Product: Gladiator [VHS] (2000)
Rating: 4.0
A rarity for the year 2000, and a welcome one.
Alas, it is not the mercilessly bloody and cold story that you hear from prudish minds, but rather an engrossing and action-packed tale. Of coarse, the film is basically Russell Crowe-and he is magnificent. Some of the film's battle sequences (especially the first harrowing encounter with the gladiators inside of an arena) are stomach-churning, but they are increasingly operatic...and important in character revelation. A truly good movie, while not a five-star "masterpiece," that should be recommended (and enjoyed) by everyone.