Gladiator (2000)

78% of critics liked it
(160 reviews)
85% of users liked it
(32,502,985 ratings)

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… More 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. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 2 hr. 34 min.
Directed By: Ridley Scott
Written By: David H. Franzoni, John Logan, William Nicholson
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, Classics

In Theaters: May 5, 2000 Wide
On DVD: Nov 21, 2000
Studio: Dreamworks Distribution LLC

Critic Reviews

Andrew Sarris, New York Observer
Ultimately, Gladiator is an honorable and inoffensive spectacle with nothing extraordinary to recommend it.
Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader
Though the digital effects lack the weight and conviction of their equivalents in old Cecil B. De Mille movies, Ridley Scott's sword-and-sandal epic has some of the intensity of old Hollywood in terms of storytelling, spectacle, and violence.
Rick Groen, Globe and Mail
The Roman costume drama, all dressed to the IX's, has taken a long holiday from the big screen.
Sean Means, Film.com
Gladiator doesn't have enough plot to be a Roman epic ... and too much plot to be a summer action movie.
Peter Rainer, New York Magazine
Without Russell Crowe's dynamism holding it all together, Gladiator might have devolved into a rash of overblown pandering.
Robert Horton, Film.com
Gladiator derides 'entertainment' while hustling like crazy to provide two and a half hours' worth of same. The heroism and the tigers and the epic grandeur all leave behind the flavor of cynicism.
Nell Minow, Common Sense Media
Really excellent but really violent Oscar winner.
Nick Rogers, Suite101.com
Russell Crowe is as believable a Spaniard here as Charlton Heston was a Mexican in "Touch of Evil." But director Ridley Scott took greater interest in entwining an empire's intrigue with its people's turmoil than emphasizing bread-and-circus brutality.
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
The remastering's absence of edge enhancement and more-intense colors are the most obvious differences. (Blu-ray Edition, Remastered)
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
...stirring action, good performances, and a plethora of visual delights.
Josh Larsen, LarsenOnFilm
The brutality has such a mythical grandeur that it occasionally resembles beauty.
Christopher Smith, Bangor Daily News (Maine)
Beefcake! Blood! Body slams! Boring! Boring? Well, not quite, but at 150 minutes, "Gladiator" isn't entirely the thrilling, action-packed Roman epic some fans of the genre were expecting.
Urban Cinefile Critics, Urban Cinefile
Epic cinema is back.
Mark Halverson, Sacramento News & Review
Scott triumphantly transports us back to the Roman Empire circa 180 A.D. with a painter's eye for detail, a proven talent for manufacturing exotic realities (such as the future shock of Blade Runner) and a sweet tooth for utter spectacle.
Daniel Etherington, Film4
Meaty and satisfying.
Rob Gonsalves, eFilmCritic.com
If a gladiator film doesn't work as spectacle or as bloodthirsty action, what's left? Drama? It's dead on that level, too...
Michael Dequina, TheMovieReport.com
It's only fitting that Ridley Scott's gargantuan Roman epic would be housed on two discs, and there's not a single millimeter of wasted space.
Joe Lozito, Big Picture Big Sound
The film is good, at times grizzly, fun -- of epic proportions.
Wesley Lovell, Oscar Guy
A Roman version of Ben-Hur, Gladiator succeeds on only slightly more levels than it fails.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Notwithsdanding the blood, gore, and CG effects, this is an old-fashioned historical saga, a throwabck to the sand-and-sandals epics of Quo Vadis and Ben-Hur.

