Gladiator is set in 180 A.D, and contains many accurate pieces of history. The current Caesar of Rome, Marcus Aurelius, played by Richard Harris, is an actual historical figure along with Aurelius’ son, Commodus, played by Joaquin Phoenix. However, the main character, Maximus, played by Russell Crowe, is a completely fabricated yet a believable character from history. The Coliseum games in general are historically accurate, but the individual battles are not. James Berardinelli says Gladiator “uses actual historical personages and events for background. The events that transpire in the film are largely fictional, but they blend well with the known facts.” Even if the film isn’t completely historically accurate, its background and conditions make the film realistic enough to recognize that director Ridley Scott isn’t intentionally trying to stretch his film to bizarre extents.
If Gladiator’s historical accuracy is merely “close enough,” its setting and scenery are remarkably accurate. One of Gladiator’s most spectacular achievements is its recreation of second-century Rome. It is astonishingly credible and stunning in its detail. Gladiator brings back to life in all its grandeur one of the greatest periods in history. The most amazing recreation is the Coliseum. The amount of detail and accuracy can’t be over-emphasized. Flipside Movies says, “From the gothic forests of Germania to the center of the Coliseum, Scott delivers a fully realized vision of Rome at its height. We can feel the rose petals falling on the parades, and hear gladiators clash with jaw-rattling intensity.” Even Gladiator’s costume and weaponry are accurate down to the last detail, thanks to costume designer Janty Yates and supervising armorer Simon Atherton. Haro-online points out the, “Costumes and sets are beautifully detailed, from Maximus’ tents and Commodus’ opulent living quarters to the dusty slave pens of Proximo.” Gladiator’s battle scenes and sword fights were also very carefully choreographed and very realistic. They were electrifying and elating, but at the same time not overdone or overwhelmingly unbelievable.
The impressive settings and scenes in Gladiator are a direct result of its special effects. The digital technology used to create the Coliseum and the battle scenes is staggering in its scope. The special effects make the movie seem like the viewer is there, in the Coliseum, watching one of its games. If Gladiator possesses one flaw in its special effects, it is due to its cutting of scenes and quick changes in the camera angles. This leads to a minor sense of disorientation and confusion while the viewer tries to keep up with the dynamic battle scenes.
If the plot is what makes a movie, Gladiator is second to none. Flipside Movies says, “What raises Gladiator above the usual dreck is the strength of its story and power of its performances.” They also say, “There’s a genuine sense of dramatic tension as the plot moves forward and the build-up has the right amount of punch to carry it over the slow parts.” One argument against the plot could be that the ending is unlikely; there is no way Maximus would even get the chance to fight Caesar and kill him. Nonetheless, the film does a great job of engaging the audience all the way up to its epic battle of Maximus against Caesar, which is very exhilarating and riveting. Even if Gladiator does have the traditional “hero wins” outcome, its plot isn’t obvious. James Berardinelli argues that “the film never fails to be involving and entertaining, and there are plenty of moments designed to stir the adrenaline. Additionally, the screenplay manages to avoid the trap of predictability. The villains are at least as smart as the heroes, and far more ruthless.”
Gladiator’s plot naturally does a great job drawing on the audiences’ emotions. The personal story of Maximus and his love for his family and Rome captivates the favor of audiences, cheering him on in every battle he encounters as he fights for Rome and his fallen family. Berardinelli emphatically asserts, “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.”
An often-overlooked yet vital element to the overall effect of any film is the musical score, and Gladiator does not disappoint here. The combination of tear-evoking and adrenaline-pumping music adds to all the sensations that Gladiator brings forth. Haro-online adds, “Hans Zimmer teams up with Lisa Gerrard to create a loud score that easily complements the tone of the film.” Academy voters agreed, awarding Gladiator a nomination for Best Original Score and voting it a winner for Best Sound. Yet another factor that can’t be overlooked is the quality of Gladiator’s actors. Its Academy Award for Best Actor and Academy Nomination for Best Supporting Actor speak for themselves. Russell Crowe’s lead performance is marvelous. “He moves through this film like a caged panther, dripping fierce masculinity and infecting every scene with relentless power,” declares Flipside Movies.
So what constitutes a successful historical action movie? Realistic historical accuracy. Amazing attention to detail. Intriguing plot. High emotions. Superb special effects. Outstanding score. Great casting and acting. Rave reviews. Gladiator possesses all these and is the epitome of a great historical action film. Yet accolades alone did not make it a box-office success. Many films garner pre-release raves, yet disappoint in front of an actual audience. Gladiator delivered on all counts, from its early praise to its amazing box-office success, setting records in theatres coast-to-coast. The perfect combination of all these melded with its attention to historical detail make Gladiator worthy of its Best Picture award and a true classic for the ages, much like its classic cousin Ben-Hur.