Gladiator

Theatrical Release Date: 2000 05 05 (USA)

UPC: 097360715842

Studio: Dreamworks Video

MPAA Rating: R   Contains:[Graphic Violence, Not For Children]

Summary: A man robbed of his name and his dignity strives to win them back, and gain the freedom of his people, in this epic historical drama from director Ridley Scott. In the year 180, the death of emperor Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris) throws the Roman Empire into chaos. Maximus (Russell Crowe) is one of the Roman army's most capable and trusted generals and a key advisor to the emperor. As Marcus' devious son Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix) ascends to the throne, Maximus is set to be executed. He escapes, but is captured by slave traders. Renamed Spaniard and forced to become a gladiator, Maximus must battle to the death with other men for the amusement of paying audiences. His battle skills serve him well, and he becomes one of the most famous and admired men to fight in the Colosseum. Determined to avenge himself against the man who took away his freedom and laid waste to his family, Maximus believes that he can use his fame and skill in the ring to avenge the loss of his family and former glory. As the gladiator begins to challenge his rule, Commodus decides to put his own fighting mettle to the test by squaring off with Maximus in a battle to the death. Gladiator also features Derek Jacobi, Connie Nielsen, Djimon Hounsou, and Oliver Reed, who died of a heart attack midway through production. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Category: Epic

Awards: Best Picture - Drama – null Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama – null Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion – null Best Director – null Best Original Score – null Best Original Score – null AFI's Top 10 Films of the Year – American Film Institute Best Actor – Screen Actors Guild Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion – Screen Actors Guild Best Ensemble Acting – Screen Actors Guild Best Director – Directors Guild of America Best Picture – British Academy of Film and Television Arts Best Director – British Academy of Film and Television Arts Best Original Screenplay – British Academy of Film and Television Arts Best Original Screenplay – British Academy of Film and Television Arts Best Original Screenplay – British Academy of Film and Television Arts Best Actor – British Academy of Film and Television Arts Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion – British Academy of Film and Television Arts Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion – British Academy of Film and Television Arts Best Music – British Academy of Film and Television Arts Best Music – British Academy of Film and Television Arts Best Cinematography – British Academy of Film and Television Arts Best Production Design – British Academy of Film and Television Arts Best Costume Design – British Academy of Film and Television Arts Best Editing – British Academy of Film and Television Arts Best Sound – British Academy of Film and Television Arts Best Visual Effects – British Academy of Film and Television Arts Best Makeup and Hair – British Academy of Film and Television Arts Orange Audience Award – British Academy of Film and Television Arts Best Picture – Broadcast Film Critics Association Best Actor – Broadcast Film Critics Association Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion – Broadcast Film Critics Association Best Cinematography – Broadcast Film Critics Association Best Production Design – Broadcast Film Critics Association Best Composer – Broadcast Film Critics Association Best Actor – Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Art Direction – Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Art Direction – Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Cinematography – Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Costume Design – Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Director – Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Editing – Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Original Screenplay – Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Original Screenplay – Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Original Screenplay – Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Picture – Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Score – Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Sound – Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Sound – Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Sound – Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion – Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Visual Effects – Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Visual Effects – Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Visual Effects – Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Visual Effects – Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Picture – National Board of Review Best Production Design – National Board of Review Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion – National Board of Review Best Cinematography – American Society of Cinematographers Best Picture – Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Picture – Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Supporting Actor – National Board of Review Best Supporting Actor – British Academy of Film and Television Arts Best Original Score – Hollywood Foreign Press Association Best Director – Hollywood Foreign Press Association Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion – Hollywood Foreign Press Association Best Supporting Actor – Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Supporting Actor – Broadcast Film Critics Association Best Supporting Actor – British Academy of Film and Television Arts Best Supporting Actor – Screen Actors Guild Best Original Score – Hollywood Foreign Press Association Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama – Hollywood Foreign Press Association Best Picture - Drama – Hollywood Foreign Press Association

Features: Commentary by director Ridley Scott and actor Russell Crowe
The scrolls of knowledge
Deleted scenes index / optional commentary by Ridley Scott
Visions from Elysium: Topic portal
Strength and Honor: Creating the world of Gladiator
Image & Design: Storyboard demonstration, storyboard archive stills, costume design, gallery stills, photo galleries
Abandoned sequences & deleted scenes
The Aurelian Archives - My Gladiator journal by Spencer Treat Clark

Gladiator

Format: Blu-ray

Release Date: 09/01/2009

Audio: DHMA null, DD5.1 Dolby Digital 5.1

Runtime: 171 Minutes

Sides: 2

Number of Discs: 2

Language(s) English,French,Spanish

Subtitles: English,French,Spanish

Karl Williams

Single-handedly reviving a long-lost genre -- the "sword-and-sandals epic" -- this exciting action picture boasts top-notch production values, creative and engaged (if occasionally ill-considered) direction from Ridley Scott, and -- at long last -- a star-making performance from Australian actor Russell Crowe. The chief appeal of Gladiator is its retro vibe, but some of Scott's artistic choices smack of a shallow attempt to stay modern, such as the hand-held camera and hitching, as well as ultra-focused images in the film's battle sequences, both inspired by Steven Spielberg's Saving Private Ryan (1998). The script by David Franzoni, rewritten by John Logan and William Nicholson (some of it during filming), is sometimes scattershot, foregoing character development as it forages too widely in search of sweep, thus providing doses of everything under the Italian sun: revenge, political intrigue, romance, action, and historical background. Though never delivering the emotional power an audience might crave, Gladiator is rescued by sharp editing, marvelous design and effects, and superb performances from Crowe, the briefly seen Richard Harris, and the impressively slick, fey, high-camp posturing of the lizard-like Joaquin Phoenix. The mix of traditional costumes and set design with the new development of computer-generated imagery produces some eye-popping visuals, especially the lingering overhead shots of the coliseum in Rome, one of the best uses to date of high-tech special effects. As a summer popcorn picture, Gladiator succeeds on most levels and provides some unabashed, old-fashioned entertainment. Similarities were noted by many critics to the earlier epic The Fall of the Roman Empire (1964) from director Anthony Mann, which features many of the same characters. ~ Karl Williams, Rovi

Cast and Crew: Sven Ole Thorsen  Actor 
Giorgio Cantarini  Actor 
Omid Djalili  Actor 
David H. Franzoni  Producer 
David H. Franzoni  Screenwriter 
Walter Parkes  Executive Producer 
Ridley Scott  Director 
Doug Wick  Producer 
Hans Zimmer  Composer (Music Score) 
Lisa Gerrard  Composer (Music Score) 
William Nicholson  Screenwriter 
Branko Lustig  Producer 
Laurie MacDonald  Executive Producer 
John Logan  Screenwriter 
Robin Shenfield  Executive Producer 
Russell Crowe  Actor 
Joaquin Phoenix  Actor 
Connie Nielsen  Actor 
Oliver Reed  Actor 
Derek Jacobi  Actor 
Djimon Hounsou  Actor 
Richard Harris  Actor 
David Schofield  Actor 
John Shrapnel  Actor 
Tomas Arana  Actor 
Ralph Moeller  Actor 
Spencer Treat Clark  Actor 
David Hemmings  Actor 

Country: USA