Gladiator

A slave who controlled an empire.

Roman general Maximus (Russell Crowe) goes from hero to zero, then fights back to win the heart of an Empire in this action-packed and emotionally charged blockbuster. When Emperor Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris) chooses Maximus to be his heir instead of his treacherous son Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix), the result is murder. When his rival seizes power and massacres his family, Maximus is enslaved and thrown into the gladiatorial ring to fight his way to death or glory. Stunning special effects and superb performances from Russell Crowe and Joaquin Phoenix as the deadly enemies Maximus and Commodus make Ridley Scott's Gladiator an experience to be savoured again and again.

• Best Picture Oscar Winner 2000.
• Best Picture BAFTA Winner 2000.
• Best Picture (Drama) Golden Globe Winner 2000.

Critic Reviews:

• " A mesmerizing, vastly updated take on ancient barbarism clashing with politics, betrayal, and vengeance. " – Mike Massie

• " In general, a handsome film, and it is, in general, a rousing spectacle, albeit one that has needlessly compromised the action scenes that ought to be its strongest selling point. " – Tim Brayton

• " Gladiator… is popcorn entertainment at its most polished and exciting; the film is responsible for a renewed interest in antiquity and was, somewhat unsurprisingly, incredibly influential. " – Nick Johnston