Gladiator

Gladiator is an historic epic film. It is directed by Ridley Scott of Thelma & Louise and Alien fame. Russell Crowe is the loyal General Maximus Decimus Meridius and Joaquin Phoenix plays the murderous Emperors son Commodus. The supporting cast is equally weighty including Derek Jacobi, Richard Harris and Oliver Reed.

Audiences were on the whole very enthusiastic about the film, claiming it to be a modern day epic. Ridley Scott creates such a wonderful world that spending two hours in it and with his hero is a slice of pure happiness. The backdrops are as spectacular and convincing as the performances, and the action is breathtakingly real.

Russell Crowe brings the character to life with a charisma that should be the envy of any Shakespearian Actor. The evil of Joaquin Phoenix's arch-villain complements the wholesome but brutal hero in a way that one has come to expect of a Ridley Scott Production. The battle scenes are very gory and reflect the true detail and level of thought that has gone into the making of this film.

The story is about the fall and rise of Maximus who starts the film as a General and then is cast into slavery when Commodus murders his own father to become emperor. Maximus then rises again through the ranks of the gladiatorial arena to avenge the murder of his family and his Emperor.

Cinema release 2000

Certificate 15

Available on DVD and Blue Ray