Gladiator is a 2000 epic historical drama film directed by Ridley Scott and written by David Franzoni, John Logan, and William Nicholson. It stars Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, and Connie Nielsen. The film was a commercial success, grossing over $500 million worldwide. It received critical acclaim for its performances, visual effects, and score. However, some critics found it to be tedious. The movie is known for reinvigorating the historical epic genre and has had a significant influence on subsequent films related to Roman history.
Plot
The story follows Roman general Maximus Decimus Meridius, who is betrayed by the ambitious son of Emperor Marcus Aurelius and must survive as a gladiator to seek revenge. Maximus is sold into slavery and becomes a gladiator, rising through the ranks of the arena to avenge the murders of his family and his emperor.
The film is loosely based on real events that occurred within the Roman Empire in the latter half of the 2nd century AD. The movie ends with Maximus turning Rome over to the Senate and freeing the gladiators. He then dies, and the people honor him. He leaves behind him a Rome that is a better place, even for the gladiators.
Cast
Russell Crowe as Maximus
Joaquin Phoenix as Commodus
Connie Nielsen as Lucilla
Oliver Reed as Proximo
Derek Jacobi as Gracchus
Djimon Hounsou as Juba
Richard Harris as Marcus Aurelius
Ralf Möller as Hagen
Tommy Flanagan as Cicero
Spencer Treat Clark as Lucius
David Schofield as Falco
John Shrapnel as Gaius
Sven-Ole Thorsen as Tigris
Omid Djalili as Slave Trader
Tony Curran as Assassin #1
David Hemmings as Cassius
Alun Armstrong as Trainer
Giannina Facio as Maximus' Wife
Giorgio Cantarini as Maximus' Son
Director: Ridley Scott
Writers: David Franzoni, John Logan, William Nicholson
Box Office Gross: $187,705,427 (Domestic), $315,456,886 (International), $503,162,313 (Worldwide)
Distributor: DreamWorks Distribution
Release Date: May 5, 2000 (Domestic, LATAM)
Themes & Reception
- Themes: Main themes in Gladiator include duty and honor, family, loyalty, and revenge. The film has been analyzed for its themes of revenge, violence, masculinity, and stoicism.
- Reception: The film received critical acclaim for its performances, visual effects, and score. It was considered a reinvigoration of the historical epic genre and had a significant influence on subsequent films related to Roman history.
Challenges Faced During Production
- The film's production faced challenges such as creating a realistic Colosseum and managing the complex sets and costumes. Tented "costume villages" had to be set up to change rooms, storage, armorers, and other facilities.
Settings
- The movie was primarily filmed in Morocco, with some interior shots of the Colosseum created using computer-generated imagery.
Visual Styles & Techniques
- The film used a combination of live-action shots and computer-generated imagery to create the Colosseum and other sets. The complex was serviced by tented "costume villages" that had to change rooms, storage, armorers, and other facilities.
- The rest of the Colosseum was created in computer-generated imagery using set-design blueprints and textures referenced from live action and rendered in three layers to provide lighting flexibility for compositing in Flame and Inferno software.
Trivia & Fun Facts
- The film's production designer, Arthur Bishop, won an award for his work on Gladiator.
- The film's editor, Paul Hirsch, also worked on other epic films such as The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring and Kingdom of Heaven.