A grand epic  told by a master storyteller.

Rating: 10/10 (13 August 2003)

A grand epic  told by a master storyteller.
Sit back and watch a master ply his craft.
As noted by previous reviewers - director Ridley Scott's cinematic masterpiece explodes onto the screen with the force of Spielberg's `Saving Private Ryan'  with the best battle scenes since Gibson's Braveheart.

This film is an epic tale of one man's loyalty, betrayal and revenge - - against the backdrop of Rome at the height of her glory  and brutality. Director Scott weaves an intricate fabric paralleling one man's fight for justice  and a nation's struggle for freedom  both cumulating in the final battle between one just man and the deific ambitions of a megalomaniacal Cesar.
Sit back too  and take a lesson in acting from the old master Richard Harris. His `whispers' are more powerful than another man's battle cries.

Then too  take a lesson in acting from the new masters Russell Crowe and Joaquin Phoenix. These two actors can do more with a glance or a tilt of their head  than most actors can do with their whole bodies.

Last but not least  was Spielberg's Dreamworks  being the icing on the cake. Director Scott was exceedingly careful in not making that all too familiar mistake of letting the special effects overpower the story line. DreamWorks' `unleashing hell' in the opening battle scenes  through to the recreation of the Coliseum in all of her terrible splendor was truly captivating.
Throughout  there was not one weak link throughout the movie. Supporting actors and actresses were the best in the business. Derek Jacobi and Connie Nielson never disappoint. Plus  I'm at a loss for words to describe the visual impact of Ralf Moeller and Sven-Ole Thorsen.
On a parting note and in scanning some previous comments  I'd like to observe that those folks  who have been nurtured on Kung Fu flicks - - will be understandably disappointed in a film of this depth and breadth  and realism.
In summary  a truly captivating and entertaining movie - - with perhaps its greatest strength being that it forces one to give ample pause to reflect on one's own life and life goals.