As if life in ancient Rome wasn't harsh and decadent enough, imagine being enslaved and forced into brutal combat for the amusement of the masses. Like Kubrick, Scott is noted for his attention to detail. The backdrop of ancient Rome is perfectly rendered by production designer Arthur Max and visual effects supervisor John Nelson. Combining physical sets with digital images allows Scott the scope needed to create images that are truly spectacular and believable. With the help of writers David Franzoni, John Logan and William Nicholson, Scott is able to avoid the pitfalls of the modern epic.
Most modern epics fail because they use spectacle to hide a weak script.
The dialogue is sparse but well chosen. Characters don't make long winded speeches or declarations. Instead, their actions speaks louder than words, and to that effect, Scott has chosen a cast with tremendous presence. Russell Crowe perfectly embodies the character Maximus, a General under Marcus Aurelius, whose loyalty to his leader dooms him and family. There's an honest weariness in Crowe's eyes and lifeless face.