Spartacus (Criterion Collection)

Cast View all

	Kirk Douglas	Spartacus
	Laurence Olivier	Crassus
	Jean Simmons	Varinia
	Charles Laughton	Gracchus
	Peter Ustinov	Batiatus
	John Gavin	Julius Caesar
	Nina Foch	Helena Glabrus
	John Ireland	Crixus
	Herbert Lom	Tigranes Levantus
	John Dall	Marcus Publius Glabrus
	Charles McGraw	Marcellus
	Joanna Barnes	Claudia Marius
	Harold J. Stone	David
	Woody Strode	Draba
	Peter Brocco	Ramon
	Paul Lambert	Gannicus
	Robert J. Wilke	Guard Captain
	Nick Dennis	Dionysius
	John Hoyt	Caius
	Frederick Worlock	Laelius
	Tony Curtis	Antoninus
	Phil Altman	Slave
	David Armstrong	Small Role
	Joseph Bardo	A slave shouting 'I'm Spartacus'
	John Barton	Slave

Crew View all

Director	Stanley Kubrick
Writer	Dalton Trumbo, Howard Fast, Peter Ustinov, Calder Willingham, Plutarch
Producer	Kirk Douglas, Edward Lewis, Edward Muhl
Musician	Alex North
Photography	Russell Metty

Trailer

Edition details

Personal

Notes

Disc Features
SPECIAL EDITION DOUBLE-DISC SET

Stunning new 16×9 transfer of the 1991 fully restored Super Technirama version
Dolby Digital 5.1 surround soundtrack
Audio commentary by producer-actor Kirk Douglas, actor Peter Ustinov, novelist Howard Fast, producer Edward Lewis, restoration expert Robert A. Harris, and designer Saul Bass
Screenwriter Dalton Trumbo’s scene-by-scene analysis
Restoration demonstration
Rare deleted scenes
Vintage newsreel footage
1960 promotional interviews with Jean Simmons and Peter Ustinov
1992 video interview with Peter Ustinov
Behind-the-scenes “gladiatorial school” footage
The 1960 documentary The Hollywood Ten, plus archival documents about the blacklist
Original storyboards by Saul Bass
Hundreds of production stills, lobby cards, posters, print ads, and a comic book
Sketches by director Stanley Kubrick
Original theatrical trailer
Additional Alex North score compositions
English subtitles for the deaf and hearing impaired

Cover based on a theatrical poster by Saul Bass


Story Synopsis:
Winner of Academy Awards® for Supporting Actor (Peter Ustinov), Cinematography (color), Art Direction (color), and Costume Design (color), Spartacus is an extraordinary collectable of exquisite widescreen visuals and stunning tribute to the passionate art of filmmaking. Based on Howard Fast’s 1952 novel of a Roman slave revolt, this intelligent and engrossing epic features spectacular sets and action sequences, magnificently photographed in Technicolor’s Super Technirama 70. Based on the historical novel by Howard Fast.

DVD Picture:
The anamorphically enhanced 2.21:1 DVD exhibits a vastly improved picture over the previously released non-anamorphic DVD. Based on its comparison to the LaserDisc, the previous DVD was awarded a top score for image quality. By today’s standards, that review seems quite lenient. Criterion’s new anamorphically enhanced DVD (transferred from 65mm restoration elements) exhibits a brighter picture, with improved contrast, depth, and definition over the previous DVD release. Images are sharp and detailed, with nicely rendered detail into the costumes, backgrounds, and facial features. Some scenes exhibit soft images, like close-up shots of Jean Simmons. Contrast and shadow delineation are well balanced. Scenes, which were revealing of aliasing problems on the previous DVD, are solid on this version, though edge enhancement remains apparent. There is some minor pixelization detected at times, and finer details shimmer on occasion. The picture is quite clean, with only minor dirt and artifacts noticed, and minimal film grain. Despite the score on the previous DVD, this is undoubtedly the definitive version of Spartacus. (Suzanne Hodges)

Soundtrack:
The Dolby® Digital 5.1-channel soundtrack, in comparison to the previous Universal DVD, sounds a bit smoother and a little less strident, and also delivers a subtly more prominent low-end presence. This is a remastering effort that brings back much of the glory of the original magnetic multichannel audio. The vintage soundtrack has been very nicely restored, and the Alex North score recording shines through with a presence that is just a bit bright-sounding and with some distortion at times, but nonetheless prominently fills the listening space and imparts a compelling sense of expansiveness and envelopment. Sounds effects are generously spread amongst the screen channels, as is the characteristic directional dialogue. The surrounds are generally predominated by the music. Background noise is remarkably low, and voices are delivered with clarity and tonality that is only limited by the dated recording. This re-purposed soundtrack is definitely one to recommend for experiencing a panoramic soundstage that is engaging, and of resemblance to the original audio experience. A DTS® soundtrack, while originally announced to appear on this disc release, is not included. (Perry Sun)

DVD/Previously Reviewed DVD Comparative Review:

The anamorphically enhanced 2.21:1 DVD exhibits a vastly improved picture over the DVD previously reviewed in issue 28. Based on its comparison to the LaserDisc, the previous DVD was awarded a top score for image quality. By today’s standards, that review seems quite lenient. Criterion’s new anamorphically enhanced DVD (transferred from 65mm restoration elements) exhibits a brighter picture, with improved contrast, depth, and definition over the previous DVD release. Images are sharp and detailed, with nicely rendered detail into the costumes, backgrounds, and facial features. Some scenes exhibit soft images, like close-up shots of Jean Simmons. Contrast and shadow delineation are well balanced. Scenes, which were revealing of aliasing problems on the previous DVD, are solid on this version, though edge enhancement remains apparent. There is some minor pixelization detected at times, and finer details shimmer on occasion. The picture is quite clean, with only minor dirt and artifacts noticed, and minimal film grain. Despite the score on the previous DVD, this is undoubtedly the definitive version of Spartacus.

The Dolby® Digital 5.1-channel soundtrack, in comparison to the previous Universal DVD, sounds a bit smoother and a little less strident, and also delivers a subtly more prominent low-end presence. This is a remastering effort that brings back much of the glory of the original magnetic multichannel audio. The vintage soundtrack has been very nicely restored, and the Alex North score recording shines through with a presence that is just a bit bright-sounding and with some distortion at times, but nonetheless prominently fills the listening space and imparts a compelling sense of expansiveness and envelopment. Sounds effects are generously spread amongst the screen channels, as is the characteristic directional dialogue. The surrounds are generally predominated by the music. Background noise is remarkably low, and voices are delivered with clarity and tonality that is only limited by the dated recording. This re-purposed soundtrack is definitely one to recommend for experiencing a panoramic soundstage that is engaging, and of resemblance to the original audio experience. A DTS® soundtrack, while originally announced to appear on this disc release, is not included.

This Disc Contains The Following WSR-Rated Superb Qualities:
Superb Cinematography
Collector Edition

Tags

Links