Spartacus (1960) - IMDb IMDb There was an error trying to load your rating for this title. Some parts of this page won't work property. Please reload or try later. X Beta I'm Watching This! Keep track of everything you watch; tell your friends. Error The slave Spartacus leads a violent revolt against the decadent Roman Republic. Director: Dalton Trumbo (screenplay), Howard Fast (based on the novel by) Stars: From $2.99 (SD) on Amazon Video ON DISC a list of 44 titles created 19 Feb 2011 a list of 30 titles created 04 Sep 2011 a list of 44 titles created 30 Jan 2013 a list of 23 titles created 21 Dec 2013 a list of 23 images created 16 Apr 2015 Search for " Spartacus " on Amazon.com Connect with IMDb Want to share IMDb's rating on your own site? Use the HTML below. You must be a registered user to use the IMDb rating plugin. Won 4 Oscars. Another 6 wins & 11 nominations.

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DeMille When a Jewish prince is betrayed and sent into slavery by a Roman friend, he regains his freedom and comes back for revenge. Director: William Wyler An insane general triggers a path to nuclear holocaust that a war room full of politicians and generals frantically try to stop. Director: Stanley Kubrick A pragmatic U.S. Marine observes the dehumanizing effects the Vietnam War has on his fellow recruits from their brutal boot camp training to the bloody street fighting in Hue. Director: Stanley Kubrick In Africa during World War I, a gin-swilling riverboat captain is persuaded by a strait-laced missionary to use his boat to attack an enemy warship. Director: John Huston Edit Storyline In 73 BCE, a Thracian slave leads a revolt at a gladiatorial school run by Lentulus Batiatus. The uprising soon spreads across the Italian Peninsula involving thousand of slaves. The plan is to acquire sufficient funds to acquire ships from Silesian pirates who could then transport them to other lands from Brandisium in the south.

The Roman Senator Gracchus schemes to have Marcus Publius Glabrus, Commander of the garrison of Rome, lead an army against the slaves who are living on Vesuvius. When Glabrus is defeated his mentor, Senator and General Marcus Licinius Crassus is greatly embarrassed and leads his own army against the slaves. Spartacus and the thousands of freed slaves successfully make their way to Brandisium only to find that the Silesians have abandoned them. They then turn north and must face the might of Rome. Written by garykmcd See All (88) » Taglines: They trained him to kill for their pleasure. . .but they trained him a little too well. . . See more » Genres: 17 November 1960 (Brazil) See more » Also Known As: Spartacus: Rebel Against Rome See more » Filming Locations: (video) Sound Mix: 70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints)| Mono (Westrex Recording System) (35 mm prints, original release)| Dolby Stereo (1991 restoration) Color: Did You Know? Trivia Charles Laughton threatened to sue Kirk Douglas many times during filming.

These threats never came to fruition, and Douglas felt Laughton was simply being a prima donna. See more » Goofs When Spartacus confronts Marcus Glabrus after the latter has been captured, the formed tears off Glabrus' medallion (which is the symbol of his office as commander of the garrison of Rome), breaking its chain. In the next shot Glabrus is shown wearing the medallion on its intact chain. See more » Quotes [first lines] Narrator : In the last century before the birth of the new faith called Christianity, which was destined to overthrow the pagan tyranny of Rome and bring about a new society, the Roman Republic stood at the very center of the civilized world. "Of all things fairest," sang the poet, "first among cities and home of the gods is golden Rome." Yet, even at the zenith of her pride and power, the Republic lay fatally stricken with a disease called human slavery. The age of the dictator was at hand, ... See more » Crazy Credits The opening titles appear in a montage of silhouetted Roman sculptures and tablets, which according to title designer Saul Bass is meant to evoke the strength and power of the Roman Empire.

The montage ends with a zoom into the eye of a crumbling Roman bust, which hints at the Empire's coming decline and fall. See more » Connections Spartacus Reviews & Ratings - IMDb IMDb 143 out of 198 people found the following review useful: Spartacus or How I learnt to live away from Hollywood from London, England 5 February 2005 This is Kubrick's farewell to Hollywood. I would have liked to be a fly on the wall. I don't believe for a minute that it was a cordial parting of the ways. I mean, Kubrick never returned, never! With "Paths of Glory" Kubrick gave Kirk Douglas, not just his best part as an actor, but his best movie. By the time Douglas called Kubrick to "take over" "Spartacus" Douglas was already a huge star with too much saying in the matter. Look at it, it's clear. "Spartacus" is more Douglas than Kubrick. Great fun to watch, yes, absolutely. A terrific script by black listed Dalton Trumbo. Some fight sequences unequalled in the history of film.

Look at the fight between Douglas and Woody Strode and compare it to the ones in "Troy" or "Gladiator" for that matter. It is sad an embarrassing to realise how low we've fallen. Computer generated images or not. The cast is unbelievable but it's clearly not Kubrick's. The casting of his movies was part of his master plan. He would cast a Ryan O'Neil as Barry Lyndon for instance so he can blend perfectly with the magnificent tapestry, without adding any colours of his own. The same can be said of Keir Dullea, in 2001, a robotic non entity in a showdown with a voice. When he needed actors to be at the very pinnacle of his universe he went to Peter Sellers, Malcolm McDowell or James Mason. Even the casting of Tom Cruise made a lot of sense. He used the star and his wife to talk about the dreamlike powers of betrayal. In "Spartacus" Tony Curtis, plays Antoninus, a teacher of the classics. A campy idea never seen in a Kubrick film, before or since. To be fair, there are some spot on, brilliant pieces of casting. Charles Laughton is, as usual, superb.

