A hell of a thrilling spectacle, with battle scenes that seem to contain the entire world population.

Full Review | Original Score: A- | Nov 29, 2022

...the performances might be its most compelling element.

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/4 | Jun 28, 2022

A magnificent picture that packs a rarely equaled emotional wallop with its impassioned camaraderie and paralyzing conclusion.

Full Review | Original Score: 10/10 | Aug 27, 2020

The movie is full of wonderful character players who have fun with Trumbo's ripe dialogue.

Full Review | Feb 18, 2020

The result, to all intents and purposes, is pre-ordained.

Full Review | Feb 10, 2020

Laurence Olivier memorably portrays a subtle, ruthless aristocrat who vows to destroy the gladiatorial army.

Full Review | Oct 31, 2019

This chapter of the history of Rome stands out for its recreation of the lives of gladiators and its beautiful images that culminate in the confrontation of the Roman legions in the open field. [Full Review in Spanish]

Full Review | Aug 20, 2019

Like a fast back with plenty of power, Kubrick twists and plunges. But he goes down on the twenty-yard line under the sheer weight of the opposition.

Full Review | Feb 10, 2019

It is an indictment of ancient Rome, but in such a strictly modern idiom that one can't help feeling something has slipped up between the years.

Full Review | Jul 18, 2018

An epic that engages the intellect as well as the eyes and the emotions.

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/4 | Oct 17, 2015

...a passable historical epic that has little in common with the rest of Kubrick's output...

Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/4 | Nov 18, 2014

There have been other versions of the Spartacus story, including a silent epic and a more recent TV series, but Kubrick's film can't be beaten.

Full Review | Oct 23, 2014

Kirk Douglas, while a little old in the role, makes a fine action hero, and Stanley Kubrick's still-accessible directing made the movie click.

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/5 | Jul 30, 2012

Full Review | Original Score: A- | Sep 7, 2011

Thrilling epic is too intense for the youngest.

Full Review | Original Score: 5/5 | Dec 28, 2010

While it suffers from some of the flaws of epics of this era-such as an overly sanitized portrait of life at the time, and anachronistic visions of fashion and lifestyle-Spartacus also boasts some stirring action and intelligent dialogue

Full Review | Original Score: 72/100 | Aug 1, 2010

Douglas is terrific as the iron-jawed slave fuelled by righteous fury.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Jun 12, 2009

The great-granddaddy of Ridley Scott's Gladiator hasn't lost any muscle tone after nearly half a century, and Kirk Douglas's direct, unpretentious performance as the great slave-rebel Spartacus is more engaging than ever.

Full Review | Original Score: 5/5 | Jun 12, 2009

One of the greatest Hollywood epics.

Full Review | Jun 12, 2009

It is in the observation of human detail, and in many memorable little scenes that the film scores most heavily over other epics, and in which it finds an inner strength.

Full Review | Original Score: 5/5 | Jun 12, 2009