Actors - Spartacus

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	Actors - Spartacus

Spartacus is a 1960 film by Stanley Kubrick based on the historical novel of the same name by Howard Fast. The film stars Kirk Douglas as rebellious slave Spartacus and Laurence Olivier as his rival, Roman general and politician Marcus Licinius Crassus. John Gavin (Julius Caesar), Jean Simmons, Charles Laughton, Peter Ustinov, Herbert Lom, Woody Strode, Tony Curtis, John Dall and Charles McGraw are also featured. The titles were designed by Saul Bass.

Spartacus is a classic Hollywood large format epic, with an important cast and crew. Critics such as Roger Ebert, however, have argued that the film has flaws which have caused it to become severely dated. Critics attribute the films flaws to various elements including the interference of the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA), which imposed censorial conformity under the Production Code; the replacement of original director Anthony Mann after the first week's shooting; a sparring cast (Laughton vs. Olivier ; replacement director Kubrick vs. executive producer/star Douglas); and a distracting and boisterous orchestral soundtrack.

Plot Summary

The film begins at a mine in the Roman province of Libya, where we see Spartacus (Kirk Douglas) trying to aid an old man. A roman solider tells Spartacus to get back to work, only to get his ankle bitten by the rebellious slave. Spartacus is then tied up and sentenced to death.

We then see the slave dealer, Lentulus Batiatus (Peter Ustinov) arrive. He inspects several slaves with a disgusted look, before finally settling on Spartacus. Batiatus then sails for Capua, and arrives with his new purchases at his villa in the country, which also doubles as a gladiator training school.

Over the course of several months, Spartacus becomes a fine warrior. He is given the opportunity to sleep with one of the slave girls, Varinia (Jean Simmons), but declines, declaring: "I AM NOT AN ANIMAL!"

Eventually, Marcus Licinius Crassus (Laurence Olivier) arrives at the school with some companions, wishing to see several Gladiators fight to the death. Spartacus is chosen, and is defeated, but his vanquisher refuses to kill him, instead throwing his trident into the spectator's box. Crassus kills the gladiator, and leaves, however, he also purchases Varina, of whom Spartacus has grown fond.

When Bataiatus personally takes Varinia away, Spartacus leads a revolt against the Romans, and the slaves eventually take Capua. The senate of Rome tries to come up with a solution to the problem, so Gracchus (Charles Laughton) cunningly manipulates Crassus' charge, and persuades him to take the Garrison of Rome and destroy the slaves, so that Graccus' charge, Julius Caesar (John Gavin) can take command of Rome.

Meanwhile, Crassus purchases a new slave, Antoninus (Tony Curtis), and tries to seduce him. Antonninus runs away and joins Spartacus, who has formed a general plan for the slaves. Spartacus has been reunited with Varinia, and they get married. He then destroys the Garrison of Rome, and outlines his plan to make for the sea, freeing every slave on the way, until they meet Sicilian pirates, who will take them to a better place.

Rome keeps sending armies to destroy Spartacus (9 armies as mentioned in Theatrical Trailer), but Spartacus keeps on going. When the slaves eventually reach the Sea, they discover that the Sicilian's have been bought off. Spartacus then finds himself trapped between three Roman armies. The only solution is to fight their way through.

Meanwhile, Crassus has gained complete control of Rome. It was he who bought off the Sicilians and trapped the slaves. A large battle ensues, and results in the defeat and capture of many slaves. Crassus declares that the captured slaves may go free if they identify Spartacus. They all claim to be Spartacus, so Crassus has them all crucified, from the battlefield to the gates of Rome. He saves Antoninus and Spartacus for last, and has them duel to the death for him. Spartacus kills Antoninus, and then, in turn, is crucified himself.

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Actors - Spartacus

Plot Summary

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