It took awhile for me to actually get to see Gladiator and I think because I heard it was a long movie that I failed to watch it in the theaters. I didn’t think I would like to sit through a long movie about gladiators. I ended up renting it some time after it came out on DVD and then subsequently adding it to my collection. I regret not seeing it in the theater, but now I can watch it at home whenever I want. I wanted to last week.

Russell Crowe… General Maximus Meridus
Joaquin Phoenix … Emperor Commodus
Oliver Reed… Antonius Proximo
Connie Nielson… Lucilla
Spencer Treat Clark … Lucius
Richard Harris… Emperor Marcus Aurelius
Derek Jacobi… Senator Gracchus
David Hemmings … Cassius
Tomas Arana… Quintus
Tommy Flanagan… Cicero

It’s 180 A.D. in Germania and Maximus is poised for battle with his army at his back. A rider is sent out, but when he returns without his head, the army prepares for battle. Unfortunately, the German enemy is no match for the General’s army but this defeat still does not allow him to return home. Commodus arrives a little to late for the battle and is not happy to see his father praising Maximus, jealousy sparks and runs high. Meanwhile, the Princess Lucilla watches Maximus, perhaps with a little crush.

The Caesar sends for Maximus. It seems that he wants Maximus to become Rome’s protector, having no faith in his own son’s morals. Caesar surprises his son with the news later that night when Commodus visits him in his chambers. Commodus embraces his father…and doesn’t let him go. Maximus refuses to bow to Commodus when he is informed that Caesar had died. Lucilla has no choice.

Your Emperor asks for your loyalty, Maximus. Take my hand, I offer it once.… Commodus

Maximus is taken under guard to be hung, his family is slain. But Maximus manages to slay his guards and escape. Returning home to his village he finds nothing but ruins. He is found, half dead, and taken to Zucchabar to be sold as a slave. Proximo purchases Maximus as a Gladiator, but Maximus refuses to fight.

Listen to me. Learn from me. I was not the best because I killed quickly. I was the best because the crowd loved me. Win the crowd and you will win your freedom.… Proximo

Some time later, Commodus arrives at the palace to a less than heartfelt greeting. The Senate has doubts when they see the reactions. Lucius is happy to see his mother, Lucilla. The Senate, Gracchus at the helm, wants to get right to work solving Rome’s problems. Commodus has other ideas, he just wants the people to love him.

150 days of games. The Spaniard has become quite a popular fighter. Proximo and his crew join the games at the Coliseum. He tells Maximus that he will win his freedom if he can win the crowd. But Maximus only wants to stand in front of the Emperor. The Gladiator’s prevail throughout every challenge that is presented to them. Proximo is ecstatic, but Commodus is his usual pouty self. He wants to meet The Spaniard.

Today I saw a slave become more powerful than the Emperor of Rome.… Lucilla

Maximus reveals his identity when brought before Commodus. But will Commodus allow him to live?

To tell you the truth, I am so disappointed in myself at not having watched this movie sooner than about a year ago. But I have been trying to catch up on seeing movies that I missed and really wanted to watch. I happened to catch this one again a few days ago and happily watched it again through the end. Again, I was amazed at the special effects and overall story to the movie. The whole thing is a tragedy that could have been avoided. Each event in the movie precluded another that was directly related. Overall, it was a great movie about the life of the people (including the Gladiators) in the Roman Empire.

It seemed that each actor had their own story to tell and their own ambitions. Russell Crowe was especially good to watch because it seemed as though the part was made for him he fit it so well. I was able to absorb his grief and not wonder why he did the things he did. This has got to be one of Crowe’s best performances I have seen so far and one that definitely put his range as a actor to the test. Joaquin Phoenix was delicious as the greed stricken new Emperor that claims to “love the people”, but seems to only think of himself. I was surprised by the performance here as a “villain”, he definitely pulled it off both mentally and physically. Finally, Connie Nielson was able to bring her character (not fully developed) to the forefront with her naiveté. You sometimes have to wonder about the intelligence of the character but realize that Neilson just had a very strong performance.

Everything in this movie was spectacular. I have to say that Gladiator is one of the better done “fighting” movies that I have seen as of yet. Each scene is wonderfully captured and allows the watcher to actually get into the movie and feel like they are a part of it. But let’s not discount the costume design, musical score, camera work, and set design…all were beautifully done.

The only minor thing that I would put against this movie is the amount of sound during the major fight scenes. I think we hear way too much sound from the crowd and not enough from the actual fighting men. Maybe there was a reason for this, but I expected a heck of a lot more grunting and groaning from the fighters.

Gladiator walked away with some pretty good awards. Winning: 2001 Oscars for Best Actor in Leading Role (Russell Crowe), Best Costume Design, Best Visual Effects, Best Picture, and Best Sound. Winning: 2001 Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture and Best Original Score. This movie was also nominated for numerous other awards.

The DVD has some extra features, including: audio commentary by director Ridley Scott and cinematographer John Mathieson, a production diary created by Spencer Treat Clark, Interview with Hans Zimmer, a making-of featurette “HBO First Look”, production photographs, deleted scenes, and The Learning Channel’s “The Bloodsport of a Gladiator”. Along with a scene index, subtitles, and an Index.

Overall, I have to recommend this movie, even though I wanted to scream at the actors at various times. Gladiator manages to tug hard at your emotions during mixed moments in the movie and that only adds to the drama unfolding before your eyes. You do have to wonder about the mental status of the Roman’s…why did they get their kicks watching men fight each other to the death? It’s utterly inhumane.

Don’t expect any comedy with Gladiator…it’s all Drama and Action. And don’t expect to be surprised by anything because this movie is very predictable. But I recommend this one to all (except young children due to the violence), despite some gory fighting scenes.


~ Happy Watching!

Kim


Genre: Drama, Action
Release Date: May 2000
Director: Ridley Scott
Writer: David Franzoni
Rated: R
Running Time: 155 minutes


Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Fit for Friday Evening
Suitability For Children: Not suitable for Children of any age