"The" best film I have ever seen

Rating: 10/10 (30 September 2009)

I cannot imagine anyone else playing the role of Maximus or Commodus in this movie. I saw it when it was first released in the UK cinemas and have watched it on DVD several times since.
Maximus displays all of the morals the ideal hero, loyal, family devoted, brave, modest and merciful.
Whilst Commodus was the exact opposite.
It allows you to explore all of the emotions from fear to grief.
Films of this class only this come around once a decade.
Off topic, I have never seen Russell Crowe in any other film and liked him much as an actor as i did in Gladiator and the same goes for Joaquin Phoenix which speaks more about the production and script than it does about the acting. These actors were chosen very well indeed.