gladiator movie summary essay

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In the movie, many things portrayed are the same as what really happened in Roman history. Some things though, are a little different in the actual history of Rome than in the movie. Scenes were changed in the movie too, to make the plot more interesting.

Maximus was the general of Rome and a really good general at that. He led Rome to many victories. He was so great and loyal that in the movie, Marcus Aurelius actually asked him to succeed him on the throne. When Commodus heard this from his father, he killed him and sentenced Maximus to death.

When Maximus escaped, he was picked up by a group of men and sold as a slave to become a gladiator. As a gladiator, he fought many different types of gladiators. Quicker ones had nets with tridents and slower ones had curved swords with shields.

There were some gladiators that even had chariots. In the actual history of Rome, there really were different types of gladiators. The gladiators with the net and trident were called the Retiarius. The gladiator with the curved sword and shield was called the Samnite. 

There’s a scene in the movie where it’s a one on one battle between Maximus and a champion gladiator. Maximus is barely armed and protected. The other man has two swords, a mask for protection, and heavy armor. This shows how each type of gladiator was to fight a different kind of gladiator so the match would be even and fair.

In the movie, Commodus is very sneaky and vengeful. He uses murder in his politics also. He killed his father, tried to kill Maximus, and even wanted to get rid of the senate in order for him to become a “true emperor.” He thinks the Senate is unneeded and believes himself to be more of a people’s person than the actual senators. In history, there was much murder in the government also. The Gracchi were murdered as well as Caesar. Commodus tries to assassinate and kill Maximus since Maximus is supposed to be the successor to the throne after Marcus Aurelius. In Roman History, the Romans never developed a formal policy of succession. Although many emperors named their successors, the Roman army often refused to accept the new emperors and assassinated them. This is what Commodus tried to do with Maximus in order for himself to become emperor and rule.

Gracchus wants the citizens of Rome to be happy in the movie and makes sure the emperor hears the problems and needs of the people when he councils with him. He even suggests possible solutions to the problems. He seems to be a people’s person very much and knows how some of the senators can be crooked. In Roman history, there were actually two Gracchis who were actually both murdered because they were disliked by crooked senators who used violence to get ahead. The real Gracchis wanted to help the citizens out also. They even used public funds to purchase grain to be sold to the poor at low prices so they can afford it. They also improved the political status of the equities (business and landowning people.)

Lucillia, the sister of Commodus, has a son named Lucius. Her son was named after his father who died in 169 A.D. His name was Lucius Veras. In the movie, she is portrayed as a widow, but, in real history, she remarries Tiberius Claudius Pompeianus Quintianus of Antioch. In the movie, she joins the plot for the good of the Roman people but she really participated in this plot because she lusted after power. She also supports her brother in the movie but was actually involved in a plot with her cousin to assassinate Commodus and raise her husband up as emperor. The plan was figured out and she was banished to the island of Capri. In the movie, it shows her as out-living her brother but she is actually executed at the island because he changed his mind.

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Maximus: I’m required to kill–so I kill. That’s enough.

Proximo: That’s enough for the provinces, but not for Rome.

A foolish choice in art direction casts a pall over Ridley Scott’s “Gladiator” that no swordplay can cut through. The film looks muddy, fuzzy and indistinct. Its colors are mud tones at the drab end of the palette, and it seems to have been filmed on grim and overcast days. This darkness and a lack of detail in the long shots helps obscure shabby special effects (the Colosseum in Rome looks like a model from a computer game), and the characters bring no cheer: They’re bitter, vengeful, depressed. By the end of this long film, I would have traded any given gladiatorial victory for just one shot of blue skies. (There are blue skies in the hero’s dreams of long-ago happiness, but that proves the point.) The story line is “ Rocky ” on downers. The hero, a general from Spain named Maximus ( Russell Crowe ), is a favorite of the dying emperor Marcus Aurelius ( Richard Harris ). After Maximus defeats the barbarians, Marcus names him protector of Rome. But he is left for dead by Marcus’ son, a bitter rival named Commodus (the name comes from the Latin for “convenient” and not what you’re thinking).

After escaping and finding that his wife and son have been murdered, Maximus finds his way to the deserts of North Africa, where he is sold as a slave to Proximo (the late Oliver Reed ), a manager of gladiators. When Commodus lifts his late father’s ban on gladiators in Rome, in an attempt to distract the people from hunger and plagues, Maximus slashes his way to the top, and the movie ends, of course, with the Big Fight.

