...EAST WEST UNIVERSITY MOVIE REVIEW OF “GLADIATOR” SUBMITTED TO: Nazia Manzoor Lecturer English SUBMITTED BY: Nusrat Jahan Nishi SUBJECT: ENG102 SECTION: 5 Date: 30/11/2011 History made History “Gladiator” Gladiator is a historical epic film directed by Ridley Scott, starring Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen, Ralf Möller, Oliver Reed, Djimon Hounsou, Derek Jacobi, Jorhn Shrapnel and Richard Harris. Released in the United States on May 5, 2000, Gladiator was a box office success, receiving positive reviews, and was credited with briefly reviving the historical epic. Channel 4 (UK TV) poll named it as the sixth greatest film of all time. The film was nominated for and won multiple awards, particularly five Academy Awards in the 73rd Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Actor (Russell Crowe), Best Visual Effects, Best Costume Design, Best Sound (Bob Beemer, Scott Millan and Ken Weston) Maximus is a powerful Roman general, loved by the people and the aging Emperor, Marcus Aurelius. Before his death, the Emperor chooses Maximus to be his heir over his own son, Commodus, and a power struggle leaves Maximus family condemned to death. The powerful general...
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...Commodus, a name synonymous with the 2000 film Gladiator starring Joaquin Phoenix, ruled the Roman Empire both jointly and solely from 177 to 192 CE. His story is a cautionary tale, one that highlights the problems of a man wanting the powers of the emperor without having to assume responsibilities of said post. Moreover, some scholars have argued that it was with this lack of responsibility by Commodus that began the decline of the Roman Empire. At a young age, Commodus was groomed, along with his brother Marcus Verus, to replace his father Marcus Aurelius as emperor, amassing a formidable education and the name of Caesar at age 5. When his brother passed away two years later, Commodus was on the fast track to becoming Rome’s next emperor,...
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...Gladiator: The Movie Essay | Gladiator: The Movie Ridley Scott This student essay consists of approximately 3 pages of analysis of Gladiator. Print Word PDF This section contains 804 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) Gladiator: The Movie Summary: "What we do in life echoes in eternity." A famous tag line of the movie that Maximus (Russell Crowe) said to his men before they merge in the battlefield. Maximus is a powerful Roman general, loved by the people and the aging Emperor, Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris). A very highly intense action sequence directed by Ridley Scott. A film that won multiple awards including, best costume design, visual, pictures and sound effects. The "Gladiator." "What we do in life echoes in eternity." A famous tag line of the movie that Maximus (Russell Crowe) said to his men before they merge in the battlefield. Maximus is a powerful Roman general, loved by the people and the aging Emperor, Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris). Before his death, the Emperor chooses Maximus to be his inheritor over his own son Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix), and a power struggle leaves Maximus and his family condemned to death. The powerful general is unable to save his family, and his loss of will allows him to get captured and put into the savage games until he dies. The only desire that fuels him now is the chance to rise to the top so that he will be able to look into the eyes of the man who will feel his revenge. A very highly intense action...
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...A. Micciche University of Phoenix For my report I decided to write about Ridley Scott’s Gladiator, which is an action, adventure, drama. This film was released in 2000 with Russell Crowe who is a method style actor, as the lead actor, Starring as Maximus. Maximus was the favorite general of Caesar Marcus Aurelius played by Richard Harris. After defeating the German Barbarians, general Maximus only dreamed of returning home to his wife and son to live a simply life tending to his crops, and leave behind his life as a respected general. After defeating the German barbarians, and with his health failing Caesar decides to appoint Maximus as the protector of Rome and wishes to pass all of his powers as Caesar to Maximus, on the condition that Maximus restores Rome to its former glory, then returning all power to the senate. Commodus, who is played by Joaquin Phoenix who is also a method actor, is a spoiled self indulged aristocrat that believed Caesar would name him as his successor. Commodus kills Caesar and takes the title of Caesar and orders his soldiers to kill Maximus and his family. Maximus escapes, wounded, only to return home to find that Commodus’ soldiers beat him there and slain his wife and son. He awakes to find himself captured to be sold as a slave to Proximo, played by the late Oliver Reed. Promimo is a Gladiator manager, and trains his slaves to fight as gladiators in arena settings, so that he can profit from their blood. Upon returning to Rome, Commodus...
