'Spartacus' - Charles Laughton, Peter Ustinov, Laurence Olivier - 3 Great Thespians!

The Kirk Douglas epic "Spartacus" is now recognized as a historical drama that is "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant." It was particularly notable for its casting of the three British actors seen here, though the first named became a US citizen in 1950. Charles Laughton played Gracchus, the Roman senator opposed to the dictatorial ambitions of Crassus, played by Laurence Olivier. Peter Ustinov was Batiatus, the owner of the gladiator school from which Spartacus escapes to form a slave army intent on freeing the slaves from Roman captivity. Spartacus loses the battle but Batiatus refuses to identify him for Crassus, so he is whipped out of camp for his pains. In this scene, John Gavin also appears as Julius Caesar, summoning Gracchus to the senate to hear of his fate from the now dictatorial Crassus.
Don't miss seeing Laughton as another Roman senator in the ill-fated "I, Claudius" in 1937 ...
• Charles Laughton 'I, C...
Another recent upload which may be of interest is actor/author Simon Callow's tribute to Charles Laughton in a 1987 TV documentary ...
• Simon Callow's Charles...

[@LPJack02]

RIP Charles Laughton (July 1, 1899 - December 15, 1962), aged 63 RIP Sir Laurence Olivier (May 22, 1907 - July 11, 1989), aged 82 RIP Sir Peter Ustinov (April 16, 1921 - March 28, 2004), aged 82 RIP John Gavin (April 8, 1931 - February 9, 2018), aged 86 You will be remembered as legends.

[@tomp8094]

Ustinov was also fantastic as Emporer Nero in Quo Vadis. He is a great actor and won a well deserved Oscar for Spartacus.

[@williamsnyder5616]

Ustinov also was great as the ''volunteer slave,'' Kaptah in ''The Egyptian,'' when he tells Edmund Purdom, ''You may be at me...within reason.''

[@philbarber9738]

Olivier may give a great diction lesson but Laughton is giving the superior acting lesson. You forget he was such an outstanding actor because he pulled it off with such subdued emotion, completely comfortable and confident in the presentation of his character. Without doubt one of the finest film actors of the 20th Century, not to mention his legendary stage status.

[@kugelweg]

Peter Ustinov wrote all the scenes between himself and Laughton. You can see how he capitalized on the talents of them both and wrote scenes in which they both shone. Amazing work by Ustinov and Laughton.

[@michaelj.r457]

In a way, Peter helped break the blacklist. According to Kirk in his book, I Am Spartacus, Dalton Trumbo was upset, not because of Peter writing scenes, but the fact that the decision was done behind his back (Remember, at this point, it was assumed that this would be another movie Dalton would see released under another name). Finally, Dalton quit the picture in anger. Kirk, releasing his insensitive approach to the subject (as producer, he had final say in most of the decisions), went to see Dalton, and after the two managed to patch things up, Kirk said, at that moment, he finally realized what he needed to do, and that's when he promised Dalton that he would put Trumbo's name as the credited writer instead of another alias.

[@Etnalleb]

2 of the truly Greats Ustinov and Laughton, Laughton was just perfect as he tells Ustinov " Dignity and honesty in one day, I hardly recognize you". and Oliver WOW ! This is the Greatest cast ever assembled . Kudo's to Kirk Douglas.

[@bogusmogus9551]

Ya know! no way could you assemble such a phenomenal cast today because they dont exist

[@kucirulz]

This movie was my introduction to Charles Laughton and Peter Ustinov. It was mesmerizing.

[@PMS1950]

Olivier was a master of vocal dynamics and possessed great acting skills, but Laughton drew one into a sinister and far more unsettling world of dramatic illusion - unforgettable and utterly unique.

[@JosephCymrank]

And ustinov always capturing and entertaining unpredictable. But yes, laughton lived and embodied his acting.

[@irenejohnston6802]

CL. Brilliant subtlety, knowing when to keep quiet. Ustinov plays vain, cruelty or moral, devious cowardice rather well

[@melissaking6019]

The Ustinov and Laughton scenes are very entertaining. Their chemistry and repartee are so natural and brilliant.

[@jimdrake-writer]

Despite the fact, as Ustinov said in interviews, that Olivier and Laughton loathed each other.

[@taroman7100]

What calibre of British actors they got for this epic. Kirk stands out as the American actor.

[@kugelweg]

The British were the bad guys and the slaves were not British!

[@lawrenceclemens8494]

Brilliant writing, brilliant acting, and direction. What a standout from the dregs of Marvel, Star Wars and Blumhouse. From the time when Hollywood made real movies, not cotton candy for kids.

[@bernhardwall6876]

Holy cow! I just witnessed acting!

[@geoffmccarthy7785]

Film full of fantastic actors. Great film still to this day.

