Spartacus [Criterion Collection] [2 Discs]

Spartacus [Criterion Collection] [2 Discs]

Spartacus [Criterion Collection] [2 Discs]

Spartacus [Criterion Collection] [2 Discs]

DVD (Wide Screen / Dolby 5.1 / Stereo / Mono)

$49.99 
  • SHIP THIS ITEM
    Temporarily Out of Stock Online
  • PICK UP IN STORE

    Your local store may have stock of this item.

Related collections and offers


Overview

"Universal Pictures originally released Spartacus as a bare-bones DVD, and The Criterion Collection also released the film as a three-disc laserdisc with most of the same extras as this disc. Neither can hold a candle to this splendid two-disc release. The film's transfer is stunning. Spartacus' long-troubled restoration history, supervised by the preeminent film restorer Robert A. Harris (who also restored Lawrence of Arabia and Vertigo to their undisputed glories), has been well documented. The arduous process yields results that are nothing short of amazing. Shown in its original aspect ratio of 2.2:1, enhanced for widescreen TVs, the picture was digitally transferred from a 65 mm intermediate positive. Though Kirk Douglas does seem a bit too red at times, the color correction is stable, tends not to bleed, and seems perfectly balanced overall. The high-contrast picture is sharp throughout, giving many modern-day films a run for their money in terms of visual quality. There is no evidence of compression artifacts whatsoever. The film's 5.1 and 2.0 soundtracks have also been remastered and reconstructed from multiple elements. Alex North's thunderous score really shines here. Disc one contains two audio commentaries. The first track, which was originally recorded for the earlier laserdisc release from 1992, contains insights, observations, and production details from producer/actor Douglas, actor Peter Ustinov, novelist Howard Fast, producer Edward Lewis, restoration expert Harris, and legendary designer Saul Bass. This is simply one of the best DVD commentary tracks around, as all of the contributors have ample time to reminisce about the film's sometimes troubled production. Ustinov almost steals the show with some of his more acerbic comments. The second track is a scene-by-scene analysis taken from screenwriter Dalton Trumbo's notes, written after he viewed a rough cut of the film. The track is narrated by Michael McConnohie and also contains some Alex North music compositions. Disc one also contains an informative restoration demonstration. Disc two contains a wealth of information, including some rare deleted scenes, vintage newsreel footage of the film's premiere, some rather amusing promotional interviews of Ustinov and actress Jean Simmons, another great interview with the droll Ustinov from 1992, an excellent documentary concerning the Hollywood Ten (of which Trumbo was a member) and much, much more."

Product Details

Release Date: 04/24/2001
UPC: 0715515011723
Original Release: 1960
Rating: PG-13
Source: CRITERION
Region Code: 1
Presentation: [Wide Screen]
Sound: [monaural, Dolby Digital, stereo]
Language: English
Time: 3:16:00
Sales rank: 14,172

Special Features

Disc 1:; 16x9 transfer of the 1991 fully restored Super Technirama version; Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround soundtrack; Audio commentary by producer-actor Kirk Douglas, actor Peter Ustinov, novelist Howard Fast, producer Edward Lewis, restoration expert Robert A. Harris, and designer Saul Bass; Screenwriter Dalton Trumbo's scene-by-scene analysis; Additional Alex North score compositions; English subtitles; Restoration demonstration; Disc 2:; Rare deleted scenes; Vintage newsreel footage; 1960 promotional interviews with Jean Simmons and Peter Ustinov; 1992 video interview with Peter Ustinov; Behind-the-scenes "Gladiatorial School" footage; 1960 documentary "The Hollywood Ten" plus archival documents about the blacklist; Original storyboards by Saul Bass; Hundreds of production stills, lobby cards, posters, print ads, and a comic book; Sketches by director Stanley Kubrick; Original theatrical trailer; Stereo; 2.2:1 aspect ratio