This same story could have been rousing entertainment; I have just revisited the wonderful “ Raiders of the Lost Ark ,” which is just as dimwitted but 12 times more fun. But “Gladiator” lacks joy. It employs depression as a substitute for personality, and believes that if the characters are bitter and morose enough, we won’t notice how dull they are.

Commodus ( Joaquin Phoenix ) is one of those spoiled, self-indulgent, petulant Roman emperors made famous in the age of great Roman epics, which ended with “ Spartacus ” (1960). Watching him in his snits, I recalled Peter Ustinov’s great Nero in “Quo Vadis” (1951), collecting his tears for posterity in tiny crystal vials. Commodus has unusual vices even for a Caesar; he wants to become the lover of his older sister Lucilla ( Connie Nielsen ), whose son he is bringing up as his heir.

The moral backbone of the story is easily mastered. Commodus wants to be a dictator, but is opposed by the senate, led by Gracchus ( Derek Jacobi ). The senators want him to provide sewers for the city’s Greek district, where the plague is raging, but Commodus decides instead on a season of games. Proximo arrives with his seasoned gladiators from Africa, who prove nearly invincible and threaten the emperor’s popularity. The moral lesson: It is good when gladiators slaughter everyone in sight, and then turn over power to the politicians.

The Colosseum productions play like professional wrestling. Events are staged to re-create famous battles, and after the visitors wipe out the home team, a puzzled Commodus tells his aide, “My history’s a little hazy–but shouldn’t the barbarians lose the battle of Carthage?” Later, an announcer literally addresses the crowd in these words: “Caesar is pleased to bring you the only undefeated champion in Roman history–the legendary Titus!” The battle sequences are a pale shadow of the lucidly choreographed swordplay in “ Rob Roy ” (1995); instead of moves we can follow and strategy we can appreciate, Scott goes for muddled closeups of fearsome but indistinct events. The crowd cheers, although those in the cheaper seats are impossible to see because of the murky special effects.

When Maximus wins his first big fight, it’s up to Commodus to decide whether he will live or die. “Live! Live!” the fans chant, and Commodus, bowing to their will, signals with a “thumbs up.” This demonstrates that Commodus was not paying attention in Caesar School, since the practice at the Colosseum at that time was to close the thumb in the fist to signal life; an extended thumb meant death. Luckily, no one else in the Colosseum knows this, either.

Crowe is efficient as Maximus: bearded, taciturn, brooding. His closest friend among the gladiators is played by Djimon Hounsou , who played the passionate slave in “ Amistad .” Since protocol requires him to speak less than Maximus, he mostly looks ferocious, effectively.

Nielsen shows the film’s most depth, as the sister. Phoenix is passable as Commodus, but a quirkier actor could have had more fun in the role. Old pros Harris, Jacobi and Reed are reliable; Scott does some fancy editing and a little digital work to fill the gaps left when Reed died during the production.

“Gladiator” is being hailed by those with short memories as the equal of “Spartacus” and “Ben-Hur.” This is more like “Spartacus Lite.” Or dark. It’s only necessary to think back a few months, to Julie Taymor’s “ Titus ,” for a film set in ancient Rome that’s immeasurably better to look at. The visual accomplishment of “Titus” shames “Gladiator,” and its story is a whole heck of a lot better than the “Gladiator” screenplay, even if Shakespeare didn’t make his Titus the only undefeated champion in Roman history.

Roger Ebert

Roger Ebert was the film critic of the Chicago Sun-Times from 1967 until his death in 2013. In 1975, he won the Pulitzer Prize for distinguished criticism.

• Russell Crowe as Maximus
• Joaquin Phoenix as Commodus
• Oliver Reed as Proximo
• Connie Nielsen as Lucilla
• Richard Harris as Marcus Aurelius
• David Franzoni
• William Nicholson

Directed by

• Ridley Scott

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Gladiator Summary

Lights, camera, action.

Germania, 180 A.D. (a.k.a.: old ). The Romans, under the leadership of their studly general, Maximus (Russell Crowe), are preparing for one final battle against the frankly terrifying Germanic tribes. But the promise of peace looms. The Romans easily defeat their enemy in a bloody fight while the emperor, Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris), looks on.

Score 1: Russell Crowe's scowl.

After the battle, Marcus Aurelius and Maximus talk. They're clearly old friends. Later in the evening, Marcus Aurelius tells Maximus that he'd like him to take over control after he dies. He's adamant that his son, Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix), who has recently arrived in Germania with his sister, Lucilla (Connie Nielsen), not rule. He is "not a moral man."

(Pro-tip: you can tell just how not moral Commodus is because he's so sweaty. He's glistening with immoral perspiration throughout most of this film.)

