Spartacus, a film that received four Academy Awards and was ranked among the greatest American films by the American Film Institute, holds a complex place in the career of its director, Stanley Kubrick. The film, which recounts the revolt of a slave against Rome, was primarily associated with Kirk Douglas, who starred in and produced the film. Kubrick joined the project after it had already begun, without having chosen the subject or the production conditions, which limited his ability to fully impose his vision. Kubrick faced tensions with screenwriter Dalton Trumbo, particularly regarding the portrayal of the hero. The film also involved cinematographer Russell Metty, whose responsibilities were encroached upon by Kubrick's need to supervise every detail. Despite these tensions, Metty received the Oscar for Best Cinematography in 1961. The project originated from Kirk Douglas, who wanted to adapt the novel by Howard Fast. After the initial screenplay by Fast did not satisfy him, Douglas entrusted the writing to Trumbo. The choice of director was also complicated; Anthony Mann initially started filming but was fired after a short period due to a deteriorating relationship with Douglas. Kubrick was then brought on board, having previously worked with Douglas on Paths of Glory. Trumbo's presence added a political dimension to the film, as he was still affected by the anti-communist "blacklist" in Hollywood. He worked under the pseudonym "Sam Jackson" but Douglas decided to credit him under his real name, a gesture that challenged the system forcing authors to work in the shadows. After production, the film faced further challenges, including cuts demanded by the National Legion of Decency, an American Catholic organization. Scenes deemed shocking, including a bath scene involving Laurence Olivier and Tony Curtis, were removed. This caused anger among some cast members, including Charles Laughton, who considered suing Douglas over the loss of his scenes. The bath scene was restored in 1991 through the efforts of Robert A. Harris and James C. Katz. The restoration required reconstructing the soundtrack, with Tony Curtis re-recording his lines and Anthony Hopkins providing the voice for Olivier, who had died in 1989. According to production notes from Universal, Kubrick approved the project and provided instructions for Hopkins' recording, indicating his involvement in the film's preservation despite his reservations about the film itself. Spartacus remains a significant film in Kubrick's career, admired by audiences, with a rating of 4 out of 5 on AlloCiné. It is available again on VOD.