Parallels Between Spartacus (1960) and American Life in 1960 Essay

Parallels Between Spartacus (1960) and American Life in 1960 - Essay Example In the movie, Spartacus is bought by Batiatus who trains slaves to become gladiators. The fights between two gladiators till one of them dies, and the fact that it is intended merely for the entertainment of patricians, demonstrate the lack of value attached to a slave’s life. The movie also depicts how two men discuss politics when other two men were fighting a battle that would define the line between their life and death. This situation reflects the state of affairs in the American society where thousands embark on the streets fighting for a cause where they are asking for their basic rights while others, who by their race are thought to be superior, decide what the people of lower racial status should or shouldn’t receive. The movie’s focus then shifts to how a deprived and exploited lot would react when the suppression gets in tolerable. When Crassus, a patrician, arrives at Capia along with his wife, Lady Helena, and insists that a gladiatorial match be arranged, ignoring Batiatus’ concern that forcing the slaves to fight to the death in their own camp could cause an uprising. In a fight that ensued, Draba overcomes Spartacus. However, he chooses not to kill his friend, and instead attacks Crassus. A guard kills him and it triggers a mutiny. The slaves form an ‘army’ that travels through the countryside, looting land owners and freeing slaves. However, in the end, they are overcome and Spartacus is killed. Such an uprising can be witnessed in the American history if we examine the Civil Rights and Black Liberation Movements during the 1960s.