Spartacus
The rebellious Thracian Spartacus, born and raised a slave, is sold to Gladiator trainer Batiatus. After weeks of being trained to kill for the arena, Spartacus turns on his owners and leads the other slaves in rebellion. As the rebels move from town to town, their numbers swell as escaped slaves join their ranks. Under the leadership of Spartacus, they make their way to southern Italy, where they will cross the sea and return to their homes.
Review Sentiment
Final battle between slave army and Roman legions ends in massacre
Crassus and Gracchus engage in political scheming over the slave rebellion
The film drops sharply from the exciting gladiatorial sequences to tedious Roman political intrigue, then surges back up for the spectacular final battle sequences.
Spartacus receives widespread critical acclaim for its spectacular gladiatorial sequences and climactic battle, with particular praise for practical effects and Kubrick's direction of massive crowd scenes. However, the middle section suffers significantly due to extended political intrigue that reviewers found tedious and confusing. The film recovers powerfully in its final act, delivering an emotionally resonant and visually stunning conclusion that critics called brave and heart-rending.
Full cast
Showing 20 of 117
Kirk Douglas
Spartacus
Laurence Olivier
Marcus Licinius Crassus
Jean Simmons
Varinia
Charles Laughton
Sempronius Gracchus
Peter Ustinov
Lentulus Batiatus
John Gavin
Julius Caesar
Tony Curtis
Antoninus
Nina Foch
Helena Glabrus
John Ireland
Crixus
Herbert Lom
Tigranes Levantus
John Dall
Marcus Publius Glabrus
Woody Strode
Draba
Harold J. Stone
David
Charles McGraw
Marcellus
Joanna Barnes
Claudia Marius
Peter Brocco
Ramon
Paul Lambert
Gannicus
Robert J. Wilke
Guard captain
Nick Dennis
Dionysius
John Hoyt
Caius
Crew
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