For a 2.5 hour show, it could have been longer. Great entertainment.

Rating: 10/10 (1 June 2000)

Right from the start, this film strikes you as special with a scene that, if it is meant as an intro, looks like the finale of most other films. The special effects, although hugely impressive, do not take over the story which is simplistic but powerful. How Roman life was at that time is about as graphically illustrated as you would like to see but in more than a violent manner. The roles, and particularly the actors, especially Russell Crowe, Richard Harris and Oliver Reed, enrich the film to their credit. Altogether, miss this one on the big screen, and you'll never really see it again.