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...(2nd Hour) 28 October, 2013 Gladiators Gladiators were a big part of Roman culture. The gladiatorial games were a common sport form 310BC until the Roman Empire had fallen. For many people, these games were fun to watch and a source of entertainment. To others, such as the ones fighting, it was frightening and some knew that they would never make it out alive. All of this was first recorded in 310BC. The movie Gladiator follows some of what was true about Rome’s gladiator life, but it also has its own little touches that are not historically correct. History and the movie both claim that Commodus was Marcus Aurelius’ son. Also in the movie, it was told that Commodus had killed Marcus Aurelius, which was not true. Commodus was portrayed as a man in his mid twenties and averaged sized, tan, and with dark hair. In real life, Commodus was only 18 and was muscular, fair, and left-handed. In the movie, Commodus was told to not train because he did not need it. The gladiators were trained for a long time and not treated as a well thought-of citizen, but they were higher up than slaves. One thing that was historically correct in both the movie and in history was that Lucilla had a son with Pomeianus. His name was Arelius Commodus Pomeianus. Commodus was a gladiator in both the movie, and in history. A gladiator was a guilty criminal, a prisoner of war, or a slave bought to fight in the gladiatorial games by an owner. The professional gladiators were volunteered men from Rome...
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...Analyze, Critique, and Discuss The Gladiator HUM/150 It has been said that a gladiator is a warrior, one who was a slave or prisoner, who competed in different gladiator events. Gladiators would fight in rings and be pit up against animals, or other gladiators. These fight usually would consist of fighting to the death. The fate of the gladiators lives was often derived from the unanimous decision of the crowd. (The Roman Gladiator) Usually if a Gladiator was victorious and took the lives of many men, he would be awarded a wooden sword that would signify their freedom. How iconic was it for director Ridley Scott to direct a film by David Franzoni, to depict exactly what it was to be a gladiator. From the infamous fights that took place in the Roman Coluseum, to the melancholy dramatic feeling that overcame Maximus (Russell Crowe) as his family were killed through the treacherous actions of his rival Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix). Gladiator begins with the battle with Romanian Army under the leadership of Emperor Marcus Aurelius against the Barbarian Tribe of Germania. This scene showed many striking points. For instance take the scene and where it takes place. Both armies are dressed in the traditional Armor helmets with steal chest plates and large shields. The uniforms are made with immaculate detail. The swords the bows, axes, and all the other weapons look as real as the weapons that were used in real life. The ash and corps infested battlefield allowed...
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...Jessica Grice Gladiator With movies like the gladiator it’s hard to find out what is it based on fact or fiction. When doing research I found a lot of people say the answer to the question in complex of the events in the film. Truth: The beginning of the movie starts out with a bit of truth. Aurelius was a philosopher and man of peace and he did spend most of his life fighting Germans in one way or another (Ward, Heichelheim, and Yeo 347).Fiction: The depiction of Aurelius children is somewhat false. Aurelius, in the Gladiator, is presented as having only two children. Truth: Aurelius however did not choose to carry on this tradition of senatorial succession. Instead, when it came to succession instead of picking a senator to replace him he picked his son Commodu. Fiction: The movie shows Aurelius wanted to pass down his position to Maximus, who never historically existed. Fiction: In the Gladiator Aurelius, while talking to Maximus, voices his concerns about Commodus taking over the position of emperor. He calls his son an immoral man and says that he should never be allowed to rule Rome. Fiction: There is no historically fact that Aurelius thought this of Commodus: this is quite evident in his gesture of making Commodus his co emperor. Truth: when it came to succession instead of picking a senator to replace him he picked his son Commodus (Ward et al., 351). Truth: Commodus portrayal as a disturbed, immoral, hateful and unstable man. Fiction: In Gladiator Aurelius was...
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...topics in the movie weren’t all accurate. Back then gladiators were supposed to make it believable but no actually kill each other. Also the pointing of a thumb down or up was changed in the movie then it really was. Another difference was some of the men had good bodies and weren’t plump or chubby. I think this movie is very believable. Hollywood added the drama between the crazy emperor and Maximus. Maximus was sold into slavery and back then Gladiators did that too. In the movie they didn’t have gladiators fight privately in other peoples rich homes and in the past they would. They didn’t make it 100% based on historical fact because they want a dramatic storyline that really brings action to an amazing story. They changed the thumbs because since this movie was made in our generation that’s what were used but in the past they would have it the other way. The coliseum’s big and small was exactly the same in the movies and back then in Rome. There was a battle of Carthage that Rome had won in real life and in the movie Maximus and others won that battle. The weapons and training were pretty much the same except there was no net in the movie and in the past they had those. Woman gladiators were in the movie and in past Rome too. They showed gambling in the movie before the battles and in the past they did this too. Fans would get very into these events in the movie and in the past. Lastly the gladiator dress was the same in the early Roman time and in the movie, also normal peoples...
