Review of Spartacus (1960) by Zach B — 11 Aug 2011

Hmm. Now this is a rather odd film for Kubrick to have directed. I mean, I know that he was known for directing all sorts of genres during his career, but for him to direct this 3 hour epic in the early stages of his career, I must say that I am impressed.

Okay, I guess that some back story is needed to understand the way this film was even made. Kirk Douglas was, at the time, out of work and he needed a job to help him get by. So what he had done was finance a film adaption of the novel Spartacus by Howard Fast and have him (being Douglas) portray the title character.

Due to creative differences with the original director Anthony Mann, Douglas went back and hired Stanley Kubrick whom he had previously worked with on the acclaimed Paths Of Glory. What resulted would be the first of Kubrick's four epics he would go on to create (the others include 2001: A Space Odyssey, Barry Lyndon, and The Shining) and this has to be, just for the scope of this film alone, one of his most wonderful films ever.

With this film, Kubrick created something that appeals to everyone from the people who like romance to the people that love war. This film has it all. Now for my reaction. For the most part, my reaction to this film was in complete shock.

After hearing things via word of mouth, I learned quite an interesting bit about this film and the reputation it has on being great. After sitting through this beast of a film, I understand the love people have.

But for the most part with ranking this film with Kubrick's other films, I will have to say that this film is in the middle with being on my list of being the greatest. It is not that I have anything against this film.

It just that it does not appeal to me on a personal level like how his other films would. But, for an epic period piece, it is by far one of the greatest I have seen. Okay, now for the details. The first is with direction.

If you go into this film expecting a typical Kubrick film filled with Kubrick's trademarks that he is associated with, you will be disappointed severely. Things like Kubrick using still cameras to follow people around and the use of classical compositions are not found here.

But this is an exception due to this being made early in his career and he was still trying to find his own way of making films. But what really sets this film apart and what makes me love this film is how he films the action sequences that had happened through out.

Anyone who knows Kubrick knows that he is beyond difficult with his cast and crew to such a point that they start to loose their minds (ex: Shelly DuVall in The Shining), so one has to wonder how exactly the actors felt during those scenes and how many retakes there must have been.

For the overall work and looking at the entire scope of this film, Kubrick done a damn good and impressive job. For acting, well, we have some of the finest performances you will ever see. First I must talk about Kirk Douglas.

Now, I have never seen any of his films prior to me writing this review, but due to me seeing a good many of his son's (Michael Douglas) films, I will say that Kirk is a damn fine actor and this film proves it.

The main thing that stands out with his acting is just the image and presence he presents on screen. When he is on screen, you are just aware of his control. You know he is in power and that he will steal every shot he is in.

It is easy to see where Michael got his acting abilities. The next person will have to be Jean Simmons (yes, I know her name sounds like the Rock God Gene Simmons). Her role in this film is the love interest of Spartacus and my main thought on her is that she is kind of bland.

Do not get me wrong: there are moments in which she shines through (professing her love for Spartacus, protecting someone dear to her near the end of the film, etc.), but at times, she just seems to have the same expression on her face.

Personally, it would of worked better if she had some more expression. But overall, a rather decent to good performance. Lastly will be the young Tony Curtis. Now, I am mostly a fan of his wife Janet Leigh and his daughter Jamie Lee Curtis' films more, but this being my first introduction to him as an actor, I will admit that I do like his acting.

He plays this youthful character that has complete undying loyalty towards Spartacus and Curtis just shows off this entire innocents that works well with the character as a whole. Personally, I love him in this film and I would not mind seeing more of him in other films.

Now for the score. Personally, as an original score, I do like how it has a certain Roman flare to it that actually makes it enjoyable. The only thing I would of liked would be if during the fight scenes, the music would have been a tad bit more epic and exciting enough to get your heart racing.

But, then again, that would of just added to the stereotypes of Epics, so this is understandable. But, for the music and what it is, I like it. Lastly the script. It is, believe it or not, hard to make a three plus hour film and keep it entertaining and the script does just that.

The dialogue seems natural, the scenes are well written, and the film just flows wonderfully. Personally, I would not be surprised if this film won the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screen Play. Well written.

Overall, this is a good early Kubrick film and it just shows what was to come in the future for him.