Peter Ustinov, terrific. Laurence Olivier manages to give a multifaceted portrait of weakness, fear and greed. Jean Simmons makes the reason to survive totally believable. But the cutesy love scene between her and a shiny muscular, coiffed Spartacus is truly terrible. As a final blow, the scene is enveloped in a sticky, corny music theme. Having said all that. Don't you dare missing this epic. I'ts Kubrick's goodbye to Hollywood and like everything else that the master said or do, he really meant it. Was the above review useful to you? 102 out of 125 people found the following review useful: The Eternal Cry For Freedom from Buffalo, New York 6 March 2005 From what little I've read of this film it was lucky to have been made at all. Some very big talents had some very big egos and those egos clashed repeatedly. Original director Anthony Mann was replaced by Stanley Kubrick by Producer/Star Kirk Douglas among other clashes. But the result was all worth it. The stars all give top notch performances, but the mark of a really great film is the memorability of each individual in the ensemble.

To give a few examples, Charles McGraw as the sadistic trainer at the gladiatorial school, John Dall as Sir Laurence Olivier's protégé, and John Ireland as Kirk Douglas's fellow gladiator trainee are all memorable in the brief roles they have. Kirk Douglas wisely opts for a straightforward interpretation of a hero in the title role of Spartacus. He's a BC everyman, born into a world which hadn't heard anything about human rights, he knows and feels he's not just cattle. Catch the alternating scenes of Douglas and Sir Laurence Olivier addressing the slave army and the Roman Army. Olivier with his years of Shakespearean training coming across as the tyrant to be, and Douglas in simple prose talking about the slaves fighting for their hopes and dreams. Very effective. The plot concerns a revolt at a gladiatorial school which mushrooms into a crisis for the Roman Empire. Political factions led by Olivier as Crassus and Charles Laughton as Gracchus seek to use the slave revolt to further their own ends. Laughton as always is a wonder. It's a bit of unusual casting for him because his parts are usually those of very tortured souls.

His Gracchus is a sly rogue, but a decent man. One of my favorite movie lines of all time is delivered by him addressing the Roman Senate where he says he'll "take a little republican corruption for a little republican freedom." Another sly rogue in the film is Peter Ustinov who won the first of his two Oscars as Batiatus the owner of the gladiatorial school. Like so many others I'm sure in those days, he's just trying to come out on the winning side when doing so could be a life or death situation. Jean Simmons as Varinia, beloved of Spartacus, has the only woman's part of any substance. But when was Ms. Simmons bad in anything. One of the most underrated and under-appreciated actresses in the history of film. The lessons about man's desire for freedom and to control his own destiny are eternal and valid. And this film will be also. Was the above review useful to you? 85 out of 109 people found the following review useful: Controlling Stanley: The Spartacus Experience from Beyond The Cosmos 29 July 2004 As most are undoubtedly aware this is the film that the director virtually expunged from his repertoire.

But why did Stanley Kubrick really disown SPARTACUS (1960)? The answer can be summed up in two words: absolute control. Kubrick wanted total administrative as well as artistic authority over the making of the film about a revolt of gladiators and slaves in ancient Rome. But you will notice that Bryna Productions not only financed SPARTACUS but also an earlier film directed by Kubrick, PATHS OF GLORY (1958). Bryna was Kirk Douglas' film company and, as most filmgoers know, he was the star of both films. Besides having all the money to make the films, Douglas had artistic vision as well. Only three weeks into what would prove to be an incredibly complex and arduous production, Douglas fired venerable director Anthony Mann (RAW DEAL, RAILROADED,THE FURIES, THE NAKED SPUR, THE MAN FROM LARAMIE, MAN OF THE WEST, etc.) from SPARTACUS. With only two days notice, Kubrick was hired to replace him. Shooting PATHS OF GLORY, Douglas had confined his criticisms and objections to Kubrick's failed rewriting of the script (they went with the original screenplay).

Douglas' complaints and artistic influence were far greater on SPARTACUS, much to Kubrick's chagrin. Though the director craved autonomy over every aspect of the film, Douglas would not budge. A tense compromise was reached but ultimately Douglas had the last word. Kubrick saw himself as just a hired gun. And he would never allow himself to be placed in this position again. Later, both men would complain about the film's outcome and each other. They never made another movie together. But SPARTACUS is no uneven patchwork of divergent ideas. The film is cohesive and arresting. At the restored version of three hours and eighteen minutes, there is practically no dead footage in the film. Dalton Trumbo's screenplay is surprisingly economical, with sharply drawn characters placed against the sweeping historical majesty and violent sociological tumult of ancient Rome. Quite plainly, the gloriously inventive music by Alex North is among the greatest scores ever written for a motion picture. And despite Kubrick's bad experience, he managed to guide the actors towards creating outstanding work (a best supporting actor Oscar for Peter Ustinov). He even transformed the very real enmity between Laughton and Olivier into an on-screen asset.

