History died faster Marcus

Rating: Null/10 (14 May 2000)

Okay, so people aren't too happy over the gripes people have about the historical accuracy (or lack thereof) in Gladiator. Perhaps, because this is Hollywood, we should expect this (although Saving Private Ryan is an example of a movie being historically accurate as well as entertaining). Unfortunately, the only exposure to history most people get is from the movies. I realize that this movie could not be totally accurate, but come on! Aside from the names of the two emperors and the fact that there was a Roman Empire, there was absolutely nothing accurate about the film. Commodus life was much more interesting. He reigned for 12 years, had his mother and sister exiled and later murdered, thought he was Hercules and participated as a gladiator (a good one from all accounts) in the arena. He was not the whining weakling we saw in the film. Oh, and FYI the signal to kill someone in the Colosseum was a thumbs up, not down (as in "Shall I kill him? Thumbs up as in "Yes, do it).