During the last century of the Roman Empire's rule, thousands are born enslaved to either the privileged class known as patricians or the wealthiest of the commoners, known as plebeians. One exceptionally strong slave in the rock mines of Libya, Spartacus, is regularly whipped for displaying his intelligence and pride. One day, Batiatus, who trains slaves to become gladiators, purchases Spartacus and several other slaves for his training camp in Capua. There, Batiatus announces that each man will be taught to fight to the death strategically, for the pleasure of patricians who enjoy the "sport." Training proves as dehumanizing as the mines; each slave is branded, mercilessly instructed by head trainer Marcellus, and kept in cells. Spartacus tries to befriend Ethopian gladiator Draba, but soon learns that the men refuse to ally, knowing that they may be forced to kill each other. One night, Spartacus is presented the slave woman Varinia. Batiatus and Marcellus, knowing that Spartacus has never had a woman, watch from a grate above his cell as Varinia stoically undresses. Their laughter disgusts Spartacus, and after he refuses to mistreat the young woman, Batiatus takes her away as punishment for not acting as "a man." Over the next weeks, Spartacus excels at gladiatorial skills and falls further in love with Varinia. Marcellus attempts to derail their attraction, but the couple manages to exchange furtive touches. One day, Marcus Licinius Crassus, a patrician in competition with the plebeian Gracchus for control of the Roman Senate, arrives at Capua along with his wife Lady Helena, sister-in-law Claudia and her fiancé, Marcus Glabrus. To celebrate the betrothal, Crassus insists that a gladiatorial match be arranged, ignoring Batiatus' concern that forcing the slaves to fight to the death in their own camp could cause an uprising. Helena and Claudia choose four slaves, including Spartacus and Draba, to fight, and order them to be scantily clad. As the matches begin, the patricians banter happily, undisturbed by the desperation of the fighting men. Spartacus listens from the holding cell as a friend is killed, then enters into battle against Draba. Draba overcomes Spartacus, but, unwilling to kill his compatriot, instead attacks Crassus and is immediately killed by a guard. When Spartacus later hears that Crassus has bought Varinia, he can no longer control his rage, and attacks Marcellus. Emboldened, the other slaves follow suit and escape, forming an "army" that travels across the countryside, looting landowners and freeing slaves, who then join the swelling ranks. Word soon spreads to Rome of the slave rebellion, causing outrage in the senate. While Crassus is away, Gracchus cannily challenges Glabrus, now head of the Roman garrison, to lead some of the troops against the slaves, leaving Julius Caesar as temporary chief of the remaining garrison. When Crassus returns, he comprehends immediately that Gracchus plots to keep Glabrus out of Rome, leaving Crassus more vulnerable to attack. Meanwhile, Spartacus inspires his troops to form a united front that can sweep across the country and escape over the sea to their homelands. In one town, Spartacus is elated to find Varinia, who has escaped and now confesses her love. Back in Rome, while Crassus admires his new "body slave," Antoninus, Gracchus schemes with Batiatus, who blames Crassus for Spartacus' rebellion. Soon, Spartacus' army settles at Mt. Vesuvius, where an escaped Antoninus impresses Spartacus, who longs for an education, with his songs. One day, Tigranes, a representative of Salician pirates, visits to offer the slaves support. Spartacus trades the army's riches for 500 ships, to await the army on the east coast of Italy. Tigranes agrees to the trade, and when he wonders aloud why Spartacus believes he can defeat the mighty Roman garrison, the former slave replies that, unlike soldiers, his men are not afraid to die, since even death is preferable to a life in chains. Soon after, Glabrus arrives and, underestimating the intelligence of the slaves, fails