In the early days of Rome, a Thracian slave named Spartacus (Kirk Douglas) was bought by a fight promoter (Peter Ustinov) and trained as a gladiator. All the while he dreamed of freedom. He found a kindred spirit in a British house slave (Jean Simmons). With his fellow gladiators (including Woody Strode) Spartacus staged a slave revolt that brought the Rome to its knees. Opposed by Crassus (Laurence Olivier) and other Roman leaders, including Julius Caesar (John Gavin), Spartacus showed that slaves were the equals of the finest army in the world. Based on a true story.