Principal cast
Kirk Douglas, Laurence Olivier, Jean Simmons, Charles Laughton and Peter Ustinov
Film 352 of 498 on the Screen Path
Spartacus
They trained him to kill for their pleasure ... but they trained him a little too well
About the film
Spartacus at a glance.
Screen Path places this 1960 film at stop 352 in one curated journey through cinema. The learning experience adds context before you watch and deeper analysis after.
The rebellious Thracian Spartacus, born and raised a slave, is sold to Gladiator trainer Batiatus. After weeks of being trained to kill for the arena, Spartacus turns on his owners and leads the other slaves in rebellion. As the rebels move from town to town, their numbers swell as escaped slaves join their ranks. Under the leadership of Spartacus, they make their way to southern Italy, where they will cross the sea and return to their homes.
Key craft credits
Russell Metty (director of photography), Irving Lerner (editor), Robert Lawrence (editor), Alex North (original music composer) and Dalton Trumbo (screenplay)
- Director
- Stanley Kubrick
- Release
- 1960-10-13
- Runtime
- 197 minutes
- Genres
- History, Drama and Adventure
- Country
- United States
- Quiz
- 20 questions
The Screen Path journey
Before. After. Remember.
The featured film is watched outside Screen Path. The app provides the learning experience around it: a guide, an analysis, and a quiz with explanations.
01
Before you watch
Start with a spoiler-free video guide to the context and filmmaking choices worth noticing.
Spoiler-free02
After the film
Return after watching for a deeper video analysis of craft, meaning, and legacy.
Contains spoilers03
Quiz yourself
Answer 20 questions with clear rationales designed to make the ideas stick.
20 questions in this journeyCitizen Kane is the complete public example: both learning videos and a five-question sample quiz are available below.
Start the example โFull cast
Full cast
- Kirk DouglasCharacter: Spartacus
- Laurence OlivierCharacter: Marcus Licinius Crassus
- Jean SimmonsCharacter: Varinia
- Charles LaughtonCharacter: Sempronius Gracchus
- Peter UstinovCharacter: Lentulus Batiatus
- John GavinCharacter: Julius Caesar
- Tony CurtisCharacter: Antoninus
- Nina FochCharacter: Helena Glabrus
- John IrelandCharacter: Crixus
- Herbert LomCharacter: Tigranes Levantus
- John DallCharacter: Marcus Publius Glabrus
- Woody StrodeCharacter: Draba
Full crew
Full crew
- Stanley KubrickCredits: Director
- Eric OrbomCredits: Art Direction
- Larry GermainCredits: Hairstylist
- Howard FastCredits: Novel
- Alexander GolitzenCredits: Production Design
- Ronald PierceCredits: Sound Designer
- Russell MettyCredits: Director of Photography
- Kirk DouglasCredits: Executive Producer
- Bill ThomasCredits: Costume Design
- Edward LewisCredits: Producer
- Russell A. GausmanCredits: Set Decoration
- Robert LawrenceCredits: Editor
- Bud WestmoreCredits: Makeup Artist
- Dalton TrumboCredits: Screenplay
- Waldon O. WatsonCredits: Sound Designer
- Fred VallesCredits: Costume Design
- Alex NorthCredits: Original Music Composer
- Julia HeronCredits: Set Decoration
- Murray SpivackCredits: Sound Designer
- Polly BursonCredits: Stunts
- Jack FoleyCredits: Foley Artist
- Edward MuhlCredits: Executive Producer
- Yakima CanuttCredits: Stunts Coordinator, Second Unit
- Wah ChangCredits: Special Effects
- Preston PetersonCredits: Stunts
- Saul BassCredits: Visual Effects Design Consultant
- Joe LapisCredits: Sound
- Bob RoseCredits: Grip
- Frank E. WarnerCredits: Sound Effects Editor
- Joseph GershensonCredits: Music Supervisor
- Jack WilliamsCredits: Stunts
- Jerry BrownCredits: Stunts
- John EpperCredits: Stunts
- Don TurnerCredits: Stunts
- Clifford StineCredits: Additional Photography
- Tadeo VillalbaCredits: Unit Manager
- Calder WillinghamCredits: Scenario Writer
- Peter UstinovCredits: Screenplay
- Roger K. FurseCredits: Production Design
- Eduardo Garcรญa MarotoCredits: Unit Production Manager
- Don SahlinCredits: Special Effects
- Irving LernerCredits: Editor
- Marshall GreenCredits: Assistant Director
- Norman DemingCredits: Unit Production Manager
- Tap CanuttCredits: Stunts
- Buddy Van HornCredits: Stunts
- Loren JanesCredits: Stunt Double
- Ronnie Rondell Jr.Credits: Stunts
- Glenn R. WilderCredits: Stunts
- Bob HerronCredits: Stunts
- Bill CatchingCredits: Stunts
- Juliรกn MateosCredits: Props
Film data and images provided by TMDB. This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB.