G L A D I A T O R





Starring
Russell Crowe, Connie Nielsen, Joaquin Phoenix, Djimon Hounsou

Rating


Rating within genre


Rated
R for violence and extreme gore

Directed by
Ridley Scott

Written by
David Franzoni, William Nicholson, John Logan
David Franzoni *book*

Genre
Historical action-drama

Film
Color; 2 hrs. 5 min.

Date of Release
2000

Filming Locations
California (USA)
England (UK)
Italy
Morocco
Malta

Synopsis
A great Roman warrior named Maximus has won the favor of Emperor Marcus Aurelius through his triumphs and valor. The aged Caesar, who is dying, hurts his son Commodus deeply with the ruling that Maximus shall be the next emperor of Rome in his stead. An angry Commodus kills his father and orders the warrior’s death. But Maximus escapes and is taken as a slave by savages of the Roman provinces who force him to become a gladiator. In the ring Maximus again proves his strength and valor by winning every match he’s put up against, invoking the interest of Commodus, and eventually anger after his true identity is revealed. But Maximus made a promise to the old emperor, and will stop at nothing to ensure he carries it out, even if it means defying the very empire he had once served.

Summary
The best Russell Crowe performance one will probably ever see, 'Gladiator' seems to be a typically boring concept, but you'd be surprised. It deserves each and every four and a half stars it received, that's no lie. Full of action that'll have you on the edge of your seat, full of drama that'll have you on the edge of tears, and full of characters that'll make you believe, this movie is guarenteed to be one of the top historical films the world will ever see.

Notable Quotes

"What a story. The General who became a slave. The slave who became a gladiator. The gladiator who defied an emperor." -- Commodus

"He was a soldier of Rome. Honor him." -- Lucilla

"In this life, or the next, I will have my vengance." -- Maximus

"Win the crowd and you'll win your freedom." -- Proximo


Reviews


Stygian Films: "A seemingly boring principle that gives way to one of the greatest historical dramas of all time. With a beautiful and compelling performance by Russell Crowe, edge-of-your-seat action, and a story that’ll blow your mind, Gladiator brings the story of ancient Rome straight to your door with a reality that cannot be evaded."

Nzone: "Gladiator is terrific, awe- inspiring storytelling on all levels, and is sure to have viewers rooting along with the crowds in the film."

Cinema Sense: "Crowe proves he is a world class star with his versatile, passionate and physically virile performance."

culturevulture.net: "Ridley Scott’s 'Gladiator' is a bipolar movie, a spectacle that’s against spectacles. It’s a sporadically absorbing film with a handful of classy performances, but it has a chiding schoolmarm’s temperament."

Entertainment Weekly: "'Gladiator'...is Crowe's to win or lose -- Caesar's thumb up or thumb down, as it were. And he wins, colossally."

Film.com: "There's a thrilling sense of transcendence that won't let go from the first masterfully constructed frames in Ridley Scott's modern epic of ancient Rome."

Flick Filosopher: "Is 'Gladiator' an action movie? Is it an historical drama? Is it a sweeping epic? Yes."

James Berardinelli: "This is filmmaking on a grand scale."

Los Angeles Times: "Russell Crowe's muscular performance, stylish battle scenes and rich atmosphere help cut through the shortcomings..."

Orlando Weekly: " Special effects in movies have become increasingly wedded to science fiction, but in the glorious spectacle 'Gladiator,' director Ridley Scott uses this technology to re-create -- with a startling physicality and immediacy -- the Roman Empire that once blanketed most of Europe."


Cast list

Russell Crowe.......................Maximus
Connie Nielsen......................Lucilla
Joaquin Phoenix....................Commodus
Djimon Hounsou....................Juba
Spencer Treat Clark..............Lucius
Oliver Reed..........................Proximo
Richard Harris......................Emperor Marcus Aurelius
Ralph Moeller.......................Vibius
Tomas Arana........................Quintus
Chris Kell.............................Scribe



The warrior who became a slave.....
The slave who became a gladiator.....
The gladiator who defied an empire.....





Also recommended
The Messanger
Dragonheart
The Patriot


Pictures taken from Yahoo! under "Gladiator"
See Gladiator – The Official Site
Also visit Dreamworks, the website