The Making of SPARTACUS (1960)

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Introduction

Many regard Spartacus (1960) as one of the finest “sword and sandal” epics produced by Hollywood. Unlike many similarly themed films made during the 1950s and 1960s, the film has a nuanced story, engaging characters, and sophisticated dialogue accompanying its epic action sequences. While considered a classic film today, the story behind the making of Spartacus was epic in its own right. One full of politics, egos, and censorship.

Kirk Douglas and Ben-Hur

In the late 1950s, Kirk Douglas was one of Hollywood’s top box office stars. With films such as The Bad and the Beautiful (1952), 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1954), and The Vikings (1958), he was in high demand. Douglas had actively sought the title role in the blockbuster Ben-Hur (1959). He was bitterly disappointed, however, when Charlton Heston was awarded the role. So, he told his team of producers to be on the lookout for a similarly themed project that he could undertake on his own…

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