Rome on the Screen – Gladiator

Last evening I sat down to watch the 2000 film Gladiator with Joaquin Phoenix and Russell Crowe. I was encapsulated by this film from the get go, with the amazing cinematography in the opening scenes really cementing my interest. The sword is dragging slowly along the wheat (?) plants in the field, setting quite a dramatic tone to the film. I personally loved all aspects of the movie, and felt it provided a good contrast to my perceptions of Rome (especially while acting as a Roman senator). It showed the grit of conflict in Rome, different from the glorious leaders that many know off the top of their heads.

The plot kicked off in an enormous battle scene between the Roman Empire and their fierce opponents (presumably the Gauls). This battle is striking both in scale and appearance, particularly the gore. After the Romans reign victorious, Marcus Aurelius informs Maximus that he wishes Maximus be his successor, clearly saying how his son Commudus is unfit to rule. Word travels quickly, and Commodus soon finds out of this wish, and murders his father Marcus Aurelius in a fit of rage. Commudus seizes control, and quickly has Maximus arrested. Maximus escapes his captivity, and goes to find his family, who are dead before he can get there. He passes out, and is taken to the far reaches of the Roman Empire. 

While Maximus is gone, he slowly but impressively builds a strong career as a gladiator (hence the name of the movie). He utters the iconic line (which I didn’t realize came from this movie) “Are you not entertained?” In coherence with his growing fame, Commudus decides to host games in Rome, which as one would expect, fate finds Maximus competing in. After Maximus’s side proves themselves victorious unexpectedly, Commudus comes down to meet Maximus. Upon discovering who he is, Maximus promises to seek vengeance against Commudus. Maximus is then staged to fight Tigris, along with several actual tigers. Yet again, against the odds, Maximus is victorious. Amidst all of this, the crowd’s love for Maximus is swelling, making it harder for Commodus to get rid of him. Many behind-the-scenes political conversations and plans ensue on either side of the conflict, with the end result being a duel between Maximus and Commudus to settle things once and for all. In order to better his chances, Commudus stabs Maximus before the duel to weaken him. Despite all this, Maximus kills Commudus in the duel, but dies from his wounds shortly after the fight ends. He reinstates Gracchus before he dies, and expresses the will for Rome to be a Republic once again.