Gladiator

The Roman Empire is one of the greatest empires of the West and it grew rapidly by conquering its neighbours, through a series of battles, Marcus Aurelius Antoninus Augustus was a great Ceasar, not just because he was a tyrant warrior who won many a glory but because he loved his people and was also a great philosopher. Upon his death, his son Commodus ascended the throne and began the decline of Roman Empire in 5th Century A.D.

Weaving in this historical past is the movie Gladiator, which is centered around the best general (fictional) called as Maximus Decimus Meridius, played exceptionally well by Russell Crowe under an able director (Riddley Scott) who has developed this time-machine that carries all the audience back to A.D.180.

For the plot, I urge my fellow readers to an outstanding review ’’All Roads Lead To Rome’’ by our fellow member ’’skmm’’(Mr. Shrikumar Menon). I will recreate some scenes for you.

The opening 10 minutes are stunning, when we are placed in the center of a mammoth battlefield where Maximus is ready with his army to fight the barbaric tribes of Germania. Oh, what a show! I was thoroughly impressed by the huge proportions of the army. I have seen many movies where only a few gun trotting people are seen running around and war planes and tankers doing most of the damage, but the sight of so many blood thirsty men ready with primitive weapons like swords, arrows, axes, shields etc. made me move towards the edge of my seat. Of course Braveheart had most of it but there is some extraordinary touch of realism in this battle. The flaming arrows spelling death for the front-runners, and the slashing of swords and hammers, slicing of the barbarians was all so horrific and chilling. This particular part of the movie reveals the showmanship and benchmarks Scott as ’’The director’’.

What follows is a fast paced tale where loyalty and courage of General Maximus befits him for being the next successor of the great Roman Empire, but only in the eyes of the emperor. However, his son Commodus is offended by the decision. Greed, jealousy, treachery marks Commodus in this allegory and his character is remarkably portrayed by Joaquin Phoenix. He kills his own father in cold-blood and succeeds as emperor, orders arrest of Maximus and viscously destroys his family. Maximus evades his death and escapes only to see the charred remains of his farm, son and wife and his dream of freedom. He is then sold as slave to ex-gladiator Proximos who makes him a Gladiator. Maximus fuels his vengeance by winning many battles, which takes him to Rome to fight in the Coliseum. Here he fights Commodus and kills him to give Rome back to the people before he gets what he yearned for - death and unite with his family in heaven.

The battle scenes are the star point of the movie that constitutes the foundation of this oscar winner. The following scenes are the best:

1. The second fight in the arena of Proximo where 5 huge barbarians are ready in line waiting for gates to openand slave warriors to come out. Only Russell steps out and slays all five with an impressive ease and skills of a great warrior. The part where he removes the 2 swords from the chest of the 5th person – one in each and hand and chops off the head in a scissor like manner was by far gory but essential to mark his anger. He later barks at the audience whether such bloodshed really entertains them -intriguing!

   
   




2. The first fight in the Coliseum where Maximus and fellow Gladiators are waiting expecting some barbarians to rush out of the gates. Maximus who naturally takes over as their commander tells them to stay together to win. When the gates open, out comes warriors but on chariots, eliminating the gladiators by ruthless arrows. The thundering chariots with blades attached to wheels made the whole scene very thrilling. ’’Oh my God, how will the gladiators survive’’ was the one thought that disturbed the audience and me. But they do - by sticking together and fighting together.

   
   




3. The fight following the above mentioned, with another famous gladiator. But there was a surprise element here -TIGERS!!! Not one but four of them, all hungry and waiting to pounce (I faintly remember a Van Damme movie like this). How Maximus fights and wins the battle and the spectators of the Coliseum and the audience i.e. us... see it to believe it.

   
   

There are other aspects about the movie

1. The cinematography and beautiful scenery with clouds and ground and lightening bridging the gap between, the rocky mountainscapes, meadows, the arena – make quite a sight.

2.There were many computer generated effects, the arial view of the Coliseum and birds flying were conspicuous as effects of computer wizardry. The tigers were less conspicuous but the sub-conscious tells you that Ridley Scott wouldn’t risk a scene of slaying the tiger - an endangered species.

1. The deep and complex character of a virtuous and courageous man of principles, Maximus, was well enacted by Russell Crowe. The villainous, psychotic, power-hungry, jealous, treacherous, devious, conniving Commodus played by Phoenix is another star-point of the movie. Lucilla, sister of Commodus was a character which I did not understand, but Connie Nielsen did a good job.

The Indian Contribution