Terence de Marney , Seamon Glass , Sol (Saul) Gorss , James Griffith , Brad Harris , Harry Harvey Jr. , Joe Haworth , Vinton Haworth , Chuck Hayward , Hallene Hill , Charles Horvath , Jill Jarmyn , Cliff Lyons , Charles McGraw , Bob Morgan , Eddie Parker , Harvey Parry , Regis Parton , Leonard Penn , Gil Perkins , Larry Perron , Chuck Roberson , Autumn Russell , Russell Saunders , Aaron Saxon , Tom Steele , Bob Stevenson , Kay Stewart , Ken Terrell , Lili Valenty , Dale Van Sickel , Louise Vincent , Frederic Worlock , Carleton Young , Joe Canutt , Anthony Hopkins , Carey Loftin , Wayne Van Horn , George Robotham , Wally Rose , Harold Kruger , Rube Schaffer , Tap Canutt , Jo Summers , Bob Burns , Harold Goodwin

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 ... read more read more...(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). Anthony Mann was the original director of Spartacus, eventually replaced by Stanley Kubrick, who'd previously guided Douglas through Paths of Glory. The film received 4 Academy Awards, including Best Supporting Actor for Ustinov. A crucial scene between Olivier and Curtis, removed from the 1967 reissue because of its subtle homosexual implications, was restored in 1991, with a newly recorded soundtrack featuring Curtis as his younger self and Anthony Hopkins standing in for the deceased Olivier. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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79% liked it

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96% liked it

47 critics

PG-13, 3 hr. 4 min.

Directed by: Stanley Kubrick

Release Date: October 7, 1960

Keywords: epic

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DVD Release Date: April 24, 2001

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Flixster Reviews (2,932)

  • JonathanHutchings
    May 5, 2012
    JonathanHutchings
    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... read more 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.
  • axadntpron
    November 18, 2011
    axadntpron
    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 K... read moreubrick 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.
  • fb1664868775
    October 27, 2011
    fb1664868775
    Kubrick steps into a new realm for his most epic film.
  • fb100000257973100
    August 12, 2011
    fb100000257973100
    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... read more 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.
  • fb1710827246
    August 11, 2011
    fb1710827246
    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.
  • FilmFanatik
    April 6, 2011
    FilmFanatik
    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.... read more 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.
  • MeetMeinMontauk
    December 21, 2010
    MeetMeinMontauk
    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 Ustino... read morev.
    Sorry, not even I will fully redeem a film just because it's old and was directed by Kubrick.
  • DrBenway
    October 6, 2010
    DrBenway
    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 pro... read moreject, nobody would ever tell Stanley Kubrick what he could or couldn't do, especially Douglas.

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  • FireStormStudios
    June 15, 2010
    FireStormStudios
    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 i... read mores 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.
  • rayman0071
    May 24, 2010
    rayman0071
    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 wi... read morenner 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.

View All Spartacus Reviews

Critic Reviews

Jonathan Rosenbaum
May 8, 2007
Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader

This may be the most literate of all the spectacles set in antiquity. Full Review

Bosley Crowther
May 9, 2002
Bosley Crowther, New York Times

It is a spotty, uneven drama.

Roger Ebert
January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

The most courageous thing about it, from today's standards, is that it closes without an obligatory happy ending, and an audience that has watched for 187 minutes doesn't get a tidy, mindless conclusion. Full Review

Nell Minow
December 28, 2010
Nell Minow, Common Sense Media

Thrilling epic is too intense for the youngest. Full Review

Dan Jardine
August 1, 2010
Dan Jardine, Cinemania

While it suffers from some of the flaws of epics of this era-such as an overly sanitized portrait of life at the time, and anachronistic visions of fashion and lifestyle-Spartacus also boasts some sti... Full Review

James Christopher
June 12, 2009
James Christopher, Times [UK]

Douglas is terrific as the iron-jawed slave fuelled by righteous fury. Full Review

Peter Bradshaw
June 12, 2009
Peter Bradshaw, Guardian [UK]

The great-granddaddy of Ridley Scott's Gladiator hasn't lost any muscle tone after nearly half a century, and Kirk Douglas's direct, unpretentious performance as the great slave-rebel Spartacus is mor... Full Review

Philip French
June 12, 2009
Philip French, Observer [UK]

One of the greatest Hollywood epics. Full Review

June 12, 2009
Sky Movies

It is in the observation of human detail, and in many memorable little scenes that the film scores most heavily over other epics, and in which it finds an inner strength. Full Review

June 12, 2009
Total Film

One of the last truly great Roman epics. Full Review

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Facts

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    • Marcus Licinius Crassus: I shall not violate Rome at the moment of possessing her.
    • Marcus Licinius Crassus (some scenes 1991 restoratio: Sneak out.
    • Glabrus: As you wish.
    • Marcus Licinius Crassus: And for heaven's sake, my young friend, try and see to it that you don't have to sneak back again.
    • Marcus Licinius Crassus: We've already been made to look a fool. Let's not add the trappings of a clown.
    • Glabrus: I don't know how I shall ever be able to repay you.
    • Marcus Licinius Crassus: Time will solve that mystery.
    • Lentulus Batiatus: A good body with a dull brain is as cheap as life itself.
    • Antoninus: I'm Spartacus! I'm Spartacus!
Submit a Fact | View All

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Spartacus Trivia

  • In "Spartacus", the army of slaves-gladiators (led by Kirk Douglas) is forced to face a much stronger Roman army when an escape route by sea is eliminated. Who was supposed to provide the ships for Spartacus and his men to escape?  Answer »
  • At 31, what epic movie did Stanley Kubrick direct?  Answer »
  • Who directed 2001: a Space Odyssey? He also did Full Metal Jacket, Dr. Strangelove... and Spartacus.  Answer »
  • Who was the director of the epic movie 'Spartacus'?  Answer »
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