His other contributions were considerable also (the large scale and power of the battle sequence, for example). In the end, for the film at least, the clash of giant egos proved fortuitous. Recommendations: for greater insight and detail on this and Kubrick's other films I urge you to seek out Jan Harlan's excellent documentary, STANLEY KUBRICK: A LIFE IN PICTURES, and Vincent LoBrutto's exhaustive, highly informative biography, STANLEY KUBRICK. For the producer's views on SPARTACUS and its director, take a gander at Kirk Douglas' very candid autobiography, THE RAGMAN'S SON. Was the above review useful to you? 69 out of 84 people found the following review useful: A Triumph of Spirit Over Oppression? 24 May 1999 As a historical epic, 'Spartacus' stands out from the crowd. The film has the basic theme of 'force' versus 'an idea'. One man - Spartacus- has the idea of freedom, which is pitted through his slave army against the entire force of the Roman Empire.

In Spartacus's eventual defeat, force seems to be victorious, but we know with hindsight that it is Spartacus' idea that finally prevails, albeit long after his death, with the abolition of slavery. As the opening narration makes clear, as a young man Spartacus would dream of the death of slavery - "two thousand years before it finally would die." Kirk Douglas gives an inspiring performance as the brutalised and uneducated slave rising above his degradation to find love, leadership and high ideals. The film closely interweaves the fate of Spartacus with that of Roman politics. His slave rebellion contributes to the fall of Gracchus, the main Republican advocate, and the corresponding rise of authoritarian Crassus. In a way, Spartacus is portrayed as a catalyst for a new era of Roman dictatorship under the Caesars; by suppressing his slave rebellion, Rome sets itself irrevocably on a path away from Republic and freedom, and perhaps confirms its eventual downfall. Some historical licence, no doubt; but a thought-provoking concept. Unlike many other Roman epics such as 'Ben-Hur' and 'The Robe', the film does not have a Christian motif.

However, 'Spartacus' epitomises the triumph of the human spirit in a way that few movies do. Even after his death, not only Spartacus' son but his spirit lives on,if only in man's perennial cry for freedom. The slave leader's resolve, and his will to freedom, remain true to the end. Considering that it was made in 1960, the film's confronting of hard themes is notable. For example, we have the hint of forbidden homosexual/ bisexual desires from Crassus to Antoninus; the seeming death and failure (but perhaps ultimate victory)for the hero, who traditionally should triumph; and unpleasant scenes involving battlefields and rows of crucified bodies. The movie is helped by an excellent cast, an evocative score and Stanley Kubrick's direction. The sets and costumes also show great attention to detail, so that ancient Roman society comes alive. Overall a most entertaining and inspiring movie. Was the above review useful to you? 78 out of 107 people found the following review useful: praise from United Kingdom 25 June 2001 The darkest historical epic. No dancing girls, no chariot races, filmed in sombre browns and reds.

Nominally directed by Kubrick but Douglas, as a very 'hands on' producer was responsable for the operatic sweep of the film. I was astonished when revisiting the film in 1991 at the cinema at the bravery of the project-to have the hero cry several times, once even out of self pity and with a heart rending ending! The film has depth and weight, the characters are well drawn. The performances are almost flawless, Douglas managing as actor to create tension in each scene-Olivier, not withstanding his eyerolling mannerisms is perfectly cast. The minor parts are richly drawn-gravel voiced Charles McGraw, Herbert Lom and Woody Strode. The cinematography and music are flawless. Only John Dall as a very modern Glaberus and John Ireland as Crixus seem out of place. Ironically, despite the downbeat tone of the film it is impossible to watch it without being uplifted through your tears of compassion. Unofficialy remade as Braveheart...watch one after the other and you'll see the similarities in mood, theme and even the battle choreography. Spartacus would be my 'desert island' movie. Was the above review useful to you?

56 out of 70 people found the following review useful: Too sentimental, but beautiful... Wonderfully erotic and surprisingly moving... 7 December 2000 *** This review may contain spoilers *** Widely acclaimed for his serious ambitions and his uncompromising perfectionism, Stanley Kubrick has won for himself a unique degree of artistic freedom... Based on a true story of a slave revolt in 73 B.C., Dalton Trumbo's script mixes the melodrama with some quite moving moments... The film depicts the Roman era, the brutality of the slave system, gladiator combat and the decadence of Roman senators... What emerges from the screen is a passionate statement on behalf of freedom and men who are willing to die to overthrow oppressive governments... The credit for the film's style belongs to Stanley Kubrick, who handles scenes of intimacy and scenes of gigantic sweep with equal attention, illustrating the violence, brutality and corruption of both, the masters and the slaves, raising the question of freedom which justify the human cost... Kirk Douglas plays Spartacus the idealistic noble slave who believes he must struggle forever against tyranny and just by opposing tyranny he inspires his followers with his example...

Spartacus' character, from a violent primitive rebel who hamstrung a foreman with his teeth, into a gladiator who fought desperately for life in the arena, into a revolutionary able to unite an amorphous mass of slaves and deserters, into a force which succeeded to defeat Rome's best trained armies, into a charismatic leader (with a vision) who forces a long-awaited revolt against the Roman empire... Two political rivals (Crassus and Gracchus) use the slave uprising threat to manipulate the Roman senate for their own ends: Crassus (played powerfully by Laurence Olivier) extorts 'a fee,' the dictatorial post of First Consul, Commander of all the legions of Italy as his price for releasing Rome from Spartacus... Crassus sees the defeat of Spartacus' army as a chance for him to seize power of the empire for himself... He tries to make the slaves betray Spartacus... He tries to win the love of Varinia, not merely to possess her, but as a form of victory over Spartacus... In his last confrontation with Spartacus, he is seen losing all his delusions of grandeur as he stands deeply wounded by the total disregard in which Spartacus holds him...

