Most of why Kubrick distanced himself from the film you've pretty much covered. He had to work with a script he wasn't absolutely crazy about, a cast which was handed to him without his involvement, and a combination star/producer/egotist. Kubrick did the film as a career move. Having done a few well-received, small budget films with little box office success, he knew if he pulled off doing a big budget Hollywood hit with Big Name stars, he'd finally be in the majors. Douglas was put off by reviews which skipped past him in order to praise the new Hollywood genius, Stanley Kubrick. When the film got a restoration and re-release decades later, Douglas finally got around to talking about it with pride. Kubrick? Not so much. For him, it was a gig he accepted to advance his career - not a genuine Kubrick project. A fan edit of the film would do wonders. Still, it's a monument to the pre-CGI era. Other than some matte paintings, everything onscreen is real. Anyhow, this was a great and astute look at a *really* long film from a *really* long time ago. Best wishes from Vermont. ❄️
Early production by Anthony Mann is quite evident if you watch Fall of the Roman Empire. People of your generation have trouble dealing with older films because you have been raised with films that roll your bloody game boy body in the dirt. Also the Romantic angle is not as "cheesy" after you have lived a while longer and appreciate an uplifting ending. Kubrick disowned it because he did not have complete control. He has some film that is not that great even when he had complete control, like Eyes Wide Shut. He was definitely an "auteur" director because his touch is evident in almost every frame of his films, except for this film. "Auteur" is a french concept meaning that the director is the originator of the total concept of the film, but it does not mean they are better directors. My favorite directors tell the story so true to the source that their "touch" is imperceptible, William Wyler for example.
That black screen with just music playing is the Entr'ance. Most if not all large monumental movies have it, like Ben Hur, The Ten Commandments and Lawrence of Arabia. Even Star Trek: The Motion Picture has one. It’s supposed to set the mood and take in the audience before the film starts proper.
One of the problems Douglas had with Kubrick was the authorship of the the script. Dalton Trumbo who was on the black list wrote it. Kubrick told Douglas he wanted use his name for the writing credit which infuriated Douglas.
I saw that Trumbo was on the writing credits but honestly I don’t really know much about him or what projects he’s really been a part of or how much he wrote of this
@@LRSmythfilm It's and interesting piece of history I recently discovered. You can find the summary under screenplay developement here. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spartacus_(film)#Screenplay_development
I'm surprised that you don't know enough film history to be aware that most lengthy films ( epics and musicals) from the 30s through the 70s would have an Overture before the movie started. The theater curtain would remain closed until the musical crescendo was reached and the curtain, which was usually velvet, would slowly open to reveal the opening shot of the film. Dramatic effect. Because of the length, an intermission was included allowing audiences to use the restroom, have a smoke and buy some more popcorn from the concession counter. I do, however want to thank you and your commenters for the background of why Kubrick disassociated himself from Spartacus. I've always considered it Kirk Douglas' film, knowing what a strong hand he took in his career. A real leading man and movie star. But most of all because, unlike the majority, I HATE Stanley Kubrick's movies. ALL of them. Pessimistic, dark and often mean spirited and most often just weird. 2001 is Science as religion dogma disguised as Sci-fi. Beautifully visually executed, but emotionally as vacant as space itself. I'll take a Frank Capra film or even a good Billy Wilder movie any day. #kubricksucks
@LRSmithfilm - point taken. But with video sales and I'm guessing since you purchased the Premium package Steel book, you got all the bells and whistles. I only have the bluray and haven't watched it in a while, but I'm betting it's the same format. And if they had left the Overture off, which is probably what happened with television showings, purists and fans of musical scores would have hit the roof. This was from the end of the era of Movie Palaces. When going to a movie might include a program. It was an event where it sometimes required a reservation. Man! How far we have come from considering them with that kind of reverence. Now, we sit on our couch in our pajamas. Just an aside, I had to break the Extended versions of the Lord of the Rings trilogy up into six nights. But, it was such a better experience in the longer versions.
![Lp. Сердце Вселенной #60 РОЖДЕНИЕ ЛОЛОЛОШКИ [Финал] • Майнкрафт](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/YoR0pAV9FVQ/mqdefault.jpg)
Most of why Kubrick distanced himself from the film you've pretty much covered. He had to work with a script he wasn't absolutely crazy about, a cast which was handed to him without his involvement, and a combination star/producer/egotist.
Kubrick did the film as a career move. Having done a few well-received, small budget films with little box office success, he knew if he pulled off doing a big budget Hollywood hit with Big Name stars, he'd finally be in the majors.
