By chance, he is displayed to unctuous Roman businessman Lentulus Batiatus, who – impressed by his ferocity – purchases Spartacus for his gladiatorial school, where he instructs trainer Marcellus to not overdo his indoctrination because he thinks 'he has quality'. One of these, a proud and gifted Thracian named Spartacus, is so uncooperative in his position in a mining pit that he is sentenced to death by starvation.

In the first century BC, the Roman Republic has slid into corruption, its menial work done by armies of slaves. In 2017, it was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being 'culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.' Plot The film won four Academy Awards ( Best Supporting Actor for Ustinov, Best Cinematography, Best Art Direction and Best Costume Design), and became the biggest moneymaker in Universal Studios' history, until it was surpassed by Airport (1970). Kennedy crossed American Legion picket lines to view the film, helping to end blacklisting Howard Fast's book had also been blacklisted and he had to self-publish the original edition. Douglas publicly announced that Trumbo was the screenwriter of Spartacus, and President John F.

Screenwriter Dalton Trumbo was blacklisted at the time as one of the Hollywood Ten. It was the only film directed by Kubrick where he did not have complete artistic control.

Kubrick, with whom Douglas had made Paths of Glory (1957), was brought on board to take over direction. It stars Kirk Douglas in the title role, Laurence Olivier as Roman general and politician Marcus Licinius Crassus, Peter Ustinov as slave trader Lentulus Batiatus, John Gavin as Julius Caesar, Jean Simmons as Varinia, Charles Laughton as Sempronius Gracchus, and Tony Curtis as Antoninus.ĭouglas, whose company Bryna Productions was producing the film, removed original director Anthony Mann after the first week of shooting.

It is inspired by the life story of Spartacus, the leader of a slave revolt in antiquity, and the events of the Third Servile War. Spartacus is a 1960 American epic historical drama film directed by Stanley Kubrick, written by Dalton Trumbo, and based on the 1951 novel of the same title by Howard Fast.

Spartacus by Howard Fast