to prepare his troops adequately. Spartacus is able to destroy the garrison and capture Glabrus, whom he sends back to the senate with the message that the army will not be stopped. Crassus is forced to banish Glabrus and retire in shame. Throughout the winter, Spartacus' ever-growing group crosses the country, many dying along the way. In the spring, Spartacus is overjoyed to learn that Varinia is pregnant. Meanwhile, Gracchus convinces the senate to name Caesar as commander of the garrison and to send two legions to destroy Spartacus. When no one volunteers to lead the legions against Spartacus, Gracchus is forced to ask Crassus, who is delighted to head the campaign to "restore order" to Rome. Later, Gracchus reveals to Caesar that he has maneuvered the sale of the Salician ships to Spartacus, knowing that Spartacus' triumph will spell defeat for Crassus. Although Spartacus celebrates upon reaching an encampment a mere twenty miles away from the Salician ships, Tigranes soon arrives, with the news that Pompey and Crassus have conspired to surround Spartacus' army, necessitating the withdrawal of the ships. Spartacus realizes that Crassus is forcing him to attack Rome, which will allow the patrician to use all the troops at his disposal against them. Dismissing Tigranes' offer to smuggle Spartacus and Antoninus, now his closest aide, to freedom, Spartacus instead stirs his troops to march against Rome. At the same time, the Romans elect Crassus as head consul and leader of the legions, and he vows to destroy Spartacus and restore order to the empire. The armies soon come within fighting distance of each other, and Crassus, single-minded in his fear of and hatred for Spartacus, pays Batiatus to identify the former slave on the battleground. Just before the battle, Spartacus tells Varinia that his only prayer is for his son to be born free and to learn about his father's cause. Within hours, Crassus' trained troops have overcome the slave army, and Crassus announces to the survivors that they will be spared crucifixion if they identify Spartacus. Spartacus stands to speak, but before he can sacrifice himself, Antoninus stands and declares, "I am Spartacus." One by one, each slave follows suit, choosing death over betraying the man who brought him freedom. Enraged, Crassus orders them all to be crucified during a long march, lining the road to Rome with their bodies. He also finds Varinia, clutching Spartacus' newborn son, and sends her to his estate. Along the march, Crassus recognizes Antoninus and then, upon spotting Spartacus, guesses he may be his enemy, and orders the two men be kept alive until they reach his estate. There, he banishes Gracchus to the country, intending to use him in the future for his popularity with the "rabble." Soon after, Batiatus experiences what Gracchus terms "a bad case of dignity" and refuses to identify Spartacus, and instead plots with Gracchus to steal Varinia from the estate in order to irritate Crassus. Crassus dotes on Varinia, whose love he believes will prove his superiority over Spartacus but she vows never to stop loving Spartacus. Meanwhile, Spartacus mourns Varinia and his son, who he assumes have died. When Crassus confronts Spartacus, the slave spits in his face, spurring the dictator to order him to fight Antoninus to death, with the winner to be crucified. Spartacus and Antoninus fight valiantly, each trying to save the other from a more painful death, and Spartacus soon triumphs. After murmuring that he loved Spartacus like a father, Antoninus dies, and Spartacus proclaims that "he will come back, and he will be millions." Crassus, fearful even in his victory, orders Spartacus crucified at the gates to Rome. Meanwhile, Batiatus brings Varinia and the boy to Gracchus, who presents them with falsified papers that will allow them freedom, then kills himself. As Varinia leaves Rome, she catches sight of Spartacus on the cross. In his last moments of life, Spartacus sees Varinia lift his son and hears her declare that the boy, now free, will never forget his father.