Douglas was put off by reviews which skipped past him in order to praise the new Hollywood genius, Stanley Kubrick. When the film got a restoration and re-release decades later, Douglas finally got around to talking about it with pride. Kubrick? Not so much. For him, it was a gig he accepted to advance his career - not a genuine Kubrick project.
A fan edit of the film would do wonders. Still, it's a monument to the pre-CGI era. Other than some matte paintings, everything onscreen is real.
Anyhow, this was a great and astute look at a *really* long film from a *really* long time ago. Best wishes from Vermont. ❄️
Thank you!
Early production by Anthony Mann is quite evident if you watch Fall of the Roman Empire. People of your generation have trouble dealing with older films because you have been raised with films that roll your bloody game boy body in the dirt. Also the Romantic angle is not as "cheesy" after you have lived a while longer and appreciate an uplifting ending. Kubrick disowned it because he did not have complete control. He has some film that is not that great even when he had complete control, like Eyes Wide Shut. He was definitely an "auteur" director because his touch is evident in almost every frame of his films, except for this film. "Auteur" is a french concept meaning that the director is the originator of the total concept of the film, but it does not mean they are better directors. My favorite directors tell the story so true to the source that their "touch" is imperceptible, William Wyler for example.
EWS is his best one but Spartacus is one of the best classical epic films.
That black screen with just music playing is the Entr'ance. Most if not all large monumental movies have it, like Ben Hur, The Ten Commandments and Lawrence of Arabia. Even Star Trek: The Motion Picture has one. It’s supposed to set the mood and take in the audience before the film starts proper.
Olivier played 'Crassus' not 'Crassius' based on a real Roman General & politician
one of my favorite movies top 5 with Barry Lyndon oh my god he does everything to make you feel like you were actually there so cool
I still need to watch Barry Lyndon
"I took a crappy fat job to support my film hobby."
I don't know why Kubrick would "disown" Spartacus-- it's a great movie, partly because it isn't a "Stanley Kubrick" movie.
One of the problems Douglas had with Kubrick was the authorship of the the script. Dalton Trumbo who was on the black list wrote it. Kubrick told Douglas he wanted use his name for the writing credit which infuriated Douglas.
I haven’t heard that before, that’s interesting
Pretty good review. The next Kubrick movie you should watch is" Dr. Strangelove". Personally, it's my favorite black comedy.
I really enjoyed Dr Strangelove. It’s been a few years since I’ve seen it though
I am surprised that screenwriter Dalton Trumbo wasn't mentioned here.
I saw that Trumbo was on the writing credits but honestly I don’t really know much about him or what projects he’s really been a part of or how much he wrote of this
@@LRSmythfilm It's and interesting piece of history I recently discovered. You can find the summary under screenplay developement here. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spartacus_(film)#Screenplay_development
@@ruthtepin2130 thanks!
I'm surprised that you don't know enough film history to be aware that most lengthy films ( epics and musicals) from the 30s through the 70s would have an Overture before the movie started. The theater curtain would remain closed until the musical crescendo was reached and the curtain, which was usually velvet, would slowly open to reveal the opening shot of the film. Dramatic effect. Because of the length, an intermission was included allowing audiences to use the restroom, have a smoke and buy some more popcorn from the concession counter. I do, however want to thank you and your commenters for the background of why Kubrick disassociated himself from Spartacus. I've always considered it Kirk Douglas' film, knowing what a strong hand he took in his career. A real leading man and movie star. But most of all because, unlike the majority, I HATE Stanley Kubrick's movies. ALL of them. Pessimistic, dark and often mean spirited and most often just weird. 2001 is Science as religion dogma disguised as Sci-fi. Beautifully visually executed, but emotionally as vacant as space itself. I'll take a Frank Capra film or even a good Billy Wilder movie any day. #kubricksucks
I knew showings would have overtures and intermissions but from my experience they normally don’t pop up on home releases
@LRSmithfilm - point taken. But with video sales and I'm guessing since you purchased the Premium package Steel book, you got all the bells and whistles. I only have the bluray and haven't watched it in a while, but I'm betting it's the same format. And if they had left the Overture off, which is probably what happened with television showings, purists and fans of musical scores would have hit the roof. This was from the end of the era of Movie Palaces. When going to a movie might include a program. It was an event where it sometimes required a reservation. Man! How far we have come from considering them with that kind of reverence. Now, we sit on our couch in our pajamas. Just an aside, I had to break the Extended versions of the Lord of the Rings trilogy up into six nights. But, it was such a better experience in the longer versions.