While in Rome last year our tour guide informed us that very rarely were gladiators killed. These were scripted fights much like pro wrestling today. They were Characters and when one was "killed" the gladiator simply changed costumes and became a new character. The people were far enough away they wouldn't have been able to tell the difference.
The actor who played Proximo (the Gladiator trainer) was Oliver Reed. He was an extraordinary british actor, with a very interesting, fascinating and atypical life. He also was known for his alcoholism, having some scandals on TV and cinema as a consequence of this. During the filming of Gladiator in 1999, he sadly passed away. He had been sober for months, but one night (during a break from filming the movie) in an Irish pub in Malta (after a bet), he drank three bottles of Jamaican rum, eight bottles of German beer, numerous double whiskeys and challenged five young English sailors of the Royal Navy to arm-wrestling at The Pub bar (which after this incident was called Ollie's Last Pub). His bill, which was never paid, is preserved in a decorative frame in the bar.
I was very disappointed with part 2. The plot has a million holes in it and the score is a complete joke compared to the first film. I would say that only the star power of Denzel Washington and Pedro Pascal will save it from becoming a financial disaster. To add insult to injury, part 3 is rumoured to be in development.
@@justonecornetto80 Yeah I'm going to watch it just because I'm a Pascal and Washington fan. But there is a shortage of perfect movies in this world. It's a pity when they make a sequel of one. They really shouldn't have made a sequel to Matrix movie either. But I DO enjoy watching those although not nearly as much as the first one. I wonder if my feeling about Gladiator 2 and if there is a 3 or 4 will be the same. Probably will.
One of my favourite moments at 30:10. How Commodus is talking about them in the 3rd person, but then the camera pans to show she's there, hearing every single threatening word. Such a great piece of cinematography.
Another Russell Crowe movie that you should add to your list is Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World. I’m sure you’ve never heard of this, but ask Addie about it. It is an epic thriller. It is also known for its accurate portrayal of ship life.
That's an awesome recommendation. As a historian myself, that movie is a bit of a masterpiece. Rarely can we be treated with a Hollywood film with such high level of historical accuracy as the way they portray ship life and naval warfare. It's incredible.
1:52 From east to west, the Roman Empire at its widest spanned the entire Mediterranean area from Spain to the Persian Gulf. From north to south, the furthest extent it ever reached was from the Antonine Wall in modern-day Scotland to southern Egypt.
Camilla, if you want to see Joaquin Phoenix's great acting range, check out "Signs" (2002), starring Phoenix and Mel Gibson. Joaquin nearly stole that film, too! He is TALENTED.
He is, but I've never liked him as an actor because this was the first role I saw him in, and he is such a creep here, I can't see him as anything else.
“When you wake up in the morning, tell yourself: the people I deal with today will be meddling, ungrateful, arrogant, dishonest, jealous and surly. They are like this because they can't tell good from evil. But I have seen the beauty of good, and the ugliness of evil, and have recognized that the wrongdoer has a nature related to my own - not of the same blood and birth, but the same mind, and possessing a share of the divine. And so none of them can hurt me. No one can implicate me in ugliness. Nor can I feel angry at my relative, or hate him. We were born to work together like feet, hands and eyes, like the two rows of teeth, upper and lower. To obstruct each other is unnatural. To feel anger at someone, to turn your back on him: these are unnatural.” ― Marcus Aurelius
@@mr.embrute Wow, I looked it up, and it really is real. He was well known as a Stoic philosopher. He seemed like a genuinely good person, a rarity for men raised as a god among men.
@@Christobanistan You should check out his entire collection of writings called "The Meditations" that includes this quote. Since you liked this one. You will greatly enjoy many of the others.
@@benjaminroe311ify I read a bunch more of them already, you're right, I like the whole Stoic philosophy. It seems to have become a big part of western philosophy, since I've heard those ideas of optimism all my life. It seems nowadays, they've been abandoned by the "woke" in favor of Marxist power politics.
Someone who is actually looking forward to Gladiator 2 lol. I figured everyone already knew they are not capable of making a movie like this now. Part 2 is something no one asked for or wanted and is going to be an absolute mess. Whoever is making these movies now has no concept of emotional depth or the human experience. They are morally bankrupt and it shows in every line and scene they produce.
The music is by Hans Zimmer, who had already been working in Hollywood for 12 years at that time, he debuted in 1988 with Rain Man with Tom Cruise and Dustin Hoffman, by the 2000's Hans was already a renowned musician and was very much in demand.
Great reaction Camilla! There were actually a ton of different types of gladiator fights, many of which were not to the death and some others were essentially executions. I’m looking forward to the next reaction. Keep up the great work!
German guy here. And I really like that opening scene. I have no idea what that Germanic leader guy said in the beginning. But it just sounds familiar, like I should have understood it. Like "sorry, didn't get that, can you say it again?" It's a really cool little detail. Just so you know, irl that battle went the other way. Our ancestors kicked some serious Roman butt in 9AD, ending any plans of conquering Germania. The Rhine remained the border between the Roman Empire and and the lands of the Germanic tribes. But of course this movie is still awesome. Remember the days when we got one off original stories instead of another sequel or entry in some cinematic universe? Days long past... Strength and Honour!
The opening scene of this movie was filmed about 30 miles north of where I live, on land belonging to the Forestry Commission here in the UK. They were about to clear some land of old, diseased, and unwanted trees before replanting, when they were approached by the film company and allowed them to burn the trees for the film ( for a fee, of course). It looks as if it took place out in the wilds, somewhere, but in actual fact was about 15 miles south-west of London. Camilla, it was a brutal world... It still is, in some places.
