This movie was a feast! Some incredible performances here, an awesome soundtrack and fantastic visual storytelling. Thank you for watching this with us! If you enjoyed please leave a like and subscribe (It helps us out a lot) and If you'd like to support the channel and gain access to the full length reaction become a member of our patreon bit.ly/3ICVrJ6 For gaining early access, unique channel badges and shoutouts become a member of our channel here on YT! ua-cam.com/channels/iCUz1bHid4H9mu6g2IOjXg.htmljoin
Btw, for everyone that liked this movie, "Master & Commander: Far Side of the World" is a must watch then. Another great historical epic action drama with an again magnificent Russell Crowe 🙂
Why didn't you guys show the very beginning write up on the history of the roman empire? Just as important as the movie and score. Italy and the Romans were the most powerful country in the world for 500 years!!! Just to compare, USA is the most powerful nation for just 80 years! Puts things in perspective for the history of the romans.
i like braveheart with gibson more.also-your family will meet u in afterlife= how does that says they will kill his family?gladiator is too simple and too filmy...its still my 2nd best historical after braveheart though
@@Artificialintelligentle usa?most powerfull? in what ?having most beggars, highest violent crime, biggest differences between poor and rich, fattest most unhealthy people, spending on army more than another 20 countries combined together , forcing their DEMOCRACY to dozens of other countries and ALL of that countries r totally destroyed, letting sick fucks having all the rights and no responsiblities ? R U DRUNK OR MENTALLY CHALLENGED WTF ?
"Gladiator" is epic, in the best sense of the word! It deserves every Oscar nomination it got (12) & Oscar it won (5, including Best Actor for Russell Crowe & Best Picture). 🏟️⚔️🗡️🐯 Funny story: 20 years ago, there was a kidnapping plot against Crowe, which was mentioned at the 2001 Oscars by host Steve Martin, who revealed that the so-called "mastermind" was Crowe's fellow Best Actor nominee Tom Hanks, who was nominated for "Cast Away." When Martin shamed Hanks, Hanks rolled his eyes & mouthed "sorry " Hilarious! Other Russell Crowe suggestions: "L.A. Confidential," "Master& Commander: the Far Side of the World," "3:10 to Yuma," "The Man With the Iron Fists," "The Nice Guys" & "American Gangster,"which was directed by Ridley Scott & co-starring Denzel Washington, who'll star in the "Gladiator" sequel with Pedro Pascal.
Easily one of Scotts best movies and Crowe is just epic as Maximus. The final scene when nearing death and he opens the gates to be with his family again in the afterlife combined with that haunting soundtrack never fails to open the floodgates and hit me right in the gut. Just an epic movie in every respect and Crowes finest and defining role.
No matter how many times I watch this, I still feel like choking up at the last minutes where he reunites with his family in the afterlife. And then Juba saying "I will see you again... but not yet" straight up had me bawling.
@@OfficialMediaKnights The LEGENDARY actor playing as Proximo.... Is 🕯️ Oliver Reeves 🕯️ ... Great actor!!!! This was actually his last film, he actually had a massive heart attack during a break on the set of this film....
@@OfficialMediaKnights the reason he picks up dirt and rubs his hands with it, is because he's a farmer... And he still wants to have that connection and mindset of a farmer.... It's symbol of HARD WORK... It puts him at ease in a battle.... He knows what he's about to do can get messy and dirty and CHAOTIC as best, the rubbing of dirt reminds him of balance... And a sense of peace...
"My name is Maximus Decimus Meridius, commander of the Armies of the North, General of the Felix Legions, and loyal servant to the true emperor, Marcus Aurelius. Father to a murdered son, husband to a murdered wife. And I will have my vengeance, in this life or the next!" That line gives me the chills every time I watch this scene.
I love that speech, except for the "true emporer" point; Marcus Aurelius is dead at this point,he cannot be the emporer! It's not like he's hiding in a cell somewhere or had some unique claim to rule that none before or after had.
From what I remember, Russell Crowe hated that line, he felt it wasn't very good... yet he delivered it with such power that it's become the best known line from the movie.
The speech that maximum makes as he reveals himself to Commodus is still the best confronting speech ever still gives me chills to this day my grandad introduced me to this at the age of 6 I'm almost 30 now and it still gives me a feeling no other movie has ever done
Joaquin Phoenix ad libbed his “am I not merciful?!!!” scream. Connie Nielsen, the actor playing his sister, wasn’t expecting it. Her frightened reaction is genuine. He deserved an Oscar for this movie.
@@Xyanthium3889 "Favourite" is also correct in British English (also in Ireland). "Favorite" is the American way.^^ And I also wish people would learn the difference between your and you're. Sorry for pointing that out, but it annoys me so much. :/
Killing the family was incredibly common in ancient times. Maximus had a legitimate claim to the throne, even if it wasn't one written down anywhere. That means, if he dies, that claim passes to his son. In coups like this, it was considered standard practice to eliminate the ENTIRE bloodline to make sure that anyone who could challenge the new ruler was out of the way
Sounds like you watched Game of Thrones, and just assumed the roman empire worked the same way.. This is NOT how it worked in ancient Rome. The title of emperor wasn't automatically inherited. The successor could be chosen in many different ways, often by civil war. Maximus had no "claim to the throne" (They didn't even have thrones at this time). The emperor CHOSE him, but no-one else knew about it except Commodus before he died, so the "claim" never happened. But Maximus had the army behind him, making him a threat, so Commodus chose to kill him, and his family as punishment, and to avoid the family seeking vengeance . Also: "In coups like this, it was considered standard practice to eliminate the ENTIRE bloodline". This is complete BS, you just pulled that shit out your ass. If you wanna prove me wrong you better give a damn good source.
Specific to Rome, emperor was not an official title that could be passed down. It was not a legal position. It was a set of powers and from the beginning with Augustas each emperor struggled with how to pass on their powers to a successor. It is a very complex thing that some historians have spent entire careers studying. It wasnt like being a king with a clear line of succession as we commonly understand it. Commodus was only the second person to be emperor after their father in ancient Rome. Most emperors were adopted.
☘️.. I was one of the Barbarians you see in the opening sequence.. It was filmed while I was in University.. Surrey Institute of Art & Design.. 😀👍.. A lot of us students applied for a film being made in the area but we had no clue till we were accepted for the part.. Those who were told they were Romans got an extra 3 weeks work as they had to learn how to march & become an army .. Me being Irish I got to be a Barbarian .. It was filmed mainly in a place called Bourne Woods .. & the area shot was slated for deforestation.. so with permission they destroyed the area so also a lot of the fires & explosions were real …I loved it & could tell you a lot of stories such as Richard Harris ( old emperor) bumming fags of us & having a puff over a coffee… meeting Ridley Scott .. A special time .. 💚
@@OfficialMediaKnights .. We had to go for a fitting & if required hair piece .. being told not to shave for a minimum of 3 weeks before shooting to improve the look ..On Day One we got scars done & collected our costume.. a pic was taken so everyday after they would look at the pic & repeat the process .. We used to keep our scars on after we changed & go to the pub .. we got quite a reaction as some looked pretty horrible 🤣.. They didn’t mind us take a few photos of each other or the set as long as we didn’t discuss or show them till after movie release .. It wasn’t Star Wars so everyone knows what Romans etc looked like … I brought a disposable 36 shot camera each day for first 8 days & hid it in my costume for pics … However after that time they locked it down as somebody abused it & had sold pics to one of the National Newspapers 🫠.. I was promoted to being a “Runner” on the battlefield.. The battle in a movie is divided as follows .. Foreground is the Stars & actors… Middle ground is professional swords people & back ground is the extras like us … A runner like me had to charge round the battlefield & if someone just killed somebody I had to attack them as in a real battle you’d be under constant attack… I made a point of charging always at someone near the cameras but a lot of times I got knocked on my ass before that as had to attack someone way before the camera … Anyway.. love all your genuine reactions.. You definitely need to check out “Kingdom of Heaven “ by Ridley as it’s an epic set in the Holy Land during the Crusades…☘️💚😀👍
I forgot how good this movie was. Denise never forgets a face, does she? 6:29 Yes, that's Richard Harris, the first Dumbledore. 17:04 Yes, that's Omid Djalili, who was also in _The Mummy_ (1999).
