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Post by ck100 on Oct 6, 2020 7:27:25 GMT
Any fans of the Stanley Kubrick film "Spartacus" starring Kirk Douglas? How has it held up after 60 years?
I haven't seen it so no comments from me.
Maltin Movie Guide Review:
Spartacus (1960) - 3.5 out of 4 stars
"Epic-scale saga with Douglas as a rebellious slave who leads a crusade for freedom against the forces of the Roman Empire. Overlength (particularly in fully restored version released in 1991) and some dramatic weaknesses are offset by Alex North's magnificent score, staggering battle scenes, and the delicious performances of Olivier, Laughton, and especially Ustinov, who won Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his scene-stealing work. Oscars also went to Art Direction, Costume Design, and Russell Metty's Cinematography. Screenplay by Dalton Trumbo from the Howard Fast novel. Cut for 1967 reissue. In restored print, Anthony Hopkins dubbed Olivier's voice for notorious bathing scene with Curtis. Roadshow version video runs 196m with overture, intermission/entr'acte, exit music, and restored footage. Remade for cable in 2004."
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Post by Popeye Doyle on Oct 6, 2020 9:53:24 GMT
Been about 15 years since last seeing it. Wishing I still had the Criterion Collection DVD. I remember liking it and the movie.
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Post by politicidal on Oct 6, 2020 13:31:08 GMT
Had mixed feelings about it originally. But it’s since grown on me.
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Post by vegalyra on Oct 6, 2020 13:48:22 GMT
It’s a good film. The “restored” blu ray is beautiful. Beware the original Blu ray release. There were issues with it. The film is amazing. One of the earlier non Biblical widescreen epics that was critically acclaimed and did well at the box office I’d I remember correctly. Ustinov is definitely one of the big draws here.
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Post by Archelaus on Oct 6, 2020 15:04:05 GMT
Stanley Kubrick probably didn't like the finished film (due to the lack of creative control), but it's one of my favorite films that he has made. It's an old-fashioned historical epic with great performances, fantastic production design, immersive scale, and terrific action sequences. I do agree with Kubrick that the character of Spartacus was depicted too flawlessly, but it is what it is.
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Post by bravomailer on Oct 6, 2020 15:52:17 GMT
A good film but the rebels are overly virtuous and the musical leit motif hammers this home in case anyone missed it. The historical evidence of the Spartacus rebellion indicates they simply pillaged and burned. The best performances are given by the Romans - Olivier, Laughton, and Ustinov.
I wonder what the release will do with the Olivier-Curtis bath scene. Once deleted for showing homosexuality, it might now get dropped for showing it in a bad light.
Ustinov's recollection of working with Olivier:
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Post by Archelaus on Oct 6, 2020 16:02:01 GMT
A good film but the rebels are overly virtuous. And the musical leit motif hammers this home in case anyone missed it. The historical evidence of the Spartacus rebellion indicates they simply pillaged and burned. The best performances are given by the Romans - Olivier, Laughton, and Ustinov. I wonder what the release will do with the Olivier-Curtis bath scene. Once deleted for showing homosexuality, it might now get dropped for showing homosexuality in a bad light. Ustinov's recollection of working with Olivier: I can't see why they would cut it now because the film has been restored, but for its time, it had a rather liberal stance. Unless you're a conservative Christian, or just plainly homophobic, homosexuality being a matter of personal taste rather than something immoral is something most people can agree on.
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Post by bravomailer on Oct 6, 2020 16:04:52 GMT
A good film but the rebels are overly virtuous. And the musical leit motif hammers this home in case anyone missed it. The historical evidence of the Spartacus rebellion indicates they simply pillaged and burned. The best performances are given by the Romans - Olivier, Laughton, and Ustinov. I wonder what the release will do with the Olivier-Curtis bath scene. Once deleted for showing homosexuality, it might now get dropped for showing homosexuality in a bad light. Ustinov's recollection of working with Olivier: I can't see why they would cut it now because the film has been restored, but for its time, it had a rather liberal stance. Unless you're a conservative Christian, or just plainly homophobic, homosexuality being a matter of personal taste rather than something immoral is something most people can agree on. That scene links homosexuality to a sinister, power-hungry, politician-general who is the film's arch-villain.
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Post by Archelaus on Oct 6, 2020 16:15:50 GMT
I can't see why they would cut it now because the film has been restored, but for its time, it had a rather liberal stance. Unless you're a conservative Christian, or just plainly homophobic, homosexuality being a matter of personal taste rather than something immoral is something most people can agree on. That scene links homosexuality to a sinister, power-hungry, politician-general who is the film's arch-villain. That's true, but Crassus's bisexual preferences is not the character's defining trait. He is mainly known for being power-hungry and oppressive.
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Post by TheOriginalPinky on Oct 6, 2020 16:47:10 GMT
I see it at least twice a year in restored version. It's held up pretty well, and is always a pleasure to watch. Glorious cinematography for which Kubrick was the master. Good thing Douglas held him in check, otherwise it would have been a film with cardboard characters showing no depth or humanity!
Ah, the infamous scene! It always makes me chuckle!
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Post by teleadm on Oct 6, 2020 17:10:01 GMT
Great movie, many memorable scenes with great actors and actresses.
Must have been a huge economic gamble by Kirk Douglas and his Bryna Productions.
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Post by OldAussie on Oct 7, 2020 1:04:20 GMT
Great movie.
Romans much more interesting than the slaves.
In my top 3 Kubrick's.
9.5/10
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Post by TheOriginalPinky on Oct 7, 2020 12:27:57 GMT
Great movie. Romans much more interesting than the slaves. In my top 3 Kubrick's. 9.5/10 Is Paths of Glory one of your other two? It's a really powerful movie.
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Post by mortsahlfan on Oct 7, 2020 15:24:49 GMT
Good movie.. This broke the blacklist
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Post by Prime etc. on Oct 7, 2020 15:52:48 GMT
There is a 1950s Italian Spartacus film and a few ideas from it turn up in his script (as they are not in the novel).
It has lots of memorable moments but I don't think it holds up as well as Ben-Hur or Barabbas, especially the romance--weakest part of the film.
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Post by Zos on Oct 7, 2020 16:15:26 GMT
I see it's on 4k now, would like to give that a watch sometime. Wait till it comes down in price though.
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Post by janntosh on Oct 7, 2020 16:20:25 GMT
watched this is World History in high school. Great movie!
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Post by OldAussie on Oct 7, 2020 20:54:16 GMT
Great movie. Romans much more interesting than the slaves. In my top 3 Kubrick's. 9.5/10 Is Paths of Glory one of your other two? It's a really powerful movie. yep Paths of Glory 9.5 Spartacus 9.5 2001 - 10/10
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Post by TheOriginalPinky on Oct 7, 2020 21:09:49 GMT
Is Paths of Glory one of your other two? It's a really powerful movie. yep Paths of Glory 9.5 Spartacus 9.5 2001 - 10/10 Oh, thank God that The Shining isn't among them! I agree with your choices.
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Post by Feologild Oakes on Oct 8, 2020 10:06:31 GMT
I just watched that movie for the first time earlier this year, its a good movie.
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