Gladiator (1992) (1992)
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25% of critics liked it
(12 reviews) -
24% want to see it
(6,502 ratings)
Gladiator is the kind of boxing movie that goes that extra mile -- a self-loathing boxing saga that relishes in bare-knuckled sucker punches, illegal eye-rubs, and gentlemen boxers who obey the Marquis of Queensbury rules by drop-kicking opponents when the are not only down but unconscious. James… More Gladiator is the kind of boxing movie that goes that extra mile -- a self-loathing boxing saga that relishes in bare-knuckled sucker punches, illegal eye-rubs, and gentlemen boxers who obey the Marquis of Queensbury rules by drop-kicking opponents when the are not only down but unconscious. James Marshall plays Tommy Riley, a Windy City high school student conned into participating in the illegal underground boxing arenas of the South Side of Chicago. In high school, Tommy was a prize boxer, and this skill comes in handy when his Father (John Heard) runs up a large gambling debt. When a sleazy boxing manager (Robert Loggia) spots Tommy defending himself during recess, he offers him quick money to box. Tommy, although he hates the sport, readily agrees, thinking his winnings will help his father pay off his debts. He quickly comes under the thumb of unscrupulous boxing promoter Horn (Brian Dennehy), who is involved in fight-fixing and dirty fighting. Manipulating the odds and exploiting his boxers make Horn rich and more venal. In the rancid environment, Tommy befriends another fighter, Lincoln (Cuba Gooding Jr.), a black fighter who sees fighting as his way out of poverty. Inevitably, Horn arranges for the two friends to duke it out in the ring together. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi
- Directed By
- Rowdy Herrington
- Genres
- Drama, Action & Adventure
R,
- Studio
- Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Critic Reviews
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, Time Out
Marshall makes a promising feature debut; and Herrington, pushing beyond the expected triumph-of-the-underdog clichés, underpins the crowd-pleasing Rocky-style fight action with some unobtrusive social comment and confident visual storytelling.
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Janet Maslin, New York Times
The mixture may be slightly unexpected, but it still manages to be predictable all the way.
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Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
The idea of the Dennehy's illegal boxing arena is a storytelling masterstroke; it explains the small crowds at the same time it permits the boxers to fight dirty.
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Desson Thomson, Washington Post
Let's make things perfectly clear. Gladiator is utter trash masquerading as an action picture with a message.
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Rita Kempley, Washington Post
The screenplay, contrived to suit the genre, is likewise replete with stock characters.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Cuba Gooding Jr.
as Lincoln
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James Marshall
as Tommy Riley
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Robert Loggia
as Pappy Jack
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Ossie Davis
as Noah
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Brian Dennehy
as Jimmy Horn
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John Heard
as John Riley
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Cara Buono
as Dawn
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Lance Slaughter
as Shortcut
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T.E. Russell
as Spits
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Francesca Roberts
as Miss Higgins
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Debra Sandlund
as Charlene
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Derek Anunciation
as Teen in Classroom
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Tab Baker
as Storm Trooper
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Johnny Bellino
as Dawn's Father
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Mike A. Burgos
as Odds Board Man
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Julian S. Campo
as Bodyguard
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Kevin M. Casey
as Collector
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Kenneth Scott Coopwood
as Bookie
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Blake Dollard
as Heavyweight Fighter
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James "Ike" Eichling
as Cop on Take
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Anthony Fitzpatrick
as Collector
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Mary Flynn
as Teen in Diner
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Tony Gios
as Bookie
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Michael Glienna
as Black Death Corner Man
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Jean-Paul Griffin
as Black Death
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Emily Marie Hooper
as Belinda
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Franklin Dennis Jones
as Ring Manager
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Jill Kiblinger
as Teen in Diner
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Harve Kolzow
as Timekeeper
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Anthony "Primo" LaCassa
as Romano's Cornerman
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Richard Lexsee
as Father in Park
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Johnny Lira
as Bookie
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Theorn "Touche" Lykes
as Bodyguard
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Marctwaine Nettles-Bey
as Teen in Classroom
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Mike Nussbaum
as Doctor
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Patrick Outlaw
as Lincoln's Opponent
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Hector Pena
as Tommy's Opponent
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David Spence Perkins
as Fight Fan
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Dwain A. Perry
as Storm Trooper
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Mark Phillip Raff
as Teen in Diner
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Antoine Roshell
as Scarface
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Raul Salinas
as Teen in Classroom
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Joan Schwenk
as Secretary
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Mik Scriba
as 1st Referee
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Jon Seda
as Romano
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Chilton Shellito
as Bettor
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Thomas Charles Simmons
as Leo
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Desi Singh
as Bookie
- Debra Stipe
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Virgil Strauss
as 2nd Referee
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Vonte Sweet
as Tidbits
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Laura Whyte
as Millie
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John Louis Williams
as School Guard
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John Wilson
as 3rd Referee
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Jena Wynn
as Laura Lee
- Tak Fujimoto
- Amanda Mackey-Johnson
-
David Burton
as Bettor
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John M. Watson Sr.
as Hospital Patient
-
Brian O'Shea
as 4th Referee