@@MrVisualHigh Oh totally agree, I much prefer this role as well. His Joker was more of a ''performance'' act. His protrayal of Commodus brings on screen a twisted, broken villain with a self image issue. And there is few villain like him that gives you the ''ick'' like him and for different reasons.
@@TheDenigreur Yea, I think I could feel him trying for the Oscar in Joker. Here he embodies the character completely, he felt truly unhinged yet grounded in some kind of reality.
Comodus is summed up best by his words to his father before he kills him. "I would butcher the world if only you'd love me" Comodus is my favourite villain of all time because he is so genuinely conflicted. All he wants is approval. He is a child stuck in a man's body because he never had to grow up. He is born with the right to the most powerful empire in the world. He would have power as a child that is uncomprehendable to us. To have the father you idolize be away fighting wars your whole life. To never have to get past your fear of the dark (probably because he's afraid of the very real threat of assassination). All he wants is acceptance but he has never been given the tools to achieve it. So he just tries to demand it like everything else in his life which drives everyone further away
I had the privilege of seeing this film in the theater on it's opening day in 2000 when I was 19 years old. It was just stunning. One of the most epic movies ever made.
The reason that they were so brutal with his family were probably two-fold. 1) to prevent his son from growing up seeking vengeance, and 2) to terrorise your potential opponents. It takes a special kind of bravery to stand up to someone this powerful, but many may be willing to risk torture and / or death for what they believe in, but how many are willing to risk the same fate for their families? Its straight up terrorism.
Russel Crowe at the height of his career. A masterful performance. See his first major Hollywood role in L.A. Confidential. Two Australian actor got their breakthrough there: him and Guy Pierce. That movie is brilliant - got 2 Oscars. One for the phenominal script, and one awarded to Kim Basinger for Best Supporting Actress.
LA Confidential... Another one of my all time favs. It's funny that Russell Crowe is in two of my all time favs with Gladiator and LA Confidential and his co-star in LA Confidential, Guy Pearce is also in two of my all time faves with LA Confidential and Momento.
Alongside heavyweights like Lawrence Oliver & Richard Harris this movie was staggering as a blockbuster. Heading into 2000's there were limited epic films like Alexander & Troy, but post 2010 nothing of the grand scale has been made
This is the first movie when I learned who Hans Zimmer was. It's fair to say I have been a very big fan ever since. If you ever get round to the movie "The Last Samurai" you will be just as impressed with the score, and the movie. I am really enjoying your movie reactions. You are both very authentic!
Russell Crowe is just phenomenal in this. I know you're going to get a plethora of praise for Joaquin who was great but this movie doesn't work without an equally strong lead and Crowe delivers. This movie, LA Confidential, A Beautiful Mind and The Nice Guys are other great roles he's done.
@@tfpp1 They can't all be bangers. He still swung for the fences with his role. Even in movies like Unhinged and the Pope's Exorcist, Crowe gives his all and elevates the movie.
It's still surprising that Djimon Hounsou hasn't had a bigger career. He's a fine actor who's been good in everything I've seen him in. I know Gladiator 2 is coming, and it has an all-star cast, but it will be hard to catch that kind of lightning in a bottle again.
Djimon Hounsou voices T'Challa in the animated Black Panther series. I have a lot of love for Chadwick's performance as Black Panther but I always thought the role should've gone to Djimon. I grew up reading Black Panther and when I think of T'Challa the King of Wakanda, he fits the comic persona far better than Chadwick.
This movie is in my top 5! I love how Maximus easily gaines the love and respect of those around him by conducting himself with honor, dignity and morality, while in the meantime his antagonist Commodus uses fear, manipulation and treachery to get that same love and respect but fails miserably. Have you seen The Martian yet? Its another of my favorites by Ridley Scott!
Truly an epic movie and easily Crowes finest and defining performance. That final scene when he opens the gates to be with his family again in the afterlife never fails to open the floodgates and hits me right in the gut.
When Commodus stabbed Maximus, he punctured his lung, resulting in pneumothorax (collapsed lung) in addition to massive hemorrhaging. Essentially, Maximus was slowly suffocating and bleeding out from the moment he was stabbed. By the time they reached the arena, Maximus was half dead already, which was Commodus' plan. Commodus just seriously underestimated Maximus' ability to kill him, even wounded as he was, thus the look of surprise on his face in the end when Maximus drove the blade through his neck.
I figured for sure he stabbed him in the kidney. If he was stabbed in the lung he would be coughing up blood. I say he was stabbed in the kidney, still lethal but not as obvious as someone spitting blood.
@@ronweber1402 gonna disagree with you on the kidney stab, you can see maximus armpit in the same shot at about equal hight with the knife going up and inwards, that's just under the left shoulder blade. Although I also disagree with him hitting the lung because like you said he would be coughing up blood, maybe it nicked the left subclavical artery?
One of the best villains ever in this movie with Commodus. I love the trio of friends. You felt so torn for Lucilla having to play two or three different roles at once for her son. Proximo was a phenomenal character! The few scenes of Marcus Aurelius are great.
20:24 One of the little historical notes here is that Commodus' entrance is called a "triumph". It's one of the highest honors a military commander can receive, and is only awarded after a great victory. That's why Gracchus mocks him saying "He returns like a conquering hero."
The little figurines from the leather pouch that Maximus’ adjutant gave him are Lares Familiares, the household gods. They were tutelary deities enshrined in a special room in the Roman home. They presided over everyday matters, and the health and safety of the family. They were honored with small daily prayers and more extravagantly during certain festivals. It was typical practice to create Lares for each new member of the family, including slaves and pets, with the belief that a guardian deity would inhabit the figurine and watch over its analog. It would not be incorrect to say that to many Romans, the Lare for their wife or child, for example, would almost be seen as a physical aspect of their wife or child’s spiritual self.
15:30 maximus is traveling from presumably northern France to an undesignated area in Spain(modern-day borders). It was actually a really nice detail that when Maximus departs, he brings a second horse with him, so when the first horse succumbs to exhaustion, he has another horse to maintain his pace.
I think the soundtrack for this movie is my favorite of all time. I've been trying to think about my favorites but this one just makes me instantly emotional.
Joaquin is definetly top 10 favorite actors it’s just that deepening darkness in his eyes. That’s what makes him such a great villain whenever he does play one.
"I'm already immersed in this". MAN, I can relate to that! I saw this at the cinema when I was 15 and I have never been so transfixed by a movie, before or since. I was IN!!! Still in my Top 5...
This movie is simply amazing. The acting, the directing, the script, it's one of the most quotable movies ever, and the score is a triumph. "Now We Are Free" is one of the greatest music ever.
Directors cut with the best reactors too...double win. I love the fact that they give you reactions not just to story and emotions but their perception on the plotlines is fascinating (when you've already seen the film) also the craftmanship of the filmaking too. Really enjoy your videos.
There is so much to love about this movie. Personally I have always loved the way Maximus rubs the dirt on his hands before each fight. Not only does in act like chalk to better grip his weapon, but at a spiritual level he is communing and becoming one with his battlefield.
You guys have the best reaction channel hands down. Please, please, please never change. Don't sell out and start "acting" like some of these others that started out much the same and once they got big started orchestrating more "entertaining" reactions. Love your analysis of the films and your breakdowns. Look forward to them every time!
I saw this movie when I was 10 years old in 2000 with my step dad in the living room. I remember him going nuts with how Commodus was so ruthless (props to the actor playing him) and we cheered like no other when he died at the end. It has been my favorite movie ever since, must've seen it 100+ times now over the years. Absolute masterpiece. Timeless classic, still looks amazing in 2023.
Sad thing about the actor who played Proximo (Oliver Reed), was that this was his last film, because he died before Gladiator was complete. In fact the scene were Proximo dies from the guards at the end, wasn't actually Reed, but a fill in character where they painstakingly digitized his face to look like Proximo.
You guys were so right on Commodus. You hate him but the performance really makes you wonder how he got to that point and that line his father said "Your faults as a son are my failings as a father" makes me feel for him even though you know how much of a monster he is when you watch it again.
People always forget, the monsters of man are still men. Every one of them was once a child, and had dreams, hopes, and joy. That's what makes them so dangerous, because you can empathize with them.