Charles Laughton plays, with expertise, Gracchus, a generous Roman politician, soft and rich, able to get his Julius Caesar (John Gavin) elected leader of the Praetorian Guard to annoy Crassus' ambitions... The first hour of "Spartacus" contains many of the film's best moments : The operation of the gladiatorial school and its training program is impressive and also expressive... The gladiators school is tough but fair: The men are oiled, bathed, shaved, massaged and trained to fight... They are never allowed to kill... And for their good performances, they are even rewarded with the companionship of a young lady... In this degrading manner Spartacus meets Varinia (Jean Simmons-lovely as ever) and it is his love for her and his hatred for his captors that inadvertently sparks off an uprising and the gladiators break out... Particularly effective is the scene in which Crassus and his "capricious over-painted nymphs" (Nina Foch & Joanna Barnes) ask to be entertained by the sight of two pairs fighting to the death... The scene summarizes the injustice of the situation, the cruelty of bondage and the insurrection becomes a triumph easy to understand...

Nominated for six Academy Awards, and winning for Cinematography, Costume Design, Art Direction and Supporting ActorPeter Ustinov. the motion picture contains no chariot races and no orgies but it still imparts the grandeur and the decay of ancient Rome... With a stirring musical score by Oscar nominee Alex North, "Spartacus," is masterfully directed by Kubrick... Was the above review useful to you? 36 out of 46 people found the following review useful: Still relevant after all these years from High on a Plane 26 December 2005 A very moving and compelling story of epic proportions. The plot is relentless, propelled by a dazzling screenplay. Kubrick draws some of the greatest performances of the cast, and fills the screen with images that fascinate throughout. Well paced for a movie of this magnitude. To those who complain of anachronisms and poetic license with historical events, I say to them, 'Remember, it is a movie.' To be truly accurate, the cast would be delivering their lines in Latin and ancient Greek, with English subtitles. Whatever Kubrick might lose with historical inaccuracies, he gains far more in his ability to convey the story to the viewer.

Even though it is over forty years old, the film tells us more of the present day than it does of the past. Was the above review useful to you? 32 out of 40 people found the following review useful: I Wish Stanley Had Won 2 August 2015 Spoilers Ahead: This movie, oddly, parallels A.I. but for a different reason. It is a hybrid of Kirk Douglas and Stanley Kubrick. Young people, Kubrick, probably the greatest American director, wanted a deep penetrating analysis of war and slavery evocative of Paths Of Glory. He and Kirk had worked well together on that film; so Kirk got the studio to go for the project. During making this movie war broke out and not in front of the camera. Stanley went to the studio but he was just starting out; Kirk had a lot more pull. He won and the great movie that you can see traces of was obliterated and replaced with a prosaic action movie. Kirk also thought we should hear endless speeches and scenes of them wandering that would have made Ceil B.

DeMille say,"Cut, that is enough wandering crap, we are boring people." It is clear Stanley did the best part of the movie, the training camp and revolt. I own all of Kubrick's movies and I can assure you he never has long boring scenes of magic shows, people going from place to place ad nauseum. Forgive me, the I Am Spartacus did not come from the pen of the darkest misanthropist who ever lived. He makes me look like Gene Roddenberry. Does this look like the man who has the general in Paths say,"The men died gloriously, sometimes some one does something that spoils the whole undertaking.." When you are watching this movie, like A.I., you can see traces of the Kubrick movie that never got made. The first half is worth owning the movie for, the training camp and the revolt. Both are filed with the usual Stanley, man's boundless cruelty to each other, I assure you the scene where Strode could have killed Douglas but spares him and tries to kill the patrician slime: That is Quintessential Stanley. The weakness of the film is the eternal scenes of wandering and the Kirk Douglas what a man I am show.

The one with I Am Spartacus may be remembered, yes it is good, but find me a parallel humanistic scene of human nobility in any other Stanley Kubrick film. That is all Kirk Douglas, and forgive me, it is not Spartacus that is being canonized. The battle scenes, leaving aside the sneakers on their feet, are way too drawn out and boring. Do we need to see the Roman formation for a half an hour as it creeps towards the slaves lines? Douglas while a great actor was an incompetent director. You can see the damage; he has no grasp of pacing or relevancy to the plot. One or two wandering scenes are sufficient more is boring. However noble the I Am Spartacus is, coincidentally it is a tad self aggrandizing. Like A.I. the movie is a hybrid of a legendary director and an actor in over his head. I own the movie for the Kubrick parts believe me even half of a Stanley Kubrick movie is worth owning. Also, Douglas, while incompetent, does not wreck the movie like Stevie does to A.I. Despite this, you cannot but wish Stanley had won. Imagine if the rest of this classic, mirrored the first half.

The wandering scenes can be done well compare these to the ones in DeMille's The Ten Commandments. Notice how we do not see eternal perambulation like we do here. He was a terrible director and he did real damage to Stanley's movie. I heard Kubrick fought to have his name taken off of the movie. His standards, 1000s of takes, were not even remotely met here. Half of a classic. Was the above review useful to you? 36 out of 53 people found the following review useful: The World of Stanley Kubrick: Director for hire. from Sacramento, CA 30 July 2005 Spartacus (1960) was a director for hire gig for Stanley Kubrick. Kirk Douglas was in a pinch for his next film project. He was making an epic film about a slave in the roman republic who rebels against his masters. Anthony Mann stepped down from the director's chair and Mr. Douglas needed someone to take over. Enters Stanley Kubrick. Although he has little creative input (i.e. script and story wise) he manages to make a compelling movie with his keen eye and directorial abilities.

