Spartacus (1960)

Second viewing; the first one happened between 1983 and 1986.

Highly fictionalized version of the slave revolt which occurred in Rome in the first century B.C.E. In this version it all starts as an unplanned riot at a gladiator school, and from there expands into a massive rebellion which eventually is crushed by the Roman army.

Quite entertaining epic, both for its spectacular aspect (it is very well filmed throughout) and for its ludicrously idealized depiction of a social conflict. I always like to have a few laughs at the lies Hollywood tells, and afterwards compare them to an account of the historical events in which they were based.

Rating: 54 (down from 58)