Gladiator (2000)
Gladiator is a 2000 action movie directed by Ridley Scott, with a running time of 2h 35m. It stars Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix and Connie Nielsen.
Maximus Decimus Meridius commands the armies of Rome and the trust of a dying emperor, Marcus Aurelius. When the emperor's jealous son Commodus seizes the throne, the general loses everything and is sold into slavery, only to claw his way back through the blood sport of the arena. Ridley Scott shoots the Colosseum as both spectacle and abattoir, with Russell Crowe playing Maximus as a soldier who fights coldly and grieves privately. Joaquin Phoenix gives Commodus a needy, poisonous edge, and Hans Zimmer's score turns the sand into something mythic. It is a revenge tragedy dressed as an epic.
Quick answers
What is Gladiator about?
Maximus Decimus Meridius commands the armies of Rome and the trust of a dying emperor, Marcus Aurelius. When the emperor's jealous son Commodus seizes the throne, the general loses everything and is sold into slavery, only to claw his way back through the blood sport of the arena. Ridley Scott shoots the Colosseum as both spectacle and abattoir, with Russell Crowe playing Maximus as a soldier who fights coldly and grieves privately. Joaquin Phoenix gives Commodus a needy, poisonous edge, and Hans Zimmer's score turns the sand into something mythic. It is a revenge tragedy dressed as an epic.
When was Gladiator released?
Gladiator was released on 4 May 2000.
How long is Gladiator?
Gladiator runs 2h 35m.
Who made Gladiator?
Gladiator was directed by Ridley Scott.
Where can I watch Gladiator?
Gladiator is available on Hulu, Paramount Plus, Paramount+ (Via Amazon Prime), YouTube TV, Kanopy and Amazon.
Where to watch Gladiator
Stream: Hulu, Paramount Plus, Paramount+ (Via Amazon Prime), YouTube TV
Watch free: Kanopy
Rent: Amazon, AppleTV, Fandango at Home, Spectrum On Demand
Buy: Fandango at Home
Cast
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A few thoughts on Gladiator
Red Dead Redemption 2 carries the same slow-burn revenge and the weight of a man out of step with a changing world. The Witcher 3 matches the brutal combat and moral grey of Maximus's fight. And Rurouni Kenshin follows a peerless swordsman haunted by the killing his skill demands, honor bought at a steep price.
Sword-and-sandal epics of empire and honor
Gladiator dresses a revenge tragedy as a Roman epic, all sand, spectacle and honor. These sword-and-sandal films share that scale, sending generals, kings and barbarians across ancient battlefields where loyalty is tested and a single fighter can turn the fate of an empire.
Revenge earned in blood
Stripped of family and rank, Maximus claws back through the arena, and Gladiator is powered by that cold need for payback. These films run on the same fuel, wronged fighters hunting the people who took everything and settling the score with their fists and their patience.
Warriors who carry loss into battle
Gladiator turns one soldier's grief into myth, a man who fights coldly and grieves in private. These share that weight, warriors across games, comics and a new screen Odyssey who carry loss into every fight and turn survival itself into something close to legend.