It is the first century B.C.
YOU are sitting on a bench within a dark cold cage. You can see through the air holes the arena where your best friend fights for his life with a short gladius sword. Sitting on a bench across from you is your opponent. He is twice your size and strength. He does not make eye contact with you. When it is your turn to fight, you must kill him or he will kill you.
Are you ready to kill? Are you ready to die? Or will you wet your toga? Who are you?
"I'm Spartacus!" you shout. Yes, you are Spartacus (Kirk Douglas). You find yourself walking in his sandals-you become him-that is what happened to me when I watched this film.
You are a slave, but you have spirit! You attacked a guard who flogged you in the mines where you toiled in the hot sun.
You were sentenced to starve to death, but Lentulus Batiatus (Peter Ustinov) thought you would make an excellent gladiator. He purchased you and brought you to his gladiator school. You were trained and now you must kill or be killed.
YOU are forced to have sex with gladiators. You are thrown into a gladiator's cell. You disrobe, but he does not force himself upon you. He respects you as a person and wants you to choose him rather than force you. Eventually you do choose and fall in love with the man called Spartacus.
"What is your name?" he asks. "My name is Varinia," you reply. Yes, you are Varinia (Jean Simmons) because you may prefer to walk in her sandals instead. You are also a slave at the gladiator school. As Varinia you perform domestic chores.
As Spartacus you survive the arena. You kill the bloody bastard who trained you, who tormented you for months on end. You and the other gladiators revolt and escape, then form an army of gladiators. All you ever wanted was your freedom from this stinking hellhole called Rome!
As Verinia you are pregnant and Spartacus is the father. You adore Spartacus, but you worry about your future together. Will your child be a slave or be free?
Whether you are Spartacus or Verinia, Marcus Licinius Crassus (Laurence Olivier), Counsel and Savior of Rome, will do his best and worst to ensure that your dreams of freedom are never realized.
A decisive battle between the army of gladiators led by Spartacus, and the Roman legions led by Crassus is imminent. Winner takes all! At least that is what Crassus believes. What he fails to realize is that Spartacus and Verinia have a friend in Sempronius Gracchus (Charles Laughton), a Roman senator who doesn't much like Crassus.
So what becomes of you as Spartacus? What becomes of you as Verinia? Will your child be born free or be a slave? And what of the legend of Spartacus? Does Crassus destroy it or does it live on? Be patient--this film (directed by Stanley Kubrick) shall answer all of your questions.
The screenplay (written by Dalton Trumbo) is a speculative account of the historical slave revolt led by Spartacus. It is based on the novel written by Howard Fast. The theme music (written by Alex North) is full orchestra-it magnificently fills the sandals of this film, and beautifully complements the stellar performances of Kirk Douglas, Jean Simmons, Peter Ustinov, Charles Laughton and Laurence Olivier.
Additionally, Tony Curtis wasn't half bad as Antoninus--the loyal friend and sidekick of Spartacus.
The period costumes and scenery appear to be authentic, and caused me to lose my sense of the present while I gained a sense of the past. The stunts and special effects were unnoticeable yet unforgettable-they were very realistic!
This film won four Academy Awards. Therefore, I think it is only fair to warn you that if you watch this film, you will be a slave to the plot until the very end. But for now, I will rate it five stars.
Academy Awards
Best Supporting Actor--Peter Ustinov
Best Art Direction-Set Decoration
Best Cinematography
Best Costume Design
Runtime: 3 hrs. 16 mins.
Release date: 1960
Rated PG-13
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