Product: Gladiator [VHS] (2000)
Rating: 5.0
A grand, much-needed epic !
This movie is simply awesome. And, it has not come a minute too soon. The ancient world is FULL of possiblities for stories like this (note, this is historical FICTION, not telling an actual event.) Great direction, sets, plot, dialogue, and acting. Oh, there is no "drag in some spots" that some reviewers have commented on. I guess in this generation no one is allowed to TALK for more than 20 seconds without it being deemed "wordy." Also, I noticed two errors in otherwise good reviews below: 1) Commodus did not "listen to his father's advisors" at first - he immediately concluded a shameful peace with the Germans and left to enjoy the debauched pleasures of Rome before his father was hardly cold. He was one of the very small group of emperors that nothing good can be said. 2) Rome didn't "fall due to greed and spectator sports" - the Roman Empire basically was mortally wounded by plague that depopulated huge areas of the empire, with the resulting economic and military downturns, and due to pressure from the nomadic barbarians and barbarization of the army. If the two great epidemics (one during Marcus Aurelius's time) hadn't happened, it is very possible today's major language would be based on Latin. Anyway, it's a GREAT movie - grab it. One should also check out that wonderful film, "Fall of the Roman Empire" which covers similar ground, but in a very different plotline - another great film, and Will Durant (the historian) was an advisor on it. And please disregard the numerous bad user reviews of this film, also. It's a very good movie.