Review of Spartacus (1960) by Phil P — 30 Jun 2010
EPIC. lets start there. This film is EPIC. I cannot find anything wrong with this one. The score is excellent and the visuals are exceptionally stunning. However, the acting brings this film to the level of classic. How could the acting not be phenomenal with a cast that includes Kirk Douglas, Charles Laughton, Laurence Olivier, Tony Curtis and Peter Ustinov. This film stands out as one of the greatest epics of all time. I would highly suggest this film to anyone who has not seen it. It is a marvelous piece of film making. This is certainly one of Stanley Kubrick's best films.
TRIVIA TIME:1.The sound of the crowd cheering "Spartacus! Spartacus!" was actually recorded at a 1959 football game in Spartan Stadium, home of the Michigan State University Spartans in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State beat Notre Dame in that game, 19-0.
2.During the scene where Gracchus was found guilty of orchestrating the revolt against the Roman, Crassus (Laurence Olivier) said, "In every city and province, the list of the disloyal have been compiled." The line is actually a sly dig at McCarthyism by writer Dalton Trumbo (one of the 10 blacklisted). It was intended to be a jab at the watchdogs, since at that time prior to the film's release, Hollywood blacklisting was not over yet.
3.The 1979 film The Life of Brian reverses the scene by depicting an entire group undergoing crucifixion all claiming to be Brian who it has just been announced is eligible for release ("I'm Brian" "No I'm Brian" "I'm Brian and so's my wife.").
This review of Spartacus (1960) was written by Phil P on 30 Jun 2010.
Spartacus has generally received very positive reviews.
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