Gladiator
Extended Edition
Includes The All-New Extended Cut and the Original Theatrical Version!
Winner of five Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actor, Gladiator is now available in an all-new extended version that includes 17 additional minutes of vivid action and extraordinary storytelling. Discover the unparalleled power of Gladiator, masterfully directed by Ridley Scott (Alien, Blade Runner) and featuring a riveting performance from Russell Crowe, hailed by Newsweek as "a genuine larger-than-life hero!"
Member Reviews
Excellent - tici88
I cannot say enough good things about this movie. The plot was strong, engaging and gripping. It takes you through ancient history that I found absolutely fascinating. The acting was superb and the cast incredible. It is no wonder it won all these academy awards - it truly deserves them.Thumbs up! - hilkayaker
Joaquin Phoenix really showed how awesome he was at playing the bad guy here. It is hard to see him in a movie as a good guy after this role. Russel Crowe does a great job at his role and portraying the wounded angry soldier intent on revenge. As a Harry Potter fan I enjoyed seeing Dumbledore play the king before he was murdered. The sister (don't know her name) was really good to and her son was absolutely adorable. He was a good little actor as well.“The Fall of the Roman Empire” Revisited - MovieProf
If you’ve seen Anthony Mann’s Roman epic from 1964, then you will have a good idea what Ridley Scott’s 2000 epic is all about: Commodus, the son of Emperor Marcus Aurelius, murders his father and then begins a reign of tyranny over the Roman World that lasts, at least in real life, twelve years.
“Gladiator,” while borrowing heavily from this earlier film, outdoes it on many levels. First of all, the pace is much more intense, and even though both films run close to three hours, this one feels much shorter. As well, the action is far more graphic, and therefore, realistic. The opening battle against the barbarians from Germany is fantastic, as are the various gladiatorial bouts. Moreover, the story in general is more engaging here: Maximus, a renowned general in Marcus Aurelius’ army, realises that Commodus has in fact murdered the emperor, and refuses to offer his allegiance. For this, he is sent away, presumably to be murdered, but escapes. He finds his way back to his home in Spain, but there discovers to his horror that his wife and son have been murdered. From there, he is whisked away to North Africa, trained as a gladiator, and eventually finds his way to Rome, where he entertains the masses. All this time, he plots the downfall of Commodus, who, at least for a while, assumes he’s long since been killed back in Germany.
There are several excellent actors in this film: Russell Crowe as Maximus is good, as is Connie Nielson as Commodus’ sister Lucilla. However, it is the evil emperor himself, played by Joaquin Phoenix, who steals the show. Phoenix portrays the emperor as a spoiled brat, snivelling and conceited, but also bloodthirsty and tyrannical. Apparently much the way the real Commodus was.
If you want to see Ancient Rome as it was around the years 180-192 C.E., rent this one. Winner of several international awards, ”Gladiator” is a wonderfully entertaining film from start to finish.
Member Reviews
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Excellent - tici88
I cannot say enough good things about this movie. The plot was strong, engaging and gripping. It takes you through ancient history that I found absolutely fascinating. The acting was superb and the cast incredible. It is no wonder it won all these academy ...Thumbs up! - hilkayaker
Joaquin Phoenix really showed how awesome he was at playing the bad guy here. It is hard to see him in a movie as a good guy after this role. Russel Crowe does a great job at his role and portraying the wounded angry soldier intent on revenge. As a Harry Potter ...“The Fall of the Roman Empire” Revisited - MovieProf
If you’ve seen Anthony Mann’s Roman epic from 1964, then you will have a good idea what Ridley Scott’s 2000 epic is all about: Commodus, the son of Emperor Marcus Aurelius, murders his father and then begins a reign of tyranny over the Roman World that lasts, ...