Review of Spartacus (1960) by Laney C — 10 Jun 2008

As 50s & 60s epics go, this is Grade A. The theme of fighting for personal freedom against oppresion from both without and within is an old old old human theme, appearing over and over in all forms of media throughout history. It is done extremely well here. Visually, it's huge - especially for its time. I was particularly impressed by the scene of the Roman legions marching and changing formation. Peter Ustinov is always a favorite actor of mine, and Laurence Olivier was incredible. Jean Simmons filled her plastic role as well as women were expected to fill their typically plastic roles when this was made. It's not her fault the part was written as such a charicature - it seems that tv and movie writers of the day thought all women were like that. Oddly enough, I don't think Kirk Douglas was the right guy for the role. Don't get me wrong - I think he did an incredible job. I was just never able to buy him as a Thracian leading a Roman slave revolt. His look, sound and carriage made it impossible to see him fitting in anything but a world war movie. Character-wise, I think Spartacus is the ideal Man - strong, masculine and full of integrity, and yet a sensative and caring lover. The film quality is easily forgiveable once you know the history of the film's restoration (to oversimplify, no complete existing print could be found).

My one and only beef with this film is at the very end: (SPOILER!) If Spartacus and Antoninus truly believed themselves to be free men, they would not have fought each other just because Crassus ordered them to. They would exercised passive resistance by refusing to fight, just as Spartacus refused to answer Crassus moments earlier. Instead, they are told to fight each other to the death, so they pick up swords and do so. Granted, it obviously makes for a climactic scene with which to near-end the film, and it also facilitates the father-son moment between the two men, but I still felt that it was totally out of character for them at that time. Considering that one of the film's main points was *about* Spartacus' character, this is a pretty big beef. Ah well.