''Spartacus'', 1960 - art by Rene Peron
by Movie World Posters
Title
''Spartacus'', 1960 - art by Rene Peron
Artist
Movie World Posters
Medium
Mixed Media - Vintage Movie Posters
Description
A vintage movie poster of ''Spartacus'', a 1960 historical epic film directed by Stanley Kubrick and starring Kirk Douglas in the title role. The film is based on the historical figure Spartacus, a gladiator who led a slave revolt against the Roman Republic in the 1st century BC. "Spartacus" is known for its grand scale, powerful performances, and its significance in the history of cinema. Here's a description of the movie:
Plot Summary:
"Spartacus" is set during a tumultuous period in ancient Rome when the Roman Republic faces internal strife and political unrest. The story begins with the introduction of Spartacus, a Thracian gladiator enslaved and forced to fight in the arena. Spartacus, portrayed by Kirk Douglas, is known for his strength and resilience, and he becomes a symbol of hope among the oppressed slaves.
After a brutal incident in the arena, Spartacus leads a revolt against his captors, and the rebellion quickly gains momentum. Thousands of slaves, gladiators, and disaffected individuals join Spartacus in his quest for freedom and justice.
The Roman Republic, represented by figures like Crassus, played by Laurence Olivier, and Gracchus, portrayed by Charles Laughton, responds to the slave revolt with military force. The film explores the political and social dynamics within Rome as the ruling elite grapples with the threat posed by Spartacus and his followers.
As the rebellion grows, Spartacus and his fellow rebels face challenges and confrontations on their path to freedom. The film also delves into Spartacus's relationships, including his love for Varinia, portrayed by Jean Simmons, and his camaraderie with his fellow rebels.
"Spartacus" is noted for its epic battle sequences, including the climactic showdown between the slave army and the Roman legions. The film's scope and scale, along with its use of thousands of extras, make it a monumental achievement in filmmaking.
Kirk Douglas delivers a powerful and charismatic performance as Spartacus, portraying him as a heroic and determined leader. Laurence Olivier's portrayal of Crassus, the film's primary antagonist, adds depth and complexity to the character. The film also features standout performances by Jean Simmons, Charles Laughton, and Peter Ustinov, who won an Academy Award for his role as Batiatus, a gladiator trainer.
"Spartacus" is significant in the history of cinema for several reasons. It marked Stanley Kubrick's transition to larger-scale filmmaking and is one of the early examples of a Hollywood director gaining greater creative control over a production. The film's screenwriter, Dalton Trumbo, was also one of the Hollywood Ten, and his involvement in the film's credits helped to break the blacklist of screenwriters.
Overall, "Spartacus" is a monumental and enduring epic that combines historical drama, action, and political intrigue. It remains a classic in the realm of historical and epic cinema, known for its compelling storytelling, memorable performances, and its place in cinematic history.
About the artist:
René Péron (March 11, 1904, Paris – April 29, 1972, Le Landin, France) was a prolific poster designer and book illustrator from the late 1920s through the 1950s.
Péron designed more than 2,000 cinema posters between 1930 and 1960, including for major films such as "La Belle Marinière" (1932), "King Kong" (1933), "L'Eternel Retour" (1943), "Jour de fête" (1947), "French Cancan" (1954), "And God Created Woman" (1956) and "Spartacus" (1960).
He created posters that hardly go unnoticed, both in color palette and composition. Incredibly balanced scenes amaze these works of art for their bright colors, sharp contrasts, and bold titles. Peron's color selection explores the nuances of red, orange, pink, often creating differences between complementary colors. For example, blue stands out next to orange, yellow lights up, enhancing the overall picture.
Even the style of the titles is made to attract attention: he works on typefaces, often dynamic, other times geometric, or powerfully contoured. Peron's posters are a mixture of realistic faces, more abstract elements, and flashy texts. A superb balance of reality and poetry.
In the 1950s, he also designed numerous novel covers (especially for crime novels) and illustrations for club editions. After 1960, he devoted himself to illustrating children's books.
Search "Peron" to see more of his art.
Uploaded
May 30th, 2021
Embed
Share
Comments
There are no comments for ''Spartacus'', 1960 - art by Rene Peron. Click here to post the first comment.