Filmed in a grand scope and in such great detail, Spartacus is eye candy for fans of epic film making. I can only imagine what the film would have been like if he had total control over the project. Kirk Douglas is the man as Spartacus, Tony Curtis is quite good as his sidekick, Charles Laughton is wise and witty as the elder senator, Peter Ustinov is a hoot in his role as the poor victim of fortunate (and unfortunate) circumstance and Sir Laurence Olivier shows why he was the premier actor of his day as Crassus. Highly recommended for Kirk Douglas fans and Stanley Kubrick philes. Was the above review useful to you? 38 out of 63 people found the following review useful: great commentary on DVD from United States 7 September 2005 I think the movie is quite good; what I want to add to the comments already made is just this: The commentary (on the DVD) by screenplay writer Dalton Trumbo is great. Kirk Douglas said it was the greatest analysis of film-making ever. He explains the purpose of every scene, very openly and honestly critiquing the changes the actors made, for (in his estimation) better or worse.

There is another track of commentary by the actors. The actors had an unusual degree of latitude in re-writing their lines and forming their characters. Was the above review useful to you? Page 1 of 28: Spartacus (1960) | Classic Film Guide Classic Film Guide Posted on August 29, 2014 by Rob in America’s Most Inspiring Movies , Essential Films // 0 Comments Spartacus (1960) Though it’s a fairly long historical epic this essential drama features some terrific performances and huge battle sequences in the moviemaking era before CGI which enabled such scenes to become more commonplace. Directed by Stanley Kubrick with a screenplay by Dalton Trumbo based on the novel by Howard Fast and featuring Kirk Douglas in the title role the film includes Best Supporting Actor Peter Ustinov as a droll self-interested gladiator-owner-businessman Lentulus Batiatus; it also won for Color Art Direction-Set Decoration Cinematography and Costume Design and was nominated for Editing and Alex North’s Score.

Laurence Olivier as Crassus and Charles Laughton as Gracchus provide the Roman Senate political backdrop as they alternatively manipulate the younger more naïve among them: John Gavin – as Julius Caesar – and John Dall the less capable Glabrus. #62 on AFI’s 100 Most Heart-Pounding Movies list. #44 on AFI’s 100 Most Inspiring Movies list. Spartacus (AFI’s #22 hero) is a proud combative slave that’s saved from death when he’s picked by Batiatus to become a gladiator. After being trained by Batiatus’ ex-slave gladiator-trainer Marcellus (Charles McGraw) he’s forced into a ring “fight to the death” with Draba another slave-gladiator (played by Woody Strode) for the pleasure of some visiting Roman ‘royalty’: rich Crassus Glabrus and their women (Nina Foch and Joanna Barnes).

After losing to but being spared by Draba who chooses to take out his anger futilely against the Romans Spartacus leads a revolt of the gladiators against their captors which becomes an insurgency and then a quest for freedom by all of “slave nation”. The major subplot involves the slave leader’s love for the slave woman Varinia played by Jean Simmons. Later she too becomes a pawn in the Senators’ manipulations. John Ireland plays Spartacus’ loyal right-hand man Crixus; Harold J. Stone plays the silent David another loyalist. Tony Curtis plays Antoninus a slave gift to Crassus that’s scared away by his master’s advances runs away to join Spartacus and with his ‘singing’ and other entertainer talents adds a culture to the uneducated slave clan as they revel in a freedom that must inevitably end. Herbert Lom plays a negotiator on behalf of some Sicilian pirates that were to join the slaves’ rebellion against Rome. The memorable scene in which Antoninus and each of the other slave survivors claim – "I’m Spartacus" – to keep their Roman conquerors from identifying their leader is nowhere near the end of the story.

Purchase this DVD now at or buy the Blu-ray Disc here Six Great Classic Kirk Douglas Movies continue reading below our video Top 5 Grossing Movies of All Time Ace in the Hole. Paramount 2. 'Ace in the Hole' - 1951 Douglas plays a reporter desperate to climb his way back to the top in this Billy Wilder story, which resonates even more today than it did when it debuted. The town, the man's ex-wife, and finally, the reporter himself exploit an accident in a mine, as the man languishes, trapped in the mine. One of Billy Wilder's best films, and a stunning performance by Douglas as a man whose ambition blinds him to human needs. Also starring Jan Sterling, this film is also shown as The Big Carnival. The Bad and the Beautiful. MGM 3. 'The Bad and the Beautiful' - 1952 Kirk Douglas is producer Jonathan Shields, who betrays or exploits everyone he knows. A director, a writer, and an actress are summoned to a major studio to hear his pitch for a film. Each owe his success to Shields, and each flashes back to their bad experiences with him, one of which had a tragic end.

