Steven Spielberg On SPARTACUS

Steven Spielberg talks about several scenes from the film SPARTACUS, #81 on AFI's 100 Years... 100 Movies List.
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[@LarryjB53]

Tony Curtis as a Greek slave saying "I teach the classics" with a Bronx accent. Priceless.

[@jackprescott9652]

the editing sequence between Spartacus speech and Crassus speech is to me, the best of the film.

[@mrvillan6951]

The brilliant scene that sets out the stakes of the battle to come. It says to the audience "which side are you on? The established order, and the status quo. Or the oppressed, and uncertain change". The same choice American's were being confronted with at the time of the film's release.

[@KesselRunner606]

This is why Spartacus is my lifelong favourite movie. As a kid you enjoy the action and the fight scenes. But as an adult there's a whole other movie about keen intellects duelling each other in the cutthroat mafia-like world of the Roman Senate. I must have watched Spartacus over 100 times, and I swear everytime there's some little nuance in someone's performance that makes it fresh.

[@acdragonrider]

And it was real. Roman politics often became really dirty and was about intrigue to gain power

[@lotanowo]

It's incredible how well the movie holds up, especially in regards to the set design, costume design and stunts...I was never a fan of the prolonged "freed slaves coming together" and the melodramatic romance scenes, but everything else in between is absolute gold.

[@tiffsaver]

Ustinov and Laughton acting together was like putting nitro with glycerine. Pure cinema magic.

[@2msvalkyrie529]

Agree ! But Olivier was just immense in his scenes . He almost crossed into Ham territory but somehow avoided it. Laughton apparently hated him for his good Looks ..!

[@tiffsaver]

@@2msvalkyrie529 You could say the same about other great British actors, like Richard Burton. I actually think that they secretly loved the sound of their own voices, and if I had a voice like that, I'd probably love me, too. That said, the grandiose parts Olivier often chose were usually men of immense power, so his acting style suited these "larger than life" roles quite well.

[@patcronenberg2334]

Laughton was marvelous and so was Ustinov. Charles Laughton was perplexed that Olivier had pushed Kirk Douglas to give him more scenes and diminish Laughton's role at the same time. Spartacus' reputation has grown over the years and rightly so!!

[@rohanmarkjay]

Yep when those highly trained British Shakespearean actors of that era with their clipped highly refined British accents of that period go head to head in a filmed scene I don't think there is anything better. The director does not have to do anything. Just point camera at them with good lighting and shoot. Those actors will take care of the rest.

[@tiffsaver]

@@2msvalkyrie529 With his haughty attitude, Olivier was perfect for the role. But apparently Laughton hated EVERYONE for their good looks.

[@bernardtassart7225]

I love Mr Spielberg talking movie,he tells great anecdotes about every film and what he said about this one, the impressions and the fear and destin of survival are just utterly remarkable!!!!

[@bobmessier5215]

"Spartacus" still remains for me, the greatest film EVER made. I've seen it a hundred times and each time find something new to give me goosebumps. Perfectly acted cast, action scenes and cinematography with something for everyone.

[@acdragonrider]

clark cimmerian It’s still a really good film

[@orangewarm1]

How about Ben Hur or The Great Escape?

[@jamesalexander5623]

Supposedly Ustinov's "Sun's Over There!" Line was Improvised! Spartacus is a Brilliant Intelligent Epic .... One of the Few!

[@kugelweg]

I'm not surprised. Ustinov was a gem!

[@paultracey4058]

My favorite bit was and there was many. When Kirk sees Jean wen they both escape. It is so real and touching. You cant teach that

[@joecook5689]

I love Spielberg movies and Kubrick movies. What a treasure interview.

[@mrvillan6951]

Lawrence Olivier's performance is the stand out one for me. His Crassus is the personification of the Roman Empire, with all its power, glory, majesty, solidity, cruelty and brutality. Few actors could represent all of that so magnificently. Olivier is so good that he appears to be in every scene because all the other acting performances are against the power represented by Crassus.

