Vote on this title

Do these genes fit this title?
Click on a gene to vote or discover related titles.

Does this gene fit Spartacus?

See more like Spartacus

See even more

Overview

Watch it:

Find it on:

	Twitter
	IMDb
	Rotten Tomatoes

Spartacus, 1960

Starring: Kirk Douglas, Jean Simmons, Laurence Olivier, Charles Laughton, Peter Ustinov, Tony Curtis

Directed by: Stanley Kubrick

Written by: Dalton Trumbo

Language: English

Country: USA

Runtime: 184 min

MPAA Rating:

Rating:8.0

Watch it

More like it

Wish List

Favorites

Profile of Spartacus

Spartacus can be described as exciting, emotional, and contemplative. The plot revolves around corrupt rulers, intrigues, and a tragic hero. The main genres are drama, adventure, and period. In terms of style, Spartacus features an all-star cast, has a Hollywood tone, and is epic. In approach, it is serious and realistic. It is located in the Roman Empire. Spartacus takes place in ancient times. The movie has received attention for being a classic, an Oscar winner, and critically acclaimed. It is well suited for a boys' night. Note that Spartacus involves violent content.

Summary of Spartacus

Spartacus, based on Howard Fast's popular novel, is Stanley Kubrick's glorious masterpiece about a slave uprising in Rome in 70 B.C. Kirk Douglas, who also served as executive producer, stars as the title character, a man born of a slave woman and a slave master who has known nothing but chains his entire life. After being forced to put on a gladiator show--that almost leads to his death--for wealthy Romans (including a marvelously conniving Laurence Olivier as the power-hungry Crassus), Spartacus leads a slave revolt across Italy that soon has thousands marching on Rome. Meanwhile, he has fallen in love with the beautiful Varinia (an effervescent Jean Simmons), pledging his life to her.

Douglas assembled a fabulous all-star cast for the film; in addition to himself, Simmons, and Olivier, terrific performances are turned in by Charles Laughton as the curmudgeonly senator Gracchus, John Gavin as the young Julius Caesar, Tony Curtis as Antoninus (a "singer of songs," with all lines delivered in a beautifully thick New York accent), and especially Peter Ustinov, an Oscar winner for his portrayal of the businessman Batiatus, who always wants to know what's in it for him. Blacklisted writer Dalton Trumbo's melodramatic script and Alex North's thrilling, soaring score add a majesty that helps make Spartacus one of the finest costume epics to ever come out of Hollywood.