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Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen, Oliver Reed, Richard Harris ...( see more  see more... ) , Djimon Hounsou

In the final days of Marcus Aurelius' reign, the aging emperor arouses his son Commodus' anger when he makes known his wish that Maximus be his successor. Power-hungry Commodus kills his father and or...( read more  read more... )ders the death of Maximus. But the latter flees and hides his identity by becoming slave and a gladiator. Eventually, Maximus journeys back to Rome to confront his arch rival.

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85% liked it

32,502,985 ratings

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77% liked it

154 critics

R, 2 hr. 45 min.

Directed by: Ridley Scott

Release Date: May 5, 2000

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DVD Release Date: November 21, 2000

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Flixster Reviews (1,635,168)

  • magnum32004
    October 31, 2007
    magnum32004
    "Are you not entertained?" is the question you'll ask yourself if you are not entertained by this epic action drama.
  • KhrisP
    December 29, 2009
    KhrisP
    *review coming soon*
  • smith44
    December 29, 2009
    smith44
    Gladiator is a spectacular Roman Epic but it has a serious flaw, namely the character of Maximus. The hero is a brutal murderer who kills innocent people. Joaquin Pheonix's performance is the highlight. One of the best films of 2000.
  • AgentLexi2132
    December 25, 2009
    AgentLexi2132
    ''My name is Maximus Decimus Meridius, commander of the Armies of the North, General of the Felix Legions, loyal servant to 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.''

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

    Russell Crowe: Maximus

    Joaquin Phoenix: Commodus

    Epic, dramatic, heart-wrenching, action packed and dramatic. Ridley Scott's roman historical masterpiece, forget the still good but flawed kingdom of heaven this is the one to watch.

    Russel Crowe gives his best performance of his career. The late Richard Harris and Oliver Reed give high performances and a quality that shines timeless etherality. Joaquin Phoenix is an equal cold maddened son who's hunger and thirst for power is a vision to see.

    ''At my signal, unleash hell.''

    A tale of redemption of a man fighting for good. A cause bigger than himself and to overthrow a tyrant obstructing the birth a republic. Revel in the violence, behold it's beauty and magnificence, wasn't a doubt in my mind that Ridley Scott would reap the rewards of his efforts and win awards galore. People who criticize this film are the same people that ridiculed Blade Runner, Alien, and my message to them is to get stuffed, thats as polite as i can put it.
    Gladiator features some wonderful cinematography by John Mathieson. The battle scenes are very graphic. (This movie is not for the squeamish, that's for sure.) There were some scenes in particular that really struck me, such as when Crowe appears to be floating over the ground very fast. The use of colour and colour tones added a great deal to the mood of the movie. Excellent.
    The script was being written and re-written as the filming was going on, yet it doesn't show that the actors had no idea how the movie was going to end when they began filming. The acting is terrific. Russell Crowe is wonderfully cast as Maximus. Many reviewers agree that he is now officially a star. Joaquin Phoenix also proves his mettle as the emotionally troubled Commodus, whose behavior and emotion toward his sister could give anyone the creeps. Connie Nielsen makes you believe that, as Lucilla, she really is torn between natural loyalty to her brother and doing what she knows is right. Oliver Reed, in his last performance, is memorable in his role of Proximo, the former gladiator who is the owner of Maximus and brings him to Rome. In short, the actors were brilliant in their roles, not over-acting, but giving subtle, strong performances.

    ''I don't pretend to be a man of the people. But I do try to be a man for the people.''

    The fights staged in Gladiator are masterful set pieces; stylized and captured gloriously. However, the fighting in Gladiator is not unrealistic; it's graphic and bloody. The warriors who battle each other are not super-men, they are normal men, real fighters, who get bashed and beat up at every turn. These soldiers combat in a truly gritty way, they are warriors who need to smell and rub their hands in the earth they battle upon. Chief amongst these mortal combatants is Russell Crowe's, a hero of mythological stance, whose raw aggression on the battlefront, coupled with his powerful expressions (combating and not combating, his silent moments from his execution to his first brawl in the arena are his best) and compelling heroics earned him a well earned Oscar.
    These battle-scenes of Gladiator are, of course, extremely well tended to by Ridley Scott who is the master at crafting epic war scenarios (see, I told you fanboy-praise would sneak its way in!). The patient, slow pacing of the film seems to take a sudden halt here, and then fast-forward in an amazingly rapid-fire pace with quick shots, swinging swords, vivid skies and a great score by Hans Zimmer to further emphasize the dramatic mood.
    The very culmination of this is not at the end, but rather early. It is the moment that Maximus removes his helmet, reveals his identity and faces the emperor, after a long and ferocious battle. It is a scene so poignant that I always wish it would have been saved until later on in the film, thereby giving it even more weight. But no matter, because rest assured that it is goosebumps-inducing enough.
    A gloriously entertaining, heartfelt and carefully crafted war adventure by Ridley Scott in which little feels missing or incomplete. What more could you ask for? Great acting from the cast I suppose, well, this is also present in Gladiator. Best of all, the actors have good dialogue to work with so they don't choke on the dated lines. Russell Crowe propels this film with his heroic personality, Connie Nielsen adds introspective depth, and Joaquin Phoenix is excellent as the twisted but idealist emperor Commodurus.

