Gladiator

21 January 2019

Gladiator 2002

• Director: Ridley Scott
• Based on the novel: no
• Cast: Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen, Oliver Reed, Richard Harris, Derek Jacobi, Djimon Hounsou, John Shrapnel
• Personal “oh yeah him/her” reaction, i.e. have seen this actor in:
• Russell Crowe – Winter’s Tale, Man of Steel, Les Misérables, Robin Hood, A Good Year, A Beautiful Mind
• Joaquin Phoenix – Walk the Line, Hotel Rwanda, The Village
• Connie Nielsen – Wonder Woman, Battle in Seattle, Rushmore
• Oliver Reed – Tommy, The Devils, Women in Love
• Richard Harris – Oliver, Harry Potter 1&2, Smilla’s Sense of Snow, Camelot, Hawaii, The Guns of Navarone
• Derek Jacobi – Last Tango in Halifax, Vicious, Cinderella, My Week with Marilyn, The King’s Speech, Doctor Who, Nanny McPhee, Gosford Park, Hamlet, Dead Again, Henry V, Hamlet, Richard II, I Claudius
• Djimon Hounsou – The Tempest, Blood Diamond, The Island, Amistad
• John Shrapnel – Merlin, Elizabeth the Golden Age, Sparkle, Notting Hill, King Lear, Timon of Athens
• Why? Good movie
• Seen: Once before. Now 20 January with Hal and our historical film group EG, EG, AB and LR      

       The Roman Empire is at the height of its power. Maximus (Crowe) leads the army in victory against the Germans. He only wants to go home in Spain to his wife and son. The Emperor Marcus Aurelius (Harris) fears Rome is dying from corruption and asks Maximus to become the Protector of Rome and rule Rome with the senators until the Republic is brought back. The Emperor’s son Commodus (Phoenix) is devastated that his father does not leave the throne to him. He kills his father and makes himself emperor. Maximus refuses to support him. Commodus orders his execution and that of his family. Maximus escapes and returns home but too late.

       He is taken into slavery and is forced to become a gladiator.

       Crowe and Phoenix are excellent. The story is complex and enthralling. The music, though very Pirates-of-the-Caribbean-y, and the scenery are most impressive. The supporting actors are strong especially Reed, Harris and Hounsou.

       It’s just a bit too long and a bit too Hollywood 50’s romantic epic cast-of-thousands, so it’s not quite perfect. But Ridley Scott knows all the right buttons to push and our little group’s buttons are most certainly pushed. Our ratings are between 3-5. Mine is

4 ½ * of 5