Gladiator

Gladiator

(2000)

Directed by Ridley Scott

Writing credits David H. Franzoni (story), David H. Franzoni, John Logan (screenplay), and William Nicholson (screenplay).

Plot Summary: Gladiator tells the story of Maximus (Russell Crowe), a Roman general whose leadership and dedication have helped expand the Roman Empire to Germany, where we meet him as he prepares to battle the barbarians. Separated from his beloved wife and son for more than three years, Maximus longs to resign his commission and return home. The arrival of Emperor Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris) at the battlefield dashes this hope a bit. He has other plans for his loyal warrior, which he reveals in a clandestine tête-à-tête. It seems that the Emperor has grown weary of the direction that the Roman Empire has taken, finding little joy or value in the vast expansion that relentless conquest has yielded. In addition, he is clearly nearing the end of his life, and has come to believe that the greatness of Rome cannot prevail without a return to the rule of the people via the political mechanisms of the Republic. He is an emperor who believes that there should no longer be an emperor. His conviction is further strengthened by the fact that his amoral and immature son, Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix) is next in line for the throne. Marcus Aurelius tells Maximus that–upon their return to Rome–he will appoint him Lord Protector and then step down... his aim being that Maximus (who is pure of heart and not the least bit ambitious) will safeguard the transition back to representative government. When Commodus is informed of this plan, he murders his father and orders the execution of Maximus, who escapes this fate and–through a complex set of circumstances–ends up being appropriated as a gladiator. The remainder of the film charts his rise as a star in the arena, his efforts to seek revenge on Commodus, and his hope of somehow honoring the wishes of Marcus Aurelius regarding the political fate of Rome... from aboutfilm.com