A while back when I first started seeing the trailers for the ‘Gladiator’ sequel, I started to get really excited. The trailers looked exciting and looked like something eager fans of the first film would enjoy. Then I realized - I’ve never seen the first film!
So, to get ready for the sequel (which was really good), I FINALLY checked out the highly acclaimed ‘Gladiator.’
Commodus takes power and strips rank from Maximus, one of the favored generals of his predecessor and father, Emperor Marcus Aurelius, the great stoical philosopher.
Maximus is then relegated to fighting to the death in the gladiator arenas.
Just like the recently released sequel, ‘Gladiator’ isn’t for everyone. But, this incredible revenge story is truly epic and really memorable.
The 2000 film delivers amazing action with the gladiator arena scenes which are incredibly well shot and is nothing short of exhilarating. The opening war sequence, where we’re introduced to Maximus, is an amazing, gripping way to start the film off.
All of the scenes that take place in the Colosseum are intense and creative. Ridley Scott did an astounding job making sure all of the gladiator scenes will really grip the viewer and keep you entertained. Also, mixed in with Han Zimmer’s moving score, all of the arena sequences are truly powerful.
The entire cast did a phenomenal job, especially Russell Crowe, who won a Best Actor Oscar for this film. Pre-’Joker’ Joaquin Phoenix steals the show as the villainous Commodus. Phoenix gave this character depth when Commodus shows his vulnerable side at times. And, as soon as his ruthless side comes up, Phoenix shines.
Late acting legends Richard Harris and Oliver Reed were really exceptional in their supporting roles. Both actors gave it their all in their final roles and Reed passed away not long before he finished his scenes. Harris portrayed his actual last role after this film as Dumbledore in the first two ‘Harry Potter’ movies.
‘Gladiator’ is filled with many memorable moments that are truly exciting and all of the Rome scenes are visually astounding! I can’t believe it took me this long to finally check this beloved 2000 film out and I’m glad I did.
Cast: Russell Crowe (Maximus); Joaquin Phoenix (Commodus); Connie Nielson (Lucilla); Oliver Reed (Antonius Proximo); Derek Jacobi (Senator Gracchus); Djimon Hounsou (Juba); Tomas Arana (Quintus); Spencer Treat Clark (Lucius); Richard Harris (Marcus Aurelius).
Writers/director: David Franzoni (writer) (King Arthur; Amistad); John Logan (writer) (They/Them; Alien: Covenant); William Nicholson (writer) (Thirteen Lives; Breathe); Ridley Scott (director) (Gladiator II; Napoleon).
Trivia: Oliver Reed died three weeks before filming ended. Instead of re-shooting scenes with a new actor, Scott used CGI and body doubles to give Reed’s Proximo character a plausible resolution. The opening Germania battle sequence took 20 days to complete. The 2000 film won Oscars for Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Visual Effects, Best Sound and Best Costume Design.
Rating: R for intense, graphic content (running time 155 minutes)
Where to stream? You can find ‘Gladiator’ on Paramount Plus, Pluto TV, The Roku Channel and various other PVOD rental services
Russell Crowe later admitted that he initially felt unworthy of all the praise and the Oscar for Best Actor that he got for this movie. After seeing the completed movie, he felt it was a "director's film", and that the Oscar should have gone to director Sir Ridley Scott instead.
Oliver Reed died three weeks before principal photography ended. Because Proximo was considered a key character, a clause in the movie's insurance contract would have allowed the filmmakers to re-shoot all of Reed's scenes with another actor at the insurer's expense, about $25 million. However, most of the actors and crew were exhausted from the punishing schedule, and Sir Ridley Scott did not want to cut Reed from the movie. The script was rewritten, and a body double and CGI were used to give Reed's character a plausible resolution.
Hans Zimmer's score is one of the bestselling movie soundtracks of all time.
The opening battle scene was filmed in Bourne Woods, Surrey, England. The Royal Forestry Commission had originally slated the area for deforestation, so Sir Ridley Scott eagerly offered them his facilities to burn the woods to the ground. The Commission happily accepted.
William Nicholson had thought that his time on the movie was over when he returned home to England, only to receive a phone call almost immediately, telling him that Oliver Reed had just died, and that he needed to return to Malta to re-work the script. Nicholson jumped on the first plane out.
The Germania battle sequence took 20 days to complete.
Over the course of the gladiatorial scenes, Russell Crowe lost all feeling in his right forefinger for two years after a sword fight, aggravated an Achilles tendon injury, broke a foot bone, cracked a hip bone, and popped a few bicep tendons out of their sockets.
Sir Ridley Scott claimed that the opening moments of Maximus pondering a bird before the battle was simply improvised between he and Russell Crowe on a day in which they needed to film a moment introducing Maximus before the battle, but they had no scripted dialogue.
Over 27,000 pieces of armor were made specially for this movie.
This movie had surpassed its $103 million budget within two weeks of release.
This movie was intended as a comeback role for Oliver Reed in character roles. However, the actor died during filming. Some critics felt it was his only notable movie since The Adventures of Baron Munchausen (1988).
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