Gladiator: One of the Greatest Films Ever

One of my favorite films of all time is Gladiator. Gladiator is by far Russel Crowe's best film ever and it is a true masterpiece. Gladiator was up for so many Academy Awards in best picture, best actor, best costume design, music and many other categories. I highly recommend this film to every person. Despite its "R" rating, Gladiator is only rated for people over 18 because of the high amount of bloodshed and fighting that goes on. If you can accept the amazing fights scenes in the film then it is ok to watch if you are under 18.

The begining of the film shows Russel Crowe as a great Roman General named Maximus as he leads his troops into battle. The scene depicts Maximus' great skill and craft as a field general as he direct his troops. He makes sure that everyone is in position and he waits for his enemy to attack. Then his Roman army swarms in from all sides, killing their enemy and hailing victory. As Maximus speaks with the emperor, he wishes to return home to his wife and children who he has not seen in many months. The emperor who is in dying age tells Maximus that he wants him to be the next ruler to take his place instead of the emperor's son who is not a good hearted man. Maximus tells the king he must ponder such a decision.

When the king goes to tell his son, Commodus that he wishes for Maximus to be emperor instead of his son who is the rightful heir to the throne, his sone hugs him and squeezes the fragile old man so hard that he gasps for air and dies. Then Commodus arranges for his men to kill Maximus and his family. In a great fight scene, Maximus amazingly grapbs hold of the of the men's swords and kills all of them. Then he races on horseback to try and save his family from being murdered. But he is too late as his wife and children are burned and hung. Maximus grieves their deaths.

He is then surrounded and picked up by a group of men and sold into captivity. He is no longer known as a great Roman General but he is now a slave that can be bought, sold and wagered on. He joins other men in a giant arena where they are surrounded by men in chariots who are trying to kill them. The spectacle is watched by hundreds of Roman people in entertainment, not caring about men who are about to die. In the fight, Maximus uses his skills as a general to arrange the men in battle so that they stick together as one and fight the carioteers.

Part of what makes this film so great and envigorating is the music. As the music plays in the background which is upbeat and the sound of a trunpet is heard, Maximus climbs on board a horse and is thrown a sword by a fellow slave. He chases down the charioteer in the arena and kills him, much to the delight of the crowd. As Maximus gains fame, he still wishes to get close to the emperor Commodus and kill him and the only possible way is to continue his gladiator fighting.

In another fight scene he goes up against a champion fighter with tigers on leashes surrounding him. He injures the man and then he points to the crowd and emperor Commodus to see whether he should kill the man or let him live. As Commodus gives him the thunbs down sign to kill the man, Maximus in defiance lets the man live. He is then surrounded by soldiers and the emperor demands to know the gladiators true identity. Maximus shows him his face and reveals that he will have revenge on Commodus for killing his wife and children.

In a great last battle scene, Maximus takes on Commodus one on one. Except it isn't a fair fight as Commodus stabs Maximus before the fight starts. Still, Maximus bloodied and badly injured, is able to kill Commodus. As Maximus sees his end coming, he arranged for his fellow slaves to be freed and for the Senate to rule over Rome. Maximus collapses and is body is raised in honor by the Roman soldiers.

This movie I will repeat, is one of the best films of all time. Every single aspect of the film was amazing and so was Russel Crowe who was the perfect man for the part. I strongly encourage anyone who hasn't seen this film to go out now and rent it because it will really change the way you look and fell about movies.