Spartacus
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Is it age appropriate?
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Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Thrilling epic is too intense for the youngest.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 13–14
What to watch out for
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Violence:
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Sex:
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
This review of Spartacus was written by Nell Minow
Parents need to know that this movie has intense battles, crucifixions, and an off-screen suicide. There's implied nudity and implied homosexuality. Slave women are given to men as rewards.
Families Can Talk About
Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
- Families can talk about why it was important for the Romans to spread the rumor that Spartacus was of noble birth. What did Biatius mean when he said he had found his dignity? How was he changed? What did it mean when Gracchus responded that "dignity shortens life even more quickly than disease?" Why did Crassus say he was more concerned about killing the legend than killing the man? Why did each of the slaves claim to be Spartacus?
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More on Spartacus
What’s the Story?
Spartacus (Kirk Douglas) is a slave in the Roman empire, about 70 years before the birth of Christ. A rebellious and proud man, he is sentenced to death for biting a guard but rescued by Biatius (Peter Ustinov), who buys him and takes him to his school for training and selling gladiators. Varinia (Jean Simmons), a British slave, is given to Spartacus. She's eventually sold to another man, and, after killing a man, Spartacus leads the other slaves in a revolt. The Romans send troops to capture them, but the slaves defeat them, sending back the message that all they want is the freedom to return to their homes. Crassus uses the slave revolt to gain political power. He eventually cuts off the slaves' access to ships, and surrounds them with troops. Many are killed on both sides, and the slaves are recaptured. Crassus promises them their lives if they will just give him Spartacus. As Spartacus is about to step forward, each of the slaves cries out, "I am Spartacus!" This leads to a mass crucifixion by the Romans, however, they keep Spartacus alive. He faces yet more tragedy ahead, but in the end, he is able to see Varinia and his son, now both free.
Is It Any Good?
This epic saga of the price of freedom is thrilling to watch, the struggles of conscience as gripping as the brilliantly staged battle scenes. When we first see Spartacus, he strikes out at an oppressor almost reflexively. He does not care that the consequence is death; as he later says, for a slave death is only a release from pain. When he strikes out again later in the film, he is armed not only with the fighting skills he has learned, but also with an ability to lead, founded in a new sense of entitlement to freedom.
The characters are especially vivid and interesting. Varinia has a wonderful grace and a rare humor, which adds warmth to her character. She is able to shield her emotional self from the abuse she is forced to endure without deadening her feelings. Gracchus conveys the essential decency of a man who has made many compromises, political and spiritual. Both the author of the book and the screenwriter were blacklisted during the McCarthy era, and families should discuss how that influenced their approach to the story. Kids may also be interested to know that this was among the most popular movies show in the former Soviet Union, and should consider what it was that appealed to the communists.
Movie Details
Studio: Universal Pictures, Director: Stanley Kubrick
Run time: 184 minutes
Theatrical release: 1/1/1950
MPAA Rating: NR
Run time: 184 minutes
Theatrical release: 1/1/1950
MPAA Rating: NR
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Most Recent Reviews
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I rate this title on for age 11 and give it
Fantastic Historical Epic made in the 60's
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
Can You Say Classic?
An excellent movie that I had know idea what was in it (except for the "I'm Spartacus" line), I first watched "Spartacus" in Latin class as a freshman. It was highly entertaining, and I must say, excellently done. The makers of "Spartacus" carefully censored the sexual situations, which there are maybe two, and nothing is shown that might cause worry. The violence is pretty bloddy for a movie of that time, but wouldn't go past a PG-13 rating nowadays.
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