“Nothing happens to anyone that he is not fitted by nature to bear.” – Maximus
Number of Times Seen – Numerous (21 Apr 2000 in Theater, video, DVD and 8 Sep 2013)
Brief Synopsis – A former Roman General must fight as a gladiator in order to try and avenge the murder of his wife and son at the hands of the Emperor’s corrupt son.
My Take on it – I saw this in the theater and really had no clue that it would be up for so many awards (and win them too). It was enjoyable and entertaining.
The story is definitely done in an epic style and it gives you a sense that this is really how the world of gladiators and Rome really worked and that’s the thing that really sucks people in. Most people want to see a movie (even a historical one) that you can believe is based on reality. This movie does it so well, and if it wasn’t for Ang Lee’s direction of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000) coming out during the same year, Ridley Scott would have won numerous Directorial awards.
This movie found a way of seamlessly merging the feel of an epic historical movie and modern technology. Most of the Colosseum scenes are done with CGI making it more of a majestic arena.
The music by Hans Zimmer is paced so well that it works together with the action, ma king the scenes even more intense.
Winner of 5 of 12 Oscars (in a year that 3 movies split the award for most wins. Traffic (2000), Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000) and this movie each had 4 wins before Best Picture was announced)
It won Best Picture, Actor (Russell Crowe in a role inferior to the one he had in The Insider (1999) the previous year), Costumes, Visual Effects and Sound.
It lost – Best Supporting Actor (Joaquin Pheonix), Director, Art Direction, Cinematography, Film Editing, Music and Original Screenplay.
It’s interesting to note that Pheonix and his brother River, are the only set of brothers to EVER be both nominated for acting awards in Oscar history.
Bottom Line – Excellent Epic movie, amazingly done by Ridley Scott, Great effects and music. Highly Recommended!
Rating – Oscar Worthy
MovieRob 
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Great post, as you said the music adds to the epic feel of the film.
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Thanks Vinnie,
I love movie music and have numerous cd’s that I made just of instrumental music from movies that I play in the car.
Gladiator happens to be one of my favorites, but I can go days if not weeks, just listening to thsi kind of music.
My love for it all started with John Williams – Stars Wars trilogy music, Superman, E.T. and now includes stuff by Hans Zimmer, James Horner, Jerry Goldsmith, Micahel Kamen and a few others.
Thanks for commenting!
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