The film Spartacus directed by Stanley Kurbrick is known to date as one of the most successful motion pictures of all time and is critically acclaimed for its cultural, historical, and aesthetic significance to the film industry as well as pop culture where it is regarded as a classic. By today’s standards the film may seem dated as it was released in 1960, however in many ways it feels ahead of its time and shares qualities that you still see relevant the films of today such as intricate lighting techniques to signify mood and a musical score that emotionally drives the viewer along the course of the plot. Amassing four Academy Awards and becoming one of the first blockbuster hits of the modern film era, Spartacus not only has the credentials of a classic powerhouse, but the substance to complement the accolades.
It begins in 1st Century BC where Roman Republic has since fallen into a slum state of corruption with crooked aristocrats governing the law and trade while the menial work and labor-intensive jobs are done by armies of slaves. The setting depicts the once proud and opulent nation by hinting towards the reflection of how dominant the Roman Empire once was, only for the viewer to notice that it is in fact still prosperous, however it has not remained this way by the most noble means. The setting is also very visually radiant compared to other films of the era and incorporates color to draw the attention of the viewer towards the immediate plot and character action in the foreground, such as when he is being covered in paint during training, while leaving the background empty and bland in some scenes to help symbolize the vastness of the Roman Republic. The architecture is also true to the period with large opulent buildings being seen throughout the course of the movie that have intricate details such and decorative sculpting, massive stairways, and large stone columns that allow the building to give off an impressive look that emits wealth and power.
We are then introduced to Spartacus, a young rebellious slave who is so unwilling to continue his duties in a mining pit that his insubordination has him sentenced to death by starvation. By a stroke of luck he is saved from his sentence and almost certain death by a Roman businessman named Lentulus Batiatus, who was so impressed by his ferocious behavior and desire to live that he purchases Spartacus to be trained as a gladiator. He then undergoes extensive and physically abusive training lead by a man by the name of Marcellus who realizes the true potential of Spartacus which prompts him to push him, but not too hard in order to retain his value. Gladiators and the business built around their entertainment was very prevalent during the era of ancient Rome which the film captures the essence of well. From the large arena-like buildings similar to the Flavian Amphitheater that held these events, to the armor and weaponry showcased in the battles, this culture was what shaped the Roman Empire for generations and eventually lead to its demise which is apparent upon watching the film.
Spartacus then forms a relationship with a serving woman he had met in his cell with whom he faces many repercussions and humiliations due to mutually breaking the conditions of being a servant. Their relationship continues until she is eventually purchased by a wealthy Roman businessman and government official named Marcus Licinius Crassus, whose overall goal is to become a dictator of the Roman Republic. Meanwhile, Spartacus survives a fight where he was disarmed and left for dead until one of the other gladiators rebelled in a burst of defiance and attacked the audience ultimately ending in his death by the hands of one of Crassus’s guards. When Marcellus continues to humiliate Spartacus for his relationship with Varinia the servant he lashed back and kills him in a fit of rage which then erupts a riot. The gladiators are able to bombard the guard with sheer force and escape into the country where they then elect Spartacus as their leader. To put this into perspective, the Roman Republic had fallen under turbulent times and you can sense this unstable nature throughout the film where you recognize that there is foreshadowing leading to the fact that times are about to change and it can either be for better or worse.
Spartacus and his men pillage the countryside of Rome acquiring money and resources as well as gaining other forces of slaves along the way. Varinia is able to escape her capture at the hands of Crassus and return to join Spartacus accompanied by another slave by the name of Antoninus who was a slave entertainer. Amid panic ensuing in Rome, Spartacus convinces his men to fight to the death against the Republic in an attempt to abolish slavery and free all men forever. The rebellion is vicious and costs many lives but in the midst of all of the tyranny and mayhem in the streets of Rome, the city falls to its rebel which symbolizes the death of their old culture in the hopes of a new sustainable rebirth. Spartacus survives the carnage just long enough to see his baby son who is a living example of a new free citizen who has the opportunity to grow up in a slavery forbidden world all because of his doing. The film Spartacus was a classic take on an impressive Roman history that controlled much the world for generations and influenced a plethora of cultures for year to come. It can not fairly be compared to the blockbuster films of today, however its simplicity and heart provides the viewer with an interesting look upon a once dominant culture and the art that it spawned.
