IMDb > Spartacus (1960)
Spartacus
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Spartacus (1960) More at IMDbPro »

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Spartacus (1960) -- Screen legends Kirk Douglas, Tony Curtis and Laurence Olivier highlight an all-star cast in this Academy Award-winning epic about a gladiator whose love for a beautiful slave inspires him to lead a violent rebellion against the decadent Roman Empire. Dire
Spartacus (1960) -- The slave Spartacus leads a violent revolt against the decadent Roman empire.
Spartacus (1960) -- CineMagia.ro - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 19% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers:
Howard Fast (novel)
Dalton Trumbo (writer)
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Contact:
View company contact information for Spartacus on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
7 October 1960 (USA) more
Tagline:
They trained him to kill for their pleasure. . .but they trained him a little too well. . . more
Plot:
The slave Spartacus leads a violent revolt against the decadent Roman empire. full summary | full synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
Won 4 Oscars. Another 4 wins & 9 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(46 articles)
User Comments:

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)
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Additional Details

Also Known As:
Spartacus: Rebel Against Rome (USA) (poster title)
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Runtime:
184 min (premiere version) | Sweden:187 min (1968 re-release) | UK:197 min (1991 re-release) | USA:161 min (1967 re-release) | USA:198 min (1991 restored version)
Country:
Language:
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
2.20 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints) | Dolby SR (35 mm prints, restored version) | Mono (Westrex Recording System) (35 mm prints, original release)
Certification:
Canada:G (Quebec) (restored version) | Canada:G (Nova Scotia) (1967 version) | Spain:13 | Iceland:12 | Finland:K-14 (1992) | Finland:K-16 (1962) | South Korea:12 | Brazil:12 | New Zealand:PG | Argentina:13 | Australia:PG | Canada:AA (Ontario) (restored version) | Canada:G (Manitoba) (1967 version) | Canada:PG (Manitoba) (restored version) | Canada:PG (Ontario) (original release) | Denmark:15 | France:U | Germany:12 | Ireland:PG | Netherlands:12 (video rating) | Norway:16 (1963) | Sweden:15 | UK:PG | USA:PG-13 (restored version) | West Germany:16 | UK:A (original rating) (cut)

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Draba, played by Woody Strode, is killed in the ring after attacking one of the senators. His body is hung upside down in the gladiators' quarters as a warning. Originally this was going to be a replica of Strode, but when the effect wasn't satisfactory, he himself hung upside-down, ropes tied around his ankles. As the gladiators slowly file past his dangling body, Strode doesn't flinch or twitch. According to his son Kalai Strode, the unused replica hung inside the entrance to Universal Studios' prop room for several years. more
Goofs:
Revealing mistakes: During the gladiatorial battle between Spartacus and the black gladiator, the sword Spartacus is using is clearly shown as a prop sword with a retractable blade. more
Quotes:
[first lines]
Narrator: In the last century before the birth of the new faith called Christianity, which was destined to overthrow the pagan tyranny of Rome and bring about a new society, the Roman Republic stood at the very center of the civilized world. "Of all things fairest," sang the poet...
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Movie Connections:
Referenced in Life of Brian (1979) more

FAQ

Is "Spartacus" based on a novel?
A Note Regarding Spoilers
Besides Spartacus, Julius Caesar, and Marcus Licinius Crassus, what other characters in the film were not fictitious?
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54 out of 72 people found the following comment useful.
praise, 25 June 2001
10/10
Author: John von K from United Kingdom

The darkest historical epic. No dancing girls, no chariot races, filmed in sombre browns and reds. Nominally directed by Kubrick but Douglas, as a very 'hands on' producer was responsable for the operatic sweep of the film. I was astonished when revisiting the film in 1991 at the cinema at the bravery of the project-to have the hero cry several times, once even out of self pity and with a heart rending ending! The film has depth and weight, the characters are well drawn. The performances are almost flawless, Douglas managing as actor to create tension in each scene-Olivier, not withstanding his eyerolling mannerisms is perfectly cast. The minor parts are richly drawn-gravel voiced Charles McGraw, Herbert Lom and Woody Strode. The cinematography and music are flawless. Only John Dall as a very modern Glaberus and John Ireland as Crixus seem out of place. Ironically, despite the downbeat tone of the film it is impossible to watch it without being uplifted through your tears of compassion. Unofficialy remade as Braveheart...watch one after the other and you'll see the similarities in mood, theme and even the battle choreography. Spartacus would be my 'desert island' movie.

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