Films/DVD Asylum

RE: "Spartacus" 50th anniversary ed. on blu-ray

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MaxwellP

In Reply to: RE: "Spartacus" 50th anniversary ed. on blu-ray posted by user510 on September 03, 2014 at 16:45:11

That "less than normal sexuality" you refer to is called homosexuality. Hollywood had to code the messages and images back then to accommodate a repressed society who in their confusion also thought homosexuality was "less than normal." It's crazy what one can learn from the arts, isn't it?
Tom

Follow Ups:

RE: "Spartacus" 50th anniversary ed. on blu-ray - user510 14:11:47 09/06/14 (2)
That "less than normal sexuality" you refer to is called homosexuality. Hollywood had to code the messages and images back then to accommodate a repressed society who in their confusion also thought homosexuality was "less than normal." It's crazy what one can learn from the arts, isn't it?
Tom"

I read the scene somewhat differently. I think it meant to suggest that Crassus the wealthy citizen of the Roman Republic had a taste for the buggery of little boys.

-Steve
- RE: "Spartacus" 50th anniversary ed. on blu-ray - MaxwellP 05:38:31 09/08/14 (1)
  I don't know. I can see your point, but I think the whole snails and oysters discussion lifts it above simple buggery.
  - RE: "Spartacus" 50th anniversary ed. on blu-ray - user510 12:59:27 09/08/14 (0)
    I think context is important. Was the film describing the multi-faceted nature of Crassus' personality within the context of those times....or was it attempting to impose judgement based on the sensibilities of the film makers and audience of 1960 North America?
    
    I say both. But when you broach the subject of sexual inclinations of the citizens of Rome during its Republic era...that opens a large door into what was considered acceptable there and then. But the film's focus was really on how Romans treated their slaves. As property. And the perception is that a slave owner in Rome back then could treat his property any way he/she saw fit. But there would be constraints. Slaves were purchased, sometimes at a considerable sum. This would factor into the equation of what might happen to a slave.
    
    All that noted, I think the subject broaches another consideration. Romans having sex with Romans is one thing. Roman slave owners having sex with slaves.....that is another thing. re: Roman citizens being protected by Roman law. Slaves owned by Romans would not be protected by any law. So, anything goes with them. Rape. Murder. Anything goes.
    
    So just to broach the subject of sex with slaves, as it was in the film, is to describe the visible tip of a rather large ice burg.
    
    -Steve

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