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...Gladiator Julius Mitchell ENG 225 Prof. Jonathan Beller 13 March 2011 What would you do if you were engaged in a twelve year campaign; you have a wife and son who are waiting for you, but you are asked to be king and leader of your country? Would you refuse your king, and turn your back on your country, for the sake of two? Ridley Scott, director of Universal Pictures “Gladiator,” brought to life, writer David Franzoni’s epic tale of Maximus, an inspiring and powerful Roman General. After twelve years of fighting, Maximus longs for nothing more than the warm embrace of his family. Unfortunately, the king, Marcus Aurelius asked that he should be crowned king of Rome instead of his corrupt son Commodus. Maximus is caught in a power struggle, which leave him and his family condemned to death. This critical analysis of the motion picture “Gladiator,” will analyze the key elements of film, which embody the storytelling, acting, cinematography, editing, sound, style and directing, societal impact, genre, film criticism and analysis. The story of Maximus, once the most powerful, and respected, general, in Rome, reduced to a slave who fights for an opportunity to exact his vengeance for the brutal death of his family is written with three basic elements. It has character, desire, and conflict. The narrative structure of the film is organized in six stages. These stages are developed by the turning points in the plot. The stages are the initial setup, new...
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...is successful, they will all share in the spoils – they derive satisfaction in seeing this leader succeed and they know that they too will succeed. Gladiators have a mission for which they feel true passion. Call it a purpose, a drive, a calling; good leaders have a defining mission in life. This mission, above all other traits, separates managers from leaders. In Gladiator, Maximus lived for the mission of killing the evil Commodus and restoring Rome to the values that made her great. Gladiators create a vision. Having and communicating a clear picture of a future goal WILL lead to its achievement. Maximus helped his fellow gladiators believe that they could defeat their enemies and achieve freedom. Dare to believe. Gladiators lead from the front; they don’t dictate from the back. In the movie, both when Maximus was a general and a gladiator, he fought up front where the firestorm was heaviest. So does a good business leader. Working “in the trenches” shows that you aren’t afraid to get your hands dirty, breeding respect from all who follow. Gladiators know there is strength in teams. While the gladiator leader has the skills and ability to draw people together, they do not monopolize the spotlight. They draw from the strength of others, just as Maximus did in various victories realized in the coliseum. Gladiators are risk takers. They adapt to the situation and take risks in order to overcome the odds. Occasionally, a company needs to push outside the comfort...
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...everyday. Similar to the Romans we use violence as a source of entertainment. We see it in movies, books, video games, and many other places. The Romans had the Gladiator games. The movie Gladiator gives us a glimpse into this type of Roman life and culture. Although the movie Gladiator accurately portrayed the atmosphere and brutality of Roman entertainment, there were historically aspects that were inaccurate. In the movie a gladiator was portrayed as a celebrities with more social power than the emperor, this was not the case. A gladiator was a criminal, who were war prisoners or slaves. An Ianista was usually his owner and had to take care of him. An emperor could also fight a gladiator, usually at the end when everyone was weak. Many gladiators were trained at a school just for them. Gladiators were the most famous athletes of their time. There were three main types of gladiators the Thracian, the Secutor, and the Retiarius. The Thracian wore shin guards on both legs, had a full visored helmet, had a small square shield, and carried an...
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...Ivey English Comp. I 3, March 2014 Maximus’ Death Gladiator is a movie about a beloved General of Rome named Maximus. He is informed by the aging emperor, Marcus Aurelius, that he would like Maximus to be his heir. However, the emperor’s son Commodus overhears this and becomes furious. Commodus wanted the position himself; he killed his father before he could inform the empire of his decision about Maximus. Commodus became the new emperor and orders Maximus’s and his family to be put to death. Maximus escapes to find his home destroyed and his wife and son burnt to death. Maximus’s loss causes him to lose the will to continue living and gets him captured and put into the Gladiator games. His only desire now is to rise to the top so that he might be able to look into the eyes of the man who killed his family and obtain his revenge (Terry). The emperor, Commodus, has become so sinister that he even threatens to kill Lucius, his sister Lucilla’s son; believing that him and his sister can have what he call a “pure blood child” together. Commodus hears that the people of Rome see Maximus as the savior of Rome. This makes Commodus furious and leads him to conjure up a plan to kill Maximus. Commodus decides to fight Maximus in the Roman Coliseum and kill him in front of all of Rome. He cheats and punctures Maximus’s lung with a hidden shank before the fight is started. Commodus wears white, Royal Armor, while Maximus wears gladiator armor with an encrusted chest plate. During the course...