Director:
Stanley Kubrick	Director
Anthony Mann	Dir of Libyan slave camp scenes
Marshall Green	Assistant Director
Yakima Canutt	2nd Unit Director
Cast:
Kirk Douglas	as Spartacus
Laurence Olivier	as [Marcus Licinius] Crassus
Jean Simmons	as Varinia
Charles Laughton	as Gracchus
Peter Ustinov	as Batiatus
John Gavin	as Julius Caesar
Nina Foch	as Helena
John Ireland	as Crixus
Herbert Lom	as Tigranes
John Dall	as Marcus Glabrus
Charles McGraw	as Marcellus
Joanna Barnes	as Claudia
Harold J. Stone	as David
Woody Strode	as Draba
Peter Brocco	as Ramon
Paul Lambert	as Gannicus
Robert J. Wilke	as Guard captain
Nicholas Dennis	as Dionysius
John Hoyt	as Caius
Frederic Worlock	as Laelius
Tony Curtis	as Antoninus as
Saul Gorss	as Slave leader
Charles Horvath	as Slave leader
Gil Perkins	as Slave leader
Johnny Daheim	as Capua guard
Dayton Lummis	as Symmachus
Lili Valenty	as Old crone
Jil Jarmyn	as Julia
Jo Summers	as Slave girl
Autumn Russell	as Slave girl
Kay Stewart	as Slave girl
Lynda Lee Williams	as Slave girl
Louise Vincent	as Slave girl
Harry Harvey Jr.	as Young slave
Edwin Parker	as Middle-aged slave
Herold Goodwin	as Slave
David Bond	as Slave
Bill Raisch	as Slave
John Barton	as Slave
John Duncan	as Slave
Lorrie Pettit	as Slave
Philip Altman	as Slave
Pete Kellett	as Slave
Frosty Royce	as Slave
Doris Darling	as Slave
Edith Happy	as Slave
Mary Donovan	as Slave
Lila Finn	as Slave
Joan McKellen	as Slave
Donna Hall	as Slave
Chuck Roberson	as Slave
Don Happy	as Slave
Polly Burson	as Slave
Helen Thurston	as Slave
Betty Harford	as Slave
James Griffith	as Otho
Joe Haworth	as Marius
Anthony Jochim	as Petitioner
Craig Duncan	as Petitioner
Jack Grinnage	as Petitioner
Roy Engel	as Roman businessman
Paul Keast	as Roman businessman
Marvin Goux	as Trainer
Dale Van Sickel	as Trainer
Rod Normond	as Guard
Larry Perron	as Guard
Peter Virgo	as Guard
Fred Zendar	as Guard
John Benson	as Guard
Wayne Burson	as Guard
Dick Crockett	as Guard
Carey Loftin	as Guard
Harvey Perry	as Guard
Ronnie Rondell	as Guard
Don Turner	as Guard
Will White	as Guard
Ted de Corsia	as Legionary
Arthur Batanadies	as Legionary
Robert Stevenson	as Legionary
John Stephenson	as Centurion
Logan Field	as Centurion
Terence de Marney	as Majordomo
Basil Howes	as Orderly
Tracy Olsen	as Girl
Vinton Hayworth	as Metallius
Carleton Young	as Herald
Hallene Hill	as Beggar woman
Paul Burns	as Fimbria
Leonard Penn	as Garrison officer
Harry Johnson	as Juggler
Duke Johnson	as Juggler
Jeanne Gerson	as Woman selling chestnuts
Dayton Osmond	as Boy chicken seller
John Traux	as Prisoner
Shari Lee Bernath	as Little girl
Otto Malde	as Roman general
Paul Kruger	as Roman senator
Richard Farnsworth	as Gladiator
Loren Janes	as Gladiator
Jerry Summers	as Gladiator
Billy Williams	as Gladiator
Paul Baxley	as Gladiator
Al Carmichael	as Gladiator
Frank Donahue	as Gladiator
Louis Elias	as Gladiator
Robert Hoy	as Gladiator
Hubert Kerns	as Gladiator
Bob Morgan	as Gladiator
Regis Parton	as Gladiator
Victor Paul	as Gladiator
Jack Perkins	as Gladiator
Wally Rose	as Gladiator
Aaron Saxon	as Gladiator
Alex Sharp	as Gladiator
Tom Steele	as Gladiator
Glenn Thompson	as Gladiator
Charles Wilcox	as Gladiator
Maurice Elias	as Gladiator
Don Bramblett	as Gladiator
Eugene Poole	as Pirate
Bob Burns	as Pirate
Preston Peterson	as Pirate
Seaman Glass	as Pirate
Norman Bishop	as Pirate
George Robotham	as Pirate
Stubby Kruger	as Pirate
Courtney Brown	as Pirate
Charlotte Fletcher	as Mother
Judy Erwin	as Child
Larry Thor	as Staff officer
Wayne Heffley	as Slave guard
Chuck Courtney	as Soldier
Rube Schaffer	as Soldier
Jim Sears	as Soldier
Russ Saunders	as Soldier
Bill Shannon	as Soldier
Valley Keene	as Soldier
Tap Canutt	as Soldier
Joe Canutt	as Soldier
Chuck Hayward	as Soldier
Bill Catching	as Soldier
Jack Williams	as Soldier
Jerry Brown	as Soldier
Buff Brady	as Soldier
Cliff Lyons	as Soldier
Desmond Koch	as Soldier
Brad Harris	as Soldier
Wayne Van Horn	as Soldier
Cinematography:
Russell Metty	Director of Photography
Clifford Stine	Addl scenes photog
Writer:
Millard Kaufman	Screenwriter
Producer:
Kirk Douglas	Executive Producer
Edward Muhl	Executive Producer
Edward Lewis	Producer
Editing:
Robert Lawrence	Film Editor
Robert Schulte	Asst to the film ed
Fred Chulack	Asst to the film ed
Music:
Alex North	Music Composition and Conducting
Joseph Gershenson	Score co-cond
Arnold Schwarzwald	Music Editor
Art Director:
Alexander Golitzen	Production Design
Eric Orbom	Art Director
Roger Furse	Production Design
Visual Effects:
Saul Bass	Main titles and des consultant
Make-Up:
Bud Westmore	Makeup
Larry Germain	Hairstylist
Costume-Wardrobe:
Peruzzi	Wardrobe
Bill Thomas	Miss Simmons' cost
Valles	Costumes
Art Department:
Russell A. Gausman	Set Decoration
Julia Heron	Set Decoration
Sound:
Waldon O. Watson	Sound
Murray Spivack	Sound
Ronald Pierce	Sound
Joe Lapis	Sound
Film Production - Main:
Vittorio Nino Novarese	Historical and tech adv
Norman Deming	Unit Production Manager
Stan Margulies	Prod aide
Jeff Livingston	Exec coord of sales and advertising

