Gladiator (2000)

Academy Award for Best Picture, 2001

The beating heart of Rome is not the marble of the Senate, it's the sand of the Colosseum. He'll bring them death, and they will love him for it. - Gracchus

Mrs. Curran would be proud... after years of taking Latin in Orchard Park, I have come to have a profound interest in ancient Roman history, so naturally this movie was right up my alley. Although the story line itself is mostly fictitious, much of the historical concepts are accurate.

In real life, Joaquin Phoenix's creepy Emperor Commodus was not the evil incarnation portrayed in the film, but rather was appointed by his father as the youngest counsel member of the Roman Senate ever up until that date at age 15, and upon Marcus Aurelius' death Commodus became sole Emperor, uncontested. Although it is true he was unpopular with the senate but favored by the public for his gladiatorial combats, he was historically documented as being a "simple, peaceful" man. His region was historically a peaceful one, although he was eventually assassinated in his room by an athlete named Narcissus - the original name considered for Maximus in the film.

Although extremely bloody, the movie itself is highly accurate in its depiction of Gladiators. The Colosseum itself is undoubtedly one of the most amazing structures ever made. Many times there would be dozens of gladiator battles going on and once, and it was even constructed to be flooded to create a pool for the retelling of Roman sea-faring battles. The costumes were outstanding and every lead character was outstanding in their role. Russell Crowe's Maximus is one of the most noted film heros today, and Crowe himself has said he has been his favorite character to portray to date. For those not afraid of blood, I would recommend it.

5 stars out of 5