Spartacus (Double Disc Set) (US)
The sweeping epic that defined a genre
Certificate: PG-13
Running Time: 196 mins
Retail Price: $49.95
Release Date:
Content Type: Movie
Synopsis:
Stanley Kubrick directed a cast of screen legends - including Kirk Douglas as the indomitable gladiator that led a Roman slave revolt - in the sweeping epic that defined a genre and ushered in a new Hollywood era. The assured acting, lush Technicolor cinematography, bold costumes and visceral fight sequences won Spartacus four Oscars®; the blend of politics and sexual suggestion scandalized audiences. Today Kubrick`s controversial classic, the first film to openly defy Hollywood`s blacklist, remains a landmark of cinematic artistry and history.
Special Features:
Disc I:
Audio Commentary by Producer/Actor Kirk Douglas, Actor Peter Ustinov, Novelist Howard Fast, Producer Edward Lewis, Restoration Expert Robert A. Harris, and Designer Saul Bass
Screenwriter Dalton Trumbo`s Scene-by-Scene Analysis
Additional Alex North Score Compositions
Restoration Demonstration
Disc II:
Rare Deleted Scenes
Vintage Newsreel Footage
1960 Promotional Interviews with Jean Simmons and Peter Ustinov
1992 Video Interview with Peter Ustinov
Behind-the-Scenes "Gladiatorial School" Footage
The 1960 Documentary The Hollywood Ten Plus Archival Documents About the Blacklist
Original Storyboards by Saul Bass
Hundreds of Production Stills, Lobby Cards, Posters, Print Ads and A Comic Book
Sketches by Director Stanley Kubrick
Original Theatrical Trailer
Video Tracks:
Widescreen Anamorphic 2.20:1
Audio Tracks:
Dolby Digital 5.1 English
Dolby Digital Surround 2.0 English
Dolby Digital Mono English
Dolby Digital Stereo 2.0 English
Subtitle Tracks:
English
Directed By:
Stanley Kubrick
Written By:
Peter Ustinov
Calder Willingham
Dalton Trumbo
Howard Fast
Starring:
Peter Ustinov
Charles Laughton
Jean Simmons
Laurence Olivier
Kirk Douglas
Soundtrack By:
Alex North
Director of Photography:
Clifford Stine
Russell Metty
Editor:
Robert Lawrence
Costume Designer:
William Ware Theiss
Valles
Bill Thomas
Production Designer:
Alexander Golitzen
Producer:
Edward Lewis
James C. Katz
Executive Producer:
Kirk Douglas
Distributor:
Criterion
Your Opinions and Comments
Presented in 2.20:1 anamorphic widescreen, this new transfer looks spectacular.Colors are lush and vivid.Russell Metty`s sweeping vistas have never looked better.
The Dolby 5.1 track is equally impressive, with Alex North`s score sounding terrific.
The audio commentary features Kirk Douglas,Peter Ustinov,novelist Howard Fast,producer Ed Lewis,restorer Robert A. Harris,and designer Saul Bass.The commentary is well paced and proves to be very informative.
Another special feature is Dalton Trumbo`s scene-by-scene analysis.Read by actor Michael Mcohnnie, this piece proves to be remarkably fascinating.
There is a brief featurette on the restoration process.
The second disc features several deleted/extended scenes.There is some vintage newsreel footage including the London premiere of Spartacus.There are promotional interviews with Jean Simmons and Peter Ustinov that aired on TV in 1960.There is a worthwhile 1992 interview with Ustinov.There is an amusing promo featurette that takes place at the Gladiator school.There is a 1960 documentary that deals with blacklisted writers,as well as original doucements dealing with the blacklist.There are also Saul Bass storyboards,lots of production stills,lobby cards,posters,sketches by Stanley Kubrick,and the trailer.
A worthwhile purchase, although the price is a little high.