Douglas is terrific as Shields, a user who has burned a lot of bridges in Hollywood. Sharply directed by Vincente Minnelli , the film also stars Lana Turner, Barry Sullivan, and Gloria Grahame . Douglas earned his second Academy Award nomination for his performance as Jonathan Shields. Lust for Life. MGM 4. 'Lust for Life' - 1956 Vincente Minnelli meticulously directed this biography of Vincent van Gogh. Kirk Douglas gives a stunning performance as Van Gogh, a lonely, tortured but brilliant artist of tremendous passion and soul, as well as drive and over-eagerness. James Donal plays Vincent's calm, caring brother, and Anthony Quinn won an Oscar for his short but memorable performance as the flamboyant, arrogant Gauguin. Kirk Douglas earned another Oscar nomination and garnered a Golden Globe for his performance, although many people felt he should have won the Oscar. Definitely one of his greatest roles. Spartacus. Universal Buy from Amazon Kirk Douglas has the title role in this epic film, director Stanley Kubrick's last in Hollywood. As star and executive producer, Douglas was very hands-on, and Spartacus emerges as not typically Kubrick.

With a screenplay by blacklisted writer Dalton Trumbo , Spartacus tells the story of a slave trained to kill in the arena who leads other slaves in rebellion. In Rome, the slave revolt becomes a power struggle between two senators, fighting for power. Douglas gives each scene edge and tension, well supported by Laurence Olivier , Jean Simmons, Tony Curtis and other great stars. Mel Gibson's Braveheart was heavily influenced by this film, as were Gladiator and Troy. Check Amazon rating » Lonely are the Brave. Universal Movie Review - - Screen: 'Spartacus' Enters the Arena:3-Hour Production Has Premiere at DeMille - NYTimes.com Screen: 'Spartacus' Enters the Arena:3-Hour Production Has Premiere at DeMille By BOSLEY CROWTHER Published: October 7, 1960 EVERY American schoolboy—at least, every American boy who went to school back in the days when it was fashionable to learn and recite heroic verse—must have some recollection of the noble and flowery speech of "Spartacus to the Gladiators" (see Shoemaker's Best Selections, No. 1). It rang with patriotic fervor ("Oh, Rome! Rome!

thou hast been a tender nurse to me"). It spouted bloody tragedy ("Today I killed a man in the arena, and when I broke his helmet-clasps, behold! he was my friend"). And it happened—though this was seldom noticed—to be full of historical inaccuracies. In a sense, the new motion picture, "Spartacus," which Kirk Douglas' Bryna company has produced (in association with Universal-International) and which opened last night at the DeMille, is a modern-day cinematized expansion of that lush and perfervid schoolboy's speech. For it is bursting with patriotic fervor, bloody tragedy, a lot of romantic fiddle-faddle and historical inaccuracy. Also, it is pitched about to the level of a lusty schoolboy's taste. There was a bit of amused speculation, when it was announced that Mr. Douglas was going to make a film about the Roman ex-slave, Spartacus, based on a novel by Howard Fast. The subject was obviously fitting for a spectacle-epic type of film, but it was also full of temptations to romanticize and elaborate. One could not help but remember what Mr.

Douglas did in his over-romanticized "The Vikings" to the heroic legends of the Norse. Well, he has not disappointed those who suspected he might let indiscretion be the better part of the valor displayed in this three-hour costume film — and this despite the fact that he surrounded himself in the title role with an elite cast (Jean Simmons, Laurence Olivier, Charles Laughton and Peter Ustinov), got the aggressive Dalton Trumbo to write him a freedom-shouting script and hired the very promising Stanley Kubrick (American "new wave") to direct. His "Spartacus" is still heroic humbug—a vast, panoramic display of synthetic Rome and Romans, slaves and patricians, men and maids, at the time of the great slave rebellion in the first century B.C.; a grand show of gladiatorial combats and a beautiful big battle between the slaves under Mr. Douglas and the Roman legions under Mr. Olivier; a three-way stretch of romantic imagination in which the patrician, Mr. Olivier, vies with the slave leader, Mr.

Douglas, for the affection of an emancipated slave girl, Miss Simmons; and an endless amount of simulation of political rivalry in Rome, in which the senators and generals are more confusing and less amusing than those in Washington. It is a spotty, uneven drama in which the entire opening phase representing the basic-training program in a gladiatorial school is lively, exciting and expressive, no matter how true to history it is, and the middle phase is pretentious and tedious, because it is concerned with the dull strife of politics. Then comes a handsome, eye-filling re-enactment of a battle between the slaves and the Roman legions, which matches the Battle of Agincourt in "Henry V." (It has thousands of extras, hundreds of horses, shot on the rolling hills of Spain.) And it slides off into an anti-climax, wherein a great deal more is made of Miss Simmons' post-war predicament than of the crucifixion of 6,000 captive slaves. Apparently, too many people, too many cooks had their ladles in this stew, and it comes out a romantic mish-mash of a strange episode in history. The performances are equally uneven. Mr.

Douglas sets his blunt, horse-opera style against the toga-clad precision of Mr. Laughton and the Roman-nosed gentility of Mr. Olivier. Tony Curtis as a former slave-boy minstrel contrasts in theatricality with the easy, accomplished clowning of a Romanized Mr. Ustinov. Miss Simmons makes a very attractive slave-girl — from Britannia, she explains, which somewhat accounts for her polish and her accent, obviously. And John Ireland, John Gavin, John Dall, Nina Foch and Woody Strode make assorted American-looking gladiators, Roman Senators, fancy ladies and such. The color is conspicuous, and the music score of Alex North is good and loud. The Cast SPARTACUS: screen play by Dalton Trumbo, based on the novel by Howard Fast; directed by Stanley Kubrick; produced by Edward Lewis; a Bryna production released by Universal-International. At the DeMille Theatre, Broadway and Forty-eighth street. Running time: 190 minutes; plus a 15 minute intermission. Spartacus . . . . .

