Spartacus (1960)

Directed by Stanley Kubrick
Cinematography by Russell Metty
Production Design by Alexander Golitzen / Roger Forse
Art director. Spain unit: Gil Parrondo / Fernando Gonzalez
Construction coordinator. Spain Unit: Francisco Prosper
Scenic artist. Spain Unit: Emilio Ruiz del Rio
Matte painting: Russell Lawson
Additional Matte painting: Peter Ellenshaw
Special effects forced perspective figures: Wah Chang / Don Sahlin.

All but one of the Spartacus matte paintings were done at Universal’s matte painting department under the supervision of Russell Lawon.

For the establishing shot showing a view of Rome, Staley Kubrick requested that the painting be done by Peter Ellenshaw who at that time was the head of matte painting at Disney Studios.

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The Rome view painted by Peter Ellenshaw.

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Some more matte paintings made  by Russell Lawson

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Contrary to what some people think, the Spanish artist Emilio Ruiz del Rio did not paint matte paintings in Spartacus. His contribution was painting backdrops for a few interiors. Although most of the interior sets were made in Universal Studios, USA, a few interior sets were also built in Spain for a few shots in which Emilio Ruiz painted the backdrops.