Spartacus

Appetizer: Cotton Candy Grapes & Olives

Entree: Grilled Chicken Drumsticks & Caesar Salad

Dessert: Almond Stuffed Dates topped with Honey & Pistachios

Timing: Visiting Treasures of The Roman Empire exhibit.

Movie:
I'm not quite sure why this is such a highly regarded film.  Frankly, I enjoyed reading more about the movie than watching it.  For instance, Kirk Douglas owned the film's production company so he really was the boss.  In fact, Douglas ousted the original director just after one week on set and replaced him with Stanley Kubrick.  With Douglas' financial grip on the project Kubrick's opinions had to take a back seat.  However you can see some of Kubrick's style sneak forward with his

signature one shot close up and an almost unearthly view of the desert at night.  Kubrick later disowned the film which was the only one he directed without total artistic control.

Additionally if you do decide to watch this film make sure to get your hands on a restored copy post 1991. There is an interesting scene between Sir Laurence Olivier and Tony Curtis that was considered so risky at the time of original the release in 1960 and was ultimately cut altogether.

Below are some observations in regards to the actual film:

• Olivier is memorizing as usual.  
• Tony Curtis does not fit in at all.  
• The story seems rushed and therefore unbelievable.  This is especially true in terms of the relationship between Spartacus and Varinia.

Mel's Rating: 71%
On a scale of 100.

Brett's Rating:
Kurt Douglass' ⚡️⚡️⚡️
Movie ⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️
On a scale of 10.