Maximus decides to think it over. In the meantime, Commodus is informed that he won't be the next emperor. In a hissy fit of rage and grief, he smothers his father, and then lies about it.

Maximus just knows something evil has happened, but before he can rally his troops and serve justice, Commodus has him arrested and taken for execution. It's not really clear why Commodus has him arrested…but it definitely has something to do with the fact that Commodus knows Maximus suspects something (it's the old get-rid-of-your-enemies-and-the-evidence routine).

Anway, Maximus vanquishes his executioners, and then races back to Spain (where he lives). Commodus, however, beats him to the punch. Roman Praetorians have already slaughtered Maximus' family. Maximus is beside himself. He buries his family and passes out.

What: were you expecting a happy movie about gladiators?

A slave caravan picks him up, and when he awakes he's somewhere in the desert. Soon we learn that he's in Africa, on the outskirts of the Roman Empire. He's purchased, along with the other slaves, by a slave-owner/entertainer named Proximo (Oliver Reed).

During his first training session at Proximo's house/training camp, Maximus refuses to fight. We get the impression that he's just planning on standing around and getting killed so the misery will be over. Everything changes once he's thrust into the arena, where he decides to defend himself and ultimately distinguishes himself.

Score 2: Russell Crowe's scowl.

Meanwhile, Commodus arrives back in Rome, entering like a "conquering hero," according to Senator Gracchus (Derek Jacobi). Commodus has his first meeting with the Senate, and it's clear that he even though he pretends to care about the people, all he really cares about is power.

Lucilla, who has some idea of what really happened to their father, acts as an intermediary between Commodus and the senators. Commodus knows he needs to do something to consolidate power, and he decides to stage a series of gladiator games to honor his late father and give the people the kind of spectacle they want and crave.

Back in Africa, Maximus wins another major battle. He's clearly not happy about the way things have turned out, and angrily throws a sword into the stands, screaming, "Are you not entertained?" It's epic. And yes; Russell Crowe is scowling the whole time.

Proximo tells him that he too was once a gladiator, and that he was released from servitude by Marcus Aurelius. He also tells him they're going to Rome to compete. He knows Maximus is good, but he could be magnificent. He also tells him that the key to winning his freedom is winning the crowd.

Personal branding: also a big deal in Ancient Rome.

The gladiator caravan arrives in Rome. Their first competition is a reenactment of one of the battles of Carthage. They're supposed to play the role of the losers, but end up destroying their competition. Commodus is pleased, and goes down to meet the famous Spaniard (Maximus' new name).

He discovers that the Spaniard is Maximus, and the two have a strange confrontation. Commodus is in disbelief, and Maximus promises revenge. The crowd loves Maximus already, and Commodus can't kill him because that would be political suicide.

Lucilla's glimpsed a ray of hope in Maximus' survival, and visits him later that night. He has no interest in talking with her…because he thinks she was complicit in Commodus' plans. (She's Commodus' sister, after all.)

She wants him to meet with a senator, but he refuses. He's not interested in her plans, or in helping Rome. The next we see of him, he's fighting in the arena again, this time against a famous gladiator who's come out of retirement (Tigris of Gaul, played by Sven-Ole Thorsen) and four angry tigers. Yes. Tigers.

Maximus wins, again. At this point, Russell Crowe's scowl has racked up several gazillion points.

Commodus visits him again, and tries to get him angry. He gloats over the death of Maximus' wife and son, but Maximus doesn't take the bait. He simply says, "The time for honoring yourself will soon be at an end, highness."

After leaving the arena, Maximus' former assistant, Cicero (Tommy Flanagan), finds him, and gives him some small statues of his family. Maximus tells Cicero to come and find him in the near future (he's essentially telling him to show up at the gladiators' quarters so they can talk more).

Commodus is really, really angry with Maximus and the crowd. He knows he can't just kill Maximus. His man from the senate tells him a story about a special sea snake that lies in wait, even while its enemies take bites out of it. Commodus will do the same. He orders every senator followed in the meantime…because he's a paranoid, sweaty jerkbag.

Cicero visits Maximus and tells him that Maximus' soldiers (the men of his unit) are camped at Ostia, but would be ready to fight for him immediately. Maximus gives him a mission. Cicero flags down Lucilla, and tells her that Maximus will meet with her senator. Lucilla and Senator Gracchus visit Maximus. It's very hush-hush.

