Kirk Douglas stars as Spartacus, Universal-International's historical epic recounting a slave revolt in ancient Rome. With Laurence Olivier, Tony Curtis and Jean Simmons.

The might, the majesty and the terror of ancient Rome was brought to the silver screen in 1960 via Spartacus, a $12 million historical epic starring Kirk Douglas in the title role. Directed by Stanley Kubrick, Spartacus also featured the talents of Laurence Olivier, Tony Curtis, Jean Simmons, Charles Laughton, Peter Ustinov, John Gavin, Nina Foch and a cast of thousands. I am Spartacus!

Based on the Novel by Howard Fast

Spartacus was based on the 1951 historical novel of the same name by Howard Fast (1914-2003). Self-published by the author's own publishing company, Blue Heron Press, Spartacus centered on a slave revolt against Rome in the year 71 B.C.

Kirk Douglas Buys the Movie Rights

The Spartacus movie story begins in 1957, when filmmaker Eddie Lewis showed actor Kirk Douglas the book by Howard Fast. Douglas, who owned his own film production company, Bryna Productions, then took an option on Spartacus.

Douglas first took his proposed film project to United Artists, whose president, Arthur Krim, turned it down because the studio was currently shooting a similar movie called The Gladiators starring Yul Brynner. Universal-International Pictures, however, had no such historical project in their future, and agreed to take on Douglas and his gladiator film.

Screenplay, Director, Hairstylist

The first writer to try his hand in adapting Spartacus to the screen was Howard Fast himself, whose original draft was deemed unacceptable. The producers then turned to Dalton Trumbo, a blacklisted screenwriter from the McCarthy Era who began working on the screenplay under the pseudonym "Sam Jackson" in order to avoid any trouble.

Anthony Mann was the original director on the film. When he and Kirk Douglas had a major falling out, 30-year-old Stanley Kubrick was brought in as his replacement.

Designing the hairdos for the slaves -- a butch cut on top with a small ponytail in back -- was Hollywood stylist Jay Sebring, who was later murdered by the Manson family in 1969.

The Cast

Right from the beginning Kirk Douglas and producer Eddie Lewis wanted to bring in some big name players for their epic. They got them, with Laurence Olivier (Marcus Licinius Crassus), Jean Simmons (Varinia), Tony Curtis (Antoninus), Charles Laughton (Sempronius Gracchus), Peter Ustinov (Lentulus Batiatus), John Gavin (Julius Caesar), Nina Foch (Helena Glabrus), John Ireland (Crixus), Herbert Lom (Tigranes Levantus) and Charles McGraw (Marcellus) leading the cast.

Originally tapped to play Varinia was German actress Sabine Bethmann, who was replaced by the British Jean Simmons.

Filming Locations

Spartacus began shooting on January 27, 1959, with the salt mine sequence in California's Death Valley National Park.

The huge, realistic battle scenes in Spartacus were filmed in Spain, with 8,500 extras -- including elements of the Spanish Army -- being used in six weeks of shooting. Cut from the finished product were several gruesome dismemberment scenes, which drew objections from the National Legion of Decency.

Also used were 76,000 fans at an October 17, 1959, college football game in East Lansing, Michigan, pitting the Michigan State Spartans vs. the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. The production company brought in three-channel sound equipment, and at halftime instructed the fans to shout lines like "Hail, Crassus" and "I am Spartacus." These sound effects were later incorporated into the movie, simulating the majesty of ancient Rome.

The Hearst Castle in San Simeon, California, was used as Crassus's Roman villa. It is here where horsemen can be seen riding up the marble steps.

Spartacus the Movie

The film opens in Libya, where the Thracian slave Spartacus is plucked from the salt mines and sent to gladiator school. In his first match, Spartacus is pitted against the Ethiopian Draba (Woody Strode), who expertly wields the trident and net. After Draba refuses to kill Spartacus, the Ethiopian rushes the royal box where he himself is killed by a Roman centurion.

Spartacus later incites a revolt at the gladiator school. Forming an army comprised of ex-gladiators and slaves, Spartacus then takes on the legions of Rome, hoping to march to the sea where ships provided by the Silesion pirates can take him and his followers to freedom.

The sheer might of Empire proves to be too much, with a vanquished Spartacus and some 6,000 of his followers brought back to Rome for crucifixion.

Release and Reviews

Spartacus made its world premiere in New York City on October 6, 1960.

"Massive epic...A new kind of Hollywood movie: a superspectacle with spiritual vitality and moral force..." reported Time magazine (10/24/60).

"A whale of a motion picture..." said Variety (10/12/60).

"Heroic humbug...It is bursting with patriotic fervor, bloody tragedy, a lot of romantic fiddle-faddle and historical inaccuracy," opined Bosley Crowther of The New York Times (10/7/60).

Box Office, Academy Awards, DVD

Spartacus grossed $11.1 million at the box office, placing #3 on the list of the top moneymaking films of 1960.

Nominated for six Academy Awards, Spartacus captured four: Best Supporting Actor (Peter Ustinov), Best Art Direction-Set Decoration/Color, Best Cinematography/Color and Best Costume Design/Color.

Spartacus has been available on DVD since 1998.

"There's only one way to deal with Rome, Antoninus. You must serve her. You must abase yourself before her. You must grovel at her feet. You must love her," Crassus lectures the poet slave.

When in Rome...