In the CC notes on Spartacus, they write that there are 5 versions of the film. The original cut of 202 minutes is one. This CC version at 196 minutes is the closest in running time to that.

However, the CC version includes an "overture, intermssion and entr'acte which were created in the 1991."

I'm guessing the overture etc adds quite a bit to the total running time.

So, am I right in saying the CC version has a lot material cut from the pre-cencorship version.

Does anyone know how much was cut that CC couldn't restore. Or what was cut?

The Criterion cut is the director's approved cut.

Well we have another version. The USA Network remake. If there was ever a reason to say DEATH to remakes, this remake of "Spartacus" is reason enough.

I am...Dr. Kovac!

I don't think it means they created the overture and intermission in 1991. I'm pretty sure it means they created the restored version in 1991 that includes the overture and intermission. So it's really only 5 minutes less than the original cut, and still about 5 minutes longer than the original THEATRICAL cut.

To clarify:

The overture, intermission, and exit music were not added in 1991. The film was originally shown with overture, intermission, and exit music. It was simply restored in 1991.

The 1960 film was evidently 202 minutes. It was substantally cut soon after that for wide theatrical release and re-release.

In 1991 Robert Harris restored it to as near to original length as possible. As stated above it is Kubrick's preferred cut and carries his full endorsement. Listen to the audio commentary to hear speculation on what is still missing.

Kubrick approved of the cut that was shorter than his release version?

I didn't think he made the changes.

I know he shortened The Shining but don't think he did the same here.

6 versions if you count the "Tricked Out Edition".

It pales in comparison to the number of versions of Star Wars...

His release version was censored of a scene which suggested (pretty overtly) homosexuality. The restored version had the scene, which had lost the audio, dubbed in by Anthony Hopkins and Tony Curtis.

I believe several of the other things cut by the studio had been entirely lost, although the Criterion DVD has a few deleted bits.

Kubrick didn't have final cut on 'Spartacus', but it was the reason he demanded it from then on. Part of why he did it was so he'd have that kind of clout in the future.

EDIT: there's been some confusion in this thread; the initial, 202 minute cut was never released. It was shown to preview audiences. The released version was censored of a few things (a few violent bits and the homosexual scene) which were added back in in the 1991 one. The other scenes, presumably, were either cut by Kubrick himself or lost to time, which is why they're gone (other than the deleted bits on the Criterion disc).

Let's not forget about the version of Spartacus shown in "The Critic", where our hero yanks his cross out of the ground and, while still tied to it, bounds down the road after his wife!

Yes No but he oversaw and approved of everything that was done.