Despite a rise that finds Spartacus (Kirk Douglas) captured as slave, forced into combat, escape, and then leader of uprising and entire army, he and his men finally are undone by three converging armies.
The army’s overlord Crissus (Laurence Olivier) offers them a life saving deal–if they rat out their leader, they will all be spared crucifixion.
As they band together to forfeit their lives for their commander, Douglas sheds the manliest tears known to man, with poignant look, and expertly sums up the sanctity of brotherhood as a whole.
Fun Facts:
Anthony Hopkins was called upon to dub some of the late Olivier’s lines in the 1991 restoration.
Director Stanley Kubrick was hired to replace Anthony Mann early into production; Mann only shot the salt mines sequence.
The sound of the crowd chanting “Spartacus!” was recorded at Michigan State University football game.
My Oscar Book:
Oscar Nominations: 6
Supporting Actor: Peter Ustinov
Cinematography (color): Russell Metty
Art Direction-Set Decoration (color): Alexander Golitzen and Eric Orbom; Russell A. Gausman and Julia Heron
Costume Design (color): Valles and Bill Thomas
Scoring of Dramatic or Comedy: Alex North
Film Editing: Robert Lawrence
Oscar Awards 4
Supporting Actor
Cinematography
Art Direction-Set Decoration
Costume Design
Oscar Context:
Ernest Gold won the Scoring Oscar for Preminger’s “Exodus,” and Daniel Mandell the Editing Oscar for Billy Wilder’s “The Apartment,” which also won Best Picture.