Maximus proposes a plan: buy his freedom so he can ride out to his men and return with an army to kill Commodus and restore republican rule. Gracchus's wary at first, but ultimately agrees to the plan. He knows there's really no other option—Commodus is basically sporting a forehead tattoo that reads "I am evil incarnate" at this point.

Proximo refuses to help Maximus. He thinks the plan won't work, given how knowledge Commodus is. You know: evil.

Shortly thereafter, Gracchus's arrested. Lucilla visits Maximus again, and tells him the plot must move forward immediately, because Commodus is starting to figure things out. She kisses Maximus, before departing.

While she is away visiting with Maximus, her son Lucius (Spencer Treat Clark) is back at the palace. Lucius is playing with a wooden sword, and when Commodus asks him what he's doing he says he's playing gladiator and playing the role of Maximus, the savior of Rome.

Commodus, his suspicion aroused, asks him who referred to him (Maximus) as the savior. He knows what's up. When Lucilla returns, Commodus lets her know that he knows that something fishy is up…and basically threatens to kill those dearest to her if she doesn't tell him what's going on.

She tells him everything offscreen. Boo, Lucilla.

Proximo visits Maximus, and lets him out of his cell. He's changed his mind, probably because Maximus told him the truth about who killed Marcus Aurelius. Maximus' gladiator friends assist in his escape, which is hampered by the arrival of Roman praetorians. Whoopsies.

Proximo's killed by them, and Maximus makes it outside the city walls. He sees Cicero on a horse. He calls out Maximus' name, and is then hung. Maximus rushes to save him…but it's too late. Cicero is shot with arrows, and Maximus is recaptured. (Shortest escape ever.)

Commodus visits him beneath the Colosseum, and tells him that they'll fight in the arena. Before the battle, Commodus stabs him in the back (literally: this guy is a snake) and orders Quintus (Tomas Arana) to cover up the wound.

Maximus and Commodus fight, with Maximus eventually killing him. Maximus, however, succumbs to his wounds. Before he dies, he orders Senator Gracchus reinstated, and expresses Marcus Aurelius' final wish: that Rome be a republic again.

Lucilla rushes down, and orders that he be honored as a soldier of Rome. He arrives in the afterlife and greets his wife and son.

It's not the world's happiest ending…but we're willing to bet that you'll be hitting the gym harder for a week or two after viewing it.

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W hy's T his F unny?

Roman Patriotism in Ridley Scott’s “Gladiator” Essay (Movie Review)

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Introduction

Family sacrifice in the name of patriotism, patriotism and liberty of the gladiators, patriotism vs. life, works cited.

Gladiator is the greatest popular historic film describing remarkable period of Roman Empire and showing strong emotions and great contradicting feelings of the main character Maximus. His will, strength, energy and cruelty at the same time are depicted to convey patriotic feelings to the audience. Despite the fact that the patriotism adorns Maximus, it is vivid that he suffers a lot being such a patriotic warrior.

A famous writer Bernard George Shaw expresses his opinion on patriotism which is the best illustration of Gladiator ’s idea: “You will never have a quiet world till you knock the patriotism out of the human race” (Shaw, 1). Consequently, the patriotism can be viewed as a big human vice which bothers to live in peace and happiness. The gladiator Maximus, and the general in one person, embodies the greatest Roman patriotism, in the name of which he sacrifices his wife and son, loses his liberty and wastes his precious life.

The patriotism as love towards the native land requires complete devotion and self-sacrifice. In fact, the film Gladiator shows such devotion on the example of the life of the general Maximus and other warriors fighting together with him and having the same life position.

As a rule, it is not possible to love motherland and own family equally and at the same time. Sooner or later, you have to choose what is more important to you. The main character tries to love both, however, fails. Due to the patriotism Maximus loses his family which means everything to him.

Having chosen the path of motherland protector and Caesar’s successor, Maximus cannot protect his family anymore. He is completely devoted to Rome and considers it to be the light in all his life. Judging from the scene where the general tells about his home and loving family to Caesar, it becomes clear that the family is his great value and happiness. However, the patriotism grown in his heart ruins his happiness and makes him dependant upon his people and native land.

Moreover, being a strong patriot Maximus tries to fulfill Caesar’s last wish and struggles for Rome and its people till the death, in spite of personal interests and not seeing his family for “2 years and 264 days”. It means that the interests of the empire are above his personal interests as well as above his love towards his family. Having accepted the role of fatherland protector, the gladiator finds his wife and son burnt and hanged for his desire to serve to Rome and patriotism.

