Spartacus
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Movie Reviews of Spartacus
Movie Review: One of the Great Epics of Film
Summary: 5 Stars
Better than Ben Hur, Spartacus didn't rack up as many Oscars as its 1959 predecessor did. But it's a more fluid film with a stronger story line and more interesting characters. The performances are wonderful starting with Kirk Douglas as the leader of the slave revolt. Laurence Olivier is the insatiable Crassus who would possess Rome as if it were a woman. Charles Loughton and Peter Ustinov provide wit and humanity. Ustinov's character starts out as an opportunistic slave trade who demonstrates real growth by the film's end. Tony Curtis teaches "da classics". Spartacus was started by the great Anthony Mann (Winchester '73) who Douglas fired early in the filming, replacing him with Kubrick. Even Kubrick complained of not having complete directorial control over the movie - it was Douglas' baby. Still it's a great film with terrific action sequences, great dialogue ("Do you like oysters or snails, Antoninus?) and a moving narrative. If you get a chance, see it on the big screen.Movie Review: The best of its genre
Summary: 5 Stars
At over 160 reviews, I'm not sure I can add much else to what has been said, except to say that this great movie is probably the best of the "sword and sandal" genre. It easily trumps the other similar films that came out of Hollywood at the time. The stellar cast all turn in great performances, and with stars like Douglas, Olivier, Laughton, Simmons, and Ustinov, the movie would be worth seeing just for them even if the rest of the production wasn't as good. But with a fine script, dramatic scenes of seemingly epic proportions, and Kubrick's able direction, the movie easily stands as one of the best on all accounts. The story of a lowly slave fighting for his freedom is a metaphor for the little guy in every civilization who struggles to find his place in the sun, and continues to be relevant today what with the ever-deteriorating state of our world. Overall, it's a top notch flick with enough drama and action to satisfy even the most modern, jaded taste.Movie Review: A Classic
Summary: 5 Stars
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!
Movie Review: Great sword and sandal epic film that's not biblical
Summary: 5 Stars
The movie Spartacus takes place during the time of the Roman Republic. The character Spartacus is initially a slave worker out in the desertand then he is conveyed to Italy where he is trained to be a gladiator. Spartacus and the other gladiators rebel and start a slave revolt with him as the leader. They liberate slaves left and right and the Roman Republic sends Crassus with a large force to deal with him.
The movie conveys a strong message about the evils of slavery and gladiatorial combat. It rams in the point that the ancient Rome was oppressive by modern standards. It also has a scene where you see two gladiators walk into the arena and only one walks out. You get to see how the combatants can't get to friendly to each other since they have to fight each other and only one will survive. The battle scene is well done and Spartacus's love relationship is very romantic so I would highly recommend this film.
Movie Review: A perfect film w/ an outstanding cast! Bravo!
Summary: 5 Stars
If this is not the quintesstential epic, then it has yet to be made. This is a story of many loves, & Kirk Douglas managed to bring it all to the screen. Kubrick disavowed this film, & rightfully so, as he came on board after the film had already started.
This is a tale of a fight for freedom, & one that, although Spartacus is defeated, he lives on through his family. As he states to Crasssus, Antoninus & the others will be back, & they'll be millions.
The casting for this film was perfect, & each & every one of them shine. From Douglas to Olivier to Ustinov, who deserved his Oscar as the slimy slave trader.
I long for films such as these.