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Spartacus Overview:

Spartacus (1960) was a Action - Adventure Film directed by Stanley Kubrick and produced by Kirk Douglas and Edward Lewis.

The film was based on the novel of the same name written by Howard Fast published in 1951.

SYNOPSIS

Director Kubrick marshals the proverbial cast of thousands in an early example of his celebrated concern for authenticity. The result is one of the finest movie depictions of the ancient Roman world. Douglas gives a muscular, emotional performance as a slave brought to the Roman gladiator school by its master, Ustinov. There he befriends and then bests Strode in an unwanted contest to the death staged for the pleasure of senator Olivier. When guards taunt Douglas with the news that Olivier has taken away Simmons, the slave girl with whom he's in love, Douglas leads a slave rebellion that shakes the foundations of the empire. Though the epic struggle ends with Douglas's crucifixion, Simmons lifts up to him his free son before he dies. Director Anthony Mann was replaced with Kubrick by executive producer Douglas after the first scenes. Trumbo's compelling script was his first after being blacklisted. The film's stunning music score was composed by Alex North.

(Source: available at Amazon AMC Classic Movie Companion).

Academy Awards 1960 --- Ceremony Number 33 (source: AMPAS)

AwardRecipientResult
Best Supporting ActorPeter UstinovWon
Best Art DirectionArt Direction: Alexander Golitzen, Eric Orbom; Set Decoration: Russell A. Gausman, Julia HeronWon
Best CinematographyRussell MettyWon
Best Costume DesignValles, Bill ThomasWon
Best Film EditingRobert LawrenceNominated
Best Music - ScoringAlex NorthNominated
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Spartacus BlogHub Articles:

Spartacus (1960)

By Beatrice on Mar 8, 2017 From Flickers in Time

Spartacus Directed by Stanley Kubrick Written by Dalton Trumbo from a novel by Howard Fast 1960/USA Bryna Productions Repeat viewing/Netflix rental One of 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die I am not big on 3 1/2 hour sword-and-sandal epics.  This one is so grand, however, that it keeps my ... Read full article

Vivien Leigh and Laurence Olivier Blogathon: Spartacus

By Virginie Pronovost on Nov 3, 2015 From The Wonderful World of Cinema

On November 5, 2015, Vivien Leigh, my 8th favourite actress would have celebrated her 102nd birthday. Even if she has left us since the very young age of 53, that’s not a reason why my friend Joey from Wolffian Classic Movies Digest wouldn’t honour her with a blogathon! Vivien Leigh is a... Read full article

Spartacus (1960)

By 4 Star Film Fan on Apr 4, 2014 From 4 Star Films

In this epic film starring Kirk Douglas and directed by Stanley Kubrick, a slave turned gladiator leads a revolt against the Roman empire. Spartacus leads his fellow plebeians in a sacking and burning of the countryside while slowly gaining followers. Along the way he is reunited with his love (Je... Read full article

Spartacus (1960)

By 4 Star Film Fan on Apr 4, 2014 From 4 Star Films

In this epic film starring Kirk Douglas and directed by Stanley Kubrick, a slave turned gladiator leads a revolt against the Roman empire. Spartacus leads his fellow plebeians in a sacking and burning of the countryside while slowly gaining followers. Along the way he is reunited with his love (Je... Read full article

Spartacus

By Alyson on Jul 9, 2013 From The Best Picture Project

1960’s Spartacus was a laborious film for all involved.  After one week of filming under Anthony Mann’s direction, Stanley Kubrick took over as director.  Working with a script by blacklisted Dalton Trumbo that feels pulled between political views of the time and a main character paralleling M... Read full article

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Spartacus Quotes:

Lentulus Biatatus: There's one man I hate: Crassus.
Sempronius Gracchus: You've grown very ambitious in your hatred.
Marcus Licinius Crassus: I understand - I'm informed that Spartacus once trained under your auspices.
Lentulus Biatatus: Yes. In fact, if it isn't too subversive to say so, I made him what he is today.
[Crassus, as the new Consul, addresses the legions and the Senate]
Marcus Licinius Crassus: I promise you, a new Rome. A new Italy, and a new Empire.
[pause]
Marcus Licinius Crassus: This, I have sworn by the spirits of my ancestors. This I have sworn, in the temple that guards their bones.
[on a gladiator who had wanted to see Rome]
Spartacus: He has no need. Rome has come to us.
Spartacus: And maybe there's no peace in this world, for us or for anyone else, I don't know. But I do know that, as long as we live, we must remain true to ourselves.
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Spartacus Facts
The 1991 version was restored by Robert A. Harris who produced a new 65mm preservation negative from original color separations. The original camera negative had lost too much of its yellow layer to be usable.
Stanley Kubrick was not given control of the script, which he felt was full of stupid moralizing. After Spartacus, Kubrick always kept full control over all aspects of his films.
The slaves' final battle was originally to be intercut with Varinia giving birth to her child, to give a contrast of destruction and creation. This idea was scrapped for running time purposes.
Draba, played by Woody Strode, is killed in the ring after attacking one of the senators. His body is hung upside down in the gladiators' quarters as a warning. Originally this was going to be a replica of Strode, but when the effect wasn't satisfactory, he himself hung upside-down, ropes tied around his ankles. As the gladiators slowly file past his dangling body, Strode doesn't flinch or twitch. According to his son Kalai Strode, the unused replica hung inside the entrance to Universal Studios' prop room for several years.
Oscar-winning actor George Kennedy made his (unbilled) screen debut playing one of the soldiers who announces "I am Spartacus!" towards the end of the film.
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