Film Review : Spartacus by Stanley Kubrick ( 1960 )

Timeless Classic Ages Well

Film Review : Spartacus by Stanley Kubrick ( 1960 )

Compared to the recent TV series Spartacus, the 1960 film by Stanley Kubrick might at first glance appear quaint and dated. With it's ketchup blood, somewhat tinny brass band soundtrack, and generally very average physiqued gladiators, the old production feel might put off modern audiences these days.

But don't be fooled. Underlying this 55 year old film are great actors and great writing. This is an epic that arguably outdoes Ben-Hur. Kirk Douglas is surprisingly sensitive as the leader of a gladiator rebellion against the Roman Republic. Opposed to his dreams of freedom is Crassus, played by Lawrence Olivier, and the real star of the film. Olivier plays a truly chilling villain ; a man of immense wealth and cunning, but above all one who is completely immoral.  In a scene with Tony Curtis, who plays a young slave, Olivier asks his servant :
" Do you consider the eating of oysters to be moral and the eating of snails to be immoral?...Of course not. It is all a matter of taste, isn't it?"
Seems a bit of an odd conversation at the time, but then you realise what Crassus is driving at.  For Crassus, there is no objective morality. Nothing is wrong, and he is completely justified in doing whatever it takes to satisfy his ambition. So he subordinates everything to his dream of taking over the Republic. Spartacus and his army of gladiators are but an opportunity for Crassus to finish off the waning democratic spirit in Rome. This will set up the fall of the Republic to Caesar, who is a young protege here under Gracchus and then Crassus. This is a classic story which has been mimicked many a time, in both film and reality ; the rise of the Dictator. It's a warning for our own and all times, as Crassus seeks to restore security and 'order' as he puts it, at the expense of freedom.
Crassus is not afraid of getting his hands dirty.

Crassus is not without enemies in Rome, and his chief rival in the Senate is Gracchus, memorably played by Charles Laughton. Laughton dominates the screen as much as Olivier, and also shines in his  exchanges with the brilliant Peter Ustinov, a slippery slave owner who originally owned Spartacus.  These scenes crackle with humour and wit, as Gracchus makes observations such as in defence of chubbiness : " Corpulence makes a man reasonable, pleasant and phlegmatic. Have you noticed the nastiest of tyrants are invariably thin?". Both Laughton and Ustinov of course excel on their own ; Ustinov particularly brilliant as a minnow, albeit a cunning one, trying to survive amongst bigger fish. As is characteristic of many great films, the supporting roles are consistently excellent, such as Herbet Lom as a Silesian pirate.

The plot builds to a great final battle as Spartacus seeks to take his slave army out of Roman reach. After initial victories, he is ruthlessly pursued and finally trapped in southern Italy. Along the way relationships develop, most notably between Spartacus and his love interest Varinia ( Jean Simmons ) and also his friendship with Tony Curtis's character Antoninus. Kirk Douglas convincingly plays the role of a leader who fashions a real family out of what starts out as a gang of marauding thugs. Women and children are picked up on the way and the gladiator army develops into a virtual nation, striving only to get away from Rome and start a new life.






But Rome cannot let this stand, and the scene is set for a great showdown ; the ruthless, de-individualised professionals against a ragtag but inspired army of civilians. There's little  doubt Mel Gibson's Braveheart battles were inspired by the set pieces of Spartacus, and Douglas's speeches. Spartacus's army is ultimately driven by humanity and love, hence the famous ' I am Spartacus ! ' scene.

Where the film diverges from history is when Spartacus and Crassus finally meet.  The film takes a good half hour to resolve the relationships and deals with the aftermath of the battle and rebellion in an original and satisfactory manner.

A big story, big battles, epic scenery ; Spartacus has all the prerequisites of a great film. But it is the films original take on gladiators that often reveal it's true greatness. Whereas Russell Crowe's Gladiator seemed to bond effortlessly with his fellow killers, Spartacus take a more thoughtful tack. Early on in the film, Spartacus asks a gladiators name in the training school. The gladiator rebuffs him : " Gladiators don't have friends. If we meet in the arena, I might have to kill you." In the first fight scene, the tension builds unbearably as Spartacus considers his opponent to be, well played by Woody Strode ( one of the first famous African-American actors and one of those who helped integrate the NFL ). Before they enter the arena, Crixxus re-enters after his battle, visibly shaken by having had to just kill a man.



It is later as the slave army grows that the brotherhood develops, and though some of the dialogue amongst the good guys seems a little corny ( especially in contrast to the sharp political insights on the Roman side ) it is still well developed enough to bring a lump to your throat as the final battle and grim resolution plays out.

Ridley's Gladiator may have been slick, but the real substance is in Spartacus.

Key Quote :  "I'd rather be here, a free man among brothers, facing a long march and a hard fight, than to be the richest citizen of Rome."

Images courtesy of  Bryana Productions.