Gladiator
Gladiator
After the death of Emperor Marcus Aurelius, his devious son takes power and demotes Maximus, one of Rome's most capable generals who Marcus preferred. Eventually, Maximus is forced to become a gladiator and battle to the death against other men for the amusement of paying audiences.
Eldon McGuinness reviewedMarch 10, 2025
Whether you are a history buff or an action junky, this movie is sure to please. The cinematic views put you in the fields and in the middle of the Romain empire in the time of Marcus Aurelius. The fighting scenes have more action that you can shake a gladius at! I will warn you, that some of the scenes can be a bit intense, but overall, they do a great job of trying to balance the need for realism with the tolerance of a wide audience. The story itself is one that grabs you from the beginning and just refuses to let go, right up to the very end. The drama, both family and political is so rich and thick, full of crosses and double-crosses, it really is a masterclass in plot writing.