Spartacus

One of the most famous film epics, Spartacus is the in-depth story of a slave uprising, fight by fight, against the decedent Roman empire. The central figure, Spartacus (Douglas), is a gladiator-trained slave. He has dreamed of freedom since he became as slave, but opposing this dream is the Roman empire, represented by Marcus Crassus (Olivier). A chance is given to him when he is rescued from the Libyan mines by Lentulus Batiatus (Ustinov) who trains him as a gladiator in his school.

The sheer scale of this film lends it an overwhelming presence -- the battles are astounding, the landscapes extensive and the theme everlasting. The acting is generally of a high standard and the scenes of fighting (both in the Senate and in the training school) are excellent.

Anne Ball

As a historical epic, ‘Spartacus’ stands out from the crowd.

The film has the basic theme of ‘force’ versus ‘an idea’. One man - Spartacus- has the idea of freedom, which is pitted through his slave army against the entire force of the Roman Empire.

In Spartacus’s eventual defeat, force seems to be victorious, but we know with hindsight that it is Spartacus’ idea that finally prevails, albeit long after his death, with the abolition of slavery. As the opening narration makes clear, as a young man Spartacus would dream of the death of slavery - “two thousand years before it finally would die.” Kirk Douglas gives an inspiring performance as the brutalised and uneducated slave rising above his degradation to find love, leadership and high ideals.

The film closely interweaves the fate of Spartacus with that of Roman politics. His slave rebellion contributes to the fall of Gracchus, the main Republican advocate, and the corresponding rise of authoritarian Crassus. In a way, Spartacus is portrayed as a catalyst for a new era of Roman dictatorship under the Caesars; by suppressing his slave rebellion, Rome sets itself irrevocably on a path away from Republic and freedom, and perhaps confirms its eventual downfall. Some historical licence, no doubt; but a thought-provoking concept.

Unlike many other Roman epics such as ‘Ben-Hur’ and ‘The Robe’, the film does not have a Christian motif. However, ‘Spartacus’ epitomises the triumph of the human spirit in a way that few movies do. Even after his death, not only Spartacus’ son but his spirit lives on, if only in man’s perennial cry for freedom. The slave leader’s resolve, and his will to freedom, remain true to the end.

Considering that it was made in 1960, the film’s confronting of hard themes is notable. For example, we have the hint of forbidden homosexual/ bisexual desires from Crassus to Antoninus; the seeming death and failure (but perhaps ultimate victory) for the hero, who traditionally should triumph; and unpleasant scenes involving battlefields and rows of crucified bodies.

The movie is helped by an excellent cast, an evocative score and Stanley Kubrick’s direction. The sets and costumes also show great attention to detail, so that ancient Roman society comes alive.

Richard Kerslake