[@jamesupton4996]

When you consider that Olivier made The Entertainer at about the same time, playing the washed up seaside performer Archie Rice, you realise how great an actor he was.

[@pp312]

Agree that Olivier was great. I'd say the Academy had a lot of difficulty picking between him, Ustinov and Laughton for best supporting actor. However, it's only just that Ustinov won as he re-wrote a number of scenes without credit.

[@mrvillan6951]

@@pp312 Thanks. I didn't know that.

[@pp312]

@@mrvillan6951 To be specific, he re-wrote the scenes between himself and Laughton, plus of course his own extensive ad-libbing. The studio couldn't pay or credit him as he wasn't a member of the American Screen Writer's Guild so they gave him a car. None of this was appreciated by Kirk Douglas, who was very ungracious about Ustinov in his autobiography. Incidentally, you might be interested in a quote about Douglas from Howard Fast, author of the novel: "We were making a film about ancient Rome for a man without culture or education, a man who could only see the material as a western in togas."

[@captainamerica6525]

Brilliant analysis and explanation!!

[@raylaska]

Spielberg's got it wrong. It was two pairs to the death. Draba, Spartacus, Crixus and Galeno. The moment he's mis-remembered is when Marcellus, the trainer says, "First pair. Crixus and Galeno. They go out to fight. That leaves the incredible scene where Spartacus is waiting and worried about his friend, Crixus, and all the while knowing it's going to be him and Draba. next. The most telling moment comes when Crixus and Galeno fall up against the holding space and Spartacus looks at Draba and Draba (Woody Strode) has this most subtle, sympathetic look that says, "You poor bastard. You care." And then it goes on to the famous fight scene with the wonderful Alex North music and Draba refuses to kill Spartacus.

[@Rickwmc]

+Ray Laska I agree. As Galeno is killed by Crixus, Spartacus turns and looks at Draba with a look of despair, confusion, frustration and fear.

[@gaberodriguez4023]

I was thinking the same thing. Spielberg misremembered the scene.

[@jimheagy1428]

Ray Laska on

[@geraldjohnson4013]

Draba knew that killing Spartacus for the pleasure of Roman elites was wrong and totally evil. He allowed himself to be sacrificed in the end because he knew that Spartacus was a decent man and killing such a man would have tortured his soul.

[@pato2200]

Yes I was going to say this till I saw your post. Draba earlier in film was asked by Spartacus what was his name to which he was told you don't want to know my name I don't want to know your name. Spartacus says it was only a friendly question. Draba says "Gladiators don't make friends. If we are ever paired in the arena together, I'll have to kill you." Clearly draba while seeming to grasp this very early was, it became evident, struggling with the morality if it though he was silent about it. Draba showed great moral and spiritual awareness and Spartacus confronting draba's fate at where his body was hanged cinvinced him of a higher law, a higher morality and defiance. Draba's sacrifice is essential to the film.

[@Carousel5883]

I love Steven Spielberg.hes my all time crush right up there with MJ and Daniel Day Lewis.I could just hear him talk all day bout a movie.i love the way he analyses a scene.his voice ,his hand movements,his clearing his throat ,his style ,his look,his brilliance....I'm hopelessly devoted

[@BunWackettBuzzard]

Yes, the before the fight scene, waiting for the inevitable fight with two friends, built up so much tension. I remember when I was a kid, and watched Spartacus, I loved it. I didn't even know who Stanley Kubrick was back then, but would you know it? even when I didn't pay attention to the directors of films, I found Kubrick's films to be in my top 20. ALL OF THEM.

[@Loomr]

I though Spartacus clearly showed individual scenes of brilliance. The wooden shed and the gladiator fight being one them ... I was so impressed by it when I saw it, because it's not easy to get action scenes working, especially considering how old it is. "Snails and oysters" was great too ^^

[@jackzaccardi1896]

Spielberg sounds brilliant here. He knows his movies.

[@tml184]

He totally confused the fighting scene though.

[@russellcampbell9198]

Nice get by SS. When the bodies slam into the gate into the arena was so visceral.

[@didondio]

He can't help himself can he ! He ALWAYS folds his hands in that iconic manner.