Kirk Douglas Articles about Spartacus by Date - Page 3 - latimes ARTICLES ABOUT SPARTACUS BY DATE - PAGE 3 ENTERTAINMENT Like 'Spartacus,' Starz lives by the sword January 10, 2010 | By Scott Collins The gladiators of ancient Rome may have endured horribly violent lives, but they also saw plenty of overheated sex. At least that's the version of history on display in "Spartacus: Blood and Sand," a sword-and-sandals epic that Starz, the premium cable network, rolls out Jan. 22. Viewers who recall the old Kirk Douglas film about the Roman slave who leads an uprising may rub their eyes in disbelief. The Starz take has naked flesh to spare, not to mention more blood than the Red Cross. Advertisement Starz to revisit 'Spartacus' October 28, 2008 | Lee Margulies Starz Entertainment, which this month launched its first original drama series, "Crash," on Monday revealed plans for its second: "Spartacus," an action show about the gladiator who led a rebellion of slaves in 73 BC.

The story was famously made into a big-screen epic in 1960, with Kirk Douglas in the title role, but Starz made no mention of that Oscar-winning film in its announcement, saying instead that the series was inspired by the actual events... CALIFORNIA | LOCAL Robert Lawrence, 90; Editor of 'Spartacus,' Other Major Films September 28, 2004 | From Times Staff and Wire Reports Robert Lawrence, 90, editor of such films as "Spartacus" and "Fiddler on the Roof," died Sept. 19 of unspecified causes at St. Mary's Care Center in Madison, Wis. In 1960, Lawrence headed a team of two dozen film editors to edit "Spartacus," the ancient-world epic starring Kirk Douglas. His efforts earned him an Academy Award nomination. Three decades later, he assisted film preservationists Robert Harris and James Katz in restoring the 70-millimeter picture, including censored scenes. ENTERTAINMENT Life and art are political August 21, 2004 Douglas MacKINNON's Counterpunch article ["Insert Bias in Films -- Deduct From the Bottom Line," Aug.

16] detailed his self-described "Republican" take as to how, if someone was to buy one of his screenplays, he "would do everything" in his power "to ensure that it contains no political viewpoint" and that if moviemakers "want to get into politics, then they can run for office, take out ads or make documentaries." May I humbly submit this is a lousy way to approach a career in movies, literature or art of any kind? ENTERTAINMENT 'ER' star grows into the role of 'Spartacus' April 18, 2004 | Susan King Even those who loved Kirk Douglas in the classic 1960 version of "Spartacus" will have to confess that Goran Visnjic, "ER's" resident heartthrob, out-ripples Douglas, pec for pec, when he takes on the slave-turned-gladiator role tonight and Monday in the USA Network's two-part "Spartacus" miniseries, based on Howard Fast's historical novel. A month before he reported to work on the project last summer in Bulgaria, Visnjic decided to get into gladiator fighting shape.

ENTERTAINMENT A good-looking 'Spartacus' April 16, 2004 | Robert Lloyd, Times Staff Writer The world may not really need a new version of "Spartacus," Stanley Kubrick's 1960 film of blacklisted screenwriter Dalton Trumbo's version of blacklisted novelist Howard Fast's story of Roman slaves in revolt during the first century BC. (Especially after "Gladiator" pretty well covered the territory.) But it has one, and it premieres Sunday on the USA Network. We open on what appears to be a pair of Victoria's Secret models gamboling in a glade: Gaul, 72 BC. CALIFORNIA | LOCAL Howard Fast, 88; Novels Included 'Spartacus' March 14, 2003 | Dennis McLellan, Times Staff Writer Howard Fast, the best-selling author of "Freedom Road," "Spartacus" and a string of other novels that focused on history's downtrodden, has died. He was 88. Fast, a former member of the American Communist Party who was imprisoned and blacklisted during the McCarthy era, died of natural causes Wednesday at his home in Old Greenwich, Conn.

ENTERTAINMENT A Scaled-Down but Classic 'Spartacus' February 8, 2002 | LEWIS SEGAL, TIMES STAFF WRITER What's in a name? Fliers for the performance of "Spartacus" at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza on Tuesday identified the company as the Moscow Grigorovich Ballet, a trainee ensemble or farm team founded in 1990 by Yuri Grigorovich, at that time the artistic director of Moscow's Bolshoi Ballet. The Thousand Oaks house program, however, used a vastly more inflated moniker: The Grigorovich Ballet of the Russian Federation Ballet. View All Critic Reviews (53) Audience Reviews for Spartacus The only film that Kubrick didn't have control of, this sumptuous and forever influential sword-and-sandal epic balances quite well its campy moments with scenes of dramatic intensity but also has a messy script full of moralizing and confusing behavior from most of its characters. Carlos Magalhães Super Reviewer Stanley Kubrick's Spartacus is a defining classic that has withstood the test of time. Brilliantly acted and directed, this is one of the best epics that combines action, drama and romance.

