Gladiator

Name: Gladiator
Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama, History
Released: May 5, 2000
Duration: 155 min
Rating: 67
Cast: Connie Nielsen, Joaquin Phoenix, Russell Crowe

2000

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 46 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 955 Ratings

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8.8

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8.8	Your Score
8.8	User Score Universal acclaim based on 955 Ratings

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Gladiator

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Movie Details & Credits

DreamWorks Distribution | Release Date: May 5, 2000 | R

Starring: Connie Nielsen, Joaquin Phoenix, Russell Crowe

Summary: Before Maximus (Crowe), the heroic Roman General, can honor the wishes of his dying emperor Marcus Aurelius (Harris) by assuming the emperor's role, the emperor's cruel and corrupt son Commodus (Phoenix) orders the execution of Maximus and his family. Escaping death, Maximus assumes the life of an anonymous gladiator, fighting his way backBefore Maximus (Crowe), the heroic Roman General, can honor the wishes of his dying emperor Marcus Aurelius (Harris) by assuming the emperor's role, the emperor's cruel and corrupt son Commodus (Phoenix) orders the execution of Maximus and his family. Escaping death, Maximus assumes the life of an anonymous gladiator, fighting his way back to the Roman Colosseum where he seeks revenge and a return to justice for Rome.… Expand

Director: Ridley Scott

Genre(s): Action, Adventure, Drama, History

Rating: R

Runtime: 155 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Desmond Ryan

It's a stunning Roman triumph.

William Arnold

It lives up to the hype. Gladiator has its creaky moments, but it delivers a particular kind of visceral historical spectacle that movie audiences haven't seen in decades. Read full review

James Berardinelli

Gladiator is designed not just to entertain, but to enthrall. It draws audiences in and immerses them in a reality that is not their own. A boisterous reaction is expected every time the protagonist defies the odds and wins a conflict, or changes the tide of battle in his favor. This is filmmaking on a grand scale. Read full review

Keith Phipps

In the end, Gladiator is overdrawn and too insubstantial for its own good, just like the old days, but it satisfies as entertainment on a grand scale. Read full review

TNT RoughCut J. Rentilly

What elevates Gladiator to the near-greatness it occasionally achieves is the performance of Russell Crowe as Maximus.

Jonathan Rosenbaum

The script by producer David Franzoni, John Logan, and William Nicholson is serviceable but not exactly inspired. Read full review

Stephen Hunter

Friends, Washingtonians, countrymen, I come not to praise Gladiator but to bury it. Read full review

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User Reviews

RobS.

Mar 26, 2008

How the critic get this wrong. One of the best films ever! It was emotionally moving and quite a drama - despite its stunts and action scenes. From a pure moviegoer standpoint, what stands out most is the powerful connection the film makes to its audience - Roman heroism and epic How the critic get this wrong. One of the best films ever! It was emotionally moving and quite a drama - despite its stunts and action scenes. From a pure moviegoer standpoint, what stands out most is the powerful connection the film makes to its audience - Roman heroism and epic dramatization was well done...not overdone.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful

JohnS.

Feb 21, 2008

I loved this movie!!!! I just can't believe Roger F-ing Ebert didn't.

2 of 2 users found this helpful

jakep

Dec 24, 2009

The best movie i have ever seen (and I am a film critic). It is an inspiring, mesmerizing, beautiful, action packed flick. It is about strength, honor, courage betratal, ruthlessness, survival, and even incest! This is the type of movie thatll motivate you to fight for what you live for The best movie i have ever seen (and I am a film critic). It is an inspiring, mesmerizing, beautiful, action packed flick. It is about strength, honor, courage betratal, ruthlessness, survival, and even incest! This is the type of movie thatll motivate you to fight for what you live for because as gladiator said it best "what we do in life, echoes in eternity".… Expand

14 of 17 users found this helpful

Bangell

Mar 25, 2008

An amazing movie on all fronts - the action is thrilling, and the film gets to you in such a way, that I was shouting at my TV when the guy cheats at the end. Powerful and gripping. Watch it if you like Roman history, or you like action, or you're just looking for an awesome movie.

1 of 1 users found this helpful

SterlingS.

Jul 9, 2009

64 out of 100? Lets look at the review from Washington Post. The complaint of an Australian accent? Computer generated Furniture? The final fight being "banal and unimpressive?" How many movies involve the use of incorrect accents, computer generated frames and realistic (as apposed to 64 out of 100? Lets look at the review from Washington Post. The complaint of an Australian accent? Computer generated Furniture? The final fight being "banal and unimpressive?" How many movies involve the use of incorrect accents, computer generated frames and realistic (as apposed to solely entertaining) fight scenes and still receive excellent ratings? Personal bias supersedes a neutral review of quality. Although not historically accurate, Gladiator is one of the best movies ever produced. The user ratings compared to the critic meta score says enough.… Expand

4 of 5 users found this helpful

LoletinAlexis

Jan 29, 2019

Gladiator is a film that fails to create those excessive camera movements in battles and an end that is too hasty, with a final battle that does not do justice to the entire footage.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

AshH.

Dec 22, 2009

Some people are calling this the best film of all time. W. T. F. This film's characters were absolutely terrible. The acting was decent, especially from Phoenix, but everything else about it was quite lacking. Watch it with the professional eye and you'll see that the editing is Some people are calling this the best film of all time. W. T. F. This film's characters were absolutely terrible. The acting was decent, especially from Phoenix, but everything else about it was quite lacking. Watch it with the professional eye and you'll see that the editing is in fact, quite non-professional and sloppy. The writing was without a doubt the worst thing about it. I don't know what some people see in it, all they look for in movies are action, which this film delivers solidly along with the acting, but does not do so with anything else.… Expand

1 of 14 users found this helpful

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1	#1 Most Discussed Movie of 2000
3	#3 Most Shared Movie of 2000