@@TheGoIsWin21Exactly. Just because he has some legitimate reasons for being mad at his father nothing excuses his despicable actions. Compare that to Maximus who despite facing tragedy and suffering still decides to act with righteousness
The other day I was thinking about "Gladiator", and I was hoping that you guys had never seen it. And here we are! It's one of my favorites and it's great to hear you talk about all of the different aspects of this movie that make it a classic.
So much was so great. One thing you touched on a little was the color tints. For the cold war scenes and for Commodus and Rome under his rule there was a blue tint, and for Maximus, his home and family, and the provinces they had a golden tint. When Comodus enters Rome on his chariot, you see everything blueish except Lucilla. The final scene cranes up over the Colosseum to the golden sunset now that the darkness has been lifted from Rome.
If you want another epic movie like this one try the Director's Cuts of Last of the Mohicans or Kingdom of Heaven. I think you will love them both. Awesome music, awesome stories.
"My name is Maximus Decimus Meridius, commander of the Armies of the North, General of the Felix Legions, loyal servant to the true emperor, Marcus Aurelius. Father to a murdered son, husband to a murdered wife. And I will have my vengeance, in this life.." Perhaps the greatest line of any movie in the history of cinema. It's not only the words but Russel Crowe's delivery. It's absolute perfection...
Sound track on this Movie was Incredible. You could hear the winds, you could hear the flame of fire and the echo of men in battle while simultaneously the whimper of a dog! It is amazing.
One amazing thing about this production: Proximo (Oliver Reed) died from a heart attack 3/4 of the way thru filming. At the end Juba was supposed to be dead and it was going to be Proximo who buries Maximus' statuettes in the blood at the arena. So when Reed died, they used some of his unused film and CGI to show his end and Juba buried the statuettes. Amazing and definitely Oscar winning film.
Oliver Reed had a long career in many movies since the 1960's. He was always a hard drinking man, and it got him into trouble too many times. The night he died, when they were filming on Malta, he was involved in a bar incident with English sailors at a pub and died in the ambulance.
One of my favorite soundtracks! Cowritten and vocals by the incredible Lisa Gerrard of DEAD CAN DANCE! They won a Golden Globe for it and was nominated for an Oscar. I stil listen to this to this day
So I now live in Malta, the country where most of this film was recorded. And the sequel a set to start filming, now the strike is over. There is honestly a deeply felt level of national pride around this film. And for a small nation, to be at the core of one of the best films ever made. That's fair. I also know some extra from major scenes now, which is very cool.
The initial opening battle was filmed about 25 miles south west of the city of London in the county of Surrey, on Forestry Commission land. The commission were going to cut down a lot of old/dead/diseased trees and when the film company found out, they asked to use the land & fell the trees for them (after filming). Everybody won! The scar-faced actor who played his servant also featured in the film Braveheart, with Mel Gibson.
4:08 almost 20 years had passed, and that scene is considered one of the best part of that movie. the intensity, the scale, the music, the finest thing the movie Gladiator is welll known about.. hats off to Hans Zimmer..❤
really great reaction! two points: even though his fighting skills impress you, his cowardice is evident in the same scene. the soldiers he spars with would not dare to touch him, so he is never in any danger. the reason his father knew he was not a moral man is he was corrupted by the power from a young age. no one loved him because he always held himself as superior and powerful
A superb reaction as always, lady and gent :) The end of this movie always breaks my heart, no matter how many times I see it. It is not for sadness for the the death of a hero that stings the corners of my eyes but rather they are tears of empathic fellow feeling that he is going to see his wife again. When Maximus dies and goes to his family, I imagine the time to come when I hope I too will get to see my wife again. She was not murdered by a vile Emperor, of course, but she was taken decades too young by cancer and she had me promise that I would not hurry to meet her. So I must wait and endure and, one day ... ... ... And so this classic movie has me reaching for the handkerchiefs each time.
I think you would be totally immersed in and somewhat astounded at the movie BEN HUR. The greatest chariot race ever with magnificent sets and filmography throughout.
I love this movie! Lucilla was one of my favourite characters in this because she had to walk such a precarious line between keeping her brother placated and protecting her son and Rome. The score in this is amazing too. The Last of the Mohicans is another movie with great cinematography and an epic score, I hope you guys get a chance to check it out.
What allowed Quintus to deny Commodus a new sword is that there were some occasions of a Roman Emperor fighting in the Colosseum and when that happened, start to finish, the Emperor was reduced to a Gladiator, The other Guards really shouldn't have even started to draw for Commodus. The stab before the fight: "Combat Entertainers" were trained where to strike a human for instant kills, kills that take several seconds, and even kills that take entire minutes. Commodus' shank wasn't poisoned, it just made a really slow-death wound.
You guys are hitting me right in the nostalgia. Another banger i watched with my dad and one of the few movies i consider perfect. Performance, cinematography, and very intelligent characters. Just perfect. Also maximus is loosely based on a real life person. Another show based on the same person is Spartacus.
36:16 Love this line. Calling him "Highness" is such a slap in the face because it's a traditional way to address the FAMILY of an emperor... not the emperor himself.
The bit where the General orders the Praetorians to sheath their swords is actually pretty accurate in terms of the Praetorians. They made and murdered several emperors during their history of guarding the Caesars. They even installed a couple of emperors after assassinating their previous emperor themselves. Also, the loyality of the Legions to their Generals was a long standing issue throughout the Roman empire. Julius Caesar is the most famous where the pure loyality of his troops was insane. (One legion after a mutiny offered to decimate themselves - kill one in every ten of their own number by the other 9 just to regain his favour) Julius Caesar's exploits are evidence in my opinion of a real life historical figure with real plot armour. Haha
From Ridley Scott, I highly recommend: Black Hawk Down, is also one of his best movies, full of known actors or just starting their careers, since it is a 2001 movie, followed by Gladiator, and based on a real event, the movie is very intense, and does not stop until the end.
I never feel like Connie Nielsen gets the deserved praise for her performance of Lucilla. I think the true seed of hatred and jealousy in Commodus towards Maximus is because she is his deepest desire, and Maximus has had her. For another great Connie Nielsen performance along with Kurt Russell, check out "Soldier" (1998). It's seemingly unknown and rarely reacted to.
Joaquin Phoenix rightfully Won the Oscar 🏆 for this Performance! He Did Such an AMAZING job making Us ABSOLUTELY DESPISE His Character! Great Reaction Folks!
I used to despise Commodus too but now as I've re-watched this movie so many times I've started wondering whether his awful personality was more the result of a poor upbringing and total neglect by his father. I mean always feeling that you're not worthy of your father's love and that you're never good enough would mess up every kid's mind.
Gladiator is my favorite movie. The cast is perfect, the soundtrack is beautiful and the dialogues are memorable. I still think it was stolen at the Oscars: 1.Joaquin was the real winner of the Oscar for best supporting actor 2.Ridley Scott for best director 3. and we cannot forget the Oscar for best soundtrack
FYI, in reality, Marcus Aurelius died at age 58 of a "plague" (some say smallpox) in what is now Venice, Italy. His only son, Commodus, had been added as co-emperor three years prior to his death, so when Marcus died, there was no question of Commodus' succession, as he was already on the throne. Commodus was assassinated, but it was a drowning in a public bathhouse. He did occasionally fight in the Coliseum, as practice, but not to the point of being harmed. Maximus is an entirely fictional character. It's such a good movie, but please don't believe any of it is real history! LOL Also, in the movie, Commodus stabbed Maximus in the kidney and Maximus spends the entire fight bleeding out; that's what he actually dies of.
I love the line Maximus says, "The time for honouring yourself will soon be at an end, Highness." Commodus claims the games were for honouring his father so Maximus is basically calling him a liar and Maximus addresses him still using the title Highness, not recognizing him as Emperor.
You would love the acting, the score, the sets, the plot, of Ben Hur, if you can sit for over 3 hours watching the movie. Ben Hur is THE epic movie of all time.
I do hope they react to Ben Hur but it’s a different type of film. I would suggest Spartacus (directed by Stanley Kubrick) which was the main inspiration for Gladiator. Ben Hur has elements of melodrama and was intended as a mass entertainment epic. Spartacus is more grounded and comparable to Gladiator.
