Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #748 in DVD
• Released on: 2006-07-03
• Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
• Format: PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 149 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
A big-budget summer epic with money to burn and a scale worthy of its golden Hollywood predecessors, Ridley Scott's Gladiator is a rousing, grisly, action-packed epic that takes moviemaking back to the Roman Empire via computer-generated visual effects. While not as fluid as the computer work done for, say, Titanic, it's an impressive achievement that will leave you marveling at the glory that was Rome, when you're not marveling at the glory that is Russell Crowe. Starring as the heroic general Maximus, Crowe firmly cements his star status both in terms of screen presence and acting chops, carrying the film on his decidedly non-computer-generated shoulders as he goes from brave general to wounded fugitive to stoic slave to gladiator hero. Gladiator's plot is a whirlwind of faux-Shakespearean machinations of death, betrayal, power plays, and secret identities (with lots of faux-Shakespearean dialogue ladled on to keep the proceedings appropriately "classical"), but it's all briskly shot, edited, and paced with a contemporary sensibility. Even the action scenes, somewhat muted but graphic in terms of implied violence and liberal bloodletting, are shot with a veracity that brings to mind--believe it or not--Saving Private Ryan, even if everyone is wearing a toga. As Crowe's nemesis, the evil emperor Commodus, Joaquin Phoenix chews scenery with authority, whether he's damning Maximus's popularity with the Roman mobs or lusting after his sister Lucilla (beautiful but distant Connie Nielsen); Oliver Reed, in his last role, hits the perfect notes of camp and gravitas as the slave owner who rescues Maximus from death and turns him into a coliseum star. Director Scott's visual flair is abundantly in evidence, with breathtaking shots and beautiful (albeit digital) landscapes, but it's Crowe's star power that will keep you in thrall--he's a true gladiator, worthy of his legendary status. Hail the conquering hero! --Mark Englehart

Synopsis
A violent drama set in Roman times under the rule of Emperor Marcus Aurelius. Maximus, a Roman general finds himself caught up in the battle for the throne when the Emperor chooses him over his son Commodus. When Maximus discovers that his family has been slaughtered he allows himself to be captured and thrown into the gladiator games as a slave...

Customer Reviews

Quite possibly the best film i've ever seen.
Good God! Russell Crow is one of my favorate actors, and I think this is his best film to date. With a superb supporting cast with the likes of Joaquin Phoenix, Oliver Reed, and Richard Harris. This is a tail of one mans quest to find the man who wronged him. Betrayed by his own emperor, the general turned slave turned gladiator must take on an empire to bring justice to his life.

Exciting, moving and hugely enjoyable. An epic film.
I had been waiting for this a long time, an epic film about ancient Rome. Ridley Scotts is perhaps the greatest director alive today and as usual with a Ridley Scott film, the production is good and cinematography is excellent. Richard Harris, Oliver Reed, Joachim Pheonix and Russell Crow are excellent in their respected roles.

For me, the opening battle scene is the most enjoyable scene in this movie. It is the best scene depicting a battle from ancient times that I can remember, certainly the most realistic.

This film is exciting, moving and hugely enjoyable.

one of the greatest films of all time
I've watched this twice from beginning to end and it's superb.The battle scenes are top-drawer and Russell Crowe was born to play the lead role.My only disappointment was there can't be a Gladiator 2 because i'd purchase that too.Recommended to all.