What is more, such barbarity does not stop Maximus; on the contrary, it excites his patriotic feelings considerably and makes him desperate and violent in his following fighting. Within the whole film we see how patriotic feelings of the main character are turning into hatred and contempt. Thus we can observe the conflict of interests in the film resolution of which shows that the patriotism eliminates love and family, herewith, gives birth to cruelty and revenge.

In all centuries, liberty has been considered and it is still considered to be the most significant quality and value which can be possessed by a human-being. Everyone struggles for it and once received tries to keep it forever. Therefore, the film Gladiator shows us miserable people who were not able to preserve their liberties and became deprived gladiators. They are slaves who lost their rights and liberties because of patriotic spirits and desire to fight for truth and fatherland.

It is weird to see those huge strong men who are merely the toys or puppets in the hands of their owners and enemies. Gladiators’ life is reduced to bringing entertainment and bright bleeding show to the audience. What is even weirder is that such loss of liberty is not because of hard destiny or evil, it is the result of their own patriotic dedication and loyalty, their will and desire to serve Rome.

Special attention should be paid at the fact that even absence of liberty does not make the gladiators lose their feelings of patriotism. Being put into irons, Maximus stays to be faithful to Rome and due to this he feels free in the heart. He lives to serve his empire and people receiving back only respect from them. However, his total self-sacrifice does not make him free and he stays a slave till the death.

Although the problem of liberty and slavery concerns little today, more attention should be paid to it. The film Gladiator outlines not only physical dependence, but also a moral one. The latter is even harder since it is engraved deep in mind and reveals as the patriotism.

The patriotism and heroic death are inseparable and inevitable in fighting for native land. Excessive patriotism gives rise to the growth of hatred which leads to self-destruction. Consequently, the result of patriotic feelings is the loss of life.

In the analyzed film we see that the patriotism of gladiator Maximus, except resulting in the loss of family, happiness and liberty, deprives him of his heroic life. No doubts, in other case he would not be a hero and patriot.

Till the last seconds of his life the general is fighting for Rome but not for his own life and liberty. Maximus is obsessed with allegiance which brings him death. His desire to return Rome to people makes not only die, but also makes away his wife and son. His life is limited to blind patriotism which is in fighting and dying for Rome.

Paradoxically, even death of the gladiator Maximus hasn’t made him free and hasn’t brought liberty to him. He stays a slave since he is to serve Rome eternally and he will be remembered as a gladiator dying for his fatherland not a general fighting for his land and people. This striking issue is successfully depicted in the final scene of Maximus’s fight at Coliseum.

In addition to the list of striking problems depicted in the analyzed film, there is an urgent issue which is to be resolved by the audience individually. What is life and what we are living for? Seeing Maximus who lives only to carry out patriotic fighting for native land, it is makes clear that patriotism in war is only brutal need and loss of liberty.

All in all, the film Gladiator is the most successful show transferring deep feelings, thoughts and ideas for each. Live or die, defeat or win does not change a lot but gives possibility to be realized and define what life is for you.

Making up a conclusion, it should be highlighted that well-known and excellent film Gladiator is a great and bright example of patriotism. It may seem that this film is simple and just entertaining, however, if you look deeper you will see that it illustrates a number of crucial issues and amazes with urgent problematic questions of all generations.

By means of excellently shot scenes and interesting plot, the analyzed film conveys the problem of patriotism and its consequences. It outlines importance of values in our life and shows us detrimental consequences of heroic dedicated patriotism.

Thus the film Gladiator is a bright illustration of the fatal power of patriotism. This striking idea makes us think of what patriotism is in reality and whether it is worth living in our hearts and minds. An urgent question arises: Is patriotism worth losing family, liberty and own life? The answer to this question is to be given individually; however, the film Gladiator suggests possible variants which are to be chosen personally.

Shaw, Bernard George. Patriotism Quotes . Web.

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IvyPanda. (2018, July 17). Roman Patriotism in Ridley Scott's "Gladiator". https://ivypanda.com/essays/analysis-of-the-film-gladiator/

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IvyPanda . 2018. "Roman Patriotism in Ridley Scott's "Gladiator"." July 17, 2018. https://ivypanda.com/essays/analysis-of-the-film-gladiator/.

1. IvyPanda . "Roman Patriotism in Ridley Scott's "Gladiator"." July 17, 2018. https://ivypanda.com/essays/analysis-of-the-film-gladiator/.

Bibliography

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Gladiator , American historical epic film , released in 2000, that was directed by Ridley Scott and starred Russell Crowe . It won critical accolades , large audiences, and five Academy Awards , including for best picture .

( Read Martin Scorsese’s Britannica essay on film preservation .)