@@jaybo7813 True, but Spartus was never in the Roman Arena, competing in the Games, while Ben Hur had been in the Arena in Rome, winning 5 Chariot Races for Quintus Arrius. Still, Spartacus is an Epic movie worth seeing a reaction from them.
This entire movie from start to finish is a true epic. Every actor put in fantastic performances. From the visuals to the soundtrack, the entire staff behind this movie is one of the all time greats.
Wonderful watchalong with the two of you, thanks for that. I hope as you go through Scott's portfolio of films you view his first outing (Alien was 'only' his second film), The Duellists from 1977. It holds up and is still engaging.
My name is Lauri Matti Eemeli Anttila and this is my favorite movie. I watched this on VHS at least 30 times when I was 8 years old. My dad actually looked like Russel Crowe looks in this movie. RIP Dad...we will meet again..but not yet..
I love this movie, the only thing I mind about it I guess is the same thing I mind about every movie featuring gladiators - the fights didn't always end in death, damn it. It makes sense when you think about it - those guys were basically professional athletes, those don't grow on trees and it isn't cheap to train them. It was hapenning from time to time of course, Romans loved themselves some blood and gore, but defintely not every fight ended in death.
Richard Harris who plays the old Emperor was Richard Harris and yes, he played the first Dumbledore. Harris was a legendary actor, with a presence and a personna that were both captivating and intense. His son, Jarred Harris (Chernobil, etc) took on the mantle and became a fantastic actor in his own right. Saw this film 3 times when it came out. Its both brutal and beautiful and I always end up with tears in my eyes at the end. "Are you not entertained?"
Apart from Oliver Reed who i knew from playing Fagin in Oliver Twist (with this being his last role as he died during production and they had to insert him in scenes in post) this is the movie where i saw all of the actors like Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen, Djimon Hounsou, Omid Djalili and Tommy Flanagan for the first time ever. And so when i would see them in later stuff I'd be like ''thats so n so from gladiator''. Such a great movie and instant classic.
When Maximus turns around to reveal himself to Commodus, it quite literally looks like Commodus has seen a ghost. Intense and amazing performances from them both.
This is the movie that introduced to Joaquin Phoenix as an actor. Then I later watched Joker and he instantly became one of my favorite actors. So glad he finally got his well-deserved Oscar.
The first time I ever saw Joaquin was in the movie Parenthood. He was young and going under the name Leaf Phoenix (Joaquin is his real name). He was wonderful even at a young age and you knew he had the makings of a good actor... much like his brother River. But I think Gladiator really propelled him into stardom and showed the world that he is a phenomenal actor.
Denise....ok now I can put a name to the face. I apologise in advance if I'm being overly personal, but you are fantastic. Your eyes convey so much emotion and your comments are always relevant and insightful.
I watch dozens of reactions weekly. You guys are my new favorites! Subscribed a couple weeks ago and liking every video I watch. Keep up the great work!
Fantastic reaction & movie… when you couple Phoenix’s performance here w/ what he did in the Joker, it makes you wonder if he’s literally one of the greatest actors of our generation .. I think he is ..& I don’t think he gets the respect he deserves..
When people die they return to the earth, he picks up some earth before each battle to honor the warriors that have fallen in the past. Perhaps he's even giving their spirit the ability to join him in battle once more .
Oliver Reed was among Britain's greatest actors. He had that same ability that other great actors like Clint Eastwood have, the ability to act with just his eyes.
And this, sadly, was his final film. He died right before it was finished, so they had to improvise Proximo's death scene instead of what was originally written. He was also an unapologetic carouser, and was going out to pubs getting rip-roaring drunk most nights right up until the end.
@@lordmortarius538He actually had heart attack and died in a pub after drinking a skin full and beating a load of US Sailors at arm wrestling. That is exactly how Oliver Reed would have wanted to bow out.
Oliver Reed was a drunken rabble rouser all his days. He appeared on so many talk shows off his face and the British public loved him despite of it! The late and great first Dumbledore, Richard Harris was Irish, he loved his booze and he was always full of mischief all his life! He wasn’t a brawler like Reed but he would tell his wife he was going to the pub for a pint and would return 3 weeks later because he just decided to go to Italy on a whim! 😂 I miss them both tremendously, such amazing talents!
@@BernardWilkinson it was sailors from a British frigate, HMS Cumberland; saddest part was that, according to Omid Djalili, he'd managed to stay sober throughout filming and was pressured into the drinking contest.
I think this movie was the first where I absolutely loved the fact that an actor (Joaquin) made me hate their character so much. There have been others since (hm-hm!), but he was the first. It also started my eternal frustration of wanting to see Djimon in a leading role instead of a side character.
Just finished watching this for probably the tenth time. Such an amazing movie and the ending never fails to leave me floods when Maximus nears death and opens the gates to be with his family again in the afterlife. Epic performances from Crowe and Phoenix. Can’t praise this movie highly enough, so many memorable moments.
This movie was a feast! Some incredible performances here, an awesome soundtrack and fantastic visual storytelling. Thank you for watching this with us! If you enjoyed please leave a like and subscribe (It helps us out a lot) and If you'd like to support the channel and gain access to the full length reaction become a member of our patreon bit.ly/3ICVrJ6
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Btw, for everyone that liked this movie, "Master & Commander: Far Side of the World" is a must watch then. Another great historical epic action drama with an again magnificent Russell Crowe 🙂
Why didn't you guys show the very beginning write up on the history of the roman empire? Just as important as the movie and score. Italy and the Romans were the most powerful country in the world for 500 years!!! Just to compare, USA is the most powerful nation for just 80 years! Puts things in perspective for the history of the romans.
i like braveheart with gibson more.also-your family will meet u in afterlife= how does that says they will kill his family?gladiator is too simple and too filmy...its still my 2nd best historical after braveheart though
@@Artificialintelligentle usa?most powerfull? in what ?having most beggars, highest violent crime, biggest differences between poor and rich, fattest most unhealthy people, spending on army more than another 20 countries combined together , forcing their DEMOCRACY to dozens of other countries and ALL of that countries r totally destroyed, letting sick fucks having all the rights and no responsiblities ? R U DRUNK OR MENTALLY CHALLENGED WTF ?
"Gladiator" is epic, in the best sense of the word! It deserves every Oscar nomination it got (12) & Oscar it won (5, including Best Actor for Russell Crowe & Best Picture). 🏟️⚔️🗡️🐯
Funny story: 20 years ago, there was a kidnapping plot against Crowe, which was mentioned at the 2001 Oscars by host Steve Martin, who revealed that the so-called "mastermind" was Crowe's fellow Best Actor nominee Tom Hanks, who was nominated for "Cast Away." When Martin shamed Hanks, Hanks rolled his eyes & mouthed "sorry " Hilarious!
Other Russell Crowe suggestions: "L.A. Confidential," "Master& Commander: the Far Side of the World," "3:10 to Yuma," "The Man With the Iron Fists," "The Nice Guys" & "American Gangster,"which was directed by Ridley Scott & co-starring Denzel Washington, who'll star in the "Gladiator" sequel with Pedro Pascal.
Father to a murdered son. Husband to a murdered wife. And I will have my vengeance, in this life or the next.
One of the best movie quotes ever.
Easily one of Scotts best movies and Crowe is just epic as Maximus. The final scene when nearing death and he opens the gates to be with his family again in the afterlife combined with that haunting soundtrack never fails to open the floodgates and hit me right in the gut. Just an epic movie in every respect and Crowes finest and defining role.
Servant to Marcus Aurelius?
My favorite line
No matter how many times I watch this, I still feel like choking up at the last minutes where he reunites with his family in the afterlife. And then Juba saying "I will see you again... but not yet" straight up had me bawling.
Right in the feels man!
😭😭yep
@@OfficialMediaKnightsTHIS MOVIE TOOK AAALL THE AWARDS INCLUDING THE ACADEMY AWARD FOR BEST PICTURE
@@OfficialMediaKnights The LEGENDARY actor playing as Proximo.... Is 🕯️ Oliver Reeves 🕯️ ... Great actor!!!! This was actually his last film, he actually had a massive heart attack during a break on the set of this film....
