"I am Spartacus"!

Rating: 9/10 (7 August 2011)

With it's epic sweep and impressively staged battle scenes, "Spartacus" earns it's reputation on the American Film Institute's Top One Hundred Films List, revised in 2007 to include a picture overlooked ten years earlier in the Institute's inaugural dedication. Perhaps what's even more compelling in the picture than the slave revolt led by the title character, portrayed by Kirk Douglas, are the political machinations and intrigue involving members of the Roman Senate who jockey for power in a manner that would make Congressional leaders envious today. At just over the half century mark since it's original release, the film is well recommended for it's fine characterizations and excellent cinematography, and due to it's subject matter, does not have a dated feel having been made in 1960.
At the center of the story is Spartacus, the Thracian who leads a slave revolt against his Roman masters, and rises to become a skilled warrior and brilliant tactician. Interjecting a love interest for Spartacus in the person of Varinia (Jean Simmons) does not distract from the main thrust of the story, as their romantic love slowly builds over time, overcoming forced separations and the demands of duty. What the viewer must ultimately contend with is the defeat of the slaves, and the tearful reunion of Varinia and Spartacus at the finale, he crucified for his role in the uprising, she having earned her freedom via a hastily arranged bargain by Lentulus Batiatus (Peter Ustinov). At least Spartacus learns that his newly born son will grow up free, a theme constantly revisited and stressed over the course of the story.
Though Stanley Kubrick is nominally credited as the director of "Spartacus", one would be hard pressed to discern an identifying trait of his film-making technique here. Compared to his highly stylized films like "2001:A Space Odyssey", "A Clockwork Orange" and "Barry Lyndon", this picture approaches a much more traditional action/adventure style, definitely influenced by star Douglas' participation on the production end. His own interpretation of the film's hero is commanding and straightforward, leaving no room for wavering in his singular quest. In one of cinema's most powerful and dramatic moments ever captured on screen, the warrior hero is given the highest honor when hundreds of his followers rise in defeat to declare "I am Spartacus"!