Before the film has even started the director uses Universal studio and DreamWorks pictures as a way of introducing the mood and the atmosphere. Universal Studios has mysterious music and the logo appears slowly with mist swirling amongst it. DreamWorks Pictures continues this music but has more mist and the use of clouds and a dim light. The transition of the writing appears slowly almost in time with the slow music. The colours that are used are very unusual which make the start of the film more effective.
The historical information given to the audience at the start of the film is very useful as it gives background knowledge about the country and setting. It also makes the film seem a lot more real as the audience are able to know a lot more about it.
Throughout the opening of the film the director uses different types of colour and lighting. At the start when the Gladiator is in the cornfield there are bright lights which are used to help focus on him. This automatically shows to the audience that perhaps he has an important role in the film. You can tell the mood is pleasant as it is sunny with trees surrounding him and a bird in the bushes. You can tell the change in moods as we enter the battlefield as the sound and lighting completely change. The lighting is dull and dismal and it creates a rather haunting feeling amongst the audience. There is a freezing atmosphere as there are no bright colours or cheerful sounds. There is a good use of dark shadows throughout the battlefield which creates a good effect. The director uses dark and dull colours to help represent the moods of the soldiers and to show that it isn’t a happy environment. The lighting and colour is also used so that the audience have sympathy for the soldiers and to make them fell grateful that they aren’t part of it. As soon as the battle is about to commence, they use bright fire torches which signals to the audience that something is going to start as it stands out from the background.
Before the film starts the music begins to start building tension. The pace starts off slow but increases towards the start of the battle. In the cornfield it is very peaceful and the audience can hear normal sound like the Gladiators arm brushing over the corn. As it gets nearer the battle more instruments are introduced and the sounds become louder and spookier. When the battle begins the sounds of the weapons and gunfire are exaggerated to create a good effect and impact. The director uses different sounds and music to build up more tension.
The director wants us to believe that Gladiator is strong and that he has high authority over everyone else. The director achieves this by making him wear more armour then the other soldiers. The gladiator has a big build and a loud voice which shows he is tough and a leader. Before the battle Gladiator says to his soldiers ‘strength and honour’. I think he said this to encourage them and to make them think that this is for their country and that they are to be strong and have courage.
I think that Ridley Scott has created a very effective Gladiator character as he is everything that he should be. He has a very strong personality and body and he wears clothing and armour that make him stand out. Overall I think that the opening is very effective and a brilliant way to start a clever film.