One of the greatest movies of all time. And this music. 🥰 Wonderful reaction. And please do not cut short your thoughts on the end of the movie like so many reactors do these days. Even if the awful numbers of UA-cam show that many people end it directly after the reaction. That is just how it is. But the real ones also want to listen to what you have to say. 😊
there is a deleted scene why the emperor did not know he was still alive , the soldiers lied to him , they told him Maximus was dead , and then he executes 4 soldiers because of that . its on the extended edition
I love that Russell Crowe did all his own stunts and was an expert horseman. In the beginning battle, the wounds on his face are real. The horse he was riding spooked and backed into branches of a tree, and the director decided to leave them as battle wounds.
The real Emperor Commodus did in fact fight gladiators in the arena to try to show how tough he was, so this was loosely based on something real, but as depicted, he cheated: he made them fight with swords made of soft lead while he fought with a sharp steel one.
I also read somewhere that Commodus would only fight wounded prisoners and old animals, and pay himself nearly a million sesterces per arena appearance.
If i remember it correctly the audience hated him for it. He was essentially a rich boy trying to buy the fame of gladiators. Also he was apparently murdered while taking a bath, chocked to death by his gladiator trainer and bodyguard, which I find very funny.
Great reaction Camilla. In my opinion, Russel Crowe's performance in this film is nothing compared to his performance in The Insider, where he was absolutely robbed of the oscar. I'd say all of the nominees from the year of Gladiator were more deserving than Crowe, and some who weren't even nominated. Hans Zimmer's music in Gladiator, especially his collaboration with Lisa Gerrard, stands out to me in this film, with a well deserved nomination.
I love Gladiator. I saw it when it was originally released in theaters and it was amazing. Speaking of Joaquin Phoenix, as a teenager in the 80's, I saw him in a few movies when he was still a boy. He had a small part in the 1982 film Fast Times At Ridgemont High and played main characters in the 80's films Russkies and Space Camp.
Rome’s Colosseum was used for many different types of “games”/contests including battles between naval vessels of the times where the grounds of the Colosseum could be flooded to float such vessels!!
The thing about Joaquin Phoenix in this is that right from the very start, there is something off-putting about his character. This movie works so well because you just can't wait for Commodus to get what is coming to him.
"Don't hurt the doggie...don't hurt the horsies." I know there are people who perceive animals as "innocent" creatures as they don't choose to be participants. But to be innocent a creature must be capable of making moral choices, and doggies and horsies do not have this capacity, they simply behave in accordance with their instincts, training, and experiences. Please don't misunderstand me, I consider any needless death, human or animal, to be tragic. But, I can't help but point out the hypocrisy as it's only "cute" animals that matter, i.e., doggies and horsies and kitty cats. But the same people who decry the demise of doggies, horsies and kitty cats will readily kill rats, and snakes, and mosquitos, and cockroaches, and other creatures that aren't "cute" or are considered "pests." It's only the cute, whether human or animal, that are to be valued and deserve to live. A tragic situation for those of us creatures who aren't "cute." Ms. "Camilla's Corner" can take heart as she certainly meets the cute criterion, and I'm happy for her.
0:15 "I also work in the film industry" and has not seen Alien nor Bladerunner, two films that define and changed the film industry. A lot of modern movies have at least one element from either film.
Pay no attention to the haters. Be who you are. Never apologize. Dont touch your eyebrows. You dont need makeup or filters. Also, there are currently more trees on the planet than there has ever been in its entire history.
Thank you for watching this Classic. And thank you for understanding the moment when Lucilla and Maximus kiss, in his prison cell. They were lovers when they were young, and now they're desperate, not knowing if they'll ever see each other again. With all the darkness and death in this film, I've seen 2 Reactors who had extreme revulsion at the kiss, and pass judgement on them both. I don't watch past that. But I love this movie....
First and foremost great reaction. Marcus Aurelius was actually one of the most amazing Roman emperors and a most brilliant philosopher. I highly recommend looking up some of his writings. Commodus Antoninus Augustus was way more evil than even this movie has shown. One of the worst humans to ever live and have power. Much love and keep on keepin on J.
The real Commodus did in fact fight gladiators in the arena, but instead of injuring them like in the movie, he made them fight with swords made of soft lead while he fought with a sharp steel one.
Not story it's self is not accurate historically. But the fights themselves, the culture around the arena in Rome the way the crowd got into it etc. The tigers, the chariots, the varied weapons and fight formats etc, are all accurate and could have been things actually witnessed nearly 2000 years ago in Rome. Marcus as a thoughtful philosophical emperor is also accurate. Commodus as a emperor cheating in the arena is accurate as well. It's pretty great historical fiction. Accurate in a lot of ways with realistic characters for the time but not a true historical story of course.
This battle campaign in the movie never happened. After the Romans lost 15,000* legionaries in the Varus Battle in 9 AD, there were only minor battles in Germania afterwards. *3 legions Good movie, but more fantasy than historical. It follows in Gladiator 2: in one scene there is a Roman sitting in a café drinking tea and reading the newspaper!!!! It's awesome cough🤣
When I heard that in this sequel (25yrs on) that it would be Luscious grown up, I had my doubts about the believability of it all BUT having seen it now , the concept DOES work well, my only critisisms about the new film are the twin Emporor's that are suddenly in place that have come from know where, as GLADIATOR finished with a republican Rome.
Always happy to see a new reactor. Looking forward to seeing more movie reactions. "Alien" was Ridley Scott's second feature film and made him a household name. If you haven't watched Dune (the Lynch and/or the Villeneuve version) those would be fun to see reactions to. Looking forward to more.
Marcus Aurelius was played by the first Dumbledore, yes (Richard Harris). Harris appeared in the first two HP films, but later on died. Therefore, Michael Gambon continued playing Dumbledore in the rest of HP saga. Also, Richard Harris, had many stories of carousing and escapades with the aforementioned Oliver Reