Gladiator (2000)
Despite our technological advancements over the years, Gladiator feels like a throwback to a bygone era in filmmaking, reminiscent in many ways of 1959’s Ben-Hur without the biblical framing. This is epic storytelling on a grand scale, featuring a similar human journey at the core. Like Judah Ben-Hur, Maximus Decimus Meridius (Russell Crowe in an Oscar-winning performance) is successful and admired, but he is betrayed by a close ally. After both protagonists are cast out and left for dead, they are enslaved before rising again to confront their betrayers in large public arenas—Judah as a charioteer, Maximus as a gladiator. Judah wants to avenge the deaths of his mother and sister (later revealed to be alive, living as lepers) while Maximus seeks retribution for the brutal murders of his wife and son. The story arcs for these two men may be comparable, but they are different tales in other respects. Ben-Hur is about a Jewish prince, born into wealth and privilege, then condemned for his race and religion. Gladiator, by contrast, is a war-and-combat movie with Maximus as a powerful hero in the emperor’s army.
In a private meeting, Maximus is chosen by Emperor Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris) to succeed him as the appointed regent of Rome. The ailing monarch hopes Maximus will restore Rome to a republic, ruled by the people instead. Although Maximus desires to stay out of politics and return to his family and farm in Spain, he is at least of like mind. But the emperor’s spoiled son Commodus (Oscar-nominee Joaquin Phoenix) is blind with jealousy, and as the only other person aware of these monumental plans, Commodus murders his father and seizes the throne.
Maximus narrowly escapes his own execution in the woods. Badly injured, he races to his farm in Spain where he discovers the decimated remains of his wife and son. After burying them, he falls unconscious, only to be rescued by slavers who sell him to a gladiator trainer named Proximo (Oliver Reed, wonderful in his final screen role). Along with fellow fighters Juba (Djimon Hounsou) and Hagen (Ralf Moeller), Maximus gains local notoriety before their troupe heads to Rome for a tournament in the Colosseum. With his vast expertise as a military strategist, Maximus leads the group to victory—and after winning the crowd’s favor, he removes his helmet, revealing his identity to Commodus.
Compelled by the crowd’s overwhelming approval, Commodus spares his adversary’s life, for the time being, but eventually the two face each other again in the same arena. Attempting to secure his own victory, Commodus mortally wounds Maximus in a private encounter prior to their duel. Then Commodus produces a knife, during the public match, which the doomed Maximus drives back into the failed dictator’s neck, killing him. Before succumbing to his own demise, Maximus addresses the crowd, including Commodus’s sister Lucilla (Connie Nielsen) and her son Lucius (Spencer Treat Clark). He declares that Rome will be returned to the people as a republic, just as Emperor Marcus Aurelius wanted. He also frees his fellow gladiators and reinstates Senator Gracchus (Derek Jacobi). After Maximus dies, he is carried out of the stadium while Commodus’s body is left behind in the empty arena.
Gladiator is a powerful film, due to the strong performances, solid narrative, impressive visuals, and passionate music score by Hans Zimmer. In a way, this movie harkens back to the story arc of The Wizard of Oz—despite all the adventures and triumphs abroad, the goal remains to return to the simpler life on a farm with a loving family. Unfortunately, Maximus can’t click his heels; he has to die to get his wish. Russell Crowe is outstanding as the central figure, with his weary, fixed gaze and steadfast endurance. His Maximus is a reluctant hero, fighting for right and honor but never glory. On the other hand, Joaquin Phoenix as Commodus is a wretched, tortured soul who demands respect and obedience even if they aren’t earned or deserved. His father’s blanket disapproval haunts and enrages him to the bitter end. Richard Harris as Marcus Aurelius resonates as the aged lion. His time has passed, but he has waited too long to set things right. Connie Nielsen is under-appreciated as Lucilla, who does what she must to survive even when it tears her apart inside.
I first saw this movie at the Cinerama Dome in L.A., and I was transported to another time and place. Director Ridley Scott is a master at creating fully realized, engrossing worlds that pull audiences in and captivate them for the duration. That’s just how I feel with subsequent viewings of this film, a most worthy choice for Best Picture.
Gladiator
Director | Ridley Scott |
Primary Cast | Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen, Oliver Reed, Richard Harris, Derek Jacobi, Djimon Hounsou, David Schofield, John Shrapnel, Tomas Arana, Ralf Moeller, Spencer Treat Clark, David Hemmings, Tommy Flanagan, Giannina Facio |
Familiar Faces | Oliver Reed from Oliver!, Richard Harris from Unforgiven, Tommy Flanagan from Braveheart |
Firsts | None to speak of |
Total Wins | 5 (Picture, Actor: Russell Crowe, Costume Design, Sound, Visual Effects) |
Total Nominations | 12 (Picture, Director, Actor: Russell Crowe, Supporting Actor: Joaquin Phoenix, Screenplay: Original, Cinematography, Art Direction, Costume Design, Editing, Sound, Visual Effects, Score) |
Viewing Format | Blu-ray Disc |
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