This is a stunning work of cinematic genius that is a must see for cinema fans of all ages looking for a terrific, well acted and brilliantly directed film with rousing action, thrills and a compelling story. This is among Kubrick's greatest works. This is a majestic piece of cinema, and remains one of the standout classics along with such works as Ben- Hur and Lawrence of Arabia. This is an epic film that is grand in scale and scope. This is a picture that only Stanley Kubrick could have directed. With a terrific cast of outstanding talent, this is a powerful work that delivers exciting visuals, great battles and memorable performances. Kirk Douglas delivers on-screen and his role is among the most famous roles in the long history of cinema. This is a wonderful film that is sure to please cinema buffs everywhere and it is among the greatest films ever made as well. The film is truly entertaining from start to finish right up to the unforgettable climax. This epic has had a profound impact on genre films for years to come, and though no film has surpassed the greatness of Spartacus, many pictures have been influenced by Kubrick's classic. A brilliant, compelling and unforgettable film that is among the greatest films ever made. A must see for serious film fans.

This film is worth watching for Kirk Douglas performance alone, and there's plenty of aspects that stand out about this work. Stanley Kubrick would aim bigger and better with this film, and it set the stage for future films in Kubrick's long and legendary career. Alex roy Spartacus the Movie Spartacus the Movie 'The Roman Colosseum' History, Facts and Information about Spartacus the Movie The full plot of Spartacus the movie is detailed in Spartacus the Movie Summary . The star of the film was Kirk Douglas who played the lead role in the movie and was also the Producer. The director of Spartacus the movie was Stanley Kubrick. In June 2008 the AFI (American Film Institute) published a poll of over 1,500 people from the creative community in which Spartacus the movie was acknowledged as the fifth best film in the epic genre. Spartacus 1960 Spartacus the Movie was first released in 1960 by Universal Pictures. The film was re-released in 1967 and again in 1991 when previously censored scenes were included in the movie.

The most famous of these scenes featured Crassus (played by Laurence Olivier) and his body servant Antoninus (played by Tony Curtis). This famous scene is referred to as the 'Snails Or Oysters' scene. Spartacus the Movie 1991 - 'Snails Or Oysters' Scene The Spartacus 'Snails Or Oysters' scene is brilliantly and most tastefully written. The subtle words convey that Crassus is bi-sexual. The famous words delivered in this short dialogue between Crassus and his new body slave Antoninus are as follows: Dialogue from the Spartacus 'Snails Or Oysters' scene. Crassus: Do you eat oysters? Antoninus: When I have them, master. Crassus: Do you eat snails? Antoninus: No, master. Crassus: Do you consider the eating of oysters to be moral and the eating of snails to be immoral? Antoninus: No, master. Crassus: Of course not. It is all a matter of taste, isn't it? Antoninus: Yes, master. Crassus: And taste is not the same as appetite, and therefore not a question of morals.

Antoninus: It could be argued so, master. Crassus: My robe, Antoninus. My taste includes both snails and oysters. "I am Spartacus" One of the most famous quotes in Spartacus the Movie is the line "I am Spartacus". This occurs when Crassus promises that the captured slaves will be given their lives if they identify their slave leader, Spartacus. Spartacus is just about to rise when he hears another voice proclaim "I am Spartacus" then another voice shouts "I am Spartacus" then another screams shouts "I am Spartacus" and then another until hundreds of voices are all shouting "I am Spartacus". Noone will betray their leader and as a result 6000 captured slaves are crucified along the Appian Way. Spartacus the Movie - Music From Spartacus The soundtrack and music from Spartacus was composed by the American composer Alex North (1910 - 1991). The music conveys both the emotions of the characters and the complements the content of the most important scenes in the film. Spartacus the Movie - Cast List of Actors and their Characters Who were the actors in Spartacus and who were the characters?

The cast of Spartacus chosen for the movie no doubt played a major contribution to the success of the film. The Spartacus cast list is as follows: Spartacus............................ Kirk Douglas Marcus Licinius Crassus ............... .............Laurence Olivier Varinia ................................ Jean Simmons Captain of the Guard..... Robert J. Wilke Review Of Spartacus the Movie A personal review of Spartacus the Movie. Without doubt my favorite film. The story of the ignorant slave fighting against the might of the Roman army and motivating thousands of others to join him. The story contains heroes, villains, a love interest, spectacle and humor. Much of the humor being provided by Peter Ustinov, who won an Academy award for 'Best Actor in a Supporting Role', and his scenes with the great Laurence Olivier. The clever idea that English actors were cast as Romans and American actors cast as slaves. The brilliant dialogue of the screenplay, written by Dalton Trumbo and the author of the novel 'Spartacus' by Howard Fast treated the audience with great respect. Even the opening titles showing the bust of Crassus crumbling with the emergence of Spartacus sets the scene for the opening of the film.

Spartacus the Movie - Dalton Trumbo The review of Spartacus cannot be complete without mention of the courageous risk taken by Kirk Douglas in using the name of screenplay writer Dalton Trumbo in the credits of the film. Dalton Trumbo had been blacklisted during the communist witch hunts of the 50's. Kirk Douglas, the film's producer, was warned not to use Trumbo's name as to do so would risk the film being banned. Kirk Douglas refused to comply and listed Dalton Trumbo's name on the credits. Kirk Douglas can only be commended for his loyalty to Trumbo and his bravery in making this stand by which he effectively broke the Hollywood blacklist.

Question: Kirk Douglas played the title role in which 1960 film about Roman slaves?
Answer: Spartacus