A risk taking movie of epic proportions.

Rating: 9/10 (25 August 2019)

Previously, or for the last 40 years before 'Gladiator', there was absolutely no appetite (and very little interest) for any 'Sword and Sandal' epic; so this was produced at an incredible risk. With such a lofty budget, it could have been one of the industries biggest flops. Thankfully the final realization was a wonderment of cinema and mixing some of the old time great actors, with the dynamic new. Scott at the helm was pretty much the ideal choice and certainly only a handful of directors could have pulled off, such an exciting, emotional roller coaster. Mel Gibson apparently turned down the chief role, saying he was too old for the part but Russel Crowe played it, like he was born to do so. Hail Maximus!