Product: Gladiator [VHS] (2000)
Rating: 5.0
A Fight To The Death...
2000's "Gladiator" is a visually stunning throw-back to an earlier era of epic film-making. Director Ridley Scott recreates the Roman Empire at its most decadent, as a Roman General is betrayed by the greedy and unscrupulous son of an emperor and forced to become a slave and a gladiator.Russell Crowe leads as Maximus, a Roman General who is favored by his Emperor (played by Richard Harris) to lead the Roman Empire over his greedy and unstable son Commodus (played by over-the-top depravity by Joaquin Phoenix). Commudus promptly murders the Emperor, slaughters Maximus's family, and consigns Maximus to slavery. A wise slave trader (Oliver Reed in his last film role) sees Maximus' potential and turns him into a gladiator. Maximus' military skills make him a formidable gladiator who fights his way to fame with the Roman mob and, unfortunately, brings him to the attention of the envious new emperor, Commodus. The stage is set for a series of betrayals and a final confrontation between the two men."Gladiator's" two-and-a-half hour running time allows plenty of room to explore the intrigues and corruption of Roman politics in the midst of magnificent sets. The set-piece gladiator combats are thrilling and worth the movie by themselves. A superb supporting cast helps advance the storyline, most notably Connie Nielsen as the sister of Commodus and the object of his depraved desire, who also has a history with Maximus.This movie is highly recommended as superb entertainment.