Gladiator

Starring: Russell Crowe, Oliver Reed, Joaquin Phoenix, et al.

A man robbed of his name and his dignity strives to win them back, and gain the freedom of his people, in this epic historical drama from director Ridley Scott. In the year 180, the death of emperor Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris) throws the Roman Empire into chaos. Maximus (Russell Crowe) is one of the Roman army's most capable and trusted generals and a key advisor to the emperor. As Marcus' devious son Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix) ascends to the throne, Maximus is set to be executed. He escapes, but is captured by slave traders. Renamed Spaniard and forced to become a gladiator, Maximus must battle to the death with other men for the amusement of paying audiences. His battle skills serve him well, and he becomes one of the most famous and admired men to fight in the Colosseum. Determined to avenge himself against the man who took away his freedom and laid waste to his family, Maximus believes that he can use his fame and skill in the ring to avenge the loss of his family and former glory. As the gladiator begins to challenge his rule, Commodus decides to put his own fighting mettle to the test by squaring off with Maximus in a battle to the death. Gladiator also features Derek Jacobi, Connie Nielsen, Djimon Hounsou, and Oliver Reed, who died of a heart attack midway through production.

• Format: DVD
• Language: English
• UPC: 667068720426
• Release Date: January 2000
• Rating: R
• Publisher: DREAMWORKS PICTURES
• Director: Ridley Scott
• Starring: Russell Crowe, Oliver Reed, Joaquin Phoenix, David Hemmings, Richard Harris, Connie Nielsen, Tommy Flanagan
• Runtime: 2 hours, 34 minutes
• Weight: 0.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 7.5" x 0.5" x 5.3"

Customer Reviews

Not as much pomp and a lot more circumstance

What do you do when everything that could be done in a gladiator movie has been done? And the script is right out of the old Charles Bronson revenge movies for having family unjustly dispatched by the evil authority. There can never be another "Ben-Hur" (1959), a movie made in its time, for its time, and an untouchable classic. This gladiator movie is for today's audience and may someday become a classic. Instead of having a splashy image like John Wayne, Russell Crowe has to blend in with the movie and the story. He must be ruthless and compassionate, almost at the same time. Of course, if you just concentrate on Russell Crowe, you will miss many other great actors, not the least of which is Derek Jacobi as Senator Gracchus. You can see him again as Brother Cadfael in "A Morbid Taste for Bones". What is this? The new Roman Emperor Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix). See Joaquin again as Johnny Cash in “Walk the Line.” Although there is quite a substantial amount of displayed hemoglobin, this is not the main purpose of the movie. And I guarantee that you will be glued to the set without even realizing it.