Neither great nor bad -- good entertainment

Rating: 7/10 (27 June 2000)

This is a much quirkier film than you would expect from a gladiator epic, and it's going to disappoint some people.
First off, it is NOT history, although a few historical characters are used. In the film's defense, it really doesn't try to BE history, either, merely using historical backdrops for a morality play. Although, having said that, the opening battle use of the longbow is an anachronism, I believe; the longbow didn't come into use until the thirteenth or fourteenth century, and its origin was Welsh and English. Minor point, but since I have castigated other movies on similar points ...
The performances were outstanding, subtle, and complex, even the sometimes over-the-top performance of Joaquin Phoenix as Commodus. Connie Nielsen is especially effective, and for the first half of the film you're not quite sure where her character stands. I thought Oliver Reed was breathtaking in this film. It's the only film I've seen where I liked Reed, and what a shame he passed away during the filming.
The script gets pretty conventional in the second half of the film, and therefore predictable. However, the visual presentation is stunning, with washout coloring and inventive camera techniques. I can understand why these might be irritating to other filmgoers, especially if they're expecting a traditional epic. Obviously, I liked it.
Overall, it's a good film, not a great one, and not one everyone will appreciate. I think it's overall ranking is excessive, and I rated it a 7.