The film begins with a close up shot instead of the usual convention to make the film different. In the shot it shows a man who is a soldier because of the uniform shown on his wrist. We also know that he is connected to nature because he is gliding his hand over the wheatfield. He is also married because his wearing a ring which suggests that he is not just a soldier. The shot is showing subtle but important information about the main character.
The “dreamlike” scene is a premonition or forewarning of Maximus’ death and is therefore a symbol of heaven when Maximus speaks about going home he actually means going heaven. The hero is doomed to death from the start .The director is giving an insight in the state of mind the main character is in. This is what the scene is reflecting.
The children’s laughter and women’s sad, high pitched, mournful voice in the background has helped to create and reinforce the inexplicable and dreamlike quality of scene. The voice symbolise those of Maximus’ dead wife and child who spiritually, he yearning to be with.
The music is slow haunting and sad to make it dramatic and to reinforce feeling for the character which has been created by the director.
After the dream like sequence the director is trying to show the audience that Maximus was in a dreamworld this shown by the colour which changes predominately grey and is now back to reality of what he has to face. The director has filmed it in such away that the audience can tell what Maximus is feeling and thinking. Ridley Scott is showing what state of mind the character is in. The close up shot of his facial expressions shows us that he is weary, sad and tired of fighting. The fur that runs across his shoulders back light contrasts the character from the background. The director makes the audience perceive him as a saint. It also shows the weight of responsibility he is carrying.
The director also focuses on a colourful bird in the close up angle shot. The bird flies away and this symbolises that Maximus get only a glimpse of happiness and hope in his life and one day he will end up in heaven with his family. Maximus seems to have accepted that he is a soldier and must get on with the job of fighting although all he wants is peace and harmony.
The close up shot is followed by an extreme long shot. It lets the audience know that the battle is being fought in Germania. This is clearly shown by the caption. We also can tell that the area has recently been fought because there are broken pieces of military equipment and dead bodies. We can also tell form the scene that there is no life. The colours are dark, grey and black to reflect the murkiness of the place. The director has chosen this scene because it important to show the audience what they need to know about the battlefield before is starts.
The adagio music emphasises the gloomy and ominous feel. The strong guitar chords also reinforce the overall tone of the adagio music.
Marcus Aurelius’ importance has been shown in many ways. He is protected all around by the guards and is higher up compared to the other soldiers. The solider wear smart clothes which would suggest that only the supreme would inescapably be important. Marcus Aurelius is wearing gold emblems on his clothes which shows that he is wise man and has fought many battles in the past which suggests that his an experienced ruler and that his people have a lot of respect for him. The purple cloak that he is wearing is a symbol his status.
As Maximus gets through his troops in preparation for the battle the music is an interchange between a major and a minor key to create an energetic mood. It is used to reflect Maximus’ authority and sense of purpose. It also creates a feeling of victory and triumph, which is important for the soldiers.
The Director emphasises the authority of General Maximus in many ways. His troops bow down to him, they clear the way for him and the call him “Sir” and “General”. They admire and respect him. There is an statement about the range of Catapults from Maximus’ second in command. However, when Maximus makes it clear that the danger to the troops is “acceptable” the second in command does not doubt or question his decision. This shows that they trust his judgement. The director uses a series of reverse angle shot to focus on the interactions between Maximus and his second in command, Quintus.
Just before the battle begins Maximus gives a stimulating speech to his troops. In it he tells them “What we do in life echoes in eternity” in other words our actions will impinge on us when we die (our legacy). This is an extremely important statement, which establishes some key rudiments in Maximus’ character from the beginning. It shows that he is not just an excellent soldier but also has high moral values. Maximus is a noble and honourable man which has high truthfulness and is prepared to die for the greater good of the country. The declaration made by Maximus is also correct for all the key characters such as Marcus Aurelius. The remark also gives the audience an insight what will happen during the film that it will be about sacrifice either on a private, spiritual or a patriotic level. Maximus’ words unite with the theme of morality that was symbolised in the wheatfield scene at the beginning of the film.
The difference between the Romans and Germans are clearly shown in the opening titles scenes. The Romans are wearing amour. They are presented as professionals who are well disciplined and organised. The Germans on the other are perceived as barbarians and savages. They are jumbled and have no amour. They are presented as rough and uncivilised people. The Germans tribesmen cut off the head of the Roman messenger and chant cries. These actions are to frighten and intimidate the Roman army, The Roman are not phased by the tactics of the Germans, but use their power and superiority to defeat the Germans, This is how Ridley Scott has presented the differences in both sides.
I think that the opening scene of Gladiator, Ridley Scott has successfully created an attention-grabbing and exhilarating beginning. The use of sepia for example instead of the normal technicolor created a great impact in selling the scene as a historical drama. In the various scenes the music he has used to create the right ambience that was intended by the director, which was vital for the film. The different camera shots, costumes, colour and photography has also contributed to the films success overall. This an outstanding film that can touch audiences at all levels.
