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Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen, Oliver Reed, Derek Jacobi ... see more see more... , Djimon Hounsou , Richard Harris , David Schofield , John Shrapnel , Tomas Arana , Ralph Moeller , Spencer Treat Clark , David Hemmings , Sven Ole Thorsen , Giorgio Cantarini , Omid Djalili

A man robbed of his name and his dignity strives to win them back, and gain the freedom of his people, in this epic historical drama from director Ridley Scott. In the year 180, the death of emperor M... read more read more...arcus Aurelius (Richard Harris) throws the Roman Empire into chaos. Maximus (Russell Crowe) is one of the Roman army's most capable and trusted generals and a key advisor to the emperor. As Marcus' devious son Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix) ascends to the throne, Maximus is set to be executed. He escapes, but is captured by slave traders. Renamed Spaniard and forced to become a gladiator, Maximus must battle to the death with other men for the amusement of paying audiences. His battle skills serve him well, and he becomes one of the most famous and admired men to fight in the Colosseum. Determined to avenge himself against the man who took away his freedom and laid waste to his family, Maximus believes that he can use his fame and skill in the ring to avenge the loss of his family and former glory. As the gladiator begins to challenge his rule, Commodus decides to put his own fighting mettle to the test by squaring off with Maximus in a battle to the death. Gladiator also features Derek Jacobi, Connie Nielsen, Djimon Hounsou, and Oliver Reed, who died of a heart attack midway through production. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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85% liked it

32,502,985 ratings

Critics

78% liked it

160 critics

R, 2 hr. 34 min.

Directed by: Ridley Scott

Release Date: May 5, 2000

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DVD Release Date: November 21, 2000

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Stats: 1,648,197 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (1,648,197)

  • superclerk25
    March 19, 2012
    superclerk25
    Really good
  • CloudStrife84
    February 5, 2012
    CloudStrife84
    Cinematic perfection! An unforgettable and masterfully directed epic, from the brilliant mind who brought us such timeless classics as "Alien" and "Blade Runner". It's not often I use the word masterpiece for a film, but this spectacular piece of historical action deserves nothin... read moreg less. The story, of a Roman general named Maximus, who goes from a soldier to a slave to a gladiator champion in the majestic Colosseum, is one of the most moving, impressive and triumphant tales ever told. Roused by the amazing battles and stirred by its emotional power, I always come out of this film with a lingering sense of awe and wonder. I wish I could erase my memory, only to experience it for the first time again. For this is epic story-telling at its finest hour and one of my favourite movies of all-time. If you haven't seen it yet, you have certainly missed something!
  • LoughnerWasLucid
    February 1, 2012
    LoughnerWasLucid
    havent seen it
  • jamers2011
    January 13, 2012
    jamers2011
    Winner of 5 Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Actor, this epic film is a must see.
  • yona71
    January 10, 2012
    yona71
    Joaquin Phoenix does a brilliant character portrayal in this and the action/battle scenes are quite well executed. Russell Crowe is downright cool in this one making his character Maximus plainly and simply a fighter with a fight worth fighting. This film just works for what it i... read mores and it does indeed hold up if you're in the mood for some solid action sequences that keep you on edge.
    "Are you not entertained!?"
  • wildaly14
    December 20, 2011
    wildaly14
    This movie was a little hyped-up.
  • fb712836066
    October 25, 2011
    fb712836066
    Despite its historical inaccuracies, "Gladiator" is a spectacular film and the acting is exceptional. The Imagery is also great and Crowe shines throughout the film.
  • Nathang110
    October 25, 2011
    Nathang110
    Are you not entertained? Movies like Gladiator only come every once and while to hollywood. It is a rare movie that so easily pulls at all the different emotions, and stimulate the mind, while also filling the thirst for action. Maximus was thrown into the life of a gladiator upo... read moren being chosen by the former emperor to take his place. Commodus, the former's son finds out, murders his father, and sends Maximus to be executed. Although he escapes, the general is now a slave, and doomed to be a gladiator. But, overtime, he wins over the people by his fighting, and challenges Commodus to a final fight. This movie holds all the elements necessary for a modern classic. Excellent acting from all the main class. Director Ridley Scott shows his talents in this movie, more than any of his others. And, the plot is fantastic. Highly recommended.
  • zachletts522
    October 13, 2011
    zachletts522
    Gladiator is a an epic all in itself. It does what most movies try to do and succeeds beyond expectations. This movie combines a great story, a little bit of history, great performances by Russell Crow and Joaquin Phoenix and a powerful and unforgettable score by Hans Zimmer. I c... read morean only say one word. Amazing!
  • fb732260458
    October 10, 2011
    fb732260458
    Gladiator is a violent and satisfying plunge into the lore of ancient Rome, and offers plenty of thrills and visual panache - and a great Russell Crowe performance to boot.

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Critic Reviews

Andrew Sarris
April 27, 2007
Andrew Sarris, New York Observer

Ultimately, Gladiator is an honorable and inoffensive spectacle with nothing extraordinary to recommend it. Full Review

Jonathan Rosenbaum
February 6, 2007
Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader

Though the digital effects lack the weight and conviction of their equivalents in old Cecil B. De Mille movies, Ridley Scott's sword-and-sandal epic has some of the intensity of old Hollywood in terms... Full Review

Rick Groen
March 19, 2002
Rick Groen, Globe and Mail

The Roman costume drama, all dressed to the IX's, has taken a long holiday from the big screen. Full Review

Susan Stark
January 1, 2000
Susan Stark, Detroit News

A visually astonishing picture that brings script, performance and, alas, displays of violence up to the modern standard. Full Review

(CNN.com) Paul Clinton
January 1, 2000
(CNN.com) Paul Clinton, CNN.com

Highly visual entertainment with lots of blood and action. Full Review

Robert Horton
January 1, 2000
Robert Horton, Film.com

Gladiator derides 'entertainment' while hustling like crazy to provide two and a half hours' worth of same. The heroism and the tigers and the epic grandeur all leave behind the flavor of cynicism.

J. Hoberman
January 1, 2000
J. Hoberman, Village Voice

Self-proclaimed 'world-creator' Scott only intermittently obliterates the turgid narrative and mediocre dialogue. Full Review

Michael Wilmington
January 1, 2000
Michael Wilmington, Chicago Tribune

The most visually spectacular of all Roman Empire epics.

James Berardinelli
January 1, 2000
James Berardinelli, ReelViews

This is filmmaking on a grand scale. Full Review

Todd McCarthy
January 1, 2000
Todd McCarthy, Variety

A truly transporting trip back nearly 2,000 years. Full Review

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Facts

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    • Marcus Aurelius: Death smiles us all. All a man can do is smile back.
    • Commodus: A general who became a slave. A slave who became a gladiator. A gladiator who defied an emperor.
    • Maximus: Father to a murdered son. Husband to a murdered wife. And I will have my vengeance, in this life or the next.
    • Maximus: Are you not entertained?
    • Proximo: Ultimately, we are all dead men. Sadly we cannot choose how but we can decide how we meet that end in order that we are remembered as men.
    • Maximus: What we do in life... echoes in eternity.
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Gladiator Trivia

  • Before Russell Crowe agreed to play Maximus in Gladiator, who did the film's creators originally approach?  Answer »
  • Johnny Cash chose Joaquin Phoenix to play him in the film "Walk the Line", based on Joaquin's performance in what film?  Answer »
  • In which order of positions did Russel Crowe proceed to in Gladiator?  Answer »
  • What movie is this line from- "How dare you show your back to me? Slave! I order you to turn around and tell me your name."  Answer »
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