Gladiator (2000) on Netflix
R20002h 35mActionAdventureDrama
Roman general Maximus is named Emperor Marcus Aurelius's successor over the emperor's son, Commodus. Refusing Commodus's claim to the throne, Maximus is arrested and sold into slavery.
- Netflix4.3/5
- IMDb8.5/101,882,113 votes
- Rotten Tomatoes80%
Trailer
Plot summary
In 180 A.D. General Maximus Decimus Meridius commands Rome's armies in a war against Germanic tribes, and Emperor Marcus Aurelius asks him to restore the Republic after his death. The emperor's son Commodus expects the throne for himself. When Commodus takes power, Maximus refuses to swear loyalty, and Praetorian guards seize him. Maximus escapes and rides home, where he finds his wife and son dead. Burying them, he collapses, and slave traders carry him to North Africa, where Proximo buys him for his gladiator school. Maximus refuses to fight at first, but his skill in the arena wins the crowds, and Proximo's troupe is summoned to Rome.
Cast
Did you know?!Facts and trivia about Gladiator (2000)
Can contain spoilers, watch the movie first.
- Mel Gibson was offered the lead role of Maximus but turned it down because he was already committed to The Patriot (2000); Antonio Banderas and Tom Cruise were also considered before Russell Crowe was cast.
- The real Commodus fought in the Colosseum but was not killed there: he was strangled in his bath by the wrestler Narcissus, and he reigned over twelve years, unlike the shorter span the film shows.
- When Ridley Scott learned the Forestry Commission planned to remove a section of Bourne Wood in Surrey, he got permission to burn it down for the film's opening battle in the forests of Germania.
- Russell Crowe suffered a lower back injury from falls during the fight sequences, and years later he blamed Gladiator for problems with his knees, shoulders and Achilles tendons.
- Jude Law auditioned for Commodus, but Joaquin Phoenix was offered the part after sending in a "knockout" audition tape; Phoenix cut his hair short and gained weight for the role.
- In 2006 the Holst Foundation sued Hans Zimmer, accusing him of copying the work of the late Gustav Holst in the Gladiator score; the case was settled out of court.
- For the tiger fight, both real tigers and a dummy tiger were used: some live animals were filmed on set with the actors, and others were shot against a bluescreen and digitally composited into the scene.