@@OfficialMediaKnights the reason he picks up dirt and rubs his hands with it, is because he's a farmer... And he still wants to have that connection and mindset of a farmer.... It's symbol of HARD WORK... It puts him at ease in a battle.... He knows what he's about to do can get messy and dirty and CHAOTIC as best, the rubbing of dirt reminds him of balance... And a sense of peace...
"My name is Maximus Decimus Meridius, commander of the Armies of the North, General of the Felix Legions, and loyal servant to the true emperor, Marcus Aurelius. Father to a murdered son, husband to a murdered wife. And I will have my vengeance, in this life or the next!"
That line gives me the chills every time I watch this scene.
Powerful
I think for everyone. It is one of my favorite films... Excellent movie... 👍
I love that speech, except for the "true emporer" point; Marcus Aurelius is dead at this point,he cannot be the emporer! It's not like he's hiding in a cell somewhere or had some unique claim to rule that none before or after had.
From what I remember, Russell Crowe hated that line, he felt it wasn't very good... yet he delivered it with such power that it's become the best known line from the movie.
The speech that maximum makes as he reveals himself to Commodus is still the best confronting speech ever still gives me chills to this day my grandad introduced me to this at the age of 6 I'm almost 30 now and it still gives me a feeling no other movie has ever done
Joaquin Phoenix ad libbed his “am I not merciful?!!!” scream. Connie Nielsen, the actor playing his sister, wasn’t expecting it. Her frightened reaction is genuine. He deserved an Oscar for this movie.
43:01 for the scene
I agree, he should have won an Oscar for this performance
That was brilliant acting.
100% He was robbed. One of the most hatable characters in movie history.
Yep. All true. Great moment
I literally get goosebumps when he reveals himself to the "emperor" for the first time
That has to be one of the best scenes ever.
*chills*
Every single time
One of the best monologues in movie history!
Husband to a murdered wife! Father to a murdered son!
"Do you think I'm afraid?"
"I think you've been afraid all your life."
One of my favourite exchanges in all cinema. 😁
favorite*
@@allentoyokawa9068 Favourite is spelled with a 'u' here in Ireland.
@Qualimar yeah but your typing in English so you spelt it wrong
@@Xyanthium3889 "Favourite" is also correct in British English (also in Ireland). "Favorite" is the American way.^^ And I also wish people would learn the difference between your and you're. Sorry for pointing that out, but it annoys me so much. :/
Killing the family was incredibly common in ancient times. Maximus had a legitimate claim to the throne, even if it wasn't one written down anywhere. That means, if he dies, that claim passes to his son.
In coups like this, it was considered standard practice to eliminate the ENTIRE bloodline to make sure that anyone who could challenge the new ruler was out of the way
Don Ciccio and the Sicilian mob bosses continued the Roman tradition in the early 1900's.
quite right! universal in the ancient world, in both the east and the west.
Sounds like you watched Game of Thrones, and just assumed the roman empire worked the same way.. This is NOT how it worked in ancient Rome. The title of emperor wasn't automatically inherited. The successor could be chosen in many different ways, often by civil war.
Maximus had no "claim to the throne" (They didn't even have thrones at this time). The emperor CHOSE him, but no-one else knew about it except Commodus before he died, so the "claim" never happened. But Maximus had the army behind him, making him a threat, so Commodus chose to kill him, and his family as punishment, and to avoid the family seeking vengeance .
Also: "In coups like this, it was considered standard practice to eliminate the ENTIRE bloodline". This is complete BS, you just pulled that shit out your ass. If you wanna prove me wrong you better give a damn good source.
@@alexklavy7372 Okay that's great and all but he's murdering entire lineages was common across societies nations and time periods but go off dude
Specific to Rome, emperor was not an official title that could be passed down. It was not a legal position. It was a set of powers and from the beginning with Augustas each emperor struggled with how to pass on their powers to a successor. It is a very complex thing that some historians have spent entire careers studying. It wasnt like being a king with a clear line of succession as we commonly understand it. Commodus was only the second person to be emperor after their father in ancient Rome. Most emperors were adopted.
☘️.. I was one of the Barbarians you see in the opening sequence.. It was filmed while I was in University.. Surrey Institute of Art & Design.. 😀👍.. A lot of us students applied for a film being made in the area but we had no clue till we were accepted for the part.. Those who were told they were Romans got an extra 3 weeks work as they had to learn how to march & become an army .. Me being Irish I got to be a Barbarian .. It was filmed mainly in a place called Bourne Woods .. & the area shot was slated for deforestation.. so with permission they destroyed the area so also a lot of the fires & explosions were real …I loved it & could tell you a lot of stories such as Richard Harris ( old emperor) bumming fags of us & having a puff over a coffee… meeting Ridley Scott .. A special time .. 💚
That’s so cool! Must’ve been an incredible experience! You got to meet some of the incredibly talented people working on this. Thank you for sharing😃
@@OfficialMediaKnights .. We had to go for a fitting & if required hair piece .. being told not to shave for a minimum of 3 weeks before shooting to improve the look ..On Day One we got scars done & collected our costume.. a pic was taken so everyday after they would look at the pic & repeat the process .. We used to keep our scars on after we changed & go to the pub .. we got quite a reaction as some looked pretty horrible 🤣.. They didn’t mind us take a few photos of each other or the set as long as we didn’t discuss or show them till after movie release .. It wasn’t Star Wars so everyone knows what Romans etc looked like … I brought a disposable 36 shot camera each day for first 8 days & hid it in my costume for pics … However after that time they locked it down as somebody abused it & had sold pics to one of the National Newspapers 🫠.. I was promoted to being a “Runner” on the battlefield..
The battle in a movie is divided as follows .. Foreground is the Stars & actors… Middle ground is professional swords people & back ground is the extras like us …
A runner like me had to charge round the battlefield & if someone just killed somebody I had to attack them as in a real battle you’d be under constant attack… I made a point of charging always at someone near the cameras but a lot of times I got knocked on my ass before that as had to attack someone way before the camera …
Anyway.. love all your genuine reactions..
You definitely need to check out “Kingdom of Heaven “ by Ridley as it’s an epic set in the Holy Land during the Crusades…☘️💚😀👍
I thank you for yr service.. this flick is epic
Awesome. I congratulate you... That is an amazing movie, it is one of my favorite movies... 👍🍃
What an amazing experience!
GLADIATOR is one of the BEST films ever...heroic story well executed, Ridley knows his stuff. I cry every time. The performances are brilliant.
This film is a powerhouse of writing, acting, directing, score, and casting.
Joaquim and Russ absolutely crushed it in this one
Totally agreed, & apparantly they were insepparable on set discussing things with Ridley.
This ended up becoming one of the greatest films created. Something one can watch a hundred times.
I forgot how good this movie was. Denise never forgets a face, does she? 6:29 Yes, that's Richard Harris, the first Dumbledore. 17:04 Yes, that's Omid Djalili, who was also in _The Mummy_ (1999).
Yesss!! Lol I'm pretty good with faces, it's just tough when it comes knowing where I remember them from :D
He was also in some good films
Richard Harris is also in The Count of Monte Cristo, if you haven't seen that.
This movie makes me tear up everytime... It hits me right in the heart everytime
Joakim Phoenix pulled one of the best villain performance in cinema history. A deep, nuanced performance.
I know everyone praises him in Joker, but this is still his best role in my eyes.
@@MrVisualHigh Oh totally agree, I much prefer this role as well. His Joker was more of a ''performance'' act. His protrayal of Commodus brings on screen a twisted, broken villain with a self image issue. And there is few villain like him that gives you the ''ick'' like him and for different reasons.
@@TheDenigreur Yea, I think I could feel him trying for the Oscar in Joker. Here he embodies the character completely, he felt truly unhinged yet grounded in some kind of reality.
Both him and Crowe had career defining performances. That final scene is just epic with that haunting and beautiful score.
@@MrVisualHighI agree. He plays his role amazingly well, but Crowes was career defining. Just epic.
The scene when Maximus dies, the music always makes me bawl. 😢
It’s so beautiful.
Hits you hard every time no matter how many times you’ve watched it.
