SPARTACUS

Spartacus is a moving film classic staring Kirk Douglas, Jean Simmons, Lawrence Olivier, Charles Laughton, Peter Ustinov, John Gavin and Tony Curtis. Spartacus (Douglas) is a strongwilled gladiator slave who is driven by power-hungry General Crassus (Olivier) to stand up for his convictions and fight against the powerful Imperial Rome and its forces during its height of glorious reign. This true account is a realistic enactment of the struggle of the slaves in Italy and the entire Roman impire in their quest to gain freedom from the terrible oppression of the time; it was a barbaric period that makes the slavery issues of early America seem tame in comparison. We can feel the emotional strain building in the lives of the characters. It is an inspirational true story of man's eternal struggle for freedom, a moving drama of love and commitment. Many scenes are extremely depressing, such as during the fighting of the gladiators, the visious games in the arena of the Coliseum, the battlefields and the capture, and last, the horrifying image of the Appieum Way lined as far as the eye could see with crucified slaves, some hung upside down.

The 1960 movie was winner of four academy awards. The magnificently vivid DVD presents uncut with footage from the fully restored film. It is 3 Hours 16 Minutes in DVD format.

I highly recommend the movie to every young and mature adult as a worthwhile education true story. Any viewer should come away thankful to live in this time period and this country.