Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #3830 in DVD
• Released on: 2000-11-20
• Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
• Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
• Number of discs: 2
• Formats: Anamorphic, PAL
• Original language: English
• Subtitled in: English, Hindi, Turkish, Danish, Icelandic, Bulgarian, Swedish, Hungarian, Polish, Arabic, Dutch, Finnish, Croatian, Czech, Greek
• Number of discs: 2
• Running time: 149 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
Ridley Scott's glossy historical epic Gladiator revitalised the classic sword 'n' sandal genre, bringing both a modern pop-culture sensibility and state-of-the-art computer-generated special effects to what had seemed like a worn-out formula. Essentially a remake of Anthony Mann's stodgy 1964 Fall of the Roman Empire, Gladiator also borrows heavily from Saving Private Ryan in its stunning opening sequence, and employs Ridley's brother Tony Scott's rapid-fire editing style for the remarkably staged Colosseum fights. The overall effect is a hugely impressive but emotionally empty spectacle complemented by Hans Zimmer's bestselling but derivative score.

Russell Crowe cements his star status with a brooding, muscular performance helped along by lots of pithily quotable mock-Shakespearean dialogue. But Crowe's Maximus, along with everyone else in the film, is a disappointing two-dimensional stereotype: there's also the ridiculously melodramatic villain (Joaquin Phoenix), the old flame who's still in love with her hero (Connie Nielsen) and the trusty companion (Djimon Hounsou--who seems stuck in these roles). Richard Harris lacks the gravitas to convince as the philosopher-king Marcus Aurelius, and only Oliver Reed, in his very last film, brings some depth to his world-weary ex-gladiator. Still, if Scott's film lacks the profundity of Ben-Hur, Spartacus or even Cleopatra, it remains a kinetic, exciting thrill ride that gives us some sense of what it must have been like to fight and die with a gladius in hand.

On the DVD: Gladiator's two-disc set quickly became a must-have on its first release and remains one of the absolute essential DVD purchases. It set the standard both for picture and sound quality (Dolby 5.1 or DTS) as well as providing a second disc fully loaded with excellent special features. Scott's audio commentary is on the first disc, and the second has documentaries about both the history and the film, deleted scenes, storyboards, hidden "Easter Eggs" and more. --Mark Walker

Video Description
DVD Special Features

Commentary with Director Ridley Scott, the Director of Photography and the Editor
Making of Gladiator: HBO First Look -- 25 mins
Deleted Scenes with optional Director's Commentary
Gladiator Games -- Roman Blood Sport: Learning Channel Special -- 50 mins
Hans Zimmer Profile -- The Making of the Music for Gladiator
Pietro's Treasure Chest: Best of Deleted Footage Montage
Spencer Treat Clark (Lucius) Production Journal
Original Storyboard Comparisons & Conceptual Art
Photo Gallery
Trailers
Animated Menus
Production Notes
Cast & Crew Biographies
Dolby Digital 5.1 & DTS
Anamorphic 1:2.35
Subtitles: English, Polish, Czech, Hungarian, Icelandic, Hindi, Hebrew, Bulgarian, Croatian, Turkish, Danish, Swedish, Finnish, Greek, Norwegian, Arabic, Dutch

Synopsis
Ridley Scott (BLADE RUNNER, ALIEN) transports Hollywood to second-century Rome in this rousing historical epic that proudly harkens back to such films as BEN-HUR and SPARTACUS. Russell Crowe plays Maximus, a Roman general who leads the troops in conquering Germania for the empire. When an aging Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris) tells Maximus that he'd like him to rule Rome once he's gone, a classic confrontation ensues between the brave and charming soldier--who wants to return home to his wife, son, and farm--and the jealous and conniving Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix), the emperor's only son, who is thirsty for power. Bought as a slave by the profiteering Proximo (Oliver Reed, in his last role), Maximus must kill or be killed in the ring, battling to save not only himself but the future of the very empire that he loves and honors. The film features a terrific battle sequence (that recalls the beginning of SAVING PRIVATE RYAN), huge crowd scenes of thousands of people, and even a little romance, albeit mostly taboo. The impeccably choreographed gladiator scenes are violent yet thrilling, flashing by like lightning. GLADIATOR is a glorious spectacle filled with heart and soul.

Customer Reviews

An Epic Saga
A friend told me not to waste my time watching this. Boy, was he wrong. I bought the DVD here from Amazon and have watched everything on the DVD within 2 days. Yes I even watched the movies with commentary. I loved it. WOW! From the great Battles of the Roman Legions in Germania to Morocco and then Rome. What an Epic. I felt like I was there...And no where is their a part where you feel you want to pause the movie. It is a non-stop watcher. You must see this...

A FANTASTIC MOVIE
have to say, I love this film. It is without doubt one of my top ten favorite films ever made. This is without doubt one of the most stunning Hollywood blockbuster made in the modern era, ironic considering that it is throwback to the glory days when big budget Hollywood blockbusters were all about great story and and the onslaught of an emotional context. Gladiator does everything right. The script is superb, mixing the personal story of revenge with the political angle of ancient Rome, the performances from all are fantastic and not one actor feels out of place, be it Crowe, Reed, Harris, Phoenix, Jacobi or Nielson, all have their moment and all rise to the occasion. And of course, Ridley Scott. Not giving Ridley Scott the Oscar for Best Direction was the most blatant example of day light robbery at an award session I have ever seen. As a director who has been accused of putting style over substance, here he gets the balance right. He awes us with a fantastic overhead shot of the Coliseum, and then moves us during the final moments when Maximus enters heaven and returns to his wife and child. (Special kudos must also go to Hans Zimmer and Lisa Gerard for their fantastic music, haunting and beautifully emotional, it is one of the best music scores that has ever accompanied a film).

The real star here is Russell Crowe. He may be a hell raiser and famous for getting into fights, but he shows us what a versatile talent he is here with a performance that is one of modern Hollywood's true greats. How can one not fail to be moved at Maximus' discovery of his dead family. The scene is superb, with Crowe giving the scene his all, while his chemistry with Oliver Reed is second to none. Having these two trouble makers on screen is superb, and Reed, had he not have sadly died during production, would undoubtedly have seen a renaissance after this film, and possibly an Oscar. The delivery of his speeches to his gladiators are without doubt some of the stand out moments of the film.

Overall this is a superb film, one of the best films to come out of Hollywood in a very long time. Undeniably this is a classic in the making.

My Favorite movie ever
I have watched this movie more than any other movies. Every time I enjoy watching it as if is the first time. Great play and worth buying! Enjoy