CAPSULE DVD REVIEW: “SPARTACUS” (1960; Blu-ray Disc version of 2012, Universal Pictures) Last night I devoted 3 hours 17 minutes to viewing this mammoth production; I only bought this Blu-ray version recently when I saw it on sale for only $11.49. (I have previously owned it in LaserDisc and standard definition DVD formats.) This is one of THE most spectacular-looking transfers of a vintage movie to Blu-ray I’ve ever seen!! This was probably the fourth time I’ve watched this epic, and the most enjoyable, as I am better able than in my youth to appreciate the nuances of politics in the Roman “Republic”/Empire as it lurched toward dictatorship under Julius Caesar. The screenplay is by Dalton Trumbo, resurfacing under his own name (Kirk Douglas, who stars, insisted on this) after the anti-communist witch hunts against Hollywood liberals. There is some crackling, witty dialogue--if you’re really paying attention--and who better to deliver it than the likes of Lord Olivier (an absolutely delectable villain, General Crassus), Charles Laughton, Peter Ustinov, John Gavin? Jean Simmons is simply gorgeous as the hero’s love interest. (There have been several jazz versions over the years of Alex North’s “Love Theme” from the score for this film.) I guess I should’ve mentioned by now, for those not familiar with this project, that it is about the bid for freedom of an army of runaway slaves of the Romans; Spartacus, snatched from his native Thrace (in Greece), trained to be a gladiator, becomes their leader. This story is based on historical events and figures in the Empire. Stanley Kubrick, my favorite director, was called in to complete the movie after it had bogged down with others at the helm. Kubrick “disowned” the end product, which I think was a mistake on his part. This is a magnificent film and HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. [NOTE: This review is unsolicited and uncompensated by the issuer of the product.] -- JAZZ OFFICER SPAAK
Posted on: Sun, 16 Jun 2013 23:28:44 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015