The Film Kubrick Disowned | Spartacus (1960) - 15/31 

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.

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 took a crappy fat job to support my film hobby."

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 don't know why Kubrick would "disown" Spartacus-- it's a great movie, partly because it isn't a "Stanley Kubrick" movie.

Pretty good review. The next Kubrick movie you should watch is" Dr. Strangelove". Personally, it's my favorite black comedy.

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 am surprised that screenwriter Dalton Trumbo wasn't mentioned here.