Spartacus
Seen it?1960 | 197 min | History, Drama, Adventure
Friday Night FlickWhy it’s a Friday Night Flick
Critics loved it (94% on Rotten Tomatoes), it won 4 Oscars, people are still talking about it and audiences rate it highly (7.5 out of 10). Make plans for this one.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for adventure fans and history buffs. If you loved The Way Back or The Count of Monte Cristo, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Exciting.
- The pace
- Epic and sweeping, at 3 hr 17 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated PG-13. Probably too much for younger kids.
- It's long: 3 hr 17 min.
- Made in 1960: an older pace and style.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
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.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsVery strong
94% on Rotten Tomatoes, 87 on Metacritic
- AudiencesStrong
7.5 out of 10
- AwardsVery strong
Won 4 Oscars: Best Supporting Actor, Best Cinematography, Color, Best Costume Design, Color, Best Art Direction, Color. Won 1 Golden Globe: Best Motion Picture – Drama. Also nominated for 4 more Oscars, 4 more Golden Globes and 1 BAFTA.
- Box office & staying powerStrong
$60 million worldwide on a $12 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactVery strong
About 564K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
More like this
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The Way Back
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The Count of Monte Cristo Saturday SpecialAnother historical drama, and a Saturday Special.
The Great Escape Friday Night FlickAnother critically acclaimed adventure.
Agora
Weeknight WatchAnother historical drama, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
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Cast & crew
Directed by Stanley Kubrick
- Kirk DouglasSpartacus
- Laurence OlivierMarcus Licinius Crassus
- Jean SimmonsVarinia
- Charles LaughtonSempronius Gracchus
- Peter UstinovLentulus Batiatus
- John GavinJulius Caesar
- Tony CurtisAntoninus
- Nina FochHelena Glabrus
- John IrelandCrixus
- Herbert LomTigranes Levantus