Kirk Douglas is terrific as the iron-jawed slave fueled by righteous fury.

Rating: 10/10 (31 August 2019)

Kirk Douglas, Laurence Olivier, Jean Simmons, Tony Curtis, Charles Laughton, Peter Ustinov, John Gavin, Nina Foch, Herbert Lom, John Ireland, Charles McGraw, Woody Strode, Joanna Barnes.
Epic-scale saga with Douglas as a rebellious slave who leads a crusade for freedom against the forces of the Roman Empire. Rousing battle scenes, great costumes and art direction, never been better cinematography and screenplay by Trumbo. WWII Navy vet Kirk Douglas gave Trumbo the screenplay credit.
Most of the film is historically accurate. It made Kubrick's reputation, freeing him to become one of the most influential directors of the last half of the 20th century. It's the only film the British masters Olivier and Laughton ever acted in together. The only Kubrick film yielding an actor's Oscar, for Peter Ustinov. When combat veteran President-elect Kennedy crossed Legion picket lines to see it, the film broke the Hollywood blacklist. Multi layered film and absolutely a must see masterpiece.