Gladiator and Spartacus are both classic films set in Ancient Rome, both won Academy Awards and feature the all-star actors from their respective eras. Both follow the lives of Roman gladiators, but they also contain deeper plots dealing with love, family, revenge and freedom.
These films are two epics seen by two different generations. Parents remember seeing Spartacus when they were teenagers and their children recall Gladiator in the theater. But which film is more entertaining to watch?
Kubrick’s Spartacus Highlights The Lives of Slaves in Ancient Rome
Kirk Douglas – the father of actor Michael Douglas – stars as Spartacus, a slave who is sold to fight as a gladiator but ends up leading a revolt against the Roman Empire.
The life of a gladiator is a corollary in this story. Spartacus’ experience as a gladiator is presented to show the audience how he learns to fight and think, although shortly after his first fight to the death he leads the other slaves in a revolt against their captives. Throughout the rest of the film the slaves embark on a journey to reach the eastern cost of Italy and sail to freedom.
Peter Ustinov earned the Oscars’ Best Supporting Actor award for portraying Batiatus and legendary actor Laurence Olivier brilliantly took on the role of Spartacus’ nemesis Crassus.
The film didn’t have the luxury of computer-generated special effects, but held its own with clever cinematography and classic performances. With a running time of nearly three hours, including an intermission, it requires viewers to make a serious commitment to witness its completion.
Scott’s Gladiator Centers On Maximus' Revenge
Academy Award winner Russell Crowe stars as Maximus, an unstoppable Roman general who is arrested and forced into slavery by the young, twisted emperor Commodus who believes that Maximus is no longer loyal and orders his family murdered.
Gladiator is similar to Spartacus in that Maximus spends the first quarter of the film training in a gladiatorial camp. But, the film isn’t about Maximus getting his freedom, instead it centers on his plans to seek revenge against the murder of his family and help the Senate to retake control of the empire.
Crowe delivered a strong performance as the natural leader Maximus, while Jaoquin Phoenix cleverly brought the sinister, impetuous Emperor Commodus to life. Classic actor Richard Harris was also in the film as Commodus’ father Marcus Aurelius.
Gladiator’s story is fictional, yet it borrows some historical truth including the wise character Marcus Aurelius, who did rule the Roman Empire, and the sadistic Emperor Commodus who was known to compete in the gladiatorial games. Both Spartacus and Gladiator also have an actor portraying Gracchus, a Roman senator.
This film has exhilarating special effects, including an aerial view of Ancient Rome and the exterior of the Coliseum. Scott also brings a touch of his famously recognized artistic eye to the film’s cinematography.
Which Film is More Entertaining?
Gladiator is the more entertaining of the two. Although masterful actors brought unforgettable performances to Spartacus, the film is too long and has a lot of down time where it is easy for the audience to stop paying attention. Hand-to-hand combat and battle scenes in Gladiator are more realistic and exciting, and the special effects are eye-popping.
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