The original sets were destroyed in the 1987 backlot fire. The current sets are built to the same designs.
The sets can be extended vertically through the use of matte paintings. Talented artists "fill-in" the rest of the massive Roman structures by painting on glass, which is then placed between the set and the camera. The highly detailed paintings became part of the set in the camera, requiring no costly optical special effects.
On Screen:
* Spartacus (1960) [Laurence Olivier addressed the Roman soldiers from the Roman Senate steps]
* Thoroughly Modern Millie (1967) [Carol Channing's mansion]
* History of the World, Part I (1981) [Matte paintings (see above) helped to create the illusion of ancient Rome.
* Cloak and Dagger (1984)
* The Wizard (1989)
* The Shadow (1994) [Alec Baldwin's mansion]
* The Burning Zone (1995)
* Buddy (1996)
* The Scorpion King (2002)
* Crossing Jordan
'Spartacus Square / The Square of Warriors' movie set
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By kjfitz @ 2007-01-09 10:23:27