[@ikramtaleb3011]

I love the costums from roman era ,the décor and the perfect staging❤❤❤

[@katyalacrua6793]

Beautiful Larry in this character and his silver voice ❤

[@melissaking6019]

3:40-3:45 "Did you truly believe 500 years of Rome could so easily be delivered into the clutches of a MOB?!!!!!" Wow, Olivier is brilliant! The disdain and hatred between Crassus and Gracchus is so thick you can cut it with a knife. We have few actors of this caliber anymore. There's Ralph Fiennes, Charles Dance, and a couple others. The era of Olivier, Laughton, and Ustinov is no more.

[@markkelly2197]

😅😅

[@michaelreidperry3256]

I love watching them work. Shout out to all behind the camera too.

[@djamelbouch3670]

Charles Laughton was ahead of any other actor.

[@charleswest6372]

You bet

[@markwatts2532]

Superb clutch of Titanic actors, alas never to be repeated.

[@jonjamg]

Kirk Douglas finished filming. Still in costume he climbed into limo and fell asleep in the back. The limo stopped at service station. Chauffeur went into shop. Kirk woke up, got out went to toilets. Chauffeur returned to car and drove off. Kirk came out to find limo gone, marooned as Spartacus.

[@pato2200]

Varinia: "He stated off as a man all alone...like an animal. But in the day he died thousands and thousands would gladly have died in his place." And in between he was all alone at a service station.

[@marinakaye8284]

@@pato2200 Haha! Underappreciated comment.

[@julianmarsh8384]

Such great acting from all three...I would take these three over any three of our current male "stars",

[@lisamcdonald1820]

I can't even name 3 current male stars. Somewhere along the way, great special effects became more important than an entertaining story. Plus there are so many movies with superheroes that I can't even name them.

[@taroman7100]

in a blink!

[@andrewstackpool4911]

Laughton and Ustinov together was worth far more than the cost of admission. They left Douglas and Olivier for dead.

[@taroman7100]

Douglas was the weak standout. Too American in acting style. I found the hole in his chin most distracting.

[@markemarkatfb]

An amazing combination. I always felt Ustinov had the playful twinkle of an angel, and Laughton had the twinkle of the devious devil. Wonderful what the eyes can convey with just a twinkle.

[@icarus8471]

There has always been a debate regarding this film pitting Olivier vs. Laughton. I thought they were both great in this film. My favorites in this film were Laughton and Ustinov, but Olivier really embodied the imperiousness of Rome.

[@orangewarm1]

when people talk about the greatest actors they should include these 3

[@PlatoCave]

Impeccable acting

[@Brittanicus-y3v]

Apparently, director Stanley Kubrick and actor-producer Kirk Douglas allowed the two actors to write their own lines in each of their scenes together throughout the movie. The result are verbal exchanges that are sublime.

[@um9272]

Two masters of their triad

[@steplumpkin5432]

THANKS.,100MILL. UPLOADER!!!!!!

[@zyxmyk]

back when giants walked the earth.

[@kanaka1893]

He'll yeah!

[@ianbrewer4843]

Great movie, great actors

[@SteveVernon]

The final scene of this clip when Olivier is speaking of the "list of disloyal Romans" I can hear Trumbo talking. He knew a thing or two about lists...

[@KneelB4Bacon]

Yup. McCarthy and the HUA ruined a lot of lives. In "The Ten Commandments" Edward G Robinson had been blacklisted but DeMille didn't care. He wanted Robinson and he always got what he wanted.

[@nautika1]

The best movie of all time

[@stevewhitaker1705]

Two great actors

[@stevewhitaker1705]

Thankyou for your comments

[@carmelopappalardo8477]

Three.

[@HolgerRuneFan]

I actually think Olivier's performance was incredibly hammy, especially his scenes later in the film with Jean Simmons. Laughton and Ustinov were brilliant. For anyone wishing to know about Larry's horrible bullying of poor Laughton, read the book Lunches with Orson, where Welles goes into detail about this sad topic.

[@EnoVarma]

Charles Laughton was unique. Just by watching his performance, you'd never know that he was - in Ustinov's words - "extremely difficult" during the filming. All three are brilliant, but somehow Olivier just isn't as interesting as his two fellow actors. I think.

[@mariomarin4702]

Charles is clearly the master with his subtlety

[@TheWayofGrace89]

Yes, these two were wonderful.

[@bogusmogus9551]

AWESOME!

[@adam28xx]

Glad you think so!

[@asgeiroj]

I mist admot on the whole, Spartacus was not impressing me but the acting from Ustinov, Laughton and Olivier was so good that it elevated the film to a godlike level.

[@bogusmogus9551]

You so right! What a performance!

[@Db64o]

Che dire attori così non ne nascono più...

[@loge10]

This movie was very important to me growing up after first seeing it around 1965 in the theater. Over time I've come to feel the slave story was too idealised and unrealistic and my favorite parts of the movie were about the Romans - including the masterful performances of these three. This is probably my first exposure to Charles Laughton who came to be on the top of my list of favorite actors of all time.

[@adam28xx]

Nice to see Laughton is top of your favourie actors list. If you haven't already seen it, check out his Filmography ... kzbin.info/www/bejne/oqWspWOifch-ia8

[@irenejohnston6802]

Hobson's Choice. Wonderful film. The Salford boot maker. Great cast.

