IMDb > Spartacus (1960)
Spartacus
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany credits
Awards & Reviews
user reviewsexternal reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guidemessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsmemorable quotes
Did You Know?
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
box office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips

Spartacus (1960) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (See all 56 | slideshow) Videos (see all 3)
Spartacus -- The slave Spartacus leads a violent revolt against the decadent Roman empire.

Overview

User Rating:
8.0/10   72,263 votes »
Your Rating:
Saving vote...
Deleting vote...
/10   (delete | history)
Sorry, there was a problem
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 22% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers:
Dalton Trumbo (screenplay)
Howard Fast (based on the novel by)
(more)
Contact:
View company contact information for Spartacus on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
7 October 1960 (USA) See more »
Tagline:
They trained him to kill for their pleasure. . .but they trained him a little too well. . . See more »
Plot:
The slave Spartacus leads a violent revolt against the decadent Roman Republic. Full summary » | Full synopsis »
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
Won 4 Oscars. Another 5 wins & 9 nominations See more »
User Reviews:
Controlling Stanley: The Spartacus Experience See more (247 total) »

Cast

  (in credits order) (verified as complete)

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 (as Nicholas Dennis)

John Hoyt ... Caius
Frederick Worlock ... Laelius (as Frederic Worlock)

Tony Curtis ... Antoninus
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Philip Altman ... Slave (uncredited)
Dave Armstrong ... Small Role (uncredited)
John Barton ... Slave (uncredited)
Arthur Batanides ... Legionnaire (uncredited)
Paul Baxley ... Gladiator (uncredited)
John Benson ... Guard (uncredited)
Shari Lee Bernath ... Little Girl (uncredited)
Norman Bishop ... Pirate (uncredited)
Bill Blackburn ... Prisoner (uncredited)
David Bond ... Slave (uncredited)
Buff Brady ... Soldier (uncredited)
Don Bramblett ... Gladiator (uncredited)
Courtney Brown ... Pirate (uncredited)
Jerry Brown ... Soldier (uncredited)
Rudy Bukich ... Gladiator (uncredited)
Bob Burns ... Pirate (uncredited)
Paul E. Burns ... Fimbria (uncredited)
Polly Burson ... Slave (uncredited)
Wayne Burson ... Guard (uncredited)
Joe Canutt ... Soldier (uncredited)
Tap Canutt ... Soldier (uncredited)
Al Carmichael ... Gladiator (uncredited)
Bill Catching ... Soldier (uncredited)
Chuck Courtney ... Soldier (uncredited)
Dick Crockett ... Guard (uncredited)
John Daheim ... Capua Guard (uncredited)
Carol Daniels ... Christian Girl (uncredited)
Tony Dante ... Roman Solider / Christian Solider (uncredited)
Doris Darling ... Slave (uncredited)

Ted de Corsia ... Legionnaire (uncredited)
Terence de Marney ... Majordomo (uncredited)
Frank Donahue ... Gladiator (uncredited)
Mary Donovan ... Slave (uncredited)
Craig Duncan ... Petitioner (uncredited)
Johnny Duncan ... Beheaded Man (uncredited)
Louie Elias ... Gladiator (uncredited)
Maurice Elias ... Gladiator (uncredited)
Roy Engel ... Roman Businessman (uncredited)

Richard Farnsworth ... Salt Mine Slave / Gladiator / Slave General (uncredited)
Logan Field ... Centurion (uncredited)
Lila Finn ... Slave (uncredited)
Charlotte Fletcher ... Mother with Child (uncredited)

Robert Fuller ... Extra (uncredited)
Jeanne Gerson ... Woman Selling Chestnuts (uncredited)
Seamon Glass ... Pirate (uncredited)
Joe Gold ... Soldier (uncredited)
Harold Goodwin ... Slave (uncredited)
Sol Gorss ... Slave Leader (uncredited)
Marvin Goux ... Trainer (uncredited)

James Griffith ... Otho (uncredited)
Jack Grinnage ... Petitioner (uncredited)
Donna Hall ... Slave (uncredited)
Don Happy ... Slave (uncredited)
Edith Happy ... Slave (uncredited)
Betty Harford ... Slave (uncredited)
Brad Harris ... Gladiator (uncredited)
Harry Harvey Jr. ... Slave (uncredited)
Joe Haworth ... Marius (uncredited)
Chuck Hayward ... Soldier (uncredited)
Vinton Hayworth ... Metallius (uncredited)
Wayne Heffley ... Slave Guard (uncredited)
Manuel Herreros ... Soldier (uncredited)
Bob Herron ... Small Role (uncredited)
Hallene Hill ... Beggar Woman (uncredited)
Charles Horvath ... Slave Leader (uncredited)
Basil Howes ... Orderly (uncredited)
Robert F. Hoy ... Soldier (uncredited)

