Here are five hints for my #6 favorite film of all-time.
1) If William Shakespeare and Steven Spielberg had a baby it would be this movie.
2) I really want to name my next dog after the lead character in this film.
3) Matt Barnes has only seen it once but it managed to safely reside in his top-100.
4) It was set in 180 AD.
5) This film won five Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Actor ... good luck.
Director: Ridley Scott
Starring: Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix and Djimon Hounsou
Academy Awards (5): Won Best Picture, Best Actor (R. Crowe), Best Sound, Best Effects and Best Costume (Nominated seven more times including Best Director/R. Scott, Best Supporting Actor/J. Phoenix, Best Cinematography, Best Writing, and Best Music).
Plot: "When a Roman general is betrayed and his family murdered by an emperor's corrupt son, he comes to Rome as a gladiator to seek revenge."
Stock: Holding
"At my signal, unleash hell."
Rarely do I use the word "epic." LOST certainly deserved the high praise "epic" brings with it. Stephen King's Dark Tower series had an "epic presence" to it. It's a hard thing to achieve, but Gladiator did just that. It's an epic movie with an epic story.
THE PLOT
Russell Crowe plays Maximus, an honorable Roman General. He consistently leads his troops into battle and comes away victorious. He is seen as a moral man as well as a ruthless fighter. Maximus develops a strong relationship with the Emperor of Rome, who decides that Maximus, not his son, will be the next leader of Rome. The dream is for Maximus to deliver Rome's power back to the Senate instead of just one person.
Before the Emperor can fulfill his promise to Maximus, the Emperor's son (Commodus, played by Joaquin Phoenix) finds out of his plans and kills his father, giving him Rome. From there, Maximus is cast as an outlaw and is forced to leave town. Commodus just doesn't stop there and has Maximus' son and wife killed.
As he is laying next to his murdered family, Maximus is picked up and eventually sold as a Gladiator where the only way he can survive is to kill. Maximus survives and finds himself face-to-face with Commodus.
MY REACTION
I used the William Shakespeare/Steven Spielberg combination in my hints because that's the best way I can describe this film to people who have never seen it. Shakespeare's plays dealt with families fighting for power, memorable characters, and told epic stories. Steven Spielberg's films do the same, but usually consist of terrific action sequences that leave you on the edge of your seat. Gladiator fits both bills.
Russell Crowe, who won the Oscar for Best Actor, puts on an amazing display in this Ridley Scott film. Sometimes the best way to compliment an actor is to simply say, he is Maximus. He captures Maximus' heart, his soul, his everything. It's an unbelievably good performance, one I'd put right up there with Heath Ledger's The Joker.
Music often gets overlooked in movies, but it plays a vital role in the production value of a film. Hans Zimmer is one of the best music composers out there and arguably delivers his best soundtrack for Gladiator. I know for a fact that Matt Barnes has yet to discuss a film that Zimmer won an Academy Award for. Stay tuned to find out which one it is.
WHY TOP TEN?
Even though Gladiator tells an epic story and has terrific action sequences, if it was not for the acting, this movie wouldn't made nearly the same impact. We've already touched on Russell Crowe, but he's not the only one giving incredible performances. Joaquin Phoenix, who earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor, plays an excellent villain. It was after watching this movie that I really believed the sky was the limit for Joaquin, which is why it's a little disappointing for me to see how his career hasn't really come to fruition yet.
Rudy is an inspiring film that tells you to reach for your dreams. Gladiator is an equally inspiring movie, but on a completely different level. It inspires me to be more like Maximus. To be a man of honor. To believe in something. To put others in front of the individual. To be strong. To be true. So yes, when I get another dog you better believe I'll be naming it Maximus.
In a weird way I already feel bad for that dog, because Maximus is a tough name to live up to.
Gladiator is full of memorable quotes, moments and acting performances. It's an incredibly powerful film, one that everyone needs to watch.
MEMORABLE QUOTES
"You wrote to me once, listing the four chief virtues: Wisdom, justice, fortitude and temperance. As I read the list, I knew I had none of them. But I have other virtues, father. Ambition. That can be a virtue when it drives us to excel. Resourcefulness, courage, perhaps not on the battlefield, but... there are many forms of courage. Devotion, to my family and to you. But none of my virtues were on your list. Even then it was as if you didn't want me for your son." - Commodus.
"You can help me. Whatever comes out of these gates, we've got a better chance of survival if we work together. Do you understand? If we stay together we survive." - Maximus
"Today I saw a slave become more powerful than the Emperor of Rome." - Lucilla.
"What we do in life echoes in eternity." - Maximus.
"Are you not entertained? Are you not entertained? Is this not why you are here?" - Maximus.
"My name is Maximus Decimus Meridius, commander of the Armies of the North, General of the Felix Legions, loyal servant to the true emperor, Marcus Aurelius. Father to a murdered son, husband to a murdered wife. And I will have my vengeance, in this life or the next." - Maximus.
"Quintus! Release my men. Senator Gracchus is to be reinstated. There was a dream that was Rome. It shall be realized. These are the wishes of Marcus Aurelius." - Maximus.
"The time for honoring yourself will soon be at an end." - Maximus.
Until next time, "read it, roll it, hole it."
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