Movie: Gladiator (2000)
“Maximus is a powerful Roman general, loved by the people and the aging Emperor, Marcus Aurelius. Before his death, the Emperor chooses Maximus to be his heir over his own son, Commodus, and a power struggle leaves Maximus and his family condemned to death. The powerful general is unable to save his family, and his loss of will allows him to get captured and put into the Gladiator games until he dies. The only desire that fuels him now is the chance to rise to the top so that he will be able to look into the eyes of the man who will feel his revenge. Written by Chris “Morphy” Terry”
- Director: Ridley Scott
- Release Date: 5 May 2000 (USA)
- Run Time: 155 min | 171 min (extended version)
- Country: UK , USA
- Genre: Action , Adventure , Drama
- MPAA: Rated R for intense, graphic combat.
Tagline: Father of a murdered son, husband to a murdered wife and I shall have my vengeance in this life or the next
Trivia: Mel Gibson was offered, but turned down the part of Maximus.
Goofs: Incorrectly regarded as goofs: In the “recreation battle” involving chariots vs standing men, there is a very quick shot showing men shooting with crossbows. While the Romans knew the crossbow (or manuballista), they rarely used it; this may have been one of those rare times. Similarly, the mace was rarely used at the time.