Loren Janes ... Salt Mine Slave / Gladiator / Slave General (uncredited)
Jil Jarmyn ... Julia (uncredited)
Anthony Jochim ... Petitioner (uncredited)
Duke Johnson ... Juggler (uncredited)
Harry C. Johnson ... Juggler (uncredited)
Paul Keast ... Roman Businessman (uncredited)
Valley Keene ... Soldier (uncredited)
Pete Kellett ... Slave (uncredited)
Kenner G. Kemp ... Roman Senator (uncredited)

George Kennedy ... Rebel Soldier (uncredited)
Hubie Kerns ... Gladiator (uncredited)
Aron Kincaid ... Crassus' Standard-Bearer (uncredited)
Desmond Koch ... Soldier (uncredited)
Irvin 'Zabo' Koszewski ... Soldier (uncredited)
Paul Kruger ... Roman Senator (uncredited)
Stubby Kruger ... Pirate (uncredited)
Carey Loftin ... Guard (uncredited)
Dayton Lummis ... Symmachus (uncredited)
Cliff Lyons ... Soldier (uncredited)
Otto Malde ... Roman General (uncredited)

Michael Masters ... Small Role (uncredited)
Joan McKellen ... Slave (uncredited)

Gordon Mitchell ... Gladiator (uncredited)
Bob Morgan ... Galeno (uncredited)
Boyd 'Red' Morgan ... Bit Part (uncredited)
Rod Normond ... Guard (uncredited)
Tracy Olsen ... Girl (uncredited)
Dayton Osmond ... Boy Chicken Seller (uncredited)
Eddie Parker ... Slave (uncredited)
Harvey Parry ... Guard (uncredited)
Regis Parton ... Gladiator (uncredited)
Victor Paul ... Gladiator (uncredited)
Leonard Penn ... Garrison Officer (uncredited)
Gil Perkins ... Slave Leader (uncredited)
Jack Perkins ... Gladiator (uncredited)
Vic Perrin ... Narrator (uncredited)
Larry Perron ... Guard (uncredited)
Preston Peterson ... Pirate (uncredited)
Lorrie Pettit ... Slave (uncredited)
Eugene Poole ... Pirate (uncredited)
Bill Raisch ... Soldier Whose Arm is Hacked Off (uncredited)
Chuck Roberson ... Slave (uncredited)
George Robotham ... Pirate (uncredited)
Ronnie Rondell Jr. ... Guard (uncredited)
Wally Rose ... Gladiator (uncredited)
Frosty Royce ... Slave (uncredited)
Autumn Russell ... Slave Girl (uncredited)
Russell Saunders ... Soldier (uncredited)
Aaron Saxon ... Gladiator (uncredited)
Charles Schaeffer ... Soldier (uncredited)
Jim Sears ... Gladiator (uncredited)
Bill Shannon ... Soldier (uncredited)
Alex Sharp ... Gladiator (uncredited)
Tom Steele ... Gladiator (uncredited)
John Stephenson ... Centurion (uncredited)
Robert Stevenson ... Legionnaire (uncredited)
Kay Stewart ... Slave Girl (uncredited)
Jerry Summers ... Gladiator (uncredited)
Jo Summers ... Slave Girl (uncredited)
Ken Terrell ... Bit Part (uncredited)
Glen Thompson ... Gladiator (uncredited)
Larry Thor ... Staff Officer (uncredited)
Helen Thurston ... Slave (uncredited)
John Traux ... Prisoner (uncredited)
Don Turner ... Guard (uncredited)
Lili Valenty ... Old Crone (uncredited)
Buddy Van Horn ... Soldier (uncredited)
Dale Van Sickel ... Trainer (uncredited)
Louise Vincent ... Slave at Gracchus' Home (uncredited)
Peter Virgo ... Guard (uncredited)
Will J. White ... Guard (uncredited)
Judy Whitney ... Child (uncredited)
Charles Wilcox ... Gladiator (uncredited)
Billy Williams ... Gladiator (uncredited)
Jack Williams ... Soldier (uncredited)
Lynda Lee Williams ... Slave Girl (uncredited)
Carleton Young ... Herald (uncredited)
Fred Zendar ... Guard (uncredited)
Create a character page for: ?

