Not quite at the level of "Ben-Hur", but still spectacular

Rating: 8/10 (17 March 2012)

It is said that "Spartacus" was Kirk Douglas' answer to the rule he didn't get -- "Ben-Hur". And, this is a magnificent film. But it is no "Ben-Hur", and that is because of one thing that is lacking in "Spartacus" that "Ben-Hur" had...the same thing that made "Raiders Of The Lost Ark" and "Indiana Jones And The Lost Crusade" super special, while "Indiana Jones And The Temple Of Doom" was something far less. And what was that factor? The magical hold religion has on us.
While I've never been a particular fan of Kirk Douglas, that's not to say there haven't been a number of films of his that I enjoyed. If I were Douglas and I was asked to say which of my films should be my legacy, I would say either "Paths Of Glory", or this film. Douglas is superb here. Some of the most gentle acting I've seen him do is, surprisingly, in this film.
Laurence Olivier, who in this film plays a real life character -- one of the patricians who helped bring Julius Caesar to power -- is also superb here...clearly the "bad guy", but not over the top at all...more like reality.
Jean Simmons is superb as the wife of Spartacus, and this film reminded me of just what an important actress she was. Almost certainly underrated.
Charles Laughton, the actor many of us wanted not to like, but who consistently turned in brilliant performances, is just as good here as ever.
Peter Ustinov certainly had a better role here than in his previous Roman film, Quo Vadis. John Gavin plays Caesar here, although a comparatively minor character in this period of Rome's history. But, what a hunk! I was always sorry Gavin left films.
In terms of casting, if anyone got cheated here, it was Tony Curtis. His only truly impressive scene is at the conclusion of the film.Odd, since Curtis was at his prime around this time.
The sets are lavish, the color extremely pleasing. There are a few places where things look a tad cheap, but generally the opposite is true.
No, a "Ben-Hur" gets a "9". "Spartacus" gets an "8", still a rare rating for me to give. I'm very glad to have finally seen it.