The return of an Epic-class movie, ....long overdue.

Rating: Null/10 (7 May 2000)

Cinematography and some kind of digital film enhancement of action scenes also add to this impressive story. Not since 'Ben Hur' and 'Sparticus' has the movie screen seen a really successful film of early Roman Empire history.
If this starts a trend, I hope that producers look into such historical figures like that of Constantine I (273?-337C.E.) who have enough of both impressive facts and mystery surrounding their life that would make for entertaining story telling on the big screen.
I agree with others about how entertaining this movie was. I would not even go to the restroom while this film was going on. Every scene was impressively done with fine supporting cast. The energy and flavor of what it must have been like in the time of the Roman Empire was very well captivated: particularly with its demand of political obedience to power, how people of an era were entertained by real violence, barbarian invasions at the Empire's borders, different personalities and thought among a Roman Senate, an excellent portrayal of Richard Harris as Marcus Aurelius, all fine supporting acting, and of course Russell Crowe. I will be interested in seeing if the Academy of Motion Pictures chose 'Gladiator' for any of its Oscar categories.