Claim: Oliver Reed was in a movie.

Gladiator is a 2000 epic historical drama film directed by Ridley Scott and written by David Franzoni , John Logan , and William Nicholson . It stars Russell Crowe , Joaquin Phoenix , Connie Nielsen , Ralf Möller , Oliver Reed -LRB- in his final role -RRB- , Djimon Hounsou , Derek Jacobi , John Shrapnel , and Richard Harris . Crowe portrays Hispano-Roman general Maximus Decimus Meridius , who is betrayed when Commodus , the ambitious son of Emperor Marcus Aurelius , murders his father and seizes the throne . Reduced to slavery , Maximus rises through the ranks of the gladiatorial arena to avenge the murders of his family and his emperor .   The film was released in the United States on May 5 , 2000 , and grossed $ 457 million worldwide . The film won multiple awards , including Best Picture , Best Actor for Crowe and three other Oscars at the 73rd Academy Awards . It has also been credited with rekindling interest in entertainment centered around ancient Greek and Roman culture , such as Rome .