Not perfect - but that's irrelevant

Rating: 9/10 (6 May 2000)

There are factual "liberties" taken. Fetishists for pure accuracy will be displeased, undoubtedly. But this film is a triumph, regardless. It's not for nothing that comparisons between the vision of Rome given here and Hitler/Speer's new Berlin are drawn; even the music is inspired by Wagner. This is an epic allegory, of sorts. It's about much, much more than the spilling of blood for the entertainment of the masses; it's about the culture that asks for such amusements, and the possible responses to that brutality. This movie is very, very surprising - I was expecting a wonderful Ridley Scott film, and got an astounding, funny, sad, terrible film. It will make you think, and feel.