Gladiator takes place in ad 180 and is loosely based on historical figures. Roman forces, led by the general Maximus (Crowe), defeat Germanic tribes, bringing temporary peace to the Roman Empire . The emperor, Marcus Aurelius (played by Richard Harris ), tells Maximus that he would like Maximus to succeed him upon his death and for Maximus to return power to the Senate, restoring the Roman Republic . However, when Marcus Aurelius tells his arrogant and unstable son Commodus ( Joaquin Phoenix ) about the plan, Commodus flies into a rage and kills his father. Commodus becomes emperor and orders the death of Maximus and his family. Maximus escapes and rushes to his home in Spain , only to find his wife and son already dead and his house burned down. Maximus is then taken by a slave trader to North Africa , where he is sold to the gladiator trainer Proximo ( Oliver Reed). Proximo and his troupe know Maximus only as the Spaniard, and he soon becomes a top gladiator under that name. When Commodus decides to stage a gladiatorial spectacle in Rome, Proximo brings his gladiators to participate. In the first fight, intended as a battle reenactment, Maximus rallies the other gladiators and leads them to victory, to the delight of the crowd. He defeats the Roman champion in one-on-one combat and then reveals himself as Maximus. Commodus’s sister, Lucilla (Connie Nielson), and the senator Gracchus ( Derek Jacobi ) agree to help Maximus escape to gather his army and depose Commodus, but Commodus discovers the plot. When Maximus attempts to make his escape, Roman praetorians kill Proximo and the other gladiators assisting him and recapture Maximus. Commodus declares that he will meet Maximus in single combat in the arena, but he first stabs Maximus to weaken him. In the arena, Maximus kills Commodus and then dies himself after ordering the reinstatement of Senator Gracchus and the restoration of republican rule.

The film, perhaps the first sword-and-sandals epic since the mid-1960s, revived an interest in making films about ancient history. Crowe gained a reputation for being difficult to work with during the making of the film but won plaudits and an Oscar for his performance. The unexpected death of actor Oliver Reed during the production of the movie necessitated both digital manipulation and drastic reworking of the script.

• Studios: DreamWorks, Universal Pictures , and Scott Free Productions
• Director: Ridley Scott
• Writers: David Franzoni, John Logan , and William Nicholson
• Music: Lisa Gerrard and Hans Zimmer
• Russell Crowe (Maximus)
• Joaquin Phoenix (Commodus)
• Connie Nielsen (Lucilla)
• Oliver Reed (Proximo)
• Richard Harris (Marcus Aurelius)
• Derek Jacobi (Gracchus)
• Lead actor* (Russell Crowe)
• Supporting actor (Joaquin Phoenix)
• Art direction
• Cinematography
• Costume design*
• Visual effects*

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Gladiator Film Summary & Analysis

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How historically accurate is the Gladiator

Gladiator was a film released in 2000 starring Russell Crowe that focused on General Maximus Decimus Meridius, who was enslaved after escaping his execution for not supporting the new Roman emperor Commodus (starring Joaquin Phoenix). Maximus rises as a well-skilled gladiator, eventually making it to Rome, where he participates in the gladiator games sponsored by Commodus. After Commodus learns of Maximus, both characters want to kill the other. Maximus attempts to conspire with those in the Senate who dislike Commodus, while Commodus attempts to have Maximus killed in the gladiator battles.

Battles in Germania

Although they were close to annexing Moravia and West Slovakia during his reign, wars there were largely inconclusive. The movie depicts the emperor being killed by his son Commodus, although Commodus was already co-emperor. There is no evidence that Commodus had any difficult relationship with his father, although later authors did disparage Commodus. Furthermore, although Maximus is mostly a fictional character, it is not likely Marcus Aurelius would appoint a general as protector of the empire, as suggested in the movie where shortly before his death, the fictional Marcus Aurelius asked Maximus to lead the empire.

Marcus Aurelius appointed his son as successor long before he died in 166 (he died in 180 CE), making it clear that Commodus was his choice all along. He also died in Vienna (ancient Vindobona), but the film showed him dying in Germania during the campaign. Some rumors and stories did circulate that Commodus did kill his father, but this could have been later stories created to malign the emperor Commodus since he was not well-liked by the Senate, as suggested in the film. The appointment of Commodus was controversial, as shown in the film. From historical documents, mainly in the writings of Cassius Dio, there is an indication that Marcus Aurelius was disappointed in his son, suggesting he had some trepidation about him. Cassius Dio indicates that Rome suffered as Commodus came to power, but this could be part of later propaganda after Commodus's reign. It is hard to tell what is exactly accurate as Commodus may have been more disliked by the upper classes. At the same time, some indication suggests he was popular with the army or even lower classes as a sort of peoples' emperor. [2]

Were the Gladiator Contests shown in Gladiator Accurate?