[@FilmbuffWSussex]

Somewhat ironic since much publicity came from Trumbo’s contribution…excellent clip, though my favourite scene is between Peter and Olivier prior to the battle. Verbal jousting.

[@HamilcarBarca-jm3ey]

No desire for vengeance. Of course, you do. To use someone else to your end means you can do whatever you please with them and even end their life.

[@Chucklea9]

Charles Laughton sounds like he has a Yorkshire accent!

[@Phaaschh]

He does indeed! Put me in mind of Henry Hobson, so perhaps Lancashire, but an interesting "choice" by Laughton, who did nothing by accident.

[@theblackbirdreels143]

He was Yorkshireman, born in Scarborough

[@2msvalkyrie529]

What acting !! Hate to sound like an old fogey but can any of our current crop come close to matching this ?? And the superb literary script...?

[@michaelvoisey8458]

Charles Laughton Senator for Lancashire

[@petuser1]

hes from Yorkshire

[@dardar7909]

I had to look up Ustinov's character lentulus batiatus! But for me HIS name should have been the title : he 'found' Spartacus and was present at his demise

[@boomerreb4997]

A brilliant actor who provided the comic relief in this movie through his skill.

[@irenejohnston6802]

And he saves Varinia and her child by Spartacus

[@Brittanicus-y3v]

0:04 As a Chicagoan, I can perceive that Ustinov and Laughton are sitting together like two Chicago politicians working on a fancy deal. 3:38 Looks like a Chicago alderman giving a judge a tongue lashing in the judge's chambers during a recess.

[@santiagocalderon7537]

i never knew who's Peter Ustinov was, but his voice recalls to me he played Nero in the movie Quo Vadis😂

[@roygbv255]

At 1:53 when Laughten says "Where he'll feel it most", on the word most you can hear his unabashed Yorkshire dialect.

[@jimnewcombe7584]

You have an exquisite and a subtle ear! I see, or rather 'ear, what you mean.

[@georgeemil3618]

Yorkshire dialect? For a Roman? Nooooo.

[@patcronenberg2258]

Laughton was sooo good that's all I know

[@danielmore1751]

Laughton is flying and Olivier is “acting”

[@celygarcia8453]

Thanks *

[@toddwebb7521]

This time you come to teach

[@orangewarm1]

SCRIPT perfection

[@christopherbriscoe8665]

It's the first time I've heard a Roman speak with a Scarborough, Yorkshire accent.

[@PamelaTitterington]

And why not🤫🫢🥱

[@mikelheron20]

How many ancient Romans have you heard?

[@mariaevans5793]

True 👍

[@meerkat7406]

What say you of Rome??

[@ikramtaleb3011]

César:vèni,vici,vidi

[@AstridGerecke]

How original !!!

[@antoinemozart243]

Crassus in reality never had such power. He had zero political and military abilities.

[@Dragblacker]

I always find it odd how movies like "Braveheart" and "The Patriot" get bashed for "historical inaccuracies", yet "Spartacus" almost never does despite being as guilty, if not more so.

[@HamilcarBarca-jm3ey]

Ah yes, with money enough to buy the city you can create and enforce your own laws.

[@markemarkatfb]

You just need enough money to buy the army. Might is right.

[@boomerreb4997]

Love the acting. Hate the history. Caesar almost lost his life as a young man for standing up to Sulla. He never would give in to a dictator, until he became one.

[@iainclark5964]

John Gavin as Ceaser woefully miscast. American should never play Romans!

[@peterp2153]

I think he was OK. Caesar is more of an incidental character in Spartacus. He’s an up and comer who we as the audience know will become THE Julius Caesar. But he doesn’t even play a role in the climax of the film. The Senate names him permanent leader of garrison in Rome and that’s about the last we see of him, outside of fetching Gracchus in this scene.

[@marccervania4473]

Say that about Brando playing Antony and you’re absolutely wrong!

[@icarus8471]

Do not agree. The lazy reliance on British accents nowadays makes current films boring. Spartacus had a wonderful mix of accents, and I thought Gavin's voice was among the most interesting.

[@revmiguel2000]

But he is so beautiful! ❤

[@JustSomeCanadianGuy]

Olivier is a great actor but I thought he sucked in this.

[@kahnlives]

What🥴

[@ivankamarelj3542]

Not at all. He was magnificent in the role.

[@Acrocanthosaurus]

He was flawless with the exception of the hot tub scene. He sounded like Anthony Hopkins to me.

[@adam28xx]

I take it you're having a bit of fun with us, knowing full well that the hot tub scene's soundtrack had been lost, so Hopkins was brought in to re-record the dialogue. He was recommended to do so by Olivier's widow, Joan Plowright, as he was evidently a good mimic. Tony Curtis was still alive however, so he was able to repeat the lines he'd spoken many years earlier.

[@Acrocanthosaurus]

You know your movies.@@adam28xx