Gladiator [2000]

But now I know much more. The movie is directed by one of the worlds most respected directors; Ridley Scott (Blade Runner, Alien, Hannibal). The cast list is also great, containing the names of such great actors as Russel Crowe, Connie Nielsen, Joaquin Phoenix and Richard Harris. The movie's soundtrack is also lovely! Mighty orchestral music composed by Hans Zimmer (Black Hawk Down, King Arthur), with a great supporting voice by Lisa Gerrard, which will make your tears fly.

The movie is about a great Roman general, named Maximus (Crowe), who is betrayed by the Emperor's son, Commodus, (Phoenix) when he finds out that the emperor (Harris) doesn't want to make Commodus emperor after him, but rather make Maximus emperor. Maximus is being captured and is sent far into the wild with some Roman soldiers. Maximus is to be executed there, but he manages to kill the Roman soldiers and escape. Unfortunately, one of the Roman soldiers manages to wound him before he dies himself. When he comes home to his wife and son on a farm in Spain, he finds them both crucified. Filled with sorrow and hatred, tired from the ride and badly injured by the Roman, Maximus drops to the ground and faints.

He is being picked up, and made a slave by a caravan of slavers. When the caravan reaches Zucchabar, most of the slaves, including Maximus, is bought by a Gladiator-trainer. After many gladiator-battles in different arenas, the remaining slaves travel to Rome, to fight in Colosseum. Maximus now realizes that this is his chance to get his vengeance on Commodus, who now is the emperor of Rome.

Rildey Scott takes Hollywood pictures to the next level, with his brilliant fighting scenes, as well as the sad scenes. This movie is quite violent, but at the same quite sad, which is great! Because then the movie is perfect for both girls and boys.

One of my favorite quotes is from this movie: "My name is Maximus Desmus Maridius. Commander of the armies of the north. General of the Felix legions. Loyal servant of 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."

This quote is from the scene when Maximus meets Commodus for the first time in the arena, and Commodus finds out that Maximus is alive.

Just watch this movie, and buy the soundtrack while you're at it!

As I said to my friends; There is a reason that such a great movie as Spartacus got 4 Academy Awards, while Gladiator got 5...


Fantastic!   January 8, 2005
7 out of 10 found this review helpful

When I went into the cinema to see Gladiator I was prepared for 2 hours of sheer boredom! But I came out with tears rolling down my face, knowing that this was the best film I had seen in ages!

I absolutely love this film!


UTTERLY SUPERB   July 28, 2007
L. Wilson (Natal South Africa)
7 out of 7 found this review helpful

It is hard to write something new about this film, so I will not even try.
A brilliant production spectacularly directed with a story that will leave you with mixed feelings of sadness and joy.
Rarely does a film of this calbre come along so don`t miss it, if I could give it ten stars it still would not be enough.


Its great, but then it grates...   March 10, 2005
Mike Elsam
6 out of 32 found this review helpful

First thing first, this film looks amazing. The production values are obvious from the off, with the hugely explosive battle scene between the Romans and the barbarians of Germania. This high quality imagery reaches its epic peak with the later scenes set in the Colleseum, which I don't think anyone can disagree look astounding.

This is easily the best thing about the film.It's imagery and it's adrenaline pumping combat scenes are some of, if not the most gob-smacking you will see for years to come. Be warned though, as this film is immensely violent in it's fight scenes, with almost nothing held back in the gory arena battles.

I have to admit, the first time, and about three times after that, this film was 5 stars in my opinion. And if you have never seen this film before, I would recommend it without a doubt, especially if you are only planning to rent it, as it is an experience that, first time at least, will leave you gasping for more.

I, unfortunately though, am writing from the point of view of someone who has probably seen the film too many times. As my title suggests, the more you watch it, the more you start to notice plot holes, and things that generally do not go together quite as well as you thought they did when you first saw it.

Granted, some of the more obvious things that do not seem to add up have been added for dramatic effect, but you just relaise that that is not how it would happen in real life. Without ruining the plot, what the Emperor does at the end of the film, despite having a posible advantage, in my view was just plain idiotic. I cetainly would not have done it in his place.

In conclusion, this is a great popcorn actioner, which is almost immune to critisism the first time round, but does lose it's appeal after several viewings, when you look beneath the, very eye-catching, surface.


LOSS, ANGER, GLORY! What a film!   May 21, 2007
G. K. Reid
6 out of 6 found this review helpful

'Gladiator' follows the story of an army general in Roman times, who soon becomes a victim to a slaughtered family and a life as a slave..a Gladiator!
He fights his way through each battle with his heart until he can stand face-to-face with the man who called for the execution of his family and shattered his existence & freedom.

Its an incredible movie that is filmed with a dark and surreal atmosphere, capturing the movies content and features absoultely outstanding visual effects, in and out the battle scenes. The story line is strong and captures many emotions which is strongly driven by powerful music conducted by Hans Zimmer.

Some of the battle scenes are quite graphic and the scenes are at times extremely emotional for those who are the more sensitive type. But the movie is gripping from intro to a beautiful climatic ending.
This is a classic and is a must have in your action DVD collection.