Gladiator (2000)

Director:

Ridley Scott

Writers (WGA):

David Franzoni (story)
David Franzoni (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

5 May 2000 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Adventure | Drama | War

Tagline:

On my command - unleash hell

Plot:

When a Roman general is betrayed and his family murdered by a corrupt prince, he comes to Rome as a gladiator to seek revenge.

Plot Keywords:

Battle Scene | Rape | Altered Version Of Studio Logo | Barbarian | Famous Score

Awards:

Won 5 Oscars. Another 45 wins & 79 nominations

US TV Schedule:

Sat. July 26

7:15 PM

MAX

Cast

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

Also Known As:

The Gladiators (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated R for intense, graphic combat.

Runtime:

155 min | 171 min (extended version)

Country:

UK | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS-ES | Dolby Digital EX | SDDS

Certification:

USA:R (certificate #37084) | Brazil:14 | Malaysia:U (cut version) | Netherlands:12 (TV rating) | Canada:14 (Nova Scotia) (re-rating on appeal) | Canada:18 (Nova Scotia) (original rating) | Taiwan:R-12 | Canada:18A (British Columbia) | Iceland:16 | Canada:PA (Manitoba) | Canada:AA (Ontario) | Malaysia:18SG | Canada:14A (Alberta) | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Chile:14 | Denmark:15 | Finland:K-16 | France:U | Germany:16 (bw) | Hong Kong:IIB | Israel:PG | Netherlands:16 | New Zealand:M | Norway:15 | Peru:14 | Portugal:M/12 | Singapore:PG | South Korea:15 | Spain:13 | Sweden:15 | Switzerland:14 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:14 (canton of Vaud) | UK:15 | Philippines:PG-13

Filming Locations:

Ait Benhaddou, Ouarzazate, Morocco

Company:

DreamWorks SKG

Trivia:

The short sword used by the Roman army, the Gladius Hispaniensis, is seen being used by many gladiators in the film. The version used in the arena in the film is accurate as depicted; it was often shorter than the military version. The use of the gladius is actually the source of the word "Gladiator".

Goofs:

Factual errors: Generally speaking, Roman generals did not ride with the cavalry let alone involve themselves in physical combat. The number of men shown on the battle field in Germania appeared to be the size of cohort ( 1/10th of a Legion ) which would have been commanded by several Centurions, and Optios. A Legion, in turn was commanded by a Legatus, and more than one Legion, making an Army was commanded by a general. Generals also had their own Praetorian guard which seemed conspicuously absent in the case of Maximus.

Quotes:

Marcus Aurelius: Let us pretend that you are a loving daughter, and I am a good father.
Lucilla: This is a pleasant fiction, is it not?

Movie Connections:

Featured in Storyboard Demonstration: Sylvain Despretz (2005) (V)

Soundtrack:

Etruria

One of the Greatest Movies Ever

I love history, and to me, Gladiator is a masterpiece. It is the most accurate picture of the Roman Empire Hollywood has ever put out. People declare Spartacus a masterpiece, but Gladiator far outdoes Spartacus in quality. The costuming, the acting, the screenplay, the scenery, and the fighting styles made me think that I had traveled back to 180 A.D. Russell Crowe is a true Hollywood tough guy, and he is superb in this movie. Joaquin Phoenix is outstanding as a villain, one of the best in movie history. He played his character as if it were a psychologist's dream case. Connie Nielsen plays one of the strongest female characters that I have ever seen. The choreographer of the action sequences was brilliant. Ridley Scott did an outstanding job in recreating the Empire, including the multitude of ethnic groups within the Empire and accurately depicting everyday life. If you're looking for insight into what the Roman Empire was like, this is a perfect depiction.