The film begins with a voice-over narration stating that before Christianity, the Roman Republic ruled as the center of the civilized world, but remained stricken with the disease of slavery. Although some reviews noted the story's unreliable correlation to history, many of the film's characters were derived from real figures, including Spartacus (d. 71 B.C.), Marcus Licinius Crassus (d. 53 B.C.) and Caius Sempronius Gracchus (d. 121 B.C.). As depicted in the film, Spartacus was a Thracian slave who broke out of a Capuan gladiators' school to lead a revolt that was eventually suppressed by Crassus, who then crucified his captives by the hundreds. In contrast to the film, Spartacus was killed in battle, after which Crassus ruled Rome in a triumvirate with Pompey and Julius Caesar. Gracchus lived decades earlier, and helped organize a social reform movement that lasted only a few years before being repealed. He was killed in a series of riots protesting the repeal.
       On March 19, 1958, Kirk Douglas' company, Bryna Productions, announced a production deal with Universal that would begin with the studio providing co-financing and distribution services for a film to be based on the 1951 Howard Fast novel Spartacus. The film's proposed budget at that time was $4,000,000. In August 1958, Alciona Productions planned to produce a film entitled Spartacus and the Gladiators (not based on Fast's book) with Yul Brynner as star, Martin Ritt as director and United Artists as distributor. Bryna protested the use of the title, but on August 21, 1958, Hollywood Reporter announced that the MPAA had awarded Alciona sole use of the name. Bryna then appealed the decision, and according to Douglas' autobiography, after a brief competition, United Artists conceded the rights to the name in October 1958.
       According to a modern source, David Lean was considered to direct Spartacus, but declined. Laurence Olivier was then asked to direct, but Hollywood Reporter reported in October 1958 that he had "relinquished" the directing assignment, as he felt the dual role of actor-director would prove too demanding. Anthony Mann took over as director, but was fired by Douglas after two weeks of shooting. Douglas stated in his autobiography that he considered Mann "too docile," especially for the powerful actors dominating the cast. The scenes that Mann shot, consisting mainly of the opening sequence depicting slaves working in the mines, remain in the final film. Douglas then hired Stanley Kubrick, who began shooting on February 16, 1959.
       Modern sources refer to numerous disputes between Kubrick and various cast and crew members, most notably Douglas and writer Dalton Trumbo. At the time that Douglas hired Trumbo to adapt Fast's novel, Trumbo, a member of the Hollywood Ten, was still blacklisted because of his refusal to testify before the House Committee on Un-American Activities. Douglas related the following in his autobiography: Trumbo was forced to work in secret, often using either producer Edward Lewis as a front, or the pen name of "Sam Jackson." When the final writing credit needed to be decided, Kubrick suggested using his own name, which so offended Douglas that he insisted Trumbo receive onscreen credit in his own name. Despite the ensuing opposition from the American Legion and such personalities as Hedda Hopper and John Wayne, this credit constituted, as a April 26, 1991 New York Times article described it, "a giant step toward ending the Hollywood blacklist." (Some modern sources dispute this status, pointing out that Trumbo also received credit for the United Artists film Exodus, which was not released until December 1960 but May have set its credit list earlier.)
       Sabina Bethmann was originally hired to play "Varinia," but on February 20, 1959 the "Rambling Reporter" column in Hollywood Reporter noted that she had been paid $3,000 to leave the production. According to studio press materials, technical director Vittorio Nino Novarese was a professor of history, costume and décor at the Italian State School for Cinematographical Studies. Modern sources state that Richard Farnsworth, who played a gladiator in the film, also served as Douglas' stand-in.
       Many injuries occurred during the long production. According to a May 22, 1959 Hollywood Reporter news item, Tony Curtis split his Achilles' tendon while playing tennis with Douglas and was placed in a cast from heel to knee. His scenes were then delayed until his leg healed. The following month, as reported in Hollywood Reporter, Douglas contracted the flu, causing production to halt for five days. In addition, longtime Universal art director Eric Orbom died of a heart attack during production, in May 1959.
