Spartacus

Spartacus

Spartacus is a historical epic film showing the rise and fall of a slave revolt in the Roman Empire. The film follows the life of the Thracian slave, Spartacus, from his purchase by a trainer of gladiators and his leadership of the revolt to the climactic battle with the Roman Army and his eventual crucifixion at the order of Crassus. The Film stars Kirk Douglas, Laurence Olivier, Charles Laughton and a host of other stars. The film was released in 1960, and it won four Oscars. The film won Oscars for Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, Color; Best Cinematography, Color; Best Costume Design, Color; and Best Supporting Actor, Peter Ustinov.

Spartacus is one of three films that cover the transition of Rome from Republic to Empire. The movie is historically correct in the overall story about Spartacus, but because not much is know about the characters individuality, the presentation of their character is fictional. The characters were improved to meet the requirements that Hollywood puts on them. For example, not much is known about Varinia, Spartacus' wife, but she is believed to be a Thracian. There is a very little possibility that she was a Briton as she was portrayed in the film, because the Romans do not invade Briton for another 20 years after the slave uprising.

Spartacus was born and eventually sold into slavery. He was born in the Roman city of Thrace. It was there where he joined and later deserted the ever powerful army of Rome. In 71 B.C., after being caught as a deserter of the Roman army, he was sold as a slave to a gladiator trainer in Capua. He was then, trained as a gladiator for the spectators at coliseums. He was trained well and soon escaped from the tight grip of slavery. In 73 B.C., he and his fellow gladiator trainees escaped to the safety of the fabled Mount Vesuvius. There, he and his small group of followers met up with thousands of runaway slaves like themselves to form an army to free the slaves and attempt to escape from the Roman Empire.

The image portrayed by Spartacus has a definite mythological feel to it. He is the typical Hollywood hero that is honorable, loyal, and strong. He is just what the slave's need, someone to look up to and believe in. The other main characters in the movie also have a mythological presents. They are loyal to Spartacus at the end of the movie and will not allow the Romans