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Spartacus

Spartacus

History · Drama · Adventure · 1960

The rebellious Thracian Spartacus, born and raised a slave, is sold to Gladiator trainer Batiatus. After weeks of being trained to kill for the arena, Spartacus turns on his owners and leads the other slaves in rebellion. As the rebels move from town to town, their numbers swell as escaped slaves join their ranks. Under the leadership of Spartacus, they make their way to southern Italy, where they will cross the sea and return to their homes.

Movie details

Spartacus

“They trained him to kill for their pleasure ... but they trained him a little too well”

1960 History · Drama · Adventure 3h 17m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

7.5 / 10

Community rating

The rebellious Thracian Spartacus, born and raised a slave, is sold to Gladiator trainer Batiatus. After weeks of being trained to kill for the arena, Spartacus turns on his owners and leads the other slaves in rebellion. As the rebels move from town to town, their numbers swell as escaped slaves join their ranks. Under the leadership of Spartacus, they make their way to southern Italy, where they will cross the sea and return to their homes.

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.

The archetype split

Who fights over Spartacus?

The split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.

Taste neighbourhood

Nearby on the taste map.

TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.

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The Great Escape

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Unconquered

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Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

Stanley Kubrick

Written by

Dalton Trumbo · Peter Ustinov

Kirk Douglas

Kirk Douglas

Spartacus

Laurence Olivier

Laurence Olivier

Marcus Licinius Crassus

Jean Simmons

Jean Simmons

Varinia

Charles Laughton

Charles Laughton

Sempronius Gracchus

Peter Ustinov

Peter Ustinov

Lentulus Batiatus

John Gavin

John Gavin

Julius Caesar

Tony Curtis

Tony Curtis

Antoninus

Court is in session

Put Spartacus on trial.

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Prestige Tourist

“Ambition earns the room.”

The film reaches for consequence and scale, accepting the risk of seriousness instead of shrinking from it.

The prosecution The Popcorn Loyalist

“Importance has entered the chat.”

The production keeps announcing its significance, as though awards-season posture were proof of insight.