       After principal photography was completed in Los Angeles in early August 1959, Kubrick and photographer Clifford Stine traveled to Spain to shoot battle scenes. According to an October 1959 Hollywood Reporter news item, 8,800 Spanish army troops were photographed for the sequence. Hollywood Reporter reported on October 15, 1959 that the crowd noises used in the sequence were to be recorded at the upcoming football game between Notre Dame and Michigan State. According to a March 22, 1959 article in New York Times, "upwards of 50,000 [extras] took part" in the battle sequences, which were supplemented by dummies and painted backdrops. In addition to scenes shot on location in Spain and Los Angeles, news items and reviews add that some scenes were shot in St. George, UT, Arizona, Italy and in California at Hearst Castle in San Simeon, Death Valley and Chatsworth.
       Spartacus was shot in Super Technirama-70, a widescreen process based on VistaVision. Technirama used 35mm film spooled through the camera horizontally, allowing for a frame twice the size of the normal 35mm negative. Hollywood Reporter reported on July 24, 1959 that Kubrick spent $40,000 on the over-ten-acre gladiator camp set. On the side of the set that bordered the freeway, a 125-foot asbestos curtain was erected in order to film the burning of the camp, which was organized with collaboration from the Los Angeles Fire and Police Departments. Studio press materials state that 5,000 uniforms and seven tons of armor were borrowed from Italian museums, and that "every one of Hollywood's 187 stunt men was trained in the gladiatorial rituals of combat to the death." Modern sources note that production utilized approximately 10,500 people. In July 1959, Hollywood Reporter announced that the budget had "spiraled" from $5,000,000 to $9,000,000, and according to studio press materials, the final budget was $12,000,000. Some sources stated that the massive production was the most expensive in film history to that point; however, the budget for the 1959 M-G-M epic Ben-Hur exceeded $15,000,000. The April 1991 New York Times article points out that this amount equaled more than Universal was worth at the time of the film's production, when the studio was purchased by MCA for $11,250,000.
       Although sources conflict about running times, contemporary reviews following press screenings state a range from 190 to 195 minutes. An April 1991 Connoisseur article states that the National Catholic Legion of Decency demanded that five minutes of objectionable material be cut from the film, including graphic battle scenes and what is commonly referred to by modern sources as the "snails and oysters" scene. In the scene, during which the bi-sexual "Crassus," is in his bath, he obliquely questions "Antoninus" about his sexual orientation through a metaphorical discussion of his own preference for snails sometimes and oysters at other times.
       Universal's advertising campaign, which began in December 1959, declared that "1960 is the year of Spartacus." The film's world premiere was held on September 22, 1960 at the DeMille Theatre in New York. The contract between the theater and Universal included a $1,000,000 film rental minimum, the highest ever for a motion picture. According to a April 7, 1960 Hollywood Reporter article, the theater installed a new screen and projectors for the premiere. The picture was shown with a fifteen-minute intermission. To coincide with the film's release, Bantam published a paperback version of Spartacus containing a sixteen-page illustrated booklet of material from the film, including drawings, credits and a summary.
       Modern sources add the following names to the crew credits: Acting coach Jeff Corey; Hair stylist Jay Sebring; Storyboard artists Claude Gillingwater and Johnny Peacock; Sound Jack Foley; Stunt Coordinator Johnny Daheim; Stunt double for Kirk Douglas Loren Janes; and Stuntman Sol Goras. The Hollywood Reporter reviewer called Spartacus "magnificent," "monumental" and "a splendid achievement." The picture received the 1960 Golden Globe for Best Picture and Academy Awards for Supporting Actor (Peter Ustinov), Art Direction, Cinematography and Costume Design. Spartacus ranked number 62 in the AFI 100 Years...100 Thrills list, and the character of Spartacus ranked 22 in the AFI 100 Years...100 Heroes & Villains list.
       In 1990, Universal launched a restoration of Spartacus, done by Robert A. Harris and James C. Katz. The new version included previously excised material, including the "snails and oysters" scene. Because Olivier had died by the time of the restoration, Harris hired Anthony Hopkins to dub Crassus' dialogue. The restored version, in 70mm and six-track Dolby sound, had its premiere on April 21, 1991 in New York at a benefit for the American Film Institute. On April 24, 2001, the Criterion Collection released a special-edition Spartacus DVD that included commentary by Douglas, Lewis, Fast, Ustinov and Harris.
       Other film versions of the Spartacus story include a 1909 Italian film entitled Spartacus, as well as 1963's The Slave and the 1965 picture Revenge of the Gladiators, both of which were Italian productions. In 2004, the USA Network broadcast a television miniseries of Spartacus, directed by Robert Dornhelm and starring Goran Visnjic. Many reviewers of the Oscar-winning 2001 film Gladiator noted the similarities between it and Spartacus. Gladiator was directed by Ridley Scott and starred Russell Crowe.

