How does the director, Ridley Scott, make the audience aware that Maximus is the hero of the film and the Romans are the superior force? Refer to the opening (the battle) in your answer.

The use of music is used very thoughtfully. In the first scene when Maximus's hand touches the maize you hear the sound of wheat/maize swaying in the summer breeze also you can ear he humming of a lady's voice. Al this is very soothing and relaxing. The tempo of the music is very slow and fits in perfectly with the motion of the hand, whereas the music in Germania changes quite frequently. When Maximus approaches the soldiers then the music is different, still a slow beat but louder this defines that something has to take place. When the Romans are preparing for attack, the music starts to rapid and become louder. The sound of the shell arrows piercing through the sky is often heard. One of the longer-lasting tunes is when Maximus and his small group of soldiers barge in at the front-line, the music fades as more of the actions are heard but the music starts to increase in tempo. Drawing closer to the end of the battle, the music increasingly slows down to a more sorrowful tune. This tells us many things: such as much blood has been shed; sorrow for friends who have met death; tiredness, but victory.

The camera shots that are important in the opening include when Maximus looks down and then opens his eyes and sees he's not at home in a wonderful environment but in a dreadful place. At this point the camera zooms in and all of a sudden zooms back out but you can catch the disappointment in his looks and not being where he desires to be. Another shot that is quite important when considering the battlefield. This shot shows the surroundings of the battlefield; trees and blue midst. You also see Roman soldiers and their armour because this clearly shows the neat presentation of the Romans. The third important shot is when Maximus is planning to attack from behind and is telling his army about where they would be in three weeks time. This shot is thoughtful as it shows Maximus more largely and brightly then anything else so therefore it means he is the most important person there. The last and final important shot is when the battle has started the two sides Romans and Barbarians clash into each other. This is important because not only can you see the characteristics of each team but the methods they fight in which can show their skills.

It is very clear to us that Maximus the main character throughout the opening the camera mostly shoots on Maximus. The way Maximus is treated it clearly shows he is greatly respected and honoured by the whole army. The way in which Maximus talks and walks, shows importance. The deep voice and broad shoulders reflect his status as a General. Throughout the opening Maximus is shown in his mood-wings, like remembering his family in a very distressing mood whilst before the battle he jokes around with his army when he knows he has to fight a ferocious battle. We are not told about Maximus's private life though we can guess he could be a farmer. Another character that is mentioned in the opening is Quintus, who is the second in commanding the army. Quintus is a curious guy as when he questions Maximus but also daring as be talks to Maximus by looking him into the eye. Quintus is a well prepared commander as he mainly orders the soldiers to 'load the cannons' or get ready and makes sure everything is organised. Quintus also is determined because he shows not much sign of panic and thinks himself to be strong.

Not much speech is used in the opening as it introduces the characters and due to the battle. The speech that is used by Maximus in the opening is all made to make Maximus look strong and bold. The phrase 'Danger is acceptable, agreed?' I think this phrase is not an actual question but is a statement that he tries to make Quintus see and accept. It's a rhetorical question and is an order that no matter what takes place any type of danger can be dealt with. When Quintus says 'People should know when they're conquered' it sounds like a confidence person stating that he can already see the victory and the Barbarians being conquered. Two other very good uses of speech in the opening are when Maximus is encouraging a group of soldiers, he says, 'What we do in life echoes in eternity', this means whatever will be alone in life, in the present will be remembered. Whatever will be done during the battle will be the cause for your future life or death. The second really good speech is, 'Imagine where you will be and it will be so', and this I think is very reassuring and inspiring advice which basically means where you desire to be will be granted if this small (they talk as if small) battle is over with. All of this supportive speech and fun sounds as if they already know they will win. In the opening the Barbarians speak English. This is so we can understand and to see that the Romans are educated. That's why Maximus does not speak either Spanish or Latin. We cannot understand what the Barbarians say but still there are no subtitles because the Barbarians are meant to look beastly and scruffy and not clever, but by their actions we can make out.

The director of the movie, Ridley Scott, supports the Romans in the movie we can tell by the features of both armies and their behaviour. For example, when the Romans send their messenger the Barbarians send him back headless on the horse. This should not be done in any form of a battle. The messenger should not be killed so this also can be considered. Maximus is seen as a leader in not only the opening but throughout the movie; during the battle he leads the army and gives orders about he is an absolute leader. The whole movie is a great movie and links up very well with the opening; it is only because of the opening where we can notificate Maximus is as a leader. The ending is a good ending because the hero (Maximus) seeks his revenge by killing Commodus, the murderer of his family and Maximus meets his family. In the end, we see Maximus dead but with red rose petals around him and dreaming of his family all this shows positive and pleasant things about Maximus.