[@ppuh6tfrz646]

I don't think hand folding can be iconic.

[@dodosss1]

a brilliant director speaking about an genius stanley kubrik who is on my opinion in top 5 of the greattest director who revolutionated the movies.

[@ppuh6tfrz646]

Spielberg, brilliant??? An genius... You think the letter g is a vowel? Kubrik... Is that how you think it's spelt? Greattest... Is that how you think it's spelt? Revolutionated... *WHAT???*

[@SublimeTrickaz]

@@ppuh6tfrz646 Yeah he's brilliant, f*** off you pedantic twat

[@russelllangworthy8855]

@@ppuh6tfrz646 Aww, leave the guy alone. Not everyone can be BRILLIANT.

[@ppuh6tfrz646]

@@russelllangworthy8855 True. Neither Spielberg or Tudor Albu are brilliant. I'll cut them some slack.

[@VictorLepanto]

The Charles Laughton character is unquestionably the best & richest character in the movie.

[@ppuh6tfrz646]

Actually, it's a matter of opinion.

[@jimslancio]

The really telling thing about the fight scene is that Crassus and Glabrus were talking business and couldn't be bothered to even pay attention to the gladiators fighting to the death for their entertainment. Only the two women, the bloodthirsty one and the sexually aroused one, were watching.

[@1ouncebird]

Great point. Spielberg didn't mention it but this makes the entire scene even that much more powerful. What a statement about the ancient Roman political power machine . An amazing scene in a brilliant film. The best of all sword and sandal epics and even better than the also excellent Ben Hur.....in my opinion...of course.

[@Kohl423]

He obviously meant Douglas and Strode because Ireland's character was one of the combatants outside.

[@gaberodriguez4023]

I was thinking the same thing.

[@ChuckKahn]

I guess he hasn't seen the movie in a while. Mis-remembering Ireland inside and calling the trident a pitchfork.

[@HenriHerbert88]

Yeah he must have misremembered, because Spartacus didn't bond with Draba.

[@jasonhorowitz9270]

He did, but it still doesn't make sense, because those two characters didn't become friends. So it's all a bit wrong. Oh well!

[@zmani4379]

The second part of his comment refers to one of the most important parts of that film - how can we have any "hero" in any gladiator scene - how can we be rooting for any one of them to defeat the other, when the larger issue is that neither of them should even be in this situation at all? Amazingly, the Kubrick film is one of the few with the moral clarity to recognize this obvious point - and the Woody Strode scene shows maybe the only "heroic" response such a combatant could have - choosing his humanity over his life

[@jomon723]

Love that movie, and yes, the chess that was played between the two was great, I'm sure a lot of that went on back then Love the (and where does my name appear on the list.....At the Top !

[@acdragonrider]

My favorite directors. Alfred Hitchcock, William Wyler, George Lucas, Fred Zinnemann, Stanley Kubrick, Peter Jackson, Terrence Malick, Vittorio de Sica, Ang Lee, Pedro Almodóvar

[@wolfliou3678]

Don't forget the first.. Chaplin. 😂😂😂

[@nautika1]

Absolutely brilliant movie of all time

[@anthonycaranci3944]

I'm a great fan of Mr. Spielberg, and with all due respect - I believe he has his X's crossed with the scene he's describing. If you look at the film, there are two groups of two gladiators: Crixus & Galino who are to fight each other and Draba (Woody Strode) and Spartacus are to fight each other. John Ireland (Crixus) is already in the arena fighting Galino as Spartacus and Draba are in the holding pen exchanging looks at each other as you hear that crash against the wood. Great film! One my favorites. The 2015 restoration certainly outdoes the previous 1991 restoration. A must have!

[@nicholasjanke3476]

I always wished that Woody Strode could have had a longer part being that his was an interesting character. Draba is the one who really starts the revolt against the romans-spartacus gets the idea from him.

