Spartacus

Classic Gold Recommended

Release date: 9 June 2009

Running time: 196 mins

Director: Stanley Kubrick

Starring: Kirk Douglas, Laurence Olivier, Jean Simmons, Charles Laughton, Peter Ustinov, John Gavin

A courageous slave leads an uprising and fights for freedom in Stanley Kubrick's mammoth historical epic.

It's 70 BC and steely, granite-jawed Thracian Spartacus (Kirk Douglas) has been bought by slave trader Batiatus (Peter Ustinov) and sent to a gladiatorial training camp in Capua. After being forced to take part in a deadly fight for the amusement of the scheming, ambitious Roman senator Crassus (Laurence Olivier), Spartacus plots an uprising that will finally grant him and his fellow slaves freedom they've always been denied. Leading a growing army of faithful followers across the sun-bleached vistas of Italy, the rebellious gladiator encounters and conquers the advancing Roman enemy in immense, fierce and bloody skirmishes. But as the rebels descend upon Rome, Crassus has them surrounded. A final battle leaves the rebel army decimated, dying and defeated. Crassus promises immunity to the prisoners if they identify their leader... but one final act of courage from the loyal slaves seals their fate.

Screenplay: Dalton Trumbo

Distributor: Universal

You should see it because: Kirk Douglas leads a cast of thousands in Kubrick's majestic, ambitious swords and sandals Oscar winner.

See it if you liked: Gladiator (2000), Troy (2004), 300 (2006)