Review of Spartacus (1960) by Danny R — 08 Dec 2011

A colossal star-studded lavishly mounted spectacle directed with great skill by Stanley Kubrick. It concerns the slave revolt against the Romans led by the rebellious Thracian slave named Spartacus, played by Kirk Douglas in brilliant that is one the finest performances of his distinguished career, he brings a no-holds-barred intensity and genuine emotional depth to the role, a magnificent supporting cast all deliver exceptional performances they include Sir Laurence Olivier in superlative performance as the tyrannical Roman General Crassus, Charles Laughton is terrific in a sly performance as Roman Senator Gracchus, Peter Ustinov is priceless in his scene-stealing Academy Award winning role of obsequious, cowardly slave-trader Batiatus, the beautiful Jean Simmons delivers a radiant performance as the slave girl Varinia, who becomes the love of Spartacus' life and a young Tony Curtis in a wonderfully dynamic performance as the sensitive runaway slave Antoninus.

Stanley Kubrick handles this mammoth story without losing sight of the personal drama involved, a brilliant literate script by Dalton Trumbo. The film has some exciting graphic and visceral fight scenes set in the gladiatorial school's area that includes the memorable fight to the death between Kirk Douglas' Spartacus and a towering, powerful black slave named Draba, played excellently by Woody Strode and in the stunning climactic and bloody battle between slaves and the Roman legions, with some 10,000 extras filling the screen giving the scene a breathtaking grandeur.

Spectacular Oscar winning cinematography by Russell Metty and Oscar winning art direction and costume design, a truly phenomenal score by Alex North. "Spartacus" is an unforgettable triumph for Kubrick and a landmark classic of cinematic artistry.

Highly Recommended.