Comodus is summed up best by his words to his father before he kills him. "I would butcher the world if only you'd love me"
Comodus is my favourite villain of all time because he is so genuinely conflicted. All he wants is approval. He is a child stuck in a man's body because he never had to grow up. He is born with the right to the most powerful empire in the world. He would have power as a child that is uncomprehendable to us. To have the father you idolize be away fighting wars your whole life. To never have to get past your fear of the dark (probably because he's afraid of the very real threat of assassination). All he wants is acceptance but he has never been given the tools to achieve it. So he just tries to demand it like everything else in his life which drives everyone further away
I had the privilege of seeing this film in the theater on it's opening day in 2000 when I was 19 years old. It was just stunning. One of the most epic movies ever made.
Neat thing in the beginning, Commodus lists his father's 4 chief Virtues. Over the course of the movie we see Maximus display them each in turn.
The reason that they were so brutal with his family were probably two-fold. 1) to prevent his son from growing up seeking vengeance, and 2) to terrorise your potential opponents. It takes a special kind of bravery to stand up to someone this powerful, but many may be willing to risk torture and / or death for what they believe in, but how many are willing to risk the same fate for their families? Its straight up terrorism.
I really love how as they are carrying him out, the camera pans out to show the emperor, left lying in the dirt, ignored.
Russel Crowe at the height of his career. A masterful performance. See his first major Hollywood role in L.A. Confidential. Two Australian actor got their breakthrough there: him and Guy Pierce. That movie is brilliant - got 2 Oscars. One for the phenominal script, and one awarded to Kim Basinger for Best Supporting Actress.
LA Confidential... Another one of my all time favs. It's funny that Russell Crowe is in two of my all time favs with Gladiator and LA Confidential and his co-star in LA Confidential, Guy Pearce is also in two of my all time faves with LA Confidential and Momento.
Alongside heavyweights like Lawrence Oliver & Richard Harris this movie was staggering as a blockbuster. Heading into 2000's there were limited epic films like Alexander & Troy, but post 2010 nothing of the grand scale has been made
This is the first movie when I learned who Hans Zimmer was. It's fair to say I have been a very big fan ever since. If you ever get round to the movie "The Last Samurai" you will be just as impressed with the score, and the movie. I am really enjoying your movie reactions. You are both very authentic!
Amazing movie!
Russell Crowe is just phenomenal in this. I know you're going to get a plethora of praise for Joaquin who was great but this movie doesn't work without an equally strong lead and Crowe delivers. This movie, LA Confidential, A Beautiful Mind and The Nice Guys are other great roles he's done.
Don’t forget Virtuosity. 😅
@@tfpp1 They can't all be bangers. He still swung for the fences with his role. Even in movies like Unhinged and the Pope's Exorcist, Crowe gives his all and elevates the movie.
LA Confidential is such a great movie. Crowe's great in it too!
@@Khay-77 heck, even Christian Bale did a Matrix knockoff!
Agreed.
It's still surprising that Djimon Hounsou hasn't had a bigger career. He's a fine actor who's been good in everything I've seen him in. I know Gladiator 2 is coming, and it has an all-star cast, but it will be hard to catch that kind of lightning in a bottle again.
It’s criminal! He’s such a talented actor! Every time we’ve seen him he’s given an amazing performance!
Djimon Hounsou voices T'Challa in the animated Black Panther series. I have a lot of love for Chadwick's performance as Black Panther but I always thought the role should've gone to Djimon. I grew up reading Black Panther and when I think of T'Challa the King of Wakanda, he fits the comic persona far better than Chadwick.
I'm sad that they think they can make a #2.
Other than a cash grab, what could be the point?
It's obvious, Dijmon is too gorgeous to stare at on screen for too long. Savor what u can..😊
This movie is in my top 5! I love how Maximus easily gaines the love and respect of those around him by conducting himself with honor, dignity and morality, while in the meantime his antagonist Commodus uses fear, manipulation and treachery to get that same love and respect but fails miserably. Have you seen The Martian yet? Its another of my favorites by Ridley Scott!
We have seen The Martian! It was a fantastic movie! I love how both Maximus and Commodus could not be any more different!
Strength and Honour. I still see people quoting this today 😊
Truly an epic movie and easily Crowes finest and defining performance. That final scene when he opens the gates to be with his family again in the afterlife never fails to open the floodgates and hits me right in the gut.
When Commodus stabbed Maximus, he punctured his lung, resulting in pneumothorax (collapsed lung) in addition to massive hemorrhaging. Essentially, Maximus was slowly suffocating and bleeding out from the moment he was stabbed. By the time they reached the arena, Maximus was half dead already, which was Commodus' plan. Commodus just seriously underestimated Maximus' ability to kill him, even wounded as he was, thus the look of surprise on his face in the end when Maximus drove the blade through his neck.
Yes plus he expected his guards to step in if things got dangerous.
He wasn’t trying to have anything close to a fair fight from the beginning
I figured for sure he stabbed him in the kidney. If he was stabbed in the lung he would be coughing up blood. I say he was stabbed in the kidney, still lethal but not as obvious as someone spitting blood.
@@ronweber1402 gonna disagree with you on the kidney stab, you can see maximus armpit in the same shot at about equal hight with the knife going up and inwards, that's just under the left shoulder blade. Although I also disagree with him hitting the lung because like you said he would be coughing up blood, maybe it nicked the left subclavical artery?
That would be his kidney, chek out som anatomy bro
@@ronweber1402 thank u
One of the best villains ever in this movie with Commodus. I love the trio of friends. You felt so torn for Lucilla having to play two or three different roles at once for her son. Proximo was a phenomenal character!
The few scenes of Marcus Aurelius are great.
20:24 One of the little historical notes here is that Commodus' entrance is called a "triumph". It's one of the highest honors a military commander can receive, and is only awarded after a great victory. That's why Gracchus mocks him saying "He returns like a conquering hero."
The little figurines from the leather pouch that Maximus’ adjutant gave him are Lares Familiares, the household gods. They were tutelary deities enshrined in a special room in the Roman home. They presided over everyday matters, and the health and safety of the family. They were honored with small daily prayers and more extravagantly during certain festivals. It was typical practice to create Lares for each new member of the family, including slaves and pets, with the belief that a guardian deity would inhabit the figurine and watch over its analog.
It would not be incorrect to say that to many Romans, the Lare for their wife or child, for example, would almost be seen as a physical aspect of their wife or child’s spiritual self.
15:30 maximus is traveling from presumably northern France to an undesignated area in Spain(modern-day borders). It was actually a really nice detail that when Maximus departs, he brings a second horse with him, so when the first horse succumbs to exhaustion, he has another horse to maintain his pace.
Maximo said Trujillo, is on west, near Portugal
Yes, in Extremadura.
@@deepsky2997 Yes, Mérida, Trujillo is in Google maps
I think the soundtrack for this movie is my favorite of all time. I've been trying to think about my favorites but this one just makes me instantly emotional.
Joaquin is definetly top 10 favorite actors it’s just that deepening darkness in his eyes. That’s what makes him such a great villain whenever he does play one.
"I'm already immersed in this".
MAN, I can relate to that!
I saw this at the cinema when I was 15 and I have never been so transfixed by a movie, before or since.
I was IN!!! Still in my Top 5...
I love the performance of Connie Nielsen as Lucilla. Just wonderful. And her costumes are so beautiful.
This movie is simply amazing.
The acting, the directing, the script, it's one of the most quotable movies ever, and the score is a triumph.
"Now We Are Free" is one of the greatest music ever.
Directors cut with the best reactors too...double win. I love the fact that they give you reactions not just to story and emotions but their perception on the plotlines is fascinating (when you've already seen the film) also the craftmanship of the filmaking too. Really enjoy your videos.
Are you not entertained?
Am I not merciful?
Both lines delivered masterfully!
There is so much to love about this movie. Personally I have always loved the way Maximus rubs the dirt on his hands before each fight. Not only does in act like chalk to better grip his weapon, but at a spiritual level he is communing and becoming one with his battlefield.
Best movie ever. We saw this in the theater and twice the entire packed house stood up and cheered loudly!