Directed by
Stanley Kubrick 
 
Writing credits
Dalton Trumbo (screenplay)

Howard Fast (based on the novel by)

Peter Ustinov  uncredited
Calder Willingham  battle scenes (uncredited)

Produced by
Kirk Douglas .... executive producer
Edward Lewis .... producer
Edward Muhl .... executive producer (uncredited)
 
Original Music by
Alex North 
 
Cinematography by
Russell Metty (director of photography)
 
Film Editing by
Robert Lawrence (film editor)
Irving Lerner (uncredited)
 
Production Design by
Alexander Golitzen 
Roger Forse (uncredited)
 
Art Direction by
Eric Orbom 
 
Set Decoration by
Russell A. Gausman 
Julia Heron 
 
Costume Design by
Valles (costumes)
William Ware Theiss (uncredited)
 
Makeup Department
Larry Germain .... hair stylist
Bud Westmore .... makeup artist
Jay Sebring .... hair designer: Kirk Douglas (uncredited)
 
Production Management
Norman Deming .... unit production manager
Eduardo García Maroto .... unit production manager: Spain (uncredited)
Tadeo Villalba .... unit manager (uncredited)
 
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Marshall Green .... assistant director
Yakima Canutt .... second unit director (uncredited)
Joseph E. Kenney .... assistant director (uncredited)
Irving Lerner .... second unit director (uncredited)
Foster H. Phinney .... assistant director (uncredited)
Charles Scott .... assistant director (uncredited)
Julio Sempere .... third assistant director (uncredited in original version)
Robert Webb .... second assistant director (uncredited)
James Welch .... assistant director (uncredited)
 
Art Department
Claude Gillingwater Jr. .... storyboard artist (uncredited)
Johnny Peacock .... storyboard artist (uncredited)
 
Sound Department
Joe Lapis .... sound
Ronald Pierce .... sound
Murray Spivack .... sound
Waldon O. Watson .... sound
Glenn E. Anderson .... boom operator (uncredited)
Jack Foley .... foley artist (uncredited)
Jack Foley .... sound (uncredited)
 
Special Effects by
Wah Chang .... creator: forced perspective figures (uncredited)
Don Sahlin .... crew: forced perspective figures (uncredited)
 
Visual Effects by
Saul Bass .... design consultant
Robert Fortenberry Jr. .... camera operator (1991 restoration)
John Rupkalvis .... camera operator (1991 restoration)
Paul Rutan Jr. .... manager of optical operations (1991 restoration)
Peter Ellenshaw .... matte artist (uncredited)
Russell Lawson .... matte artist (uncredited)
 
Stunts
Stilyan Mavrov .... stunt performer
Ray Austin .... stunts (uncredited)
Paul Baxley .... stunts (uncredited)
John Benson .... stunts (uncredited)
Norman Bishop .... stunts (uncredited)
Buff Brady .... stunts (uncredited)
Jerry Brown .... stunts (uncredited)
George Bruggeman .... stunts (uncredited)
Ron Burke .... stunts (uncredited)
Polly Burson .... stunts (uncredited)
Wayne Burson .... stunts (uncredited)
Joe Canutt .... stunts (uncredited)
Tap Canutt .... stunts (uncredited)
Yakima Canutt .... stunt coordinator (uncredited)
Yakima Canutt .... stunts (uncredited)
Bill Catching .... stunts (uncredited)
Chuck Courtney .... stunts (uncredited)
Dick Crockett .... stunts (uncredited)
John Daheim .... stunts (uncredited)
Louie Elias .... stunts (uncredited)
John Epper .... stunts (uncredited)
Tony Epper .... stunts (uncredited)
Richard Farnsworth .... stunts (uncredited)
Harold Goodwin .... stunts (uncredited)
Sol Gorss .... stunts (uncredited)
Brad Harris .... stunts (uncredited)
Chuck Hayward .... stunts (uncredited)
Bob Herron .... stunts (uncredited)
Charles Horvath .... stunts (uncredited)
Robert F. Hoy .... stunts (uncredited)
Loren Janes .... stunt double: Kirk Douglas (uncredited)
Hubie Kerns .... stunts (uncredited)
Stubby Kruger .... stunts (uncredited)
Carey Loftin .... stunts (uncredited)
Cliff Lyons .... stunts (uncredited)
Michael Masters .... stunts (uncredited)
Bob Miles .... stunts (uncredited)
Bob Morgan .... stunts (uncredited)
Boyd 'Red' Morgan .... stunts (uncredited)
Eddie Parker .... stunts (uncredited)
Harvey Parry .... stunts (uncredited)
Regis Parton .... stunts (uncredited)
Gil Perkins .... stunts (uncredited)
Peter Peterson .... stunts (uncredited)
Chuck Roberson .... stunts (uncredited)
George Robotham .... stunts (uncredited)
Ronnie Rondell Jr. .... stunts (uncredited)
Wally Rose .... stunts (uncredited)
Russell Saunders .... stunts (uncredited)
Charles Schaeffer .... stunts (uncredited)
Bill Shannon .... stunts (uncredited)
Alex Sharp .... stunts (uncredited)
Tom Steele .... stunts (uncredited)
Jerry Summers .... stunts (uncredited)
Ken Terrell .... stunts (uncredited)
Don Turner .... stunts (uncredited)
Buddy Van Horn .... stunts (uncredited)
Dale Van Sickel .... stunts (uncredited)
Red West .... stunts (uncredited)
Jack Williams .... stunts (uncredited)
 
