The Movie
I won't say that nobody makes true epic films anymore, but seldom are they on the scale of Stanley Kubrick's Spartacus. The big-screen adaptation of Howard Fast's novel was the costliest Hollywood movie of its era, requiring a cast of thousands and a host of major stars to recount the rebellious slave's story. An upstart by nature, Spartacus (Kirk Douglas) is sold from hard labor to gladiator training, where he learns many of the skills he will need as a newfound leader to his fellow escapees, following a bold and bloody emancipation. The arrogance and debauchery of oppressive Rome is laid bare (some viewed the movie as a pro-Communist), a formidable opposition to the hero's expanding goal to liberate every slave in Italy, educate them and create a new society. Yes, he's more than the average gladiator, although his is a very different story from that other gladiator, from Gladiator.
The Picture
This was also considered the most extensive restoration ever when it was rescued back in 1991, and all of that hard work is in evidence here. The movie was shot in the high-end Super Technirama 70mm process, yielding awesome clarity and detail within the 2:20:1 frame. There's a little compression visible in the shadows, and occasional shifts in quality, mostly owing to the restoration from disparate sources. Subtleties of focus are preserved, including the filters used for some shots of the lovely Jean Simmons. Blacks are respectable for such an old film that fell into such disrepair. And now that I've seen the sprawling battle sequence in HD, I can't imagine watching it in anything less. The tremendous length mandates a reduced overall bitrate, and yet the final results are extraordinary.
The Sound
The late Alex North is the principal beneficiary of the new DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 presentation, as his stirring musical score is now a high-resolution multichannel delight. Part of the restoration even includes the Overture and Entr'Acte (not chaptered!) plus some exit music that plays over "The Restoration" credits. Back in 1960, it was a special six-track mix (different from modern 5.1) in its 70mm showings, which was the state of the art at the time. In all other ways the audio is fine, big and enjoyable if understandably short on discrete rears and killer bass, although incidental effects (footsteps, weapons, horses) are employed generously. Fun fact: To complete the soundtrack for one lost scene, Sir Anthony Hopkins provides the voice for Lord Laurence Olivier's character.
The Extras
Some (not all) of the "DVD - Disc Two" contents from the 2001 Criterion Collection edition of Spartacus are included here. This single Blu-ray platter contains Deleted Scenes, alternate versions of the U.K. and U.S. versions of "Spartacus Meets Varinia," the altered finale from the 1967 re-cut of the film, and audio only for "Gracchus' Suicide," about eight minutes total. Archival Interviews with co-stars Simmons and Peter Ustinov are provided, a little less than seven minutes total, in black and white. "Behind-the-Scenes Footage" reveals Gladiator School specifically, the set construction and actor/stuntman rehearsals, without any synchronized sound (five minutes). Five Vintage Newsreels (black and white, five minutes total) round out the video extras. All are presented in standard definition.
The four-part still Image Gallery collects production photographs, concept art, costume designs, Saul Bass' storyboards plus an assortment of posters and print advertisements. Sadly missing is Criterion's multi-participant audio commentary headed by star/executive producer Douglas. The disc is however BD-Live-enabled.
Final Thoughts
At a whopping three hours and 17 minutes, this is considered to be the most comprehensive cut possible of the legendary Spartacus, and it is truly spectacular on Blu-ray. Seamlessly combining adventure, romance, political intrigue and even a bit of ancient history, it remains on the short list of must-see classics.
Product Details
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