This is one of the most impressive battles in cinema: filmed 65 years ago, it mobilized thousands of actors and remains a true classic.

On a hilltop overlooking the verdant Italian hills, his face serious and his eyes fixed firmly on the horizon, Spartacus watches the giant board of Roman soldiers marching before him. Like every slave who forms his army, he knows the battle will be terrible, but is willing to die a free man rather than return to slavery.

One of the most impressive fights in cinema

With his powerful opponents and Roman reinforcements soon to arrive, Spartacus is going to hold on dearly for his skin and freedom, leaving the ultimate surprise to the front lines of his attackers. As the first Roman couriers climbed the hill, huge logs of wood suddenly burst into flames and fell on the enemy. The plain was on fire. One of the most impressive battles in the history of cinema is about to begin.

Directed by Stanley Kubrick and especially by Kirk Douglas, this spectacular sequence at the end of the feature film, shot 65 years ago, amazes above all with the incredible means he used. At a time when computer-generated images clearly didn’t exist, each of the countless soldiers we see on the battlefield therefore plays extra.

8000 soldiers

Thus, 8,000 trained Spanish infantrymen were called upon to take part in the scene, which was filmed on the outskirts of Madrid and orchestrated by Kubrick, who took his place atop a tower to better direct his ‘troops’.

The result: a relentless battle, particularly graphic at the time and, above all, legendary, which undoubtedly influenced many similar sequences later. We think, for example, of films like Gladiator or Braveheart.

One of the most memorable scenes in Spartacus is most likely what helped Kubrick’s film win 4 Oscars.

(Re)discover the ‘Spartacus’ trailer…