Camera and Electrical Department
Clifford Stine .... photographer: additional scenes
George Dye .... assistant camera (uncredited)
Michael P. Joyce .... film loader (uncredited)
Bob Rose .... additional grip (uncredited)
Harry L. Wolf .... camera operator (uncredited)
William Read Woodfield .... still photographer (uncredited)
 
Costume and Wardrobe Department
Ruggero Peruzzi .... wardrobe (as Peruzzi)
Bill Thomas .... costumes: Miss Simmons
Joan Joseff .... costume jeweller (uncredited)
 
Music Department
Joseph Gershenson .... score co-conductor
Alex North .... music conductor
Arnold Schwarzwald .... music editor
Maurice De Packh .... orchestrator (uncredited)
Joseph Gershenson .... music supervisor (uncredited)
Samuel Matlovsky .... orchestrator (uncredited)
Edward B. Powell .... orchestrator (uncredited)
David Tamkin .... orchestrator (uncredited)
 
Other crew
Saul Bass .... design consultant
Saul Bass .... main titles
Fred A. Chulack .... assistant to the film editor (as Fred Chulack)
Stan Margulies .... production aide
Vittorio Nino Novarese .... historical & technical advisor
Robert Schulte .... assistant to the film editor
Jeff Corey .... acting coach (uncredited)
Bob Larson .... executive in charge of production: Bryna Productions (uncredited)
Jeff Livingston .... executive coordinator: sales and advertising (uncredited)
Anthony Mann .... director: Libyan slave camp scenes (uncredited)
 

Production CompaniesDistributorsOther Companies
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:
"Spartacus: Rebel Against Rome" - USA (poster title)
See more »
Runtime:
184 min (premiere version) | Sweden:187 min (1968 re-release) | USA:161 min (1967 re-release) | USA:197 min (1991 restored version) | 184 min (theatrical version)
Country:
Language:
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
2.20 : 1 See more »
Sound Mix:
70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints) | Mono (Westrex Recording System) (35 mm prints, original release)
Certification:
Argentina:13 | Australia:PG | Canada:AA (Ontario) (restored version) | Canada:G (Manitoba) (1967 version) | Canada:PG (Manitoba) (restored version) | Canada:PG (Ontario) (original release) | Denmark:15 | France:U | Germany:12 | Ireland:PG | Netherlands:12 (video rating) | Norway:16 (1963) | Sweden:15 (cut) (1962) | UK:PG | USA:PG-13 (restored version) | West Germany:16 | UK:A (original rating) (cut) | Canada:G (Nova Scotia) (1967 version) | Canada:G (Quebec) (restored version) | Spain:13 | Iceland:12 | Finland:K-14 (1992) | Finland:K-16 (1962) | South Korea:12 | Brazil:12 | New Zealand:PG | Sweden:15 (uncut) (1968) | USA:Approved (PCA #19623) | Portugal:M/12 | USA:PG-13

Did You Know?

