Another new and hopefully regular Screenhead feature, Overrated? re-examines some famous films to see if they were actually any good.
Today, Spartacus.
Why it’s so revered: 4 Academy Awards, Stanley Kubrick directing, cast of Kirk Douglas, Peter Ustinov, Laurence effin’ Olivier, Tony Curtis, epic, inspiration for Gladiator, the famous “I’m Spartacus” scene.
Why it might be overrated: With the exception of Best Supporting Actor for Peter Ustinov, Spartacus’ Oscars are relatively minor (Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography, Best Costume Design).
It is a Kubrick film, but it’s well known that he treated it as hack work, just a job he had to do after Anthony Mann was fired. Further, the film is more a reflection of screenwriter Dalton Trumbo than Kubrick, as Trumbo was the more powerful figure.
It’s a bit of a Kirk Douglas vanity project, a reaction to losing the lead role in Ben Hur (which holds up far better) to Charlton Heston. This also explains why a lot of the film is spent showing the Kirkster’s muscles.
The love story between Spartacus and Verinia (Jean Simmons, this one not that one) seems to be based entirely on them being the only two good looking people around.
Some of the dialogue is woeful. When Douglas and Simmons are reunited after winning their freedom there’s a scene where they declare their commitment by enslaving themselves to each other, saying “I forbid you to leave me” over and over. It’s not good.
The editing feels a bit rushed, with scenes just cutting to black at odd points.
The music is definitely a bit much, with the epic score pipinh up at odd moments.
The verdict: It’s not that Spartacus is horirble – it definitely has its moments, not least the “I’m Spartacus” scene and Olivier’s gleefully evil machinations – but there are a lot of sloppy edges. The silly dialogue, odd editing and overblown music. It’s basically a poor man’s Ben Hur.
Popularity: 1% [?]
Peter Nellhaus said
March 4 2007 @ 7:43 am
I think Ben-Hur is the film that is wildly over-rated. It may be my least favorite film by William Wyler. Last time I watched it, I fell asleep during the chariot race. I’ve been lucky to see Spartacus twice theatrically, during the initial release, and then when the “restored” version played theatrically. Sure, this was a Kubrick for hire film, but so what? Did gladiators have flat top haircuts? Probably not. Does winning Academy Awards always mean a quality film? I’ll take Spartacus over every Best Picture for the past ten years. This may be a subjective call on my part, but the film has heart. The film also has a better vindication of quality than an Oscar, it’s available as a Criterion Collection DVD.
Eoin said
March 4 2007 @ 9:30 am
The Rock and Armageddon are available as Criterion DVDs… so I’m afraid that’s your theory down the drain.
I’m with Daryl on this one, it’s a bit too hokey for me. Then again, so is Ben Hur.
Peter Nellhaus said
March 4 2007 @ 8:18 pm
As far as Michael Bay on Criterion, let’s just say that Professor Basinger has much influence and presents a compelling argument on behalf of her former student. For me, the one other epic of that time that holds up is Anthony Mann’s “El Cid”.
Marina said
March 5 2007 @ 2:04 pm
If I had to choose between Spartacus or Ben Hur, I’d take Ben Hur any day.
Trevor Whitecliff said
March 6 2007 @ 7:26 am
What I hate most about this movie is the part where Spartacus has sex with all of those children. That’s gross, and I don’t care what anyone thinks!
Neal said
June 19 2007 @ 3:39 pm
I don’t understand why Gladiator is not put on the list before Spartacus, talk about over-exposed. Aside from the role of Joaquin Phoenix, I found the film very boring.
Hal said
February 12 2008 @ 3:04 pm
Daryl
It seems to me that it is only your opinion that is overrated.
Hal
dddd said
April 22 2008 @ 4:41 pm
Spartacus is possibly the most overrated epic in the history of Hollywood. It can’t hold a candle to Ben Hur. I have a very difficult time watching the film. The film manages to make a very large story feel very small.
Kenna McHugh said
April 22 2008 @ 8:46 pm
Spartacus is a good film of its time and will stand out as such through the years.
konteyner said
June 6 2009 @ 10:24 am
It was a great movie, Everyone must watch it one time in their lifes
Marlene1105 said
June 17 2009 @ 10:14 pm
Spartacus is the best movie I have ever seen! The acting, the costumes, the scenery is awesome. What other movies have ever been made with such well-known talent? Kirk Douglas, Sir Lawrence Oliver, Jean Simmons, Peter Ustinov, Tony Curtis, Charles Laughton to name just a few. This movie is off-the-charts!
konteyner said
June 22 2009 @ 9:02 am
Spartacus is a good film of its time and will stand out as such through the years.
su deposu said
June 22 2009 @ 9:03 am
Spartacus is the best movie I have ever seen! The acting, the costumes, the scenery is awesome. What other movies have ever been made with such well-known talent? Kirk Douglas, Sir Lawrence Oliver, Jean Simmons, Peter Ustinov, Tony Curtis, Charles Laughton to name just a few. This movie is off-the-charts!