Since there are already about 600 reviews of this film and this review is my entry to the Quotes that make the Movie (2005) Write Off hosted by our very own New Zealander, Dean, I thought I'd try something a little different. Without giving away too much plot (hopefully), I'm going to select several quotes from the film and explain how the movie hinges on them. To make it a bit more interesting and include less spoilers, I'm not going to tell you who actually said each line. (Also the quotes are not necessarily in the order you'll hear them in the film.)

So here goes...

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

The whole film hangs on this sentence – Maximus (Russell Crowe) has, through no fault of his own, become a slave, a gladiator – and yet, following the advice of his owner and former gladiator Proximo (played by Oliver Reed, who sadly died during the filming of this movie), "wins the people", and thus unexpectedly wins the power to overthrow Caesar. But does he want to overthrow him – or just kill him? The advice was: "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."


"My name is Maximus Decimus Meridius, commander of the Armies of the North, General of the Felix Legions, loyal servant to the true emperor, Marcus Aurelius. Father to a murdered son, husband to a murdered wife. And I will have my vengeance, in this life or the next."

Well okay it's pretty obvious who spoke this line!! It's important because it shows that despite his changed position his courage and honour remain fully intact, and puts his motives for revenge in stark, undeniable detail.


"People should know when they are conquered."

"Would you? Would I?"


These differing views on the Roman passion for conquering all before them clearly sets up two of the characters and their differing views on life, which are developed throughout the film.

"He will bring them death, and they will love him for it.
"

The attitude of the Roman public is grimly summed up here, and proves all too true.

"You risk too much."

"I have much to pay for."

Few of the characters in the film, or at least those in positions of power, have many redeeming features, but here one of them shows theirs. Unlike most of the others, this person realises they haven't been a very good person, and finally wants to make ammends.

"Let us pretend that you are a loving daughter, and I am a good father."

"This is a pleasant fiction, is it not?"


The family situation in the Roman Empire.

And finally:

"Are you in danger of becoming a good man?!?"

A good example of how even with the dangers and injustices facing them, those involved can still find something to joke about (and another person seeking to redeem themselves). Ok, one more example:

"Can they hear you?"

"Who?"

"Your family. In the afterlife."

"Oh yes."

"What do you say to them?"

"To my son - I tell him I will see him again soon. To keep his heels down while riding his horse. To my wife... that is not your business."




Well there you have it – a different kind of review, I hope you enjoyed it, and if you didn't... well, I can't do something new every time, so it'll probably be back to normal for the next one. :-D

In order to make it seem something like an ordinary review, the music by Hans Zimmer was good and fitted the film well, though I felt it wasn't quite an "epic" score... the direction by Ridley Scott was near perfect... the acting was extraordinary, particularly Russell Crowe and Joacqiun Phoenix... this is one of the most emotionally powerful films I have ever seen. It's definitely not a film for children, the squeamish, or the faint-hearted – there's quite a bit of gore here, after all the gladiotorial games are a pretty gory subject. Also some of the themes touched on are rather mature. Visually it's spectacular.

Did you know: Gladiator won 5 Oscars, and had another 44 wins & 73 nominations for various awards.



So there you have it.

In fact, it's definitely going to be my top film of 2000 when I eventually get round to writing it, and got an honourable mention in my Top Ten Movies of All Time list. In fact, Crowe's films are my choice for best of the year in not only 2000 but also 2001 (A Beautiful Mind) and 2003 (Master & Commander).

Other Russell Crowe Films:

Master and Commander (2003)
A Beautiful Mind (2001)
Proof of Life (2000)
Hammers Over the Anvil (1991)


Recommended:
Yes

Suitability For Children: Not suitable for Children of any age