Excavations at the Colosseum showed a variety of exotic animals were present there. This included: bears, lions, hyenas, elephants, wild boar, buffalo, tigers, bulls, wolves, and leopards. The gladiators' clothing, particularly the helmets, were likely, not true and were stereotypes taken from later periods. [3]

The Colosseum (Figure 1) was the premier event for gladiator contests after its construction in 70-80 CE. Ambitious trainers, similar to how the film depicts it, would try to situate themselves to compete in main events that promised large financial rewards. Like sport today, the gladiator games had a lot of money exchange hands around the events. This revolved around gambling on the matches but also rewarded the owners from the gladiator slaves, which is one reason why the mass killing of gladiators may not have occurred that often. [5]

Something not shown in the film is that gladiator contests may have looked familiar to us. Gladiators often were used to sponsoring products, and billboards often hung in the stadium where contests would have been held. These advertisements were not shown in the film, mostly because the producers thought film audiences would not believe it since it is so similar to our modern sports. [6]

Who was Maximus Decimus Meridius Based On?

Maximus Decimus Meridius : Maximus is an entirely fictitious character but seems to be based on several characters, including Avidius Cassius, a general in Marcus Aurelius' armies. He declared himself emperor shortly after thinking Aurelius died in 175, suggesting a brief power struggle. Still, he was eventually killed after it became clear Aurelius was not dead. A general named Maximus lived in the late Roman Empire who may have inspired Gladiator's story of a revolt against an emperor. [8]

Who were the Real People portrayed in Gladiator?

Lucilla : She was Commodus' sister, and in the film, she was depicted as trying to encourage the conspiracy against her brother. She did conspire to kill Commodus but failed in 182, leading to her death. Unlike what the film depicts, Lucilla was probably ambitious to be a co-ruler with her husband (she is shown as a widow in the movie), which is why she may have conspired against her brother. However, she may not have considered herself a possible ruler until she witnessed her erratic brother's behavior. Unlike the film, Commodus probably did not seek to have an incestuous relationship with his sister. [10]

Conclusion and Accuracy

There were many historical inaccuracies in the film. The historians who were hired to advise the movie quit or refused to be given credits because of the many historical inaccuracies the final version had. Nevertheless, as with most historical dramas, this movie was more about entertainment than historical narrative.

The overall narrative of a somewhat crazy emperor in Commodus was correct. Oddly enough, the reality of Commodus' reign was probably more outrageous than what was shown in the film, as the emperor often made himself dress as a gladiator and fought numerous contests with animals and others, such as wounded gladiators.

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Home — Essay Samples — Entertainment — Gladiator — A Critical Review Of The Movie Gladiator Directed By Ridley Scott

A Critical Review of The Movie Gladiator Directed by Ridley Scott

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Sorry, Haters: Gladiator Is One of the Greatest Best Picture Winners Since 2000

As the Ridley Scott epic celebrates its 20th anniversary, naysayers have been eager to take it down. But the Oscar winner remains a grand cinematic achievement.

Sometimes a collective groupthink—fueled by critics, Twitter, and critics on Twitter—brings forth an Official Position about a movie, book, television show, or album. But beneath that layer of loud voices vying for RT glory, there exists a population of rational thinkers who quietly disagree. These are dispatches from that population. Sorry, haters.

Earlier this week, Ridley Scott’s 2000 Best Picture-winning sword-and-sandal spectacular, Gladiator , celebrated its 20th anniversary. But it turns out there wasn’t a whole lot of celebrating. That two-headed assassin of the 20th century—hindsight and Twitter—wouldn’t allow it.

One of the more depressing (and disposable) trends in pop-culture journalism on the internet recently is how big, round-number anniversaries of beloved TV shows, once-zeitgeisty albums, and movies that resonated at the box office have become occasions for knee-jerk, contrarian, scorched-earth hot takes that no one asked for but everyone feels compelled to click on.

The format is pretty predictable. The writer will gas on with lip-smacking revisionist cynicism about why that thing that you once loved—and perhaps still do—was never worth its place in your heart to begin with. In fact, you were a fool and a philistine for liking said show, album, or movie in the first place because it’s obviously now a flawed relic. A flawed relic that the SEO gods insist that it’s time to dogpile on and crap all over. Two decades, it turns out, is a remarkably easy perch for a sniper to shoot from. Which brings me to Gladiator .