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits
Kirk Douglas Spartacus
Laurence Olivier Marcus Licinius Crassus
Jean Simmons Varinia
Charles Laughton Gracchus
Tony Curtis Antoninus
Peter Ustinov Lentulus Batiatus
John Gavin Julius Caesar
Nina Foch Helena Glabrus
Herbert Lom Tigranes
John Ireland Crixus
John Dall Glabrus
Charles McGraw Marcellus
Joanna Barnes Claudia Marius
Woody Strode Draba
Harold J. Stone David
Peter Brocco Ramon
Paul Lambert Gannicus
Bob Wilke Guard Captain,W?chter
Nick Dennis Dionysius
John Hoyt Caius
Frederic Worlock Laelius
Dayton Lummis Symmachus
Lili Valenty Old Crone
Jil Jarmyn Julia,Julia
Jo Summers Slave Girl
Autumn Russell Slave Girl
Kay Stewart Slave Girl
Lynda Williams Slave Girl
Louise Vincent Slave Girl
James Griffith Otho
Joe Haworth Marius,Metallius
Dale Van Sickel Trainer
Carleton Young Herald
Hallene Hill Beggar Woman
Paul E. Burns Fimbria,Pirate
Leonard Penn Garrison Officer
Harry Harvey Jr. Slave
Eddie Parker Slave
Harold Goodwin Slave
Chuck Roberson Slave
Saul Gorss Slave Leader
Charles Horvath Slave Leader
Gil Perkins Slave Leader
Dick Crockett Guard
Harvey Parry Guard
Rod Normond Guard
Larry Perron Guard
Carey Loftin Guard
Regis Parton Actor,Gladiator
Bob Morgan Gladiator,Ad Lib
Tom Steele Gladiator
Aaron Saxon Gladiator
Wally Rose Gladiator
Ken Terrell Ad Lib
Otto Malde Roman General
Russell Saunders Actor
Seamon Glass Pirate
George Robotham Pirate
Harold Kruger Pirate
Chuck Courtney Soldier
Russ Saunders Soldier
Valley Keene Soldier
Tap Canutt Soldier,Soldier
Wayne Van Horn Soldier
Brad Harris Soldier
Jerry Brown Soldier
Chuck Hayward Soldier
Buff Brady Soldier
Cliff Lyons Soldier
Anthony Hopkins Marcus Licinius Crassus (some scenes, 1991 restoratio
Rube Schaffer Soldier
Ted de Corsia Legionnaire
Arthur Batanides Legionnaire
Bob Stevenson Legionnaire
Terence de Marney Major Domo
Alex North Composer
Russell Metty Actor
Stanley Kubrick Actor
Dalton Trumbo Actor
Rick Alexander Actor
Saul Bass Actor
Edward Lewis Actor
Howard Fast Actor
James Bolt Actor
Edward Muhl Actor
Calder Willingham Actor
Bill Blackburn Prisoner
Drama Actor

Technical Credits
Dalton Trumbo Screenwriter
Kirk Douglas Executive Producer
Edward Lewis Producer
Wah Chang Special Effects
Yakima Canutt Stunts
Rick Alexander Sound Effects
Howard Fast Screenwriter
Calder Willingham Screenwriter
Peter Ustinov Screenwriter
James C. Katz Producer
Saul Bass Special Effects
James Bolt Sound Effects
Edward Muhl Executive Producer