    Gladiator is visually stunning; it is the work of a master craftsman. It is also emotionally intriguing, something some Scott films lack. Its soul-searching music (applause to Hans Zimmer) and its ambitious, gorgeous view of the after-life are beautiful. Its truly gritty-edge give it a dirty, gruesome magnificence.

    One of my fave films of all times, one i have watched countless times. Near the beginning in the forests was filmed near my relatives too and I've been. Simply breathtaking scope and settings and the music hits your soul.

    I am certainly entertained.

    ''What we do in life echoes in eternity.''
  • Galeocerdo
    December 13, 2009
    Galeocerdo
    A flawed but old school epic in the tradition of Lawrence of Arabia and Ben-Hur, Ridley Scott's biggest hit is responsible for reviving "the epic" for a new decade.
  • alionam1
    February 10, 2010
    alionam1
    never watched it before
  • gatorojo
    February 9, 2010
    gatorojo
    Great movie, Hollywood rediscovered Rome.
  • hiitsmejaime
    February 9, 2010
    hiitsmejaime
    Excellent. Loved Connie Neilson and Joquin Phoenix - he was particularly fabulous.
  • yazzylovesjeffhardy
    February 9, 2010
    yazzylovesjeffhardy
    I never heard of it but it looks good. ;)
  • luannegreiros
    February 9, 2010
    luannegreiros
    I wouldn't watch it again.

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Comments

  • hendrickkapepa
    November 23, 2009
    hendrickkapepa
    Where have all the flowers gone is what Joni Mitchell would say........they don't make great movies like this one anymore. Best Movie i have ever watched and great performance from Russel. This is a Classic. Cheers
  • psrinivasulu07
    September 26, 2009
    psrinivasulu07
    ilike this movie very much, becoz koriyo graphy is exlent
  • wahidunforgiven
    August 26, 2009
    wahidunforgiven
    INTERESTING MOVIE
    I REALLY ENJOY IT
  • louimiles
    June 30, 2009
    louimiles
    "i love this movie,very interesting one.i got a copy of this..ilike action movies with sense....
  • karenclark15
    June 26, 2009
    karenclark15
    an all action movie from beginning to end. I loved every minute of it.
  • kzmxms
    May 19, 2009
    kzmxms
    This is my best movie of all time i tell u when i wached this movie i cried,i love the film n till now i still wache the film.is my name sake so i love it,MAXIMUSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
  • sweetyhide
    May 13, 2009
    sweetyhide
    My favorite movie of all time.
    Can't count how many times I have watched this.
    Just noticed recently that during one fight sence the music sounds oddly similar to Pirates Of The Carribbean.
    Anyone else notice this?
  • hottans
    April 29, 2009
    hottans
    th ultimate action film
    superb!!!!!!!!!!
  • omarhenri2002
    April 2, 2009
    omarhenri2002
    russel done a lot in this movie and the most thing i like in this movie is how he died heroic .a man have to be soo
  • Daughteroftwilight
    March 19, 2009
    Daughteroftwilight
    how i love this Movie

    Especially Russel Crowe
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Facts

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  • Plot Keywords:
    escape, senate, slavery, epic, sister, honor, Roman Empire, warrior, General, arena, corruption, freedom, Colosseum, emperor, violence, revenge
  • Tagline:
    A general who became a slave. A slave who became a gladiator. A gladiator who defied an emperor.
  • Tagline:
    A Hero Will Rise.
  • Tagline:
    Father of a murdered son, husband to a murdered wife and I shall have my vengeance in this life or the next
  • Fun Fact:
    Mel Gibson turned down the role of Maximus.
  • Fun Fact:
    The yak helmet worn by the gladiator who is slain by Hagen is the same one that the warrior slain by Sean Connery wears in "Time Bandits."
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Gladiator Trivia

  • Before Russell Crowe agreed to play Maximus in Gladiator, who did the film's creators originally approach?  Answer »
  • Johnny Cash chose Joaquin Phoenix to play him in the film "Walk the Line", based on Joaquin's performance in what film?  Answer »
  • In which order of positions did Russel Crowe proceed to in Gladiator?  Answer »
  • What movie is this line from- "How dare you show your back to me? Slave! I order you to turn around and tell me your name."  Answer »
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