1960 Academy Award Nominations for Best Film Editing and Best Original Score.

1960 Academy Award Winner for Best Supporting Actor (Ustinov), Best Color Cinematography, Best Color Art Direction, and Best Color Costume Design.

1960 Golden Globe Award Winner for Best Picture--Drama.

Expanded re-release in United States May 3, 1991

Released in United States April 24, 2001

Released in United States Fall October 1960

Released in United States October 1960

Released in United States on DVD April 24, 2001

Re-released in United States April 26, 1991

Re-released in United States on Video November 7, 1991

Stanley Kubrick replaced director Anthony Mann 14 days after shooting had started. Mann had already shot the opening scenes in Libya and Spartacus' arrival at the gladiator school.

Shown at AFI Los Angeles International Film Festival (1991 restored version) April 11-25, 1991.

Shown at FILMEX: Los Angeles International Film Exposition (The Epic: A Monumental Movie Marathon) March 4-21, 1980.

Shown at San Francisco International Film Festival (1991 restored version) April 26-May 9, 1991.

Shown at Sundance Film Festival (Stanley Kubrick: American Master Abroad) in Park City, Utah January 16-26, 1992.

Shown at WideScreen Film Festival in Los Angeles October 31 - November 16, 1997.

Shown in New York City (American Museum of the Moving Image) as part of program "Stanley Kubrick" August 10 - September 1, 1996.

c Technicolor

Dolby (1991 restored version)

rtg MPAA PG-13 (re-issue)

The original 1960 release included almost 10 minutes of overture, and entrance and exit music.

Universal Pictures trimmed the film upon its original release to avoid controversy over an implied homosexual seduction scene between Laurence Olivier and Tony Curtis.

Released in USA on laserdisc December 1988.

Re-released in London June 14, 1991.

Re-released in Paris July 17, 1991.

Super Technirama 70

Released in United States April 24, 2001

Released in United States on DVD April 24, 2001

Re-released in United States April 26, 1991 (1991 restored version; New York City, Los Angeles and Washington)

Expanded re-release in United States May 3, 1991

Released in United States Fall October 1960

Released in United States October 1960

Re-released in United States on Video November 7, 1991

Based on the novel Spartacus by Howard Fast (New York, 1951).