Scene Index

Disc #1 -- Spartacus
1. Overture [:10]
2. Opening Credits [4:02]
3. "A Disease Called Human Slavery" [3:42]
4. The Gladiatorial School [5:36]
5. Spartacus Meets Varinia [5:43]
6. Training [4:41]
7. A Slave's Courtship [1:30]
8. Crassus Orders a Show [6:36]
9. Selecting the Gladiators [4:52]
10. Crassus Buys Varinia [3:30]
11. Fight To the Death [2:53]
12. The Slaves Revolt [7:36]
13. The Roman Senate [6:51]
14. A Singer Of Songs [4:05]
15. Crassus Admonishes Glabrus [1:37]
16. A Natural Leader [3:02]
17. Spartacus Finds Varinia [5:38]
18. "A Tendency Toward Corpulence" [4:34]
19. Oysters and Snails [3:36]
20. Slave Camp At Vesuvius [3:55]
21. Antoninus Entertains [4:49]
22. Splendor In the Grass [3:41]
23. The Pirates' Agent Cuts a Deal [3:08]
24. The Roman Garrison Falls [5:51]
25. Entr'acte [6:08]
26. Glabrus Is Sentenced [2:23]
27. To the Sea [4:14]
28. Varinia's News [3:43]
29. Caesar Is Made Commander [2:47]
30. Celebrant Slaves [1:15]
31. Strategizing Against Spartacus [1:43]
32. A Jubilant Arrival [5:04]
33. Tigranus Brings Ill Tidings [1:34]
34. Calls To Arms [4:52]
35. A Deal Is Struck [5:51]
36. The Eve Of Battle [3:09]
37. The Battle [5:23]
38. "I Am Spartacus" [9:35]
39. Batiatus Pleads His Case [1:37]
40. "A Bad Attack Of Dignity" [4:14]
41. The List Of Traitors [3:43]
42. Crassus Woos Varinia [2:39]
43. Spartacus Fights Antoninus [6:19]
44. Gracchus' Last Laugh [9:22]
45. A Son Who Is Free [2:28]
46. Restoration Credits [3:41]
1. How It Began [:10]
2. The Inspiration For Spartacus [4:02]
3. Death Valley [3:42]
4. The Gladiatorial Set [5:36]
5. A Tough Scene To Play [5:43]
6. "Most Authentic Part Of the Film" [4:41]
7. Douglas Brings In Kubrick [1:30]
8. Ustinov On Olivier [6:36]
9. The Politics Of Spartacus [4:52]
10. Fast On Varinia [3:30]
11. "The Great Scene In the Film" [2:53]
12. Actings's Inherent Dangers [7:36]
13. Laughton's Frustrations [6:51]
14. Trumbo's Approach to Decadence [4:05]
15. Similarities In Cultures [1:37]
16. Breaking the Blacklist [3:02]
17. Restoration Issues [5:38]
18. "A Harmonious Tennis Match" [4:34]
19. Olivier's Crassus [3:36]
20. Kubrick Exerts Control [3:55]
21. Slaves In Ancient Rome [4:49]
22. Casting Varinia [3:41]
23. Technicolor Printing [3:08]
24. The Role Of Saul Bass [5:51]
25. Key Art [6:08]
26. An Antagonistic Relation [2:23]
27. Missing Footage Restored [4:14]
28. The Naked Scenes [3:43]
29. Filming In Spain [2:47]
30. Coddling Actors [1:15]
31. The Actors Disagree [1:43]
32. Different Directorial Styles [5:04]
33. Bass and the Final Battle [1:34]
34. Roman Fighting Strategies [4:52]
35. Frustration With Roman Pictures [5:51]
36. Two Sides Of Spartacus [3:09]
37. The Issue Of Violence [5:23]
38. A Love Story [9:35]
39. Olivier and the Horse [1:37]
40. When Movies Were Events [4:14]
41. Injecting Political Humor [3:43]
42. Ustinov On Acting [2:39]
43. "A Scene Of Love" [6:19]
44. Trumbo's Initial Reactions [9:22]
45. The Crucifixion Scene Offends [2:28]
46. Fond Remembrances [3:41]
1. Battle Over the Screenplay [:10]
2. Spartacus' Noble Aims [4:02]
3. The Frightful Animal [3:42]
4. An Excised Subplot [5:36]
5. The Power Of Spartacus' Restraint [5:43]
6. Score Variation #1 [4:41]
7. Powerful Acting [1:30]
8. Two Worlds Collide [6:36]
9. (No Analysis Provided) [4:52]
10. Large Vs. Small Spartacus [3:30]
11. The Death Of Draba [2:53]
12. Spartacus Comes Into Power [7:36]
13. Two Main Adversaries [6:51]
14. (No Analysis Provided) [4:05]
15. Emergence Of Large Spartacus [1:37]
16. Large Replaces Small [3:02]
17. Trumbo Is Overruled [5:38]
18. Ustinov's Contributions [4:34]
19. Homosexuality In Ancient Rome [3:36]
20. Public House/Slum Street Scenes [3:55]
21. A "Need For the Specific" [4:49]
22. Problems With the Love Scene
From the B&N Reads Blog

Customer Reviews