User Comments:
11 out of 12 people found the following comment useful:-
SPARTACUS: a flawed masterpiece, 26 May 2002
Author:
jwalzer5 from United States
As a student of Roman history, I generally cast a jaundiced eye on
Hollywood
epics dwelling on ancient Rome. They're either camp, like "QUO VADIS"
(Robert Taylor's impersonation of an actor is particularly unsettling), or
badly researched and preachy, like the incredibly overrated, "BEN-HUR"
(starring Charlton Heston, and his flying circus of facial tics). Given
Hollywood's miserable track record in handing out awards (i.e., "How Green
was my Valley" over "Citizen Kane"??? --- enough said), it is telling that
"Ben-Hur" snagged 11 Oscars, including Chuck's, but "Spartacus" was
virtually ignored (Ustinov's wonderful rendering of Lentulus Batiatus
excepted).
And yet, as history, "Spartacus" is a terrific film. There are,
inevitably,
inconsistencies: the real Gracchus (played by Charles Laughton), was dead
fifty years before Spartacus' rebellion occurred and Spartacus himself died
in the film's final battle - he was NOT crucified, an imaginary incident
conjured by Douglas to allow for a heart-breaking farewell scene with Jean
Simmons - this is regrettable, but forgivable, dramatic license. Overall,
however, "Spartacus" is one of the few films that can withstand historical
scrutiny. In one of many brilliant scenes, Olivier and his brother-in-law,
spectators at the gladiatorial school run by Ustinov, cavalierly discuss
politics, oblivious to the fact that, in the arena below, two men are
fighting for their lives. Their detachment from the slaughter being
perpetrated, ostensibly for their amusement, is a vivid and unforgettable
reminder that barbarism once passed for entertainment. And the
now-"Un-infamous" scene where Tony Curtis and Olivier make homoerotic small
talk is not only tame by today's standards, but quite realistic, given what
we now know of the bisexual nature of many upper-class Roman men in the
first century B.C.E.
There is one other flaw in "Spartacus": namely the sanctimonious
condemnation of slavery in the opening narration. Nearly all of
Hollywood's
films about ancient Rome -- indeed, the ancient world in general --
incorporate this tired, pompous disclaimer about slavery and the pernicious
effect it had on whatever civilization is being targeted: we need to be
reminded that here, in the USA, the evil that was slavery flourished for a
hundred years, as it flourished for centuries in Britain, Russia, Spain,
and
China: the United States of America endorsed and approved slavery, and
certain areas in this country still tolerate racism, misogyny, and
homophobia -- but we would resent any entity that would consider those
flaws
an embodiment of the American Mind. Oppression was no more typical of the
Roman Empire than Mississippi is typical of the United States (thank GOD!).
We should remember that before we condemn a culture that survived for over
2200 years (from the founding of Rome in 753 BCE to the fall of
Constantinople in 1453 CE). Finally, Alex North's wind-and-brass-besotted,
jagged score is wonderfully appropriate and especially effective in the
military scenes. This is one of the few films I felt compelled to buy, so
as to have my own copy. It is flawed, but only because Douglas aimed so
high, and it remains one of the few films that I term,
"great."
Check for other user comments. - I have seen this movie and would like to comment on it
Message Boards Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Spartacus (1960)
Recommendations If you like this title, we also recommend... Gladiator (2000) Show more recommendations
Add a recommendation
Email this page to a friend 
Update Information
|
company.�
Advertise on IMDb.�
License our content.