Trivia:
Contrary to what the book and film portray, the historical Spartacus was born free in Thrace (a region nowadays divided among modern-day Greece, Bulgaria and Turkey) and may have served in the Thracian army or even the Roman army in Macedonia (Rome often impressed soldiers of armies it had defeated into its own army). It is thought that he was either captured in battle or deserted the army and later captured (depends on what side he fought on) and then sold into slavery.See more »
Goofs:
Anachronisms: The trainer blows a pea-whistle to call in the slaves. The first pea-whistle wasn't invented until the 19th century, although the Romans are known to use other whistles on board slave-galleys in order to keep the correct pace.See more »
Quotes:
[first lines]
Narrator:In the last century before the birth of the new faith called Christianity, which was destined to overthrow the pagan tyranny of Rome and bring about a new society, the Roman Republic stood at the very center of the civilized world. "Of all things fairest," sang the poet...
See more »
Movie Connections:

FAQ

How much sex, violence, and profanity are in this movie?
Is "Spartacus" based on a novel?
Besides Spartacus, Julius Caesar, and Marcus Licinius Crassus, what other characters in the film were not fictitious?
See more »
68 out of 87 people found the following review useful.
Controlling Stanley: The Spartacus Experience, 29 July 2004
Author: Arriflex1 from Beyond The Cosmos

As most are undoubtedly aware, this is the film that the director virtually expunged from his repertoire. But why did Stanley Kubrick really disown SPARTACUS(1960)? The answer can be summed up in two words: absolute control. Kubrick wanted total administrative as well as artistic authority over the making of the film about a revolt of gladiators and slaves in ancient Rome.

But you will notice that Bryna Productions not only financed SPARTACUS but also an earlier film directed by Kubrick, PATHS OF GLORY(1958). Bryna was Kirk Douglas' film company and, as most filmgoers know, he was the star of both films. Besides having all the money to make the films, Douglas had artistic vision as well. Only three weeks into what would prove to be an incredibly complex and arduous production, Douglas fired venerable director Anthony Mann (RAW DEAL, RAILROADED,THE FURIES, THE NAKED SPUR, THE MAN FROM LARAMIE, MAN OF THE WEST, etc.) from SPARTACUS. With only two days notice, Kubrick was hired to replace him.

Shooting PATHS OF GLORY, Douglas had confined his criticisms and objections to Kubrick's failed rewriting of the script (they went with the original screenplay). Douglas' complaints and artistic influence were far greater on SPARTACUS, much to Kubrick's chagrin. Though the director craved autonomy over every aspect of the film, Douglas would not budge. A tense compromise was reached, yet ultimately Douglas had the last word. Kubrick saw himself as just a hired gun. And he would never allow himself to be placed in this position again.

Later, both men would complain about the film's outcome and each other. They never made another movie together.

But SPARTACUS is no uneven patchwork of divergent ideas. The film is cohesive and arresting. At the restored version of three hours and eighteen minutes, there is practically no dead footage in the film. Dalton Trumbo's screenplay is surprisingly economical, with sharply drawn characters placed against the sweeping historical majesty and violent sociological tumult of ancient Rome. Quite plainly, the gloriously inventive music by Alex North is among the greatest scores ever written for a motion picture. And despite Kubrick's bad experience, he managed to guide the actors towards creating outstanding work ( a best supporting Oscar for Peter Ustinov). He even transformed the very real enmity between Laughton and Olivier into an on-screen asset. His other contributions were considerable also (the large scale and power of the battle sequence, for example). In the end, for the film at least, the clash of giant egos proved fortuitous. Recommendations: for greater insight and detail on this and Kubrick's other films I urge you to seek out Jan Harlan's excellent documentary, STANLEY KUBRICK: A LIFE IN PICTURES, and Vincent LoBrutto's exhaustive, highly informative biography, STANLEY KUBRICK. For the producer's views on SPARTACUS and its director, take a gander at Kirk Douglas' very candid autobiography, THE RAGMAN'S SON.

Was the above review useful to you?
See more (247 total) »

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Spartacus (1960)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Best Performance - Laughton? Olivier? Ustinov? JazzyBee04
Crixus Gets Busted Tribunemasala
Best Score Ever Written? Garethjj
Wait... They can't all be Spartacus can they? OldSamVimes
Olivier's Nose Formaldahyde
Stunts...How 'Bout These? donovanarchmontierth
See more »

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
Gladiator Cleopatra Alexander Ben-Hur Imperium: Augustus
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb Adventure section IMDb USA section

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Edit page' button will take you through a step-by-step process.