Spartacus (1960)

NEUTRAL

In-Theaters

89%

1960, Action, 3h 4m

RT Critics’ Score: 93% (UNBIASED)
RT Audience Score: 87%
Awards & Nominations: NA

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Critics Consensus

Featuring terrific performances and epic action, Kubrick’s restored swords-and-sandals epic is a true classic.

Audience Consensus

Spartacus is the ultimate underdog story, with Kirk Douglas leading the charge as the iron-jawed slave who refuses to back down. The film is a thrilling epic that will have you on the edge of your seat, but be warned – it’s not for the faint of heart. With Laurence Olivier as the ruthless aristocrat and a cast of wonderful character players, Spartacus is a classic that still packs an emotional punch today. So grab some popcorn and get ready to cheer on the gladiatorial army – this is one movie you won’t want to miss!

Storyline

The inspiration behind this series is the Thracian Gladiator Spartacus, who led a slave uprising against the Roman Republic. The Thracians had been persuaded by Claudius Glaber to serve as auxiliaries in the Roman legions in a campaign against the Getae, who had often plundered Thracian lands. However after Glaber reneges on the deal and switches his attentions from the Getae to attack Mithridates in Asia Minor, the Thracians feel betrayed and mutiny. Captured by Glaber, Spartacus is condemned to death as a Gladiator, whilst his wife Sura is condemned to slavery. Spartacus, however, proves to be a formidable gladiator, and defeats the four gladiators tasked with executing him. He becomes a favorite of the crowd, leading Senator Albinius to commute his death sentence to a life of slavery. Spartacus is purchased by Batiatus for gladiator training, who promises to help him find Sura if he proves himself in training. As the series develops, the story follows the betrayals and machinations of Roman life and a tale of one man’s heroic quest for vengeance.

Production Company(ies)
Réalisation d’art cinématographique

Distributor
Universal Pictures

Release Type

Filming Location(s)

MPAA / Certificate
TV-MA

Year of Release
1960

Technical Specs

Color:

Color
Sound mix:

Dolby Digital
Aspect ratio:

1.78 : 116:9 HD
Runtime:

3h 4m
Language(s):
Country of origin:

United States
Release date:

Release Date (Theaters): Oct 7, 1960 Original
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 24, 2001

Genre(s)
Action

Keyword(s)
starring Kirk Douglas, Laurence Olivier, Jean Simmons, Tony Curtis, Charles Laughton, Peter Ustinov, directed by Stanley Kubrick, written by Howard Fast, Dalton Trumbo, Calder Willingham, action, swords-and-sandals, rebellion, gladiators, slaves, epic, classic, restored, box office, gross USA, budget, PG-13, critic reviews, reviewed by Peter John Dyer, David Stratton, Owen Gleiberman, Nell Minow, James Christopher, Peter Bradshaw, Josh Larsen, Mike Massie, M.V Moorhead, Clyde Gilmour, Jesús Fernández Santos, Dwight MacDonald, audience score, directed by Edward Lewis, produced by Edward Lewis, MPAA rating, Universal Pictures, stereo, magnetic stereo 6 track, scope (2.35:1), runtime 3h 4m, distributor Universal Pictures

Box Office Details

Worldwide gross: NA
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): NA

US/Canada gross: NA
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend:
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA

Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): NA
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): NA
Production budget ranking: NA
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA

Cast & Crew

Kirk Douglas

Laurence Olivier

Jean Simmons

Tony Curtis

Charles Laughton

Spartacus

Marcus Licinius Crassus

Varinia

Antoninus

Sempronius Gracchus

Kirk Douglas – Spartacus
Laurence Olivier – Marcus Licinius Crassus
Jean Simmons – Varinia
Tony Curtis – Antoninus
Charles Laughton – Sempronius Gracchus
Peter Ustinov – Lentulus Batiatus

Stanley Kubrick

Howard Fast

Edward Lewis

Director

Writer

Producer

Director(s)
Stanley Kubrick

Writer(s)
Howard Fast, Dalton Trumbo, Calder Willingham

Producer(s)
Edward Lewis

Film Festivals

Awards & Nominations
NA

Academy Awards

Top Reviews

Peter John Dyer

David Stratton

Owen Gleiberman

Nell Minow

James Christopher

Sight & Sound

At the Movies (Australia)

Entertainment Weekly

Common Sense Media

Times (UK)

SPARTACUS
All Critics (62) | Top Critics (16) | Fresh (58) | Rotten (4)
The result, to all intents and purposes, is pre-ordained.

February 10, 2020

Peter John Dyer
Sight & Sound
TOP CRITIC
There have been other versions of the Spartacus story, including a silent epic and a more recent TV series, but Kubrick’s film can’t be beaten.

October 23, 2014

David Stratton
At the Movies (Australia)
TOP CRITIC
September 7, 2011 | Rating: A-

Owen Gleiberman
Entertainment Weekly
TOP CRITIC
Thrilling epic is too intense for the youngest.

December 28, 2010 | Rating: 5/5

Nell Minow
Common Sense Media
TOP CRITIC
Douglas is terrific as the iron-jawed slave fuelled by righteous fury.

June 12, 2009 | Rating: 4/5

James Christopher
Times (UK)
TOP CRITIC
The great-granddaddy of Ridley Scott’s Gladiator hasn’t lost any muscle tone after nearly half a century, and Kirk Douglas’s direct, unpretentious performance as the great slave-rebel Spartacus is more engaging than ever.

June 12, 2009 | Rating: 5/5

Peter Bradshaw
Guardian
TOP CRITIC
…the performances might be its most compelling element.

June 28, 2022 | Rating: 3.5/4

Josh Larsen
LarsenOnFilm
A magnificent picture that packs a rarely equaled emotional wallop with its impassioned camaraderie and paralyzing conclusion.

August 27, 2020 | Rating: 10/10

Mike Massie
Gone With The Twins
The movie is full of wonderful character players who have fun with Trumbo’s ripe dialogue.

February 18, 2020

M.V. Moorhead
Phoenix Magazine
Laurence Olivier memorably portrays a subtle, ruthless aristocrat who vows to destroy the gladiatorial army.

October 31, 2019

Clyde Gilmour
Maclean’s Magazine
This chapter of the history of Rome stands out for its recreation of the lives of gladiators and its beautiful images that culminate in the confrontation of the Roman legions in the open field. [Full Review in Spanish]

August 20, 2019

Jesús Fernández Santos
El Pais (Spain)
Like a fast back with plenty of power, Kubrick twists and plunges. But he goes down on the twenty-yard line under the sheer weight of the opposition.

February 10, 2019

Dwight MacDonald
Esquire Magazine…

Plot
The inspiration behind this series is the Thracian Gladiator Spartacus, who led a slave uprising against the Roman Republic. The Thracians had been persuaded by Claudius Glaber to serve as auxiliaries in the Roman legions in a campaign against the Getae, who had often plundered Thracian lands. However after Glaber reneges on the deal and switches his attentions from the Getae to attack Mithridates in Asia Minor, the Thracians feel betrayed and mutiny. Captured by Glaber, Spartacus is condemned to death as a Gladiator, whilst his wife Sura is condemned to slavery. Spartacus, however, proves to be a formidable gladiator, and defeats the four gladiators tasked with executing him. He becomes a favorite of the crowd, leading Senator Albinius to commute his death sentence to a life of slavery. Spartacus is purchased by Batiatus for gladiator training, who promises to help him find Sura if he proves himself in training. As the series develops, the story follows the betrayals and machinations of Roman life and a tale of one man’s heroic quest for vengeance.

Trivia