Gladiator (2000)

When a Roman general is betrayed and his family murdered by an emperor's corrupt son, he comes to Rome as a gladiator to seek revenge.

Director:

Ridley Scott

Writers:

David Franzoni (story), David Franzoni (screenplay),

Stars:

Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen

Top 250 #48 | Won 5 Oscars. Another 53 wins & 85 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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	...	Tigris

Storyline

Maximus is a powerful Roman general, loved by the people and the aging Emperor, Marcus Aurelius. Before his death, the Emperor chooses Maximus to be his heir over his own son, Commodus, and a power struggle leaves Maximus and his family condemned to death. The powerful general is unable to save his family, and his loss of will allows him to get captured and put into the Gladiator games until he dies. The only desire that fuels him now is the chance to rise to the top so that he will be able to look into the eyes of the man who will feel his revenge.

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Plot Keywords:

roman empire | gladiator | slavery | combat | battlefield | 

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Taglines:

What We Do In Life Echoes In Eternity.

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Genres:

Action | Drama

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Certificate:

18

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook

Country:

USA UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

5 May 2000 (USA)

Also Known As:

Gladiateur

Filming Locations:

Ait Benhaddou, Morocco

Box Office

Budget:

$103,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

£3,555,446 (UK) (12 May 2000)

Gross:

ESP 3,252,726,610 (Spain) (29 June 2001)

Company Credits

Production Co:

DreamWorks SKG, Universal Pictures, Scott Free Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

155 min 171 min (Extended Edition)

Sound Mix:

SDDS DTS Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Some shots of Oliver Reed had to be faked with CGI after his death, at an estimated cost of $3 million.

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Goofs

Commodus tells Lucius about their ancestors, including Emperor Claudius. Commodus' family was not related to Claudius, whose family died with Emperor Nero in AD 68.

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Quotes

Maximus: Nothing happens to anyone that he is not fitted by nature to bear

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Crazy Credits

Both the Dreamworks & Universal logos are altered to appear gold in color so they match the opening theme of Maximus walking through a wheatfield.

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Connections

Referenced in Heroes of Newerth (2010)

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Soundtracks

Now We Are Free
(uncredited)
Written by Lisa Gerrard and Hans Zimmer

User Reviews

A nail biting, intense modern epic!

Most films require that the viewer identifies with the character to truly be engrossed with the film. If you can't feel something for the character, than the audience is lost.

Luckily, in Ridley Scott's case, Russel Crowe is so captivating and convincing as a general loved by his troops and as a slave loved by the people that the movie really works. Possibly one of the greatest actors today, Crowe carries this epic film on his very capable shoulders.

Not to say that he is the only reason this works. The supporting cast, most notably Connie Neilsen, buoy the film to new perspectives.

Jacquin Phoenix definitely captures the egotisitcal persona he should display, stealing every scene he's in. Phoenix will surely be put on the map with Gladiator.

But the real shining star in this film are the incredible action sequences which jolt the viewer right in with the opening sequences, as Maximus' true worth to the Roman Empire is displayed. Scott's camera work within these completed sequences takes a modern twist that really works for the gruesome scenes.

Crowe will now get the respect he deserves for this collosal performance. Gladiator makes the most of its 2 and a half hours, marking a triumphant comeback for the long forgotten epics of the classic days of film. ALL HAIL MAXIMUS!