I would get "Spartacus" first.

But pick up "The Rock" when you can... both are excellent movies and Criterion did a great job on both.

I love the Rock CC....the DTS track sounds unbelievable, and Criterion did a great job with the extras. Havent yet seen Spartacus, though its on my wish list.

Spartacus

I have over 150 Criterions. Some are real stinkers. The only one I regret buying is The Rock. (I still shudder when I think of it.)

There is no comparison between those two. I highly recommend Spartacus.

Speaking of disapointing Criterions.... The Seven Samurai was on my must get list for the longest time. I finnaly got it and what gives no extras.

Don't get me wrong, there's a great transfer-- this black and white looks better than some color discs-- and a great commentary track but nothing else. Not even an essay booklet! This is considered a milestone in the history of film and not one retrospective or documentary or anything to help put it's significance in perspective.

A bitter disapointment.

Later

The Seven Samurai was the second disc that Criterion made, so I think they were still pouring all of their resources into a fantastic transfer. They achieved that with unbelievable skill: the film looks cleaner than some films from 2003.

It's also one of the best movies of all time.

- David Stein

Another vote for Spartacus if you're still on the fence... though The Rock might be a better investment (more replays) if you're a really big action movie fan.

Gotta go with Spartacus.

Went and grabbed Seven Samurai and the rock at the local store, but my rock was defective (freeze problem at chapter 18) so hoping to get the other copy they had there.

Gotta go with <i>Spartacus</i>, for its grand spectacle, and the highly insightful commentary by Kirk Douglas and the other talents involved. The best info comes from Howard Fast, who tells of writing the novel while in prison, and hating the movie for the big-budget affair it became - the first time I've heard someone on a commentary track say they hated the movie they're discussing, and yet Criterion had the stones to not edit it out.

It's got some slow spots, but the performances are brilliant, and you don't get the typical happy Hollywood ending, which makes it a notch above in my book.