Gladiator (2000)

Genre : Action, Adventure, Drama, War

180 AD. Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris) is dying. Before die he wants to return his Roman Empire back to the Senate-based government. Although Emperor Marcus Aurelius has a son, Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix), he decides to appoint temporary leadership to General Maximus Decimus Meridius (Russell Crowe). Commodus is very jealous with this decision. After murder the Emperor, Commodus declares himself as the new Roman Emperor.

Commodus asks Maximus for his loyalty but Maximus refuses. Commodus orders the Roman Armies to murder Maximus' wife and son and the entire family. Maximus escapes and races home but he is late. He discovers his family's death bodies hanged upside down in the ruins of his villa. After burying his wife and son, Maximus collapses because of exhaustion.

Slave traders’ convoy found Maximus and sells him to Proximo (Oliver Reed), the owner of a gladiator school in North Africa. Desperate because of the death of his family, Maximus refuses to fight. But later as he trains and fights further, the excellent combat skills plus the experience from many battles when he was General in Roman Army make his popularity rising among the fellow gladiators and the audience.

At the Colosseum in Rome, Commodus held the gladiator tournament. Maximus and the companies of gladiator from Proximo's school are participating. The final battle is between Maximus against Tigris of Gaul (Sven-Ole Thorsen), the Rome's only undefeated gladiator, in an arena surrounded by chained tigers. Maximus defeats Tigris in an intense battle and win the tournament.

After the fight, Maximus meets his former servant Cicero (Tommy Flanagan), who reveals that Maximus's elite army remains loyal to him. They are camped outside Rome and waiting for his order. Maximus plans to reunite with his army and overthrow Commodus. Commodus however reveals the plot and sending a legion of Praetorian Guards to destroy Proximo's gladiator barracks. Hagen (Ralf Moeller) and Proximo are killed in the siege while Juba (Djimon Hounsou) and the survivors are imprisoned.

Commodus challenges Maximus to a one-on-one duel in the Colosseum in front of Roman citizen. Commodus stabs Maximus on the chest. The blade is piercing deep into his heart and puncturing his lung. The wound is bleeding beneath Maximus’ gladiator armor. He lost much blood. Maximus collapses and dies.

Director : Ridley Scott
Awards : Won 5 Oscars
Rating : 9/10