Product Description

This is the first book systematically to analyze Kirk Douglas’ and Stanley Kubrick’s depiction of the slave revolt led by Spartacus from different historical, political, and cinematic perspectives.

• Examines the film’s use of ancient sources, the ancient historical contexts, the political significance of the film, the history of its censorship and restoration, and its place in film history.
• Includes the most important passages from ancient authors’ reports of the slave revolt in translation.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #102644 in Books
• Published on: 2006-12-19
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 280 pages

Review
“Like [Winkler’s] volumes on Gladiator and Troy, [Spartacus] has fascinating information and impassioned arguments.” (Cineaste, Spring 2009)

“The 11 essays by eight authors examine in depth the iconic classic from a variety of fascinating historical, political, and cinematic perspectives.” (Choice)

"I thought i was becoming a little bored with Spartacus until I read this book ... it made me remember why I found the subject so fascinating in the first place. This volume is invaluable for everyone interested in epic movies, the Roman Republic, the Cold War or the process of the appropriation of rebels." (Bryn Mawr Classical Review)

“Winkler’s Spartacus: Film and History breaks new ground … [an] invaluable volume.” (New England Classical Journal)

“An outstanding and innovative volume that will be very useful to teachers and students of Classics and Cinema.” (Classical Outlook)

"As a study of a particular age and country in cinema history, the book does indeed make a contribution." (Scholia Reviews)

From the Back Cover
Stanley Kubrick’s epic film Spartacus has enjoyed iconic status in cinema history and strongly influenced modern perspectives on ancient Rome. This book examines the film from different historical, political, and cinematic perspectives. The chief ancient sources on the slave revolt led by Spartacus are included in translation. Contributors explore the film’s representation of history, the political climate at the time of its making, the history of its production, censorship, and restoration, its place in film history, and its enduring appeal. For the first time, the book offers suggestions for a new version of the film that comes even closer to the filmmakers’ original intent than the restoration currently available.

About the Author
Martin M. Winkler is Professor of Classics at George Mason University. Most recently he has edited the essay collections Troy: From Homer’s Iliad to Hollywood Epic (Blackwell, 2006), Gladiator: Film and History (Blackwell, 2004), and Classical Myth and Culture in the Cinema (2001).