[@ConstantineJoseph]

Just imagine going back 2100 years ago to the age of the late Roman republic. HBO's Rome did a great job in reenacting the grime and the squalor and the burgeoning splendor of a republic that could no longer govern itself with the constant rabble and self conflicting ideas. I really do believe the very issues that Spartacus faced, the angst, the widespread hurt these slaves bore to shoulder an empire would one day inspire a young Caesar to want to make changes to Roman society that would result in the switch from the Republic to the Imperial Rome that would be the basis of modern civilization for a thousand years and more

[@FourKaiju]

Kirk Douglas turns 100 today on the 9th of December. In 9 more days Spielberg will be 70!

[@MisterUnknown707]

May Kirk Douglas Rest In Peace.

[@rdecredico]

like most of his memories, he cant help but to revise and to be wrong in his account of what he saw

[@donthomison2716]

The scene of Ireland and Douglass looking at each other was before the first fighters are called out . Douglas has eye contact with stroud as a fight takes place in the background as they wait to fight in the arena.

[@KevinR1138]

Being a film buff and Stanley Kubrick friend I’m surprised Spielberg got the gladiatorial fight sequence wrong. It wasn’t John Ireland and Kirk Douglas looking at each other in the holding pen during the first fight, it was Kirk Douglas and Woody Strode since John Ireland was in the first fight.

[@tintins4021]

Steven Spielberg’s greatest film in, my opinion is, Raiders of the lost Ark. basically everything is there. The good the bad the ugly

[@PorkFrog]

'long pitchfork' LOL 'trident' Steve, traditional weapon, pitchforks are for hay

[@petrfrizen6078]

@jutubaeh Very indepthful... but how it does relate to the trident - pitchfork matter...

[@thelastjohnwayne]

NOTE The Film Gladiator with Russell Crowe draws heavily from the great film Spartacus.

[@nicholasjanke3476]

Spartacus is definitely Kubrick's best films!

[@scotterskine1970]

I think Spielberg got confused. Kirk Douglas was sitting across from Woody Strode and staring at each other not John Ireland. Kirk Douglas never fought him. John ireland was one of the first pair to fight

[@JuanDeSoCal]

Really just came to look at the two Dirk Van Erp lamps in the background.

[@BunWackettBuzzard]

@FetaCheese222 Yes, even the 50s stuff. He must just be that kind of director who appeals to my taste.

[@rondunn4336]

He does not mention that his favorite Laughton/Ustinov scenes were all written by Ustinov?

[@zacharyagler3007]

I am Spartacus

[@ernesthill4017]

I cannot help but see the parallel meanings between Spartacus and Christ. They both died on the cross to set men free. Spartacus for their bodies, Christ, for their souls

[@mrvillan6951]

No, you're not. I'm Spartacus!

[@1ouncebird]

@@mrvillan6951 "I'm Spartacus and so is my wife!"

[@mandolindleyroadshow706]

Spielberg is wrong about the gladiator scene. It is Kirk Douglas and Woody Strode (not John Ireland) who stare at each other as the battle rages outside of their pen. It is Ireland who is fighting off screen. We hear the clanging of the swords while watching close ups of Douglas and Strode waiting their turn. When the battle is over, Ireland re-enters the pen as the victor, but looks totally de-moralized, then it is Strode and Douglas' turn to go into the arena. It IS a great scene, but Spielberg got the dynamics wrong.

[@JackKlompus13]

@KyrieEleison46 Kubrick is the master.

[@JackKlompus13]

@ERRATICCHEESE2 Really? Can you explain how? I'm not exactly the biggest fan of Spielberg's work, so I'm pretty curious as to what your complaints with the movie are.

[@tml184]

Spielberg is wrong about that scene. Kirk was staring at at Woody Strode not Ireland. Ireland was fighting another gladiator.

[@salvatorearcilesi]

seine filme haben Hollywood 5 Milliarden Dollar eingespielt.................bravo

[@jameshudson169]

is spartacus an american film? or british?

[@HolyMackerel490]

@mindarinas You had a pretty faulty link there, since it led me to the YT homepage. And yes, if you look past nostalgia, it is a good film.

[@nicholasjanke3476]

Spartacus is a great film. Not historically accurate (the real Spartacus was 18 and he was killed in battle not on the cross). Spartacus almost toppled ancient Rome!

