After the death of Emperor Marcus Aurelius, his devious son takes power and demotes Maximus, one of Rome's most capable generals who Marcus preferred. Eventually, Maximus is forced to become a gladiator and battle to the death against other men for the amusement of paying audiences.
Russell Crowe
Maximus
Joaquin Phoenix
Commodus
Connie Nielsen
Lucilla
Oliver Reed
Proximo
Richard Harris
Marcus Aurelius
Derek Jacobi
Gracchus
Djimon Hounsou
Juba
David Schofield
Falco
John Shrapnel
Gaius
Tomas Arana
Quintus
Ralf Moeller
Hagen
Spencer Treat Clark
Lucius
David Hemmings
Cassius
Tommy Flanagan
Cicero
Sven-Ole Thorsen
Tiger
Omid Djalili
Slave Trader
Nicholas McGaughey
Praetorian Officer
Chris Kell
Scribe
Tony Curran
Assassin #1
Mark Lewis
Assassin #2
John Quinn
Valerius
Alun Raglan
Praetorian Guard #1
David Bailie
Engineer
Chick Allan
German Leader
David J. Nicholls
Giant Man
Al Hunter Ashton
Rome Trainer #1
Billy Dowd
Narrator
Ray Calleja
Lucius' Attendant
Giannina Facio
Maximus' Wife
Giorgio Cantarini
Maximus' Son
Malcolm Ellul
Centurion (uncredited)
Ray Mangion
Centurion (uncredited)
João Costa Menezes
Roman Soldier (uncredited)
Mike Mitchell
Fighter (uncredited)
Antone Pagán
Fighter (uncredited)
Norman Campbell Rees
Sedan Chair Carrier (uncredited)
Neil Roche
Roman Soldier (uncredited)
Paul Sacks
Catapult Commander Shouts "Loose" (uncredited)
Steve Saunders
German Barbarian (uncredited)
Brian Smyj
Coliseum Gladiator (uncredited)
Richard Stride
Swordsman (uncredited)
Tony Tomlinson
Man (uncredited)
Paul Woodadge
Germanian Barbarian (uncredited)
Michael Yale
Rome Citizen (uncredited)
Director
Ridley Scott
Screenplay
John Logan
Screenplay
William Nicholson
Screenplay, Story
David Franzoni
July 13, 2012
10
Gladiator has been my most favorite film of all time. It is an epic masterpiece in many ways and it really explains why despite the numerous viewings, Gladiator still amuses me with its powerful imageries and many other crucial aspects so that it won five Academy Awards. This film is very well written, the well-ensemble casts, the A-class acting (especially Russell Crowe and Joaquin Phoenix), the stunning cinematography and definitely a strong character of Maximus (magnificently portrayed by Russell Crowe) whose life, struggle, disappointment and anger really move the audience, as if the world attention centers on him. Gladiator is not a historical film, because it only used the history of the ancient Roman Empire merely as the time setting. All other aspects namely those gorgeous shots, the great storyline/plot, the fantastic cinematography, the vividly lavish colors, detailed production design and digital imaging (that successfully rebuilt the stunning beauty of the ancient Roman Empire) and all sell really well, making the 170 minute-long running time definitely worthwhile. The visual of great battle in the first 15 minutes really stole my heart. The gruesome pictures, the blood and violence just to beautiful to abandon. Everything in this movie seems perfectly balanced, Ridley Scott as the film director really did his homework well in redefining and revitalizing the big battle sequence once considered masterpiece from Spartacus and Ben Hur. In the end, once again, I would say that Gladiator perfectly combines some crucial elements such as good, moving story, dazzling visual, beautiful scenery, filming techniques, direction and touching music score into one harmonious, action-packed film about heroism and its true meaning.
Status:
Released
Original Language:
English
Budget:
$103,000,000.00
Revenue:
$465,361,176.00