Spartacus 4k Ultra-HD 60th Anniversary [Blu-ray] [2020]

very good

Spartacus is a 1960 American epic historical drama film directed by Stanley Kubrick and starring Kirk Douglas as the rebellious slave of the title. The screenplay by Dalton Trumbo was based on the novel Spartacus by Howard Fast. It was inspired by the life story of the historical figure Spartacus and the events of the Third Servile War.The film also starred Laurence Olivier as the Roman general and politician Marcus Licinius Crassus, Peter Ustinov, who won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role as slave trader Lentulus Batiatus, John Gavin as Julius Caesar, Jean Simmons, Charles Laughton and Tony Curtis. The film won four Oscars in all.Douglas, whose Bryna Productions company was producing the film, removed original director Anthony Mann after the first week of shooting. Kubrick, with whom Douglas had worked before, was brought on board to take over direction. It is the only film directed by Kubrick where he did not have complete artistic control.Screenwriter Dalton Trumbo was blacklisted at the time as one of the Hollywood Ten. Kirk Douglas publicly announced that Trumbo was the screenwriter of Spartacus, and President John F. Kennedy crossed picket lines to see the film, helping to end blacklisting. The author of the novel on which it is based, Howard Fast, was also blacklisted, and originally had to self-publish it. The film became the biggest moneymaker in Universal Studios' history, until it was surpassed by Airport (1970).Like with The Vikings, Spartacus was another one of Kirk Douglas's films that I bought as a present for my dad which he was also impressed with. I also watched the film and I enjoyed it as well because I believed it to be realistic, I think it's so much better than that TV series I saw once on Sky1 titled "Spartacus: Gods of the Arena" (a prequel series to another Spartacus TV series made for Sky1) which I felt wasn't very realistic due to it probably being made on the cheap with some battles that featured unrealistic gore at times that made the battles look like they were taken from a computer game. Thankfully there's none of that in this film as it was well acted by a wealth of talented actors and was also well directed. Very highly recommended.

Great old film well worth catching up with again

This version is Brill in 4k. I have the bluray verson but this is much as better detail picture and sound. Worth pick up. Looks very good on oled tv must buy

Been a fan of this movie since childhood. Reminds me growing up to be a young man throughout my teens of years gone by

Arrived swiftly and a excellent film

A gladiator leads a successful revolt against the Roman Empire 2000 years ago. For me this is director Stanley Kubrick's best film. Stunningly restored and remastered in 4K looking incredible in 4K Ultra HD, this is one of the best historical epics ever made with excellent performances from Kirk Douglas, Jean Simmons, Laurence Olivier, Tony Curtis, Peter Ustinov and John Gavin. An absolute must buy for classic film fans.

This movie is about Freedom. Made only 15 after WW2, it's themesare strong today, as it were then. Love and Freedom. I don't thinkanyone (in their right mind) can disagree with them?...I have seen this film many times, but as a true classic, it has moreto reveal on each watching... Lawrence Olivier steals the show, andthis has to be one of his best ever rolls. Black listed screenwriterDalton Trumbo, delivers a script that never slacks. I think this manknew a thing or two about denying freedom of expression... and themusic!... Alex North's score is so beautiful, once heard, it will hauntyou...It isn't really a Stanley Kubrick film,as he was only hired 3 weeks intofilming when Antony Mann was fired, and Kubrick disowned the movie.Why?... Who knows... it only won 4 Oscars...This film, is more than the sum of it's parts. Watch it, again, and again.