Read all 22 critic reviews

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Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Featured Audience Ratings

Mike S

Cinematic perfection! An unforgettable and masterfully directed epic, from the brilliant mind who brought us such timeless classics as "Alien" and "Blade Runner". It's not often I use the word masterpiece for a film, but this spectacular piece of historical… More
Cinematic perfection! An unforgettable and masterfully directed epic, from the brilliant mind who brought us such timeless classics as "Alien" and "Blade Runner". It's not often I use the word masterpiece for a film, but this spectacular piece of historical action deserves nothing less. The story, of a Roman general named Maximus, who goes from a soldier to a slave to a gladiator champion in the majestic Colosseum, is one of the most moving, impressive and triumphant tales ever told. Roused by the amazing battles and stirred by its emotional power, I always come out of this film with a lingering sense of awe and wonder. I wish I could erase my memory, only to experience it for the first time again. For this is epic story-telling at its finest hour and one of my favourite movies of all-time. If you haven't seen it yet, you have certainly missed something!
Coxxie M

havent seen it
Jameson W

Winner of 5 Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Actor, this epic film is a must see.
Eric S

Joaquin Phoenix does a brilliant character portrayal in this and the action/battle scenes are quite well executed. Russell Crowe is downright cool in this one making his character Maximus plainly and simply a fighter with a fight worth fighting. This film just works for what it is and… More
Joaquin Phoenix does a brilliant character portrayal in this and the action/battle scenes are quite well executed. Russell Crowe is downright cool in this one making his character Maximus plainly and simply a fighter with a fight worth fighting. This film just works for what it is and it does indeed hold up if you're in the mood for some solid action sequences that keep you on edge. "Are you not entertained!?"
Wildaly M

This movie was a little hyped-up.
Colin M

Despite its historical inaccuracies, "Gladiator" is a spectacular film and the acting is exceptional. The Imagery is also great and Crowe shines throughout the film.
Nathan H

Are you not entertained? Movies like Gladiator only come every once and while to hollywood. It is a rare movie that so easily pulls at all the different emotions, and stimulate the mind, while also filling the thirst for action. Maximus was thrown into the life of a gladiator upon… More
Are you not entertained? Movies like Gladiator only come every once and while to hollywood. It is a rare movie that so easily pulls at all the different emotions, and stimulate the mind, while also filling the thirst for action. Maximus was thrown into the life of a gladiator upon being chosen by the former emperor to take his place. Commodus, the former's son finds out, murders his father, and sends Maximus to be executed. Although he escapes, the general is now a slave, and doomed to be a gladiator. But, overtime, he wins over the people by his fighting, and challenges Commodus to a final fight. This movie holds all the elements necessary for a modern classic. Excellent acting from all the main class. Director Ridley Scott shows his talents in this movie, more than any of his others. And, the plot is fantastic. Highly recommended.
zach l

Gladiator is a an epic all in itself. It does what most movies try to do and succeeds beyond expectations. This movie combines a great story, a little bit of history, great performances by Russell Crow and Joaquin Phoenix and a powerful and unforgettable score by Hans Zimmer. I can… More
Gladiator is a an epic all in itself. It does what most movies try to do and succeeds beyond expectations. This movie combines a great story, a little bit of history, great performances by Russell Crow and Joaquin Phoenix and a powerful and unforgettable score by Hans Zimmer. I can only say one word. Amazing!
Kristijonas F

Gladiator is a violent and satisfying plunge into the lore of ancient Rome, and offers plenty of thrills and visual panache - and a great Russell Crowe performance to boot.
Eric A

Badass warrior movie. Crowe kills and the movie delivers.
Drew S

Exciting action and solid acting (come back, Joaquin!), but undoes itself by simplifying things far more than it needs to. What could have been a rich exploration of morality, jealousy and power is whittled down to a tedious duel between good versus evil by the final act. Satisfying… More
Exciting action and solid acting (come back, Joaquin!), but undoes itself by simplifying things far more than it needs to. What could have been a rich exploration of morality, jealousy and power is whittled down to a tedious duel between good versus evil by the final act. Satisfying in the moment, but there isn't too much to chew on afterwards.
Kase V

Ridley Scott's 'Gladiator' has a lot to show for in terms of entertainment. Scott's usual affection towards brutal action is in effect, as is another strong performance from Russell Crowe. With beautiful cinematography and gifted storytelling, Gladiator stands as… More
Ridley Scott's 'Gladiator' has a lot to show for in terms of entertainment. Scott's usual affection towards brutal action is in effect, as is another strong performance from Russell Crowe. With beautiful cinematography and gifted storytelling, Gladiator stands as a film to revel in. As long as you can handle large pacing issues and some boring dialogue, you'll have to admire its composure as an action film.
Brad W

