Gladiator Summary
GLADIATOR MOVIE REVIEW
At the height of its power the Roman Empire was vast, stretching from the desserts of Africa to the borders of Northern England. Over one quarter of the world’s empire lived and died under the rule of the Caesar’s. In the year 180 AD, General Maximus Decimus Meridius (played by Russell Crowe) leads his soldiers to victory against Germanic barbarians, thus ending a prolonged war. Maximus is loved by the people and the dying Emperor, Marcus Aurelius (played by Richard Harris). The emperor approaches Maximus privately, telling him that Rome should no longer have an emperor, but instead be a republic with the Senate running it. He also thinks his son, Commodus, is not capable of leading Rome, and that Maximus should be in charge of the Senate, since he is a great man and all of Rome will respect him.
When Commodus (played by Joaquin Phoenix) is told by his father, he does not take it lightly. Feeling passed over and unappreciated he smothers his father to death. Maximus refuses to pledge loyalty to Commodus, who has declared himself “the new ruler of Rome”. In punishment, Commodus orders the death of Maximus and his family (wife and son). Maximus is led to the forest and just before he is about to be killed, he escapes, and rushes to save his wife and son. To his dismay, he only discovers his family crucified in the smoldering ruins of his home. After burying them he collapses in exhaustion. He is then captured and sold as a slave to gladiator instructor Proximo. He soon becomes a gladiator. Maximus teaches the rest of the gladiators how to fight as one unit. His superior military skills set him apart from the average gladiator and he quickly rises in favor among the crowds, receiving the title “The Spaniard”. Recent emperor Marcus had banished gladiator fighting from the city of Rome, but Commodus decides to bring it back in order to entertain and find favor from the people. During the games, Maximus leads the gladiators to a decisive
At the height of its power the Roman Empire was vast, stretching from the desserts of Africa to the borders of Northern England. Over one quarter of the world’s empire lived and died under the rule of the Caesar’s. In the year 180 AD, General Maximus Decimus Meridius (played by Russell Crowe) leads his soldiers to victory against Germanic barbarians, thus ending a prolonged war. Maximus is loved by the people and the dying Emperor, Marcus Aurelius (played by Richard Harris). The emperor approaches Maximus privately, telling him that Rome should no longer have an emperor, but instead be a republic with the Senate running it. He also thinks his son, Commodus, is not capable of leading Rome, and that Maximus should be in charge of the Senate, since he is a great man and all of Rome will respect him.
When Commodus (played by Joaquin Phoenix) is told by his father, he does not take it lightly. Feeling passed over and unappreciated he smothers his father to death. Maximus refuses to pledge loyalty to Commodus, who has declared himself “the new ruler of Rome”. In punishment, Commodus orders the death of Maximus and his family (wife and son). Maximus is led to the forest and just before he is about to be killed, he escapes, and rushes to save his wife and son. To his dismay, he only discovers his family crucified in the smoldering ruins of his home. After burying them he collapses in exhaustion. He is then captured and sold as a slave to gladiator instructor Proximo. He soon becomes a gladiator. Maximus teaches the rest of the gladiators how to fight as one unit. His superior military skills set him apart from the average gladiator and he quickly rises in favor among the crowds, receiving the title “The Spaniard”. Recent emperor Marcus had banished gladiator fighting from the city of Rome, but Commodus decides to bring it back in order to entertain and find favor from the people. During the games, Maximus leads the gladiators to a decisive