Spartacus [Blu-ray]

Stanley Kubrick entered the big time here, being asked to substitute for director Anthony Mann, who was the first choice for Spartacus, in and fact did direct the opening scenes of the movie. Kubrick clearly has to work within certain creative boundaries, imposed by either the studio or Douglas, as the films producer. Some scenes are melodramatic and some of the moralising is a bit too obvious, particularly the scenes with Douglas and Simmonds and Douglas to the masses, albeit Olivier does make his scenes with Simmonds more interesting and less saccharine. In fact Olivier, Ustinov and Charles Laughton are the best performances in the film, with Olivier's Crassus oozing power, but becoming more vulnerable when seeing its impact (or lack thereof) on Spartacus; Ustinov's opportunist who nevertheless evokes sympathy as the 'survivor' character and Laughton's character's clever manipulations of gullible senators and his political sparring with Crassus in the 'Republican v Dictator' duel. Douglas is solid enough, albeit in archetypal Hollywood Leading Man mode, and certainly a role that is not quite as interesting as say for example, his performance in Paths of Glory, his previous collaboration with Kubrick.Despite this, and the rather obvious flamboyant approach to the design and photography, which was to show "look at the money we are spending on this" ($12 million, a lot at the time), Kubrick brings competent direction and more fleshed out (supporting) characters than usual for a film of this size and scope. Editing is first rate, as is Alex North's music, and the action sequences are generally well handled. The best sequences are the gladiator combat scenes in front of the Crassus character early on in the film, and the arrival of the Roman Legions on the site of the films final battle, where image, editing and music come together brilliantly. The films climax is a bold and interesting choice, and works so well partly because Douglas plays his character in a more understated fashion in this part of the film. Its also interesting to see Crassus try many times, and fail every time to get one over Spartacus, even though at first glance it looks like Crassus does.The plot, while loosely based on history, is the best part of the film, and while there are one or two convenient co-incidences, is doesn't mar the film and is no more than in any populist large scale Hollywood Movie. The political machinations that Spartacus becomes involved in are very prescient and still apply to situations seen by holders of power today, and this key subtext was clearly articulated, especially the handing over of more power to a leader in the interests of 'security'.Overall, a very entertaining action film, with an atypical but highly effective climax. It was Kubrick's last experience of the Hollywood System, and from now on Kubrick would work independently out of England, which would give his subsequent films a very different look and feel. Great value as a very cheap HD DVD with an absolutely fantastic image and excellent sound.

Spartacus is my favorite historical epic from classic Hollywood. It's not very historically accurate but it doesn't really matter if you want to see entertaining movie with great characters, stellar cast and impressive sets and costumes. Also helps the fact that this isn't a christian morality tale that mostly plagued historical epics from the 50's and 60's. Spartacus is good introduction to the genre and in my opinion it's easily the one of the best.This is the restored and uncut version of the film. The video and audio is as good as you get for a 50 year old movie. Don't expect anything groundbreaking. The extra features are some what limited. The highlights include 2 commentary tracks and a 24 minute long interview with Peter Ustinov, promotional materials, storyboards, deleted scenes and a 1960 documentary The Hollywood Ten. They should have made this a 3 disc set to give more extra content. Peter Ustinov interview and commentary tracks are the best part of it. They give enough insight in the production, behind the scenes and the overall politics of Hollywood. Overall this is a great purchase if you love historical epics from Classic Hollywood or are big Kirk Douglas, Peter Ustinov or Stanley Kubrick fan.

This review relates to the Japanese artwork 4k steelbook.The transfer is excellent, with HDR adding a whole new dimension to this classic epic. I also really like the Japanese steelbook design; a great addition to my 4K collection.

I agree with fans of this film on its many virtues but I feel it is lacking some things which could have made this into a true masterpiece (an 8K digital transfer won't solve these issues)Spartacus is a film about slavery and freedom but it dodges the key issues of race and economic power. Black slaves are visible (and historically they were common in the Roman empire) but the only black actor with a significant role, Draba the gladiator, is killed before the revolt. Giving a bigger role to a black slave might have been too much for an American audience, above all in the South.The film also avoids the economics of slavery. We see the Romans living in luxury tended by domestic slaves and "entertained" by gladiators but the Libyan mines were the only scenes where slaves were economically productive. Spartacus does not think about the economic problems, apart from looting Roman villas to fill his treasure chest, and he does not have a realistic plan for his followers after their escape with Cilician pirates (who were themselves slave traders). We hear about the wealth of Crassus and Gracchus but not about its basis in slavery and we heard nothing about the relationship between the Roman "mob" and the slave economy. Again, America may not have been ready to hear that freedom must include economic freedom i.e. to control resources and not merely be a wage-slave.This might seem theoretical but these weaknesses deprive Spartacus of his dramatic potential - imagine a Spartacus who, by winning his freedom, not only discovers his own humanity but also comes to fully understand that the revolution he has unleashed must be based on human equality and control of economic resources.

Brilliant dvd arrived in time