Holy crap, this film was so great. Maximus (Russell Crowe) is one of the Roman Armies best warriors in the year 180, he is a hero, and has the complete trust of the king (Richard Harris). This trust makes the kings son Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix) very jealous and this makes him kill… More
Holy crap, this film was so great. Maximus (Russell Crowe) is one of the Roman Armies best warriors in the year 180, he is a hero, and has the complete trust of the king (Richard Harris). This trust makes the kings son Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix) very jealous and this makes him kill his father, kill Maximus's family, and frame Maximus for his fathers death. Maximus is sent to be killed, but escapes only to be captured of slave traders and is made a warrior in the Roman colisseum. He uses hisnewfound heroism in the arena to challenge Commodus who has been made king, and plans to have revenge on the man who killed his family. Russell Crowe was incredible and the end was superb. The plot was great, music was catchy, and Pheonix was amazing as a villain. This movie is a testament to Ridley Scott. It has to be the greatest historic film ever made, and whoever hasn't seen it go rent it... Now!
Raymond W

Gladiator is visually beautiful and thoroughly engaging. The story is incredibly indepth, and the emotion is really heart-felt, helped by stellar performances from the whole cast, and a fantastic score by Hans Zimmer and haunting vocals by Lisa Gerrard.
danny d

the battle scenes are genius
paul o

One of the best roles for Russell Crowe, Gladiator is epic and stunning! From the director of Alien comes a strong story of a warrior fighting for revenge in the arena and killing whoever stands in his way. One of the most entertaining movies i have ever seen,this movie was fantastic!
Ross C

This movie has so many powerful moments - it sends you from tears to joy, and the Hans Zimmer soundtrack adds to the emotion. Although a fictional (and very good) story, this movie marked the return to the historical epic genre with a great attempt at recreating ancient Rome, albeit… More
This movie has so many powerful moments - it sends you from tears to joy, and the Hans Zimmer soundtrack adds to the emotion. Although a fictional (and very good) story, this movie marked the return to the historical epic genre with a great attempt at recreating ancient Rome, albeit borrowing features from various different periods.
Richard C

B+
Spencer S

It took me forever to finally watch this longer than my attention span epic. I was not at all disappointed. This film transcends the genre, and can be cateorically lumped in with Ben-Hur, Spartacus, and The Ten Commandments, yet has a modernistic approach so volatile and real that… More
It took me forever to finally watch this longer than my attention span epic. I was not at all disappointed. This film transcends the genre, and can be cateorically lumped in with Ben-Hur, Spartacus, and The Ten Commandments, yet has a modernistic approach so volatile and real that you'll be quoting it for years. I still do.
Jeff "

I have always had a fascination with the Roman Empire. Needless to say when I first saw this film, I was very much in awe at everything on screen. The script is solid, the story is action packed and the acting is as sharp as Maximus' blade. Ridley Scott has made an awesome thrill… More
I have always had a fascination with the Roman Empire. Needless to say when I first saw this film, I was very much in awe at everything on screen. The script is solid, the story is action packed and the acting is as sharp as Maximus' blade. Ridley Scott has made an awesome thrill a minute epic film. Gladiator is a fine film and it does a masterful job at capturing the bloody Roman games. The excitement of the crowd in the coliseum is captivating to see, and the battles are jaw dropping. One of the battles that will always amaze me is the Roman Campaign in Germania at the beginning of the film, just brilliant. Though borrowing from many other epics, Gladiator gives this type of genre a totally new breath of fresh air. Just when you thought the days of epics were over, Ridley Scott, brought us Gladiator, a rebirth of the Sword and Sandle epics of the 50's and 60's. This film is the equivalent of the Clint Eastwood Western Unforgiven. Unforgiven breath new air into a genre that people thought was long dead, and Gladiator works the same way. The cast assembled here are an incredible bunch of talented actors, and they all deliver something unique and great to the film. Gladiator is an awesome epic, thjough not very original, you can't deny the power that unfolds before you. An amazing spectacle of action that you won't forget.