Yes, the Stanley Kubrick Film is a classic. Kirk Douglas is a magnificent fit for the role. The plot is thrilling. It’s up there with the top American films of the twentieth century.
But the music?
It can’t beat Aram Khachaturian’s. The composer didn’t have Douglas’ sex appeal, but he sure had brains.
The Armenian composer’s score for his ballet, also called Spartacus, is zesty, catchy, and clever. Not one moment is uninteresting, even for those who feel they don’t want to sit through a whole ballet.
Here’s the second ballet suite. One of the most exciting and quintessentially Khachaturian moments is the Dance of the Pirates, at about 19:15.
Concerto Infinito 