This
movie is one of the few I would really call "revolutionary." It was a
favorite of the VVAW AI vets back in the day, who often referenced the
"I'm Spartacus!" "No, I'm Spartacus!" solidarity scene. I always loved
the sly references to modern times ("Damn those Republicans!") Even if
you've seen it many times, its worth a trek to the Cinerama to enjoy
this war horse not just on the big screen but in 70mm projection. The
Spartacus novel was written by a blacklisted Red, Howard Fast. If you
never read his novel "Freedom Road," about the American South during
Reconstruction, you really should take the time to do so before you die.
The screenplay was written by Dalton Trumbo ("Johnny Got His Gun,"
"Exodus"), one of the Hollywood Ten.
If you can't remember the details about this movie, here's a paste from Wikipedia:
Spartacus is a 1960 American epic historical drama film directed by Stanley Kubrick and starring Kirk Douglas as the rebellious slave of the title. The screenplay by Dalton Trumbo was based on the novel Spartacus by Howard Fast. It was inspired by the life story of the historical figure Spartacus and the events of the Third Servile War.
The film also starred Laurence Olivier as the Roman general and politician Marcus Licinius Crassus, Peter Ustinov, who won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role as slave trader Lentulus Batiatus, John Gavin as Julius Caesar,Jean Simmons, Charles Laughton and Tony Curtis. The film won four Oscars in all.
Douglas, whose Bryna Productions company was producing the film, removed original director Anthony Mann after
the first week of shooting. Kubrick, with whom Douglas had worked
before, was brought on board to take over direction. It is the only film
directed by Kubrick where he did not have complete artistic control.
Screenwriter Dalton Trumbo was blacklisted at the time as one of the Hollywood Ten. Kirk Douglas publicly announced that Trumbo was the screenwriter of Spartacus, and President John F. Kennedy crossed picket lines to see the movie, helping to end blacklisting. The author of the novel on which it is based, Howard Fast, was also blacklisted, and originally had to self-publish it.
The film became the biggest moneymaker in Universal Studios' history, until it was surpassed by Airport (1970).
See you at the movies!
Randy