Earlier this week, the contrarians assembled to answer the dinner bell ringing for Scott’s still-great (that’s right!) film. Gladiator , we were told, hadn’t aged well during the past two decades (nonsense) and was nothing more than a solid summer blockbuster (baloney). It was as if Russell Crowe’s Maximus roared his catchphrase, “Are you not entertained?”, and was met with a curmudgeonly, “No, no we’re not.” One article even ventured that Gladiator was a “weak” Best Picture winner . To which, all I can say is, have you seen some of the films that have won Best Picture over the past 20 years?!

Twenty years ago, I was assigned to write a long-lead cover story about Scott’s film for another publication. I flew out to Los Angeles to get an early look at the film the day before I was scheduled to interview a slightly surly Crowe at a touristy Tex-Mex saloon on the Sunset Strip with a mechanical bull next to the bar. I was the only person sitting in the cavernous screening room on DreamWorks’ Glendale lot and I’m not ashamed to admit that my expectations were decidedly low.

It had been a while since Scott had made a film that approached the visionary greatness of Alien and Blade Runner . Not to mention that gladiator films were so far out of fashion that you couldn’t think of them without wincing at the oiled-up beefcake memories of Victor Mature and Steve Reeves sucking in their guts in loincloths. But as the lights went down, I was swept up in the movie’s spell. A hair under three hours later, I had to scoop my jaw up from lap. I was transported by every single second of it: Scott’s slick, art-directed world building; the bread-and-circus coliseum action set pieces; Crowe’s tragic and sentimental macho heroism; and Joaquin Phoenix’s sniveling, pasty villainy. Even the slow-motion hand-trailing-through-fields-of-wheat ending felt note-perfect despite the fact that it left no room for the possibility of a sequel.

When it came out, Gladiator got pretty decent reviews ( Variety , Time , and Entertainment Weekly all raved), but it seemed to resonate on a primal tentpole level with moviegoers who turned it into a $460-million hit at the worldwide box-office. So, coming just three years after Titanic , it wasn’t a huge shock when it was eventually nominated for 12 Oscars, including Best Picture.

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Those who weren’t around at the time may not remember this, but Gladiator was the front-runner for the top award all season long. It wasn’t some sort of surprise, pearl-clutching win. Back then, there were only five films in the Best Picture category and each of the movies it was up against were seen as flawed in one way or another: Chocolat was so schmaltzy even Harvey Weinstein couldn’t bully the votes for it; Erin Brockovich and Traffic had the “misfortune” of both being directed by Steven Soderbergh and would thus likely split its votes; and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon , although breathtaking, was too ahead of its time—it would take another 19 years for a foreign film ( Parasite ) to get the Academy’s ultimate benediction. In other words, no one was surprised when Gladiator won. Or disappointed. Because of the nominees, it really was the Best Picture.

As for whether or not Gladiator was a “weak” Best Picture winner, that’s where I really have to draw a line. The Oscars are fun to second guess, especially after the fact. It’s whatever the movie-nerd version of Monday Morning Quarterbacking is, I suppose. Through our current cultural lens, maybe what hasn’t aged so well about the film—and this would be a hot take that I’d actually be interested in reading—is its glorification of a classic white male hero. That seems like a very 2020 idea to slap onto a 2000 film. Would we say the same thing about other past Best Picture winners such as Casablanca , On the Waterfront , or Lawrence of Arabia ? Arguing that Gladiator is somehow a “weak” Best Picture winner goes beyond subjectivity and into the realm of objective absurdity.

Of the 19 movies that have won Best Picture since Gladiator , I’d have to really stretch to find more than three that were better ( No Country for Old Men , Moonlight , maybe Parasite ? Maybe.) Compared to most of the others—an actually weak bunch that includes such flyweights as A Beautiful Mind , Chicago , Crash, Slumdog Millionaire , The King’s Speech , The Artist , and Green Book— Scott’s film feels like one of the most solid selections the Academy has made in the past two decades.

You may disagree about some of these movies. In fact, I’m sure you do. They all won, so they must have their partisans. But singling out Gladiator to dogpile on strikes me as the most craven form of clickbait mongering. Actually, I’d argue that it’s one of the rare popular blockbusters of the past 20 years that also happens to be capital-A Art. Then again, I may be biased. Since that first lonely viewing of the movie in that DreamWorks screening room two decades ago, I’ve probably rewatched Gladiator a dozen times. And while I now kind of find the whole slo-mo hand-through-the-wheat thing a bit hokey, yes, I am still very much entertained.

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