Spartacus - 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray + Digital [4K UHD]

Saw this movie when it showed in theai as a child. It was thrilling then and still thrills me today.

Universal Studios released on both 4K UHD and Blu-ray this popular 1960 film directed by Stanley Kubrick documenting and recreating the life of rebel slave leader Spartacus (played iconically by Kirk Douglas) who leads a massive slave revolt against Rome in order to regain their freedom by leaving the country, of course this endeavor was doomed to fail, though he became an inspirational leader to subsequent generations.Looking superb in a new 4K remaster that blows away the previous inadequate DVD and Blu-ray releases, porting over those extras. Superb film goes on a bit long but is quite impressively mounted and exciting, with excellent performances (Charles Laughton, Peter Ustinov, Sir Laurence Oliver, Tony Curtis, and Jean Simmons costar) and direction. The only home video version of the film you'll ever need!

Among the memorable performances by Douglas, Olivier, Ustinov, Laughton, Curtis & Jean Simmons, often underappreciated is the role of Woody Strode as Draba. The screenplay was written by the black-listed Dalton Trumbo who also wrote "Lonely Are the Brave" which Douglas starred in and proclaimed his favorite role. Strode as black actor in the 1960's should forever be "A" listed by serious film students.Woody Strode appears here as a black/ Ethiopian- gladiator who initially informs Spartacus that he doesn't want to know him or his name in the event they must fight to the death. This concern becomes real and somehow when they battle to the death, he cannot kill the defenseless Spartacus and dies as a martyr and true rebel. His act of saving Spartacus will lead to the slave/gladiator rebellion. Without his heroic act there is no Spartacus and no movie. Two years later Strode will appear in 1962's "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance" as Pompey. "My man" says John Wayne's Tom Doniphon. Pompey will save Wayne's character from a burning home; the fire having been set by Doniphon in a drunken stupor after learning he will not wed Vera Miles character. Strode literally carries Wayne out of the fire in his arms. Imagine John Wayne being saved by a black man; like Kirk Douglas's Spartacus being spared by Draba/Strode. Has there ever been similar events from Hollywood? In 1966 he will co-star as a marksman & tracker with Lancaster, Marvin and Robert Ryan in academy award winning "The Professionals". There is no doubt a back story to how Strode was selected for these memorable and unexpected roles. I'd watch that movie too.

When Universal released "Spartacus"(1960) on Blu-ray for the first time for it's 50th Anniversary in 2010, there was a universal(no pun intended) outcry because of it's less than stellar presentation. Complaints by fans, customers and reviewers were so numerous that many thought they'd never see a true representation of the film in their lifetime. What a difference five years makes. Universal's new 2015 restored version of "Spartacus" should put all that to rest once and for all. This new restored version is simply stunning and Universal deserves credit for finally giving one of their most famous(and valuable) films from it's library the respect it deserves. According to the information that appears on screen at the end of the film "a 2015 4K digital restoration from a 6K scan of the 1991 reconstructed version supervised by Robert A. Harris" was used for this new Blu-ray presentation. I saw the 1991 reconstructed version in 70 mm when it played at one of the Cinerama theaters in San Diego and remember being very impressed when I walked out of the theater. When Criterion released the standard DVD some years ago I immediately bought it and this has been my go to copy for years. That's all changed now with this new 2015 Blu-ray. One thing that viewers will notice right away is how Russell Metty's Oscar winning cinematography dazzles the eye. Colors are sharp and vivid with even the smallest details very prominent. This is very apparent in the art direction, set decorations and costumes all of which won Oscars that year. Metty, who photographed "Touch of Evil" and "The Misfits" during his long career with Universal, had disagreements with director Stanley Kubrick during filming and his insistence on using natural lighting during nighttime scenes(campfires, torches, etc.) conflicted with Kubrick opinions on how the film should be photographed. The results are very apparent now in this restored version with the faces of the actors taking on a more natural glow(mainly yellow) from the flames of the torches inside tents that make the whole scene more authentic than using the studio lighting that Kubrick preferred. Daylight scenes are another wonder and just pop off the screen. Greens, reds, blues, yellows are not only striking but vivid in every scene((Bitrate: 23.49). Since the 1991 reconstruction was used for this new restoration there are still some soft scenes where close-ups are not as crystal clear as other portions but these scenes are few and do not detract from the overall presentation. The story of a slave rebellion(under the leadership of Spartacus) against their Roman masters in 73 B.C. is engrossing from beginning to end. Director Kubrick wisely keeps the whole film focused on the love story between Spartacus(Kirk Douglas) and Varinia(Jean Simmons) and the love they have for each other despite all the events that surround them. The final battle between the slaves and the Roman legions is heartbreaking but leads to a very satisfying ending that proves that love and hope can bring about change no matter what. Douglas and Simmons get great support from Laurence Olivier, Charles Laughton, Tony Curtis and Peter Ustinov(who won an Oscar). "Spartacus" is 197 minutes(Aspect ratio: 2.20:1) and contains the following subtitles: English SDH, French and Spanish. The Audio(DTS-HD MA 7.1 English and DTS French 5.1) is another highlight and free of any noise artifacts(hiss, pop, crackle, etc.) with Alex North's music being especially prominent. Special features include: I am Spartacus(9:39) a 2015 interview with Kirk Douglas; Restoring Spartacus(9:00); Four deleted scenes(7:41); Archival Interviews with Peter Ustinov and Jean Simmons(6:00); Behind the Scenes footage(5:10); Five vintage newsreels(4:59); an Image gallery and the original theatrical trailer. The Blu-ray disc itself is housed in a standard and solid Blu-ray case(not an eco-cutout) and comes inside a cardboard slipcase for added protection. Universal's restored version of "Spartacus" is long overdue and is a must own for any home film library. It comes highly recommended.