Assignment or HUMN 246

Rating: 10/10 (8 February 2015)

Film Review on IMDb: Gladiator
Russell Crowe stars as Maximus in the Academy Award winning Gladiator. The story takes place during the height of the Roman Empire. Maximus is the general of Rome's northern army and faithful servant of Cesar Marcus Aurelius played by Richard Harris. The film begins with a final battle in Germania, a battle that Maximus leads his army to victory and peace throughout the empire. Once victory has been achieved Marcus Aurelius asks Maximus to serve as the protector of Rome after his death and to make Rome a republic once again. Marcus Aurelius informs his son, Commodus, of his plans to make Rome a republic. Commodus murders his father and Maximus will not pledge his support to Commodus. Commodus orders Maximus to be killed and for his family to meet him in the afterlife. The theme of Gladiator is how one man's action can have an impact on everyone else but it can come at great personal sacrifice.
Throughout the film the audience is shown more about the character of Maximus. In the beginning of the film he is shown as a great General who only desires to be home with his family. Even after great triumph in battle he is possibly going to delay his journey home at the request of the Cesar. The request brings no wealth to Maximus but only extends his time away from home but it would be for the good of the people of the Roman Empire. Even though we do not get to hear his decision, the audience has a feeling that he will say yes and carryout Marcus Aurelius' wishes. After the death of his wife and son, Maximus is seen in a depressed state. He shows no desire to live but seems to rekindle his honor in a fight that he is chained hand in hand with a fellow slave. Maximus once again puts his desires aside and fights thus preserving the fellow slaves' life. Finally, Maximus is able to kill Commodus, but in doing so he gives up his own life for the good of the empire. As he takes his final breaths Maximus reveals the wishes of Marcus Aurelius, which Rome is to be a republic and to end the corruption that has poisoned it.
Gladiator uses many different filming techniques but the two that standout the most our lighting and angle. Maximus is portrayed as a strong and moral individual, it is this reason that Marcus Aurelius loves him more than his own son and chooses to put his faith in him. The camera angle really helps to show Maximus as strong individual. Russell Crowe is of average height, he is in shape for the movie but he is not physically intimidating. However, during the movie the camera angle shot for him is often in an upward angle. The gives the audience a sense of him being larger and someone you are looking up towards. Also, in the film the lighting around Maximus is always light. Once again, this technique is showing Maximus as a good character. All of these techniques and details that go into this character provide someone for the audience to feel and cheer for. On the other hand, Commodus, always has dark lighting. He is rarely shown in light lighting. This goes well for his character who is a menacing and evil individual who cares little for those around him.
Gladiator's universal theme of a moral individual doing what is right even though it comes with great personal sacrifice speaks to audiences around the world. This story inspires you to want to do what is right and to be a strong individual. It is not surprising that this film and others that are similar in theme such as Braveheart have done so well. These films provide the audience with a little different mindset as they exit the theatre or turn off their television set. In one of the final moments of the movie the audience receives chills down their spine as Lucilla says "he was a solider of Rome honor him".