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...Movie Title: Gladiator Year Produced: 2000 Director: Ridley Scott Genre: Action/Adventure/Drama Cast Of Characters: Russell Crowe ....Maximus Joaquin Phoenix ….Commodus Connie Nielsen ….Lucille Oliver Reed ....Proximo Richard Harris .... Marcus Aurelius Derek Jacobi .... Gracchus Djimon Hounsou .... Juba David Schofield .... Falco John Shrapnel ….Gaius Tomas Arana .... Quintus Alf Moeller .... Hagen Spencer Treat Clark .... Lucius David Hemmings …. Cassius Tommy Flanagan .... Cicero Sven-Ole Thorsen .... Tigris Plot: Maximus (Russell Crowe) is a general in the roman army loved by Marcus Aurelius, the emperor. Marcus wants Maximus to become emperor after he dies, as he thinks that his son Commodus is unfit to rule. When he tells Commodus this, Commodus murders him. When Maximus refuses to believe that Marcus died of natural causes, Commodus orders that Maximus and his family should be executed. However, Maximus escapes and returns home. Too late to save his family, and paralyzed with anguish. He collapses and is sold as a slave where his prowess as a gladiator gets noticed and eventually he fights his way through Africa to Rome, where he meets the emperor face to face. The emperor spares his life, and then challenges Maximus to a fight in the arena. Maximus accepts and the two engage in a bloody battle. Maximus kills the emperor, reinstates the Senate as the governors of Rome and dies to be with his family in the afterlife. ...
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...An Epic Masterpiece Gladiator is set about 2000 years ago in the Roman Empire. The director, Ridley Scott, gives the audience the feeling that they are actually in the city of Rome 2000 years ago watching the gladiators battle each other to death with many different beautiful types of scenery and sets, such as the battle scene in the very beginning of the film, which is a beautiful forest covered in snow with trees lined on the outside of the Roman base, and Caesar’s palace, which is very big with tall rooms and many different pillars and marble floors. The most notable set in the film is the famous Coliseum of Rome which stands about twenty stories high, holding about 20,000 people to watch the gladiators battle to the death, looked as if it were the actual coliseum being used by the gladiators. Scott gives the film a sense of realism by showing blood and gore as it might happen if they were actually fighting in a ring. The film’s main character, Maximus (Russell Crowe), is made a slave by the new ruler of Rome, Commodus, (Joaquin Phoenix), because his father, Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris), was murdered by Commodus in a jealous rage because Marcus decides to make Maximus his successor, which does not go over well with Commodus. Maximus is taken away to be executed, but escapes and sets out to find his wife and child dead and is captured by slave-traders to become a slave. He is bought by Proximo who makes him fight as a gladiator around different arenas to make money...
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...Dylan Dr. Lucas 26 April 2011 Classical Archaeology Gladiator Report Gladiator Basics Gladiators were mostly armed combatant whose primary occupation was to entertain audiences in the vast Roman Empire. These were mostly violent confrontations with other gladiators, wild animals from far off lands, and condemned criminals. Who were the gladiators? Some gladiators were volunteers who would risk their legal and social statuses and lives by being given an appearance in the gladiatorial arena. Any prizes awarded to gladiators could be kept and sold for money. Although gladiators fought only about 4-5 times a year they were well paid during training and for fights. However, the majority of gladiators prisoners of war and slaves who were not paid (Alchin). Many of these people were forced into becoming a gladiator and many of them were sentenced to execution by the sword in the arena or to fight until death as a gladiator. At the height of the gladiatorial games, free men began enrolling as new gladiators, most of them ex-soldiers. However, even a number of wealthy Romans volunteered. Some just for the glory and others to pay off their debts. The majority of gladiators were allowed to keep any prizes or gifts they had won or acquired during gladiatorial games. In turn, if someone became an incredibly successful gladiator, the profit gained could prove to be extremely high. No matter the gladiator’s country of origin, social status, or previous lifestyle, these...
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