The Classics

Spartacus (Universal, 1960) Directed by Stanley Kubrick and starring Kirk Douglas, Larry Olivier, Jean Simmons, Laughton, Ustinov, the great Woody Strode, the great Charles McGraw and Tony Curtis. This is cool guy stuff on an unlimited budget for 1960. It's the story of the Servile Revolt in Rome, which coalesced around Spartacus, a Thracean. Anyway, Spartacus falls for Jean Simmons, who knew few equals in 1960, and all hell and true human nobility starts breaking loose. It's got lots of fights, cool old Roman politics, cool old Roman decadence and Spartacus even drowns a guy in a big vat of soup at one point. Being able to make a cool guy flick is the test of a great director in my book, and Kubrick was able to knock out quite a few in his day. Also, you've undoubtedly heard about what a great actor Olivier was and here is proof. He makes a truly evil bad guy. Anyway, if you haven't seen it, check it out. It's on EDRAMA this month, but not boxed, so if you want to see it in it's full scope, you're gonna have to watch it on DVD. Either way, do see it.