I Am Spartacus!

Making a Film, Breaking the Blacklist

By: Kirk Douglas, George Clooney - foreword

Narrated by: Michael Douglas

Length: 5 hrs and 15 mins

Publisher's summary

From Kirk Douglas, Hollywood royalty and bestselling author of The Ragman’s Son and My Stroke of Luck, comes the candid story of the making of Spartacus, the blockbuster film that broke the blacklist

One of the world's most iconic movie stars, Kirk Douglas has distinguished himself as a producer, philanthropist, and author of ten works of fiction and memoir. Now, more than fifty years after the release of his enduring epic Spartacus, Douglas reveals the riveting drama behind the making of the legendary gladiator film. Douglas began producing the movie in the midst of the politically charged era when Hollywood’s moguls refused to hire anyone accused of Communist sympathies. In a risky move, Douglas chose Dalton Trumbo, a blacklisted screenwriter, to write Spartacus. Trumbo was one of the "Unfriendly Ten," men who had gone to prison rather than testify before the House Un-American Activities Committee about their political affiliations. Douglas's source material was already a hot property, as the novel Spartacus was written by Howard Fast while he was in jail for defying HUAC.

With the financial future of his young family at stake, Douglas plunged into a tumultuous production both on- and off-screen. As both producer and star of the film, he faced explosive moments with young director Stanley Kubrick, struggles with a leading lady, and negotiations with giant personalities, including Sir Laurence Olivier, Charles Laughton, Peter Ustinov, and Lew Wasserman. Writing from his heart and from his own meticulously researched archives, Kirk Douglas, at ninety-five, looks back at his audacious decisions. He made the most expensive film of its era - but more importantly, his moral courage in giving public credit to Trumbo effectively ended the notorious Hollywood blacklist.

©2012 Kirk Douglas (P)2012 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Superb

A wonderful and insightful recollection of a critical time in the story of freedom in America

A Heartfelt Recollection

What made the experience of listening to I Am Spartacus! the most enjoyable?

Extraordinary subject matter, meshing show business and politics, told by the man who lived the story.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Not really applicable here, though the focus of the book is on Dalton Trumbo, who was quite a character in real life.

What does Michael Douglas bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

He is the son of the author, clearly caring about the book's message, and his father's commitment to that message.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes.

enjoyed the story and the history

very interesting learning about this portion in history amd hearing about the famous people that went through it and how it affected them and their careers

Micheal Douglas as Kirk Douglas !

I didn’t think a book based on Spartacus would hold my attention as much as I loved the movie and Kirk Douglas, I the inner workings of this production put my apprehension to rest within the first half hour, I forgot what a turbulent time it was in America and the black list that made a real hell out of being a creative person - it is funny and Inthralling and never dull ! As much as you think America has evolved much of the same fears only in different guises still roam Hollywood and movie making , do yourself a favor and listen as Micheal Douglas reads his fathers words it is chilling at time to hear his father punch through a come to vivid technicolor life ~

Good book, would recommend.

If you’re interested in finding out how the Hollywood Blacklist ended or learn details about the creation of Spartacus (1960) this book by one of Hollywood’s most notable actors is a surprisingly good resource. It is an easy read but also quite informative.

Great Story, Meaningfully Told

This narrative combines personal, historical, cultural, political, and social elements in a way that grabbed and kept my attention throughout. I learned a lot.

Great book!

How amazing it was to hear the words of Kirk Douglas performed by his son, Michael. This is an in-depth dive into the history of one of America’s most troubling periods and deserves examination.

The making of Spartacus!

Michael Douglas does a great job slotting in for his father. Kirk’s recollections seen since and detailed - although I would have been interested in more on Kubrick and Ustinov. One incident in particular does not paint Kubrick in a good light and appears to hint that there were more stories there to be told. Still, an interesting account about one of my favorite movies.

Amazing on every level

Simply one of the best (audio) books ever. Masterfully performed by Michael Douglas, it tells incredibly layered story of not just making genius movie, but fighting hypocrites and remaining human being while making history and becoming a (cinematic) legend. Loved every second.

Fascinating story and performance

The only complaint I have is that it was too short. Otherwise I loved the story of the making of Spartacus, one of my favorite movies of all time. I would have loved to have had Kirk himself narrate it but Micheal was so good that at times I forgot it was not Kirk speaking. Absolutely spellbinding and superb. I can’t recommend this highly highly enough.