Spartacus, 1960 Kirk Douglas Laurence Olivier, Tony Curtis, Stanley Kubrick
Stanley Kubrick disowned this film and refused to have it as part of his canon. I think this is because he came to the project late and Kubrick’s nature is to plan a project from its inception and compile detailed research before loading a camera with film.
I first watched this film when I was 9 or 10 years old, I think it might have been over an Easter weekend I sat and I was fascinated.
The story
Spartacus is a slave and rebels against his owners who force him into hard labour at a quarry, one rebellion goes to far and he is slated to be executed but before this happens he is sold to a Gladiator school. There he trains as a gladiator and falls in love with another slave called Varinia. A rich Roman comes and pays for two fights to the death Spartacus is chosen for one and mean while Varinia who has a rebellious nature her self tips a flagon of wine over a rich Roman when he insults her and this act endears her with the senior Roman who insists of purchasing her. As she is to leave for Rome Spartacus starts a riot and a rebellion.
The rebellion grows from estate to estate and gets so serious it’s bought up in the senate. The garrison of Rome is mustered to take on the growing mob, Spartacus organises the slaves and gladiators into an army and forms a plan to use pirates to escape the clutches of Rome. Spartacus makes a deal with the pirates and defeats the Roman garrison sent to kill his men in the aftermath the commander of the Roman force is humiliated and sent back to Rome.
Intermission
The commander reports to the senate and tells them of his defeat and the plans that have been made he also tells them the name of the rebel and one senator remembers him from the vist to the training camp and the organised fight. The pirates betray the slave army and they are trapped between three Roman army’s, with the situation desperate the slave army only has one option to fight !
The resulting battle is a hard fought the desperate slave army encircled have little hope and when sandwiched between two Roman army’s all hope is lost. The death toll is high and a small group remain after the fight. They are offered a deal give up Spartacus and the survivors will live, the resulting scene is infamous in cinema history as he is protecting by his men who all identify themselves as Spartacus. They survivors are crucified by the side of the road as a warning to others not to defy Rome, Spartacus who is identified by the senator is reserved to the end and is forced to watch his army destroyed. Varinia with her new born baby is taken to Rome as a slave.
The principals
Stanley Kubrick came late to this project because Kirk Douglas had fallen out with Antony Mann, of course Kubrick would also fall out with Douglas as production wore on, by all accounts it was a very long film shoot. Peter Ustinov who had a new born baby joked that his child was asked in Kindergarten what daddy did and she answered Spartacus ! Kubrick would also fall out with his cinematographer Russell Metty, Kubrick being a photographer wanted to have control over the shooting set ups and sidelined Metty for most of the production, Metty was so aggrieved he was tempted to get his name removed from the credits but resisted, having his name in the credits resulted in an Oscar win for best cinematography in 1961 which he duly accepted. The photography is truly brilliant the use of light is exceptional in the gladiator camp the mix of shadow and light is just fantastic and should be studied by any budding cinematography student. The director stitches the film together and each scene is so well thought out and the performances are top draw.
Kirk Douglas as Spartacus is the perfect blend of warrior and leader. The brutality of the fight, of being the first in line and a figure head to the leadership and going out to identify with iss people, taking those who were slaves and giving them identity’s and purpose. As an audience member you want him to win and celebrate his victories. Right up to the end you support his defiance and the rebellious nature.
Laurence Olivier as Crassus is the perfect mix of Roman arrogance and cunning every scene he’s in you can sense his acting prowess. There was a scene that had to be cut in the original release where his character attempts to seduce Antoninus played by Tony Curtis. They talk about a preference for oysters or snails while the film footage still existed the audio was lost, Curtis was still alive and could redub his part and Olivier’s widow recommended Antony Hopkins to Dub Oliviers part so it could be reinstated in the early 90’s it’s flawless and blends perfectly with the original.
Jean Simmons gives a subtle performance as Varinina and gives a lot to her fellow actors, when she has to shine she does but for most of the film she gives her performance to her costars and that is a true talent.
Tony Curtis comes into this film late and has an important role first to show you the arrogance of Crassus and his assumption that he can take what he wants and then to show the the vulnerability of Spartacus the warrior and to show him the sensitive side of leadership.
Peter Ustinov would go on to win an Oscar for his portrayal of Batiatus the gladiator owner and minor politician. At the start of the film he’s a contented mercenary whose only desire is to exploit his slaves for wealth and power and this he holds onto until almost the end. With the realisation the he is as much a slave to Rome as his gladiators he changes and becomes more humble and ultimately protects Varinina and her new born child so he can live a life in freedom.
If you’ve never seen the original Spartacus film it’s a must watch and yes even though it’s been disowned by Kubrick his genius is still there and his brilliant directing can be spotted. It’s a long film but it feels so much shorter as every scene has you engaged. With an all star cast it’s an epic that will never be repeated in the modern age !
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Have fun stay safe !
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