Review of Spartacus (1960) by Matthew D — 25 Jul 2018

Stanley Kubrick directed an epic masterpiece of cinema with his 1960 classic Spartacus. Every shot shows the massive scope or the most intimate emotion. He recreates ancient Rome with painstaking detail from architecture, costumes, language, colors, and hundreds of extras. Creative cinematography reveal Kubrick to be a brilliant director early on in his career.

Dalton Trumbo's writing is what makes Spartacus shine! Spartacus is a timeless film that demonstrates the inhumanity of slavery and heart of a an ambitious slave. You get villainous monologues that decipher the motivations of even the most heinous of men, long accounts of Roman history, battle rally speeches to bolster morale, to loving conversations that develop the adorably sincere romance. Spartacus persists as a cinema classic for its harrowing tale of freedom and undying love. It is a genius story told in a careful manner.

Kirk Douglas delivers his most well rounded performance of his career as the titular hero Spartacus. He is quiet as the defeated slave, fierce as the brave gladiator, kind as the devoted lover, clever as the military general, and mindful in his curiosity. He is so subtle showing Spartacus' pain and longing hardly without words. It is a wonderful display of acting.

Spartacus boasts one of the most exhilarating ensembles in cinema. Sir Laurence Olivier is devastatingly cruel and clever as the egotistical and ambitious Crassus who devotion to Rome leads to atrocity. Jean Simmons is delightful and so strong as the female lead Varinia. Tony Curtis is so sweet and charming as the faithful Antoninus. Charles Laughton is so deviously clever is his political scheming as Gracchus. Finally, Peter Ustinov is hilarious as the opportunistic slave merchant Batiatus. Everyone plays their part to perfection.

The music is very fitting and Spartacus remains as having one of the most lovely romance themes in film history. Every time you see Kirk Douglas on screen with Jean Simmons, the strings swell into this heavenly symphony you will love.

Watch Spartacus and behold a true masterwork of film.