[@pp312]

Agree that Spartacus died in battle, not on the cross, but where did you get that he was 18?

[@nicholasjanke3476]

@@pp312 I was told that once by a classical history expert and I remember hearing that from other sources I an't recall.

[@tonylast9181]

There is no evidence that Spartacus died in battle, or on the cross. His remains were never found by the Romans

[@UniversalBrother108]

@KyrieEleison46 Kubrick was and still is the master. But I agree Speilberg is a master indeed, especially with his earlier films- Can't wait for Lincoln!

[@acdragonrider]

No Hitchcock is

[@kollerbrian]

How about Tony Curtis? Tony Curtis joins the rebellion after Roman General SLO defrocks him @ the Roman Bath. Roman Generals loss, Brian A K

[@ppuh6tfrz646]

I think Spielberg keeps going on about his supposed friendship with Kubrick in the vain hope that people will think that he's on the same level as him.

[@anthonyburgess3683]

Not John Ireland but the great Woody Strode.

[@rohanmarkjay]

To be fair its not just Stanley Kubrick. Anthony Mann who was heavily involved in the early stages that gave the movie its aesthetic look and big scope deserve as much credit as Kubrick for this great film. Unfortunately Anthony Mann had a disagreement 1/3 of the movie in and Anthony Mann left the job. Kubrick was hired as a result. After this movie its noteworthy Kubrick moved to London and Europe on a permanent basis from Los Angeles like a few other American artists upset by the McCarthy communist witch hunts in Hollywood. Some later missing the lifestyle and Sun and surf of LA after the political heat of the 1950s died down returned back home to California but a very few preferred the work environment of London and Europe and stayed back permanently. Stanley Kubrick was one of them. As a result more British oriented movies were made by these American emigre directors in London who decided to stay back. For example its unlikely movies like Dr Strangelove, Lolita, 2001, A Clockwork orange, Barry Lyndon would have been made if Kubrick returned back and lived in Los Angeles. I am not saying he wouldn't but it would have been more unlikely.

[@jimheagy1428]

Just shows that Spielberg can get it wrong..and so it will be the out come of his re-make of West Side Story also!

[@HolyMackerel490]

@mindarinas Yes u are.

[@FetaCheese222]

@BunWackettBuzzard Really? All 13 films? Even the 50s stuff? All just out of coincidence?

[@felixcat4346]

Spielburg is allway a kind man but could you be a bit more critical for a change of pace.

[@BobSmith-dk8nw]

It's called a _Trident_ . .

[@AwesomeCoasters]

@gango13 okay.

[@mdtdbe]

Kirk Douglas was entirely too scrawny to play Spartacus.

[@Tyrfingr]

There are no descriptions of the real man, only very few accounts exist of his general activities. He was never identified after being killed in the final battle either. All that is known is that along with his men he was surrounded and killed.

[@ernesthill4017]

So little is known about Spartacus. But personally, I feel Douglas was born to play him. His ability to convey raw emotions so convincingly was ideal for the role

[@KenFromBeara]

i admired Spielberg as a director until he betrayed Kubrick, by making AI

[@pepemelo8772]

+JK Wiseman it was a mutual understanding between kubrick's family and spielberg, as well as the studio.

[@nunouno001]

+JK Wiseman Also the entire story was based on Kubrick's original script before he died. Spielberg made almost no changes to it.

[@averybrooks5233]

JK Wiseman What a silly thing to say.

[@redblade43]

Steven Spielberg could never create a film like Spartacus; he is useless in the filming industry.

[@petrfrizen6078]

How on Earth the same like kind of movie can be duplicated, created twice considering that the original version does already exist? Steven Spielberg created His own masterpieces.

[@petrfrizen6078]

Well... hmmm... if you identify and evaluate the part and role of Steven Spielberg so... then what is the movies world in Your understanding?..

[@mrg1700]

It’s a wonder how one can be just so incredibly wrong in just one sentence.

[@kysike666]

Glad to know he loved Spartacus by Kubrick..