Wait for video. (Spoiler alert)

Rating: Null/10 (14 May 2000)

If you want an enthralling, tear-jerking epic about revenge, love and heroism, don't consider "Gladiator". Although the film had its riveting points, which included the battle scenes, there were the same number of negative points.
Let's start with accuracy. I'm sure you may not be as much of a historical nut as I am, but there were a number of anchorisms in this film. For example:
1. The real-life Commodus (portrayed by Phoenix) always wore a lion's skin, beard/mustache, was obsessed with Hercules and it was never certain whether he was responsible for murdering Marcus Aurelius or Lucius Verus. Although he was a suspicious factor with their demise.
2. Commodus was very paranoid, and banished his wife Lucilla to an Island (presently Malta) where she was later hunted down and killed. In the film, she appears from the begining to end. Odd?
3. On the throne, the letters IMP CAES AVF appear. In reality, it would be IMP CAES AVG, which meant Imperator Caesar Augustus. (Just a Roman Royalty "rank" if you don't know what I'm talking about.)
There are plenty more to name, but that would be irrelevant, because this film was meant for the Hollywood moviegoing public, not a nitpicking perfectionist like me.
The acting was quite poor. It doesn't take any brains to figure that out, or the fact that Roman's spoke Roman (Vintage Latin) and not English. Despite Richard Harris' brief role he didn't put forth his best effort, or show emotion in his character. Russell Crowe struggled with wooden acting, at first, but after a while his character picked up.
This movie wasn't boring. I can assure you of that. But it did have its problems, and some may discrimate like I did. Whatever view point you expect, wait for the video rental release.