Product: Gladiator [VHS] (2000)
Rating: 5.0
I Cant Be Left Out
Yes, Im crazy about this movie also for reasons too numerous to mention. So I'll summarize;a) Russell Crowe (wonderfully sympathetic), Joachin Phoenix (skillfully descends into insanity), Connie Nielsen ( yum, yum)b) Big budget has allowed Scott to film a grand Roman epic.1) Terrific opening battle scene with the Roman war machine launching a 2nd century AD blitzkrieg on the barbarians.2) Excellent computer created spectacle of Roman grandeur.3) Great sets of the emperors palace, senate, and lavish costumes.c) Ridley Scotts directing trademarks;1) Staging of intimate scenes filled with personal tension. The eerie candlelit scenes between Phoenix and Nielsen, with Zimmers haunting music in the background, make the movie for me; "Busy little bee!". Scott does this same kind of staging in Bladerunner and Empire Of The Sun and it is hypnotic.2) His love of historical subject matter.This and Ben Hur are the greatest Roman Empire movies ever made.