Gladiator (2000)

Director:

Ridley Scott

Writers (WGA):

David Franzoni (story)
David Franzoni (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

5 May 2000 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Adventure | Drama | War

Tagline:

On my command - unleash hell

Plot:

When a Roman general is betrayed and his family murdered by a corrupt prince, he comes to Rome as a gladiator to seek revenge.

Plot Keywords:

Roman Soldier | No Opening Credits | Scene Based On Painting | Historical | Altered Version Of Studio Logo

Awards:

Won 5 Oscars. Another 45 wins & 79 nominations

US TV Schedule:

Tue. July 22	5:30 PM	MAX
Sat. July 26	7:15 PM	MAX

Cast

Russell Crowe	...	Maximus
Joaquin Phoenix	...	Commodus
Connie Nielsen	...	Lucilla
Oliver Reed	...	Proximo
Richard Harris	...	Marcus Aurelius
Derek Jacobi	...	Gracchus
Djimon Hounsou	...	Juba
David Schofield	...	Falco
John Shrapnel	...	Gaius
Tomas Arana	...	Quintus
Ralf Moeller	...	Hagen
Spencer Treat Clark	...	Lucius
David Hemmings	...	Cassius
Tommy Flanagan	...	Cicero
Sven-Ole Thorsen	...	Tiger

Also Known As:

The Gladiators (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated R for intense, graphic combat.

Runtime:

155 min | 171 min (extended version)

Country:

UK | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS-ES | Dolby Digital EX | SDDS

Certification:

Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:14 (Nova Scotia) (re-rating on appeal) | Malaysia:18SG | Canada:PA (Manitoba) | USA:R (certificate #37084) | Iceland:16 | Netherlands:12 (TV rating) | Taiwan:R-12 | Canada:18 (Nova Scotia) (original rating) | Canada:AA (Ontario) | Canada:14A (Alberta) | Brazil:14 | Malaysia:U (cut version) | Canada:18A (British Columbia) | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Chile:14 | Denmark:15 | Finland:K-16 | France:U | Germany:16 (bw) | Hong Kong:IIB | Israel:PG | Netherlands:16 | New Zealand:M | Norway:15 | Peru:14 | Portugal:M/12 | Singapore:PG | South Korea:15 | Spain:13 | Sweden:15 | Switzerland:14 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:14 (canton of Vaud) | UK:15 | Philippines:PG-13

Filming Locations:

Ait Benhaddou, Ouarzazate, Morocco

Company:

DreamWorks SKG

Trivia:

Maximus' Spanish heritage meshes interestingly with his choice of arms - as a General riding with the cavalry of the Felix Legion, (in the opening battle) he wields a sword known as a "Spatha", popular among the continental tribes especially in Spain and southern Gaul. As a Gladiator, he uses a sword similar to the spatha in appearance but shorter and broader. This weapon is known as the "Gladius Hispaniensis", and was adopted by the Roman infantry after Scipio's invasion of the Iberian Peninsula in the II century B.C., after the end of the 2nd Punic War. Roman infantry wore the gladius on the right side - this, facilitated by the short blade length, allowed the legionary to draw his weapon on the same side as his sword arm; cross-drawing would be hindered by the scutum (the large rectangular shield) while in formation.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: When Maximus takes his helmet off at the end of the Roma-Carthage battle you can see indents where he places his fingers showing it is made of rubber.

Quotes:

Maximus: I may die here in this cell or in the arena tomorrow. What possible difference can I make?

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Larry the Cable Guy: Health Inspector (2006)

Soundtrack:

Now We Are Free

Best of 2000

Very rarely a film meshes together as finely as Gladiator. Its vivid action, superb writing, breathtaking acting, moving cinematography, and flawless score all amalgamate into a zenith of film making.

Russell Crowe, severely underrated after his brilliant roles in LA Confidential and The Insider, justifies his position in the elite of Hollywood in this film. The calibre of his performance is stunning. Along with an excellent supporting cast, Crowe truly transfers the intense emotions of this flick to the audience.

Gladiator is a must see. It is a cliche to call a movie "powerful", but Gladiator's power is unavoidable. 10/10