24 years since this masterpiece and stills holds up in every aspect of it... one of the best couple of years of cinema if u think about it
Joaquin and Crowe hit it out of the park in this film, both are BRILLIANT
GLADIATOR has, arguably, the best ending sequence of a recent Hollywood film ever! I cry every single time‼😥😢
You guys have the best reaction channel hands down. Please, please, please never change. Don't sell out and start "acting" like some of these others that started out much the same and once they got big started orchestrating more "entertaining" reactions. Love your analysis of the films and your breakdowns. Look forward to them every time!
I saw this movie when I was 10 years old in 2000 with my step dad in the living room. I remember him going nuts with how Commodus was so ruthless (props to the actor playing him) and we cheered like no other when he died at the end. It has been my favorite movie ever since, must've seen it 100+ times now over the years. Absolute masterpiece. Timeless classic, still looks amazing in 2023.
Sad thing about the actor who played Proximo (Oliver Reed), was that this was his last film, because he died before Gladiator was complete. In fact the scene were Proximo dies from the guards at the end, wasn't actually Reed, but a fill in character where they painstakingly digitized his face to look like Proximo.
You guys were so right on Commodus. You hate him but the performance really makes you wonder how he got to that point and that line his father said "Your faults as a son are my failings as a father" makes me feel for him even though you know how much of a monster he is when you watch it again.
People always forget, the monsters of man are still men. Every one of them was once a child, and had dreams, hopes, and joy. That's what makes them so dangerous, because you can empathize with them.
@@TheGoIsWin21Exactly. Just because he has some legitimate reasons for being mad at his father nothing excuses his despicable actions.
Compare that to Maximus who despite facing tragedy and suffering still decides to act with righteousness
The other day I was thinking about "Gladiator", and I was hoping that you guys had never seen it. And here we are! It's one of my favorites and it's great to hear you talk about all of the different aspects of this movie that make it a classic.
So glad we got to watch this! You manifested the reaction 😄 Glad to hear you enjoyed!
Perfect way of describing the role of Commodus, Joaquin is perfectly creepy
So much was so great.
One thing you touched on a little was the color tints. For the cold war scenes and for Commodus and Rome under his rule there was a blue tint, and for Maximus, his home and family, and the provinces they had a golden tint. When Comodus enters Rome on his chariot, you see everything blueish except Lucilla. The final scene cranes up over the Colosseum to the golden sunset now that the darkness has been lifted from Rome.
If you want another epic movie like this one try the Director's Cuts of Last of the Mohicans or Kingdom of Heaven. I think you will love them both. Awesome music, awesome stories.
Totally agree.
Kingdom of Heaven (Director's cut) is a masterpiece.
This movie will always be the best movie I've seen Russell Crowe in! I'll never forget watching this for the first time with my parents
"My name is Maximus Decimus Meridius, commander of the Armies of the North, General of the Felix Legions, loyal servant to the true emperor, Marcus Aurelius. Father to a murdered son, husband to a murdered wife. And I will have my vengeance, in this life.."
Perhaps the greatest line of any movie in the history of cinema. It's not only the words but Russel Crowe's delivery. It's absolute perfection...
Sound track on this Movie was Incredible. You could hear the winds, you could hear the flame of fire and the echo of men in battle while simultaneously the whimper of a dog! It is amazing.
One amazing thing about this production: Proximo (Oliver Reed) died from a heart attack 3/4 of the way thru filming. At the end Juba was supposed to be dead and it was going to be Proximo who buries Maximus' statuettes in the blood at the arena. So when Reed died, they used some of his unused film and CGI to show his end and Juba buried the statuettes. Amazing and definitely Oscar winning film.
I was looking for this comment. Hope TMK find it amazing too.
Oliver Reed had a long career in many movies since the 1960's. He was always a hard drinking man, and it got him into trouble too many times. The night he died, when they were filming on Malta, he was involved in a bar incident with English sailors at a pub and died in the ambulance.
One of my favorite soundtracks! Cowritten and vocals by the incredible Lisa Gerrard of DEAD CAN DANCE! They won a Golden Globe for it and was nominated for an Oscar. I stil listen to this to this day
So I now live in Malta, the country where most of this film was recorded. And the sequel a set to start filming, now the strike is over.
There is honestly a deeply felt level of national pride around this film.
And for a small nation, to be at the core of one of the best films ever made. That's fair.
I also know some extra from major scenes now, which is very cool.
The initial opening battle was filmed about 25 miles south west of the city of London in the county of Surrey, on Forestry Commission land. The commission were going to cut down a lot of old/dead/diseased trees and when the film company found out, they asked to use the land & fell the trees for them (after filming). Everybody won!
The scar-faced actor who played his servant also featured in the film Braveheart, with Mel Gibson.
4:08
almost 20 years had passed, and that scene is considered one of the best part of that movie. the intensity, the scale, the music, the finest thing the movie Gladiator is welll known about.. hats off to Hans Zimmer..❤
really great reaction!
two points:
even though his fighting skills impress you, his cowardice is evident in the same scene. the soldiers he spars with would not dare to touch him, so he is never in any danger.
the reason his father knew he was not a moral man is he was corrupted by the power from a young age. no one loved him because he always held himself as superior and powerful
A superb reaction as always, lady and gent :)
The end of this movie always breaks my heart, no matter how many times I see it.
It is not for sadness for the the death of a hero that stings the corners of my eyes but rather they are tears of empathic fellow feeling that he is going to see his wife again.
When Maximus dies and goes to his family, I imagine the time to come when I hope I too will get to see my wife again. She was not murdered by a vile Emperor, of course, but she was taken decades too young by cancer and she had me promise that I would not hurry to meet her. So I must wait and endure and, one day ... ... ...
And so this classic movie has me reaching for the handkerchiefs each time.
I think you would be totally immersed in and somewhat astounded at the movie BEN HUR. The greatest chariot race ever with magnificent sets and filmography throughout.
I love this movie! Lucilla was one of my favourite characters in this because she had to walk such a precarious line between keeping her brother placated and protecting her son and Rome. The score in this is amazing too. The Last of the Mohicans is another movie with great cinematography and an epic score, I hope you guys get a chance to check it out.
This movie is and will always be a classic 😮
My god. I was 26 when it was realeased. Your comment made me feel so old LOL
@@kikebautista2110 lol
What allowed Quintus to deny Commodus a new sword is that there were some occasions of a Roman Emperor fighting in the Colosseum and when that happened, start to finish, the Emperor was reduced to a Gladiator, The other Guards really shouldn't have even started to draw for Commodus.
The stab before the fight: "Combat Entertainers" were trained where to strike a human for instant kills, kills that take several seconds, and even kills that take entire minutes. Commodus' shank wasn't poisoned, it just made a really slow-death wound.
You guys are hitting me right in the nostalgia. Another banger i watched with my dad and one of the few movies i consider perfect. Performance, cinematography, and very intelligent characters. Just perfect.
Also maximus is loosely based on a real life person. Another show based on the same person is Spartacus.
36:16 Love this line. Calling him "Highness" is such a slap in the face because it's a traditional way to address the FAMILY of an emperor... not the emperor himself.
The bit where the General orders the Praetorians to sheath their swords is actually pretty accurate in terms of the Praetorians. They made and murdered several emperors during their history of guarding the Caesars. They even installed a couple of emperors after assassinating their previous emperor themselves.
Also, the loyality of the Legions to their Generals was a long standing issue throughout the Roman empire. Julius Caesar is the most famous where the pure loyality of his troops was insane. (One legion after a mutiny offered to decimate themselves - kill one in every ten of their own number by the other 9 just to regain his favour)
Julius Caesar's exploits are evidence in my opinion of a real life historical figure with real plot armour. Haha
All the actors in this movie just gave a top class performance, just stunning.
From Ridley Scott, I highly recommend: Black Hawk Down, is also one of his best movies, full of known actors or just starting their careers, since it is a 2001 movie, followed by Gladiator, and based on a real event, the movie is very intense, and does not stop until the end.
Legend is his fantasy masterpiece.
This and Black Hawk Down are probably peak Ridley Scott.
I never feel like Connie Nielsen gets the deserved praise for her performance of Lucilla. I think the true seed of hatred and jealousy in Commodus towards Maximus is because she is his deepest desire, and Maximus has had her. For another great Connie Nielsen performance along with Kurt Russell, check out "Soldier" (1998). It's seemingly unknown and rarely reacted to.
Joaquin Phoenix rightfully Won the Oscar 🏆 for this Performance! He Did Such an AMAZING job making Us ABSOLUTELY DESPISE His Character! Great Reaction Folks!
He was nominated for best supporting actor but didn't win
Crowe won the Oscar, as did the picture itself.
Benicio Del Toro won best supporting actor that year.
I used to despise Commodus too but now as I've re-watched this movie so many times I've started wondering whether his awful personality was more the result of a poor upbringing and total neglect by his father. I mean always feeling that you're not worthy of your father's love and that you're never good enough would mess up every kid's mind.
@@GrandRoyal44For Traffic?
Gladiator is my favorite movie. The cast is perfect, the soundtrack is beautiful and the dialogues are memorable. I still think it was stolen at the Oscars:
1.Joaquin was the real winner of the Oscar for best supporting actor 2.Ridley Scott for best director
3. and we cannot forget the Oscar for best soundtrack
FYI, in reality, Marcus Aurelius died at age 58 of a "plague" (some say smallpox) in what is now Venice, Italy. His only son, Commodus, had been added as co-emperor three years prior to his death, so when Marcus died, there was no question of Commodus' succession, as he was already on the throne. Commodus was assassinated, but it was a drowning in a public bathhouse. He did occasionally fight in the Coliseum, as practice, but not to the point of being harmed. Maximus is an entirely fictional character. It's such a good movie, but please don't believe any of it is real history! LOL Also, in the movie, Commodus stabbed Maximus in the kidney and Maximus spends the entire fight bleeding out; that's what he actually dies of.
I love the line Maximus says, "The time for honouring yourself will soon be at an end, Highness." Commodus claims the games were for honouring his father so Maximus is basically calling him a liar and Maximus addresses him still using the title Highness, not recognizing him as Emperor.
You would love the acting, the score, the sets, the plot, of Ben Hur, if you can sit for over 3 hours watching the movie. Ben Hur is THE epic movie of all time.
I do hope they react to Ben Hur but it’s a different type of film. I would suggest Spartacus (directed by Stanley Kubrick) which was the main inspiration for Gladiator.
Ben Hur has elements of melodrama and was intended as a mass entertainment epic. Spartacus is more grounded and comparable to Gladiator.
@@jaybo7813 True, but Spartus was never in the Roman Arena, competing in the Games, while Ben Hur had been in the Arena in Rome, winning 5 Chariot Races for Quintus Arrius. Still, Spartacus is an Epic movie worth seeing a reaction from them.
Many years have passed since the first viewing of this film, and the music still brings tears to my eyes😢
From Australia , one of the all time greatest movies , no question about it , love your reaction , Peace from down under .
This entire movie from start to finish is a true epic. Every actor put in fantastic performances. From the visuals to the soundtrack, the entire staff behind this movie is one of the all time greats.
Wonderful watchalong with the two of you, thanks for that.
I hope as you go through Scott's portfolio of films you view his first outing (Alien was 'only' his second film), The Duellists from 1977. It holds up and is still engaging.
My name is Lauri Matti Eemeli Anttila and this is my favorite movie. I watched this on VHS at least 30 times when I was 8 years old. My dad actually looked like Russel Crowe looks in this movie. RIP Dad...we will meet again..but not yet..
I love this movie, the only thing I mind about it I guess is the same thing I mind about every movie featuring gladiators - the fights didn't always end in death, damn it. It makes sense when you think about it - those guys were basically professional athletes, those don't grow on trees and it isn't cheap to train them. It was hapenning from time to time of course, Romans loved themselves some blood and gore, but defintely not every fight ended in death.
Richard Harris who plays the old Emperor was Richard Harris and yes, he played the first Dumbledore.
Harris was a legendary actor, with a presence and a personna that were both captivating and intense.
His son, Jarred Harris (Chernobil, etc) took on the mantle and became a fantastic actor in his own right.
Saw this film 3 times when it came out. Its both brutal and beautiful and I always end up with tears in my eyes at the end.
"Are you not entertained?"
Apart from Oliver Reed who i knew from playing Fagin in Oliver Twist (with this being his last role as he died during production and they had to insert him in scenes in post) this is the movie where i saw all of the actors like Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen, Djimon Hounsou, Omid Djalili and Tommy Flanagan for the first time ever. And so when i would see them in later stuff I'd be like ''thats so n so from gladiator''. Such a great movie and instant classic.
When Maximus turns around to reveal himself to Commodus, it quite literally looks like Commodus has seen a ghost. Intense and amazing performances from them both.
This is the movie that introduced to Joaquin Phoenix as an actor. Then I later watched Joker and he instantly became one of my favorite actors. So glad he finally got his well-deserved Oscar.
He is amazing in this!
Oh he was perfect for this role! Utterly loved to loathe him, every one of his subtle little movements was perfect 👌
The first time I ever saw Joaquin was in the movie Parenthood. He was young and going under the name Leaf Phoenix (Joaquin is his real name). He was wonderful even at a young age and you knew he had the makings of a good actor... much like his brother River. But I think Gladiator really propelled him into stardom and showed the world that he is a phenomenal actor.
Joaquin Phoenix has always been wonderful. And now his latest movie Napoleon also looks awesome.
@@YouMe-ru6wi Napoleon is a bad movie - typical British propaganda version of Napoleon. I like Scott but he dropped the ball on that one.
Denise....ok now I can put a name to the face. I apologise in advance if I'm being overly personal, but you are fantastic. Your eyes convey so much emotion and your comments are always relevant and insightful.
I watch dozens of reactions weekly. You guys are my new favorites! Subscribed a couple weeks ago and liking every video I watch. Keep up the great work!
Fantastic reaction & movie… when you couple Phoenix’s performance here w/ what he did in the Joker, it makes you wonder if he’s literally one of the greatest actors of our generation .. I think he is ..& I don’t think he gets the respect he deserves..
When people die they return to the earth, he picks up some earth before each battle to honor the warriors that have fallen in the past. Perhaps he's even giving their spirit the ability to join him in battle once more .
Oliver Reed was among Britain's greatest actors. He had that same ability that other great actors like Clint Eastwood have, the ability to act with just his eyes.
And this, sadly, was his final film. He died right before it was finished, so they had to improvise Proximo's death scene instead of what was originally written. He was also an unapologetic carouser, and was going out to pubs getting rip-roaring drunk most nights right up until the end.
@@lordmortarius538He actually had heart attack and died in a pub after drinking a skin full and beating a load of US Sailors at arm wrestling. That is exactly how Oliver Reed would have wanted to bow out.
Oliver Reed was a drunken rabble rouser all his days. He appeared on so many talk shows off his face and the British public loved him despite of it!
The late and great first Dumbledore, Richard Harris was Irish, he loved his booze and he was always full of mischief all his life! He wasn’t a brawler like Reed but he would tell his wife he was going to the pub for a pint and would return 3 weeks later because he just decided to go to Italy on a whim! 😂
I miss them both tremendously, such amazing talents!
@@BernardWilkinson it was sailors from a British frigate, HMS Cumberland; saddest part was that, according to Omid Djalili, he'd managed to stay sober throughout filming and was pressured into the drinking contest.
I think this movie was the first where I absolutely loved the fact that an actor (Joaquin) made me hate their character so much. There have been others since (hm-hm!), but he was the first.
It also started my eternal frustration of wanting to see Djimon in a leading role instead of a side character.
Love your channel guys. Such a emotional reaction for this one. Thank you, needed that in my life today!
One of the greatest movies ever made. It made such an impact watching this in theatres when it came out, I'll never forget it.
Epic film! Joffrey Baratheon from Game of Thrones was channeling Commodus.
Joaquin Phoenix should’ve won an Oscar for supporting cast, Russell Crowe was phenomenal playing the role as Maximus that earn him his first Oscar!
The final fight really shows the difference between a fencer and a soldier. Commodus knows how to fight, Maximus knows how to kill.
Commodus is the fencer right ?
Just finished watching this for probably the tenth time. Such an amazing movie and the ending never fails to leave me floods when Maximus nears death and opens the gates to be with his family again in the afterlife. Epic performances from Crowe and Phoenix. Can’t praise this movie highly enough, so many memorable moments.