“Gladiator” (2000) directed by Ridley Scott, starring Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen & Oliver Reed / Z-View

Posted on by

Gladiator  (2000)

Director:  Ridley Scott

Screenplay: David Franzoni, John Logan, William Nicholson; story by David Franzoni

Stars:  Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen, Oliver Reed, Derek Jacobi, Djimon Hounsou, Richard Harris, Ralf Moeller, David Hemmings, Sven-Ole Thorsen and Tommy Flanagan .

Tagline: Father of a murdered son, husband to a murdered wife and I shall have my vengeance in this life or the next.

The Plot…

Marcus Aurelius, the aging Emperor of Rome, with the leadership of his best General, Maximus Decimus Meridius, has conquered the Germanic tribes.  There have been many battles, but finally peace has come to Rome.  Maximus now wants to return home to his wife and child.

Emperor Aurelius has other plans for Maximus.  Aurelius says that his son Commodus is unfit to rule.  Aurelius wants Maximus to replace him as leader of Rome.  Not as Emperor, but as a regent as Rome transitions to a republic.

Commodus realizes his father’s plan and secretly murders him.  Commodus then names himself Emperor of Rome.  When Maximus refuses to pledge loyalty to Commodus, Commodus has him arrested and marked for execution.

Maximus escapes only to discover that Commodus had Maximus wife and son murdered.  Maximus is now the father of a murdered son, husband to a murdered wife and he shall have his vengeance in this life or the next.

Prepare to be entertained!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Gladiator was nominated for twelve 2001 Academy Awards and won five…

  • Nominee for Best Art Direction-Set Decoration – Arthur Max (art director), Crispian Sallis (set decorator)
  • Nominee for Best Music, Original Score – Hans Zimmer
  • Nominee for Best Film Editing – Pietro Scalia
  • Nominee for Best Cinematography – John Mathieson
  • Nominee for Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen – David Franzoni (screenplay/story), John Logan (screenplay), William Nicholson (screenplay)
  • Nominee for Best Director – Ridley Scott
  • Nominee for Best Actor in a Supporting Role – Joaquin Phoenix
  • Winner for Best Effects, Visual Effects – John Nelson, Neil Corbould, Tim Burke, Rob Harvey
  • Winner for Best Sound – Scott Millan, Bob Beemer, Ken Weston
  • Winner for Best Costume Design – Janty Yates
  • Winner for Best Actor in a Leading Role – Russell Crowe
  • Winner for Best Picture – Douglas Wick, David Franzoni, Branko Lustig

Oliver Reed died three weeks short of the end of principal photography.  Ridley Scott didn’t want to recast and reshoot the role (which insurance would have covered).  The script was tweaked and a body double and CGI was used to finish Reed’s role.

Gladiator deserved all of the awards (and nominations) it received.  It is a rare film that continues to entertain over multiple viewings.

Gladiator  (2000) rates 5 of 5 stars.