Gladiator
Academy Award × 5·National Film Registry
Rent/Purchase
After the death of Emperor Marcus Aurelius, his devious son takes power and demotes Maximus, one of Rome's most capable generals who Marcus preferred. Eventually, Maximus is forced to become a gladiator and battle to the death against other men for the amusement of paying audiences.
What critics thought
Gladiator divides along a clear fault line: the spectacle and Russell Crowe's performance command broad admiration, while the screenplay draws real contempt. Ridley Scott's visual craftsmanship — particularly in combat sequences — is rarely questioned, but critics split sharply over whether the film's emotional core is genuinely felt or whether gloom and formula are doing the work that writing should.
“doesn't use tricks in this role to court our approval. He earns it the old-fashioned way, by daring to be quiet, if not silent, and intensely, implacably strong.”
Joe Morgensten·The Wall Street Journal
“his burly frame and expressive face to give dimension to what might otherwise have been comic book heroics.”
Kirk Honeycutt·The Hollywood Reporter
“employs depression as a substitute for personality, and believes that if characters are bitter and morose enough, we won't notice how dull they are.”
Roger Ebert·rogerebert.com
Genres
Action, Adventure, Drama
Cast & Crew
DirectorRidley Scott
StarringRussell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen, Oliver Reed, Richard Harris
ComposerHans Zimmer, Lisa Gerrard
Gladiator
Academy Award × 5·National Film Registry
After the death of Emperor Marcus Aurelius, his devious son takes power and demotes Maximus, one of Rome's most capable generals who Marcus preferred. Eventually, Maximus is forced to become a gladiator and battle to the death against other men for the amusement of paying audiences.
What critics thought
Gladiator divides along a clear fault line: the spectacle and Russell Crowe's performance command broad admiration, while the screenplay draws real contempt. Ridley Scott's visual craftsmanship — particularly in combat sequences — is rarely questioned, but critics split sharply over whether the film's emotional core is genuinely felt or whether gloom and formula are doing the work that writing should.
“doesn't use tricks in this role to court our approval. He earns it the old-fashioned way, by daring to be quiet, if not silent, and intensely, implacably strong.”
Joe Morgensten·The Wall Street Journal
“his burly frame and expressive face to give dimension to what might otherwise have been comic book heroics.”
Kirk Honeycutt·The Hollywood Reporter
“employs depression as a substitute for personality, and believes that if characters are bitter and morose enough, we won't notice how dull they are.”
Roger Ebert·rogerebert.com
Genres
Action, Adventure, Drama
Cast & Crew
DirectorRidley Scott
StarringRussell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen, Oliver Reed, Richard Harris
ComposerHans Zimmer, Lisa Gerrard
Rent/Purchase