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    About This Item

    Unique ID Code: 0000039864
    Added by: DVD Reviewer
    Added on: 24/9/2002 00:45
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    Spartacus (Double Disc Set) (US)

    9 / 10
    2 votes cast
    Rate this item
    Inline Image

    The sweeping epic that defined a genre
    Certificate: PG-13
    Running Time: 196 mins
    Retail Price: $49.95
    Release Date:

    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:




    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

    8 / 10
    I don`t care much for huge, old-school epics, but Spartacus is one I very much enjoyed.Criterion continues to create excellent DVD`s, and this addition is no exception.

    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.
    posted by Adam Morrison on 6/3/2003 18:30
    9 / 10
    One of the finest Epics of the 1960`s. Spartacus is Brilliantly presented here by Criterion. The extras here are what this package is all about. It must set a bench mark for Presentation of old material, A fine Package...
    posted by Richard73 on 1/12/2003 20:25