Act Out: Spartacus
When in Rome...enjoy some role play
There’s a lot more to Spartacus than men with swords—Stanley Kubrick’s 1961 original is a masterpiece about the meaning of life, the need for freedom, and also an epic love story. In this scene below, Thracian slave Spartacus (Kirk Douglas) and his love, fellow slave Varinia (Jean Simmons) stroll through a lush landscape, enjoying the rare time alone together and contemplating some of life’s bigger questions. Break out the togas for this one and have your own “I am Spartacus!” moment.
EXT. A LIGHTLY WOODED ROMAN LADSCAPE. DAY.
It’s a mild sunny day as SPARTACUS and VIRINIA emerge from the trees, walking side by side. They are very close, but also a little bit shy. They are also obviously very much in love.
Spartacus: (musing, wonderingly) An animal can learn to fight. But the same beautiful things, they make people believe them.
VIRINIA looks at SPARTACUS and smiles (she seems to be thinking that there is much more to this gladiator than just fighting skills).
They pause at a thicket of trees. VIRINIA sits and looks up at SPARTACUS as he leans back against a young tree. He seems lost in his thoughts for a moment.
Virinia: What are you thinking about?
There is a slight pause before SPARTACUS answers. He looks into the distance for a moment. He is obviously preoccupied by something.
Spartacus: I’m free…but what do I know? (pauses) …I don’t even know how to read.
Virinia: (looking up at Spartacus with quiet admiration) You know things that can’t be taught.
Spartacus: I know nothing, nothing. But I want to know…I want to…I want to know!
Virinia: (tilts her head slightly, wondering) Know what?
Spartacus: (shrugs slightly, and looks up and then around them) Everything…everything.
SPARTACUS gets down onto eye level with VIRINIA. He looks down at the grass at his feet and then reaches out between them to picks up a spring leaf. He looks at it for a moment. Then he looks up into VIRINIA’s eyes. Twirling the leaf in his fingers, he makes this next statement earnestly:
Spartacus: Why a star falls and a bird doesn’t. Where the sun goes at night. Why the moon changes shape.
SPARTACUS pauses, looks down at the leaf again, twirling it closer to his face. he says with slightly more intensity and longing:
Spartacus: I want to know where the wind comes from.
VIRINIA hears the emotion behind his words and looks up, taking notice. SPARTACUS laughs slightly, thinking about how odd he must sound.
VIRINIA decides to flirt a bit. Her next words are sweet, but also with a bit of tease to them.
Virinia: Why, the wind begins in a cave. Far to the north a young god sleeps in that cave, he dreams of a girl and he sighs. And the night wind stirs with his breath!
VIRINIA laughs and then SPARTACUS lies down on the grass next to where she is sitting. He’s a little bit playful now. VIRINIA immediately lies down too. They are head to head next each other, enjoying the warm day.
Suddenly the mood intensifies. SPARTACUS props his head up on one arm to face VIRINIA. He looks at her with affection, attraction and happiness. There is a pause as he takes her in.
Spartacus: (passionately) I want to know all about you.
SPARTACUS ever so slowly draws the edge of the spring leaf across VIRINIA’s forehead, cheek, then very lightly along her neck as he says these next lines.
Spartacus: Every line, every curve. I want to know every part of you.
At these words, the leaf is on VIRINIA’s lips and she widens her mouth slightly to bite at it, kittenish.
SPARTACUS leans in closer and rests the side of his face against VIRINIA’s chest.
Spartacus: Every beat of your heart…
At this SPARTACUS kisses VIRINIA. They fall into a passionate embrace. After a moment, VIRINIA shifts so that she is leaning over SPARTACUS. He runs his hand through her hair. Their embrace lingers, then intensifies.
FADE TO BLACK
