Spartacus

1960, 197 Minutes, 4K DCP, PG-13
USA

Director: Stanley Kubrick

Cast: Kirk Douglas, Laurence Olivier, Jean Simmons, and Charles Laughton

Kubrick 90
Beginning July 26th, the SNF Parkway celebrates Stanley Kubrick’s would-be 90th birthday with a retrospective of the master filmmaker’s invaluable contributions to the history of cinema. The series will occur twice monthly and will showcase each of the director’s films in turn.

 

Stanley Kubrick directed a cast of screen legends — including Kirk Douglas as the indomitable gladiator that led a Roman slave revolt — in the sweeping epic that defined a genre and ushered in a new Hollywood era. The assured acting, lush Technicolor cinematography, bold costumes, and visceral fight sequences won Spartacus four Oscars; the blend of politics and sexual suggestion scandalized audiences. Today Kubrick’s controversial classic (from a screenplay by Dalton Trumbo), the first film to openly defy Hollywood’s blacklist, remains a landmark of cinematic artistry and history.

The rebellious Thracian Spartacus, born and raised a slave, is sold to Gladiator trainer Batiatus. After weeks of being trained to kill for the arena, Spartacus turns on his owners and leads the other slaves in rebellion. As the rebels move from town to town, their numbers swell as escaped slaves join their ranks. Under the leadership of Spartacus, they make their way to southern Italy, where they will cross the sea and return to their homes.

 

“This may be the best-paced and most slyly entertaining of all the decadent-ancient-Rome spectacular films.” — Pauline Kael, The New Yorker

“Its genuinely noble intentions, Alex North’s romantic score, the sheer scale of its emotions and spectacle, and its strong and unorthodox ending all make it uncommonly moving.” — Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader

5/5 Stars:
“Kirk Douglas’s direct, unpretentious performance as the great slave-rebel Spartacus is more engaging than ever. A stirring classic.” — Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian

 

Selected for inclusion on the National Film Registry
Academy Award winner for Best Costume Design, Best Cinematography, Best Actor in a Supporting Role, and Best Art Direction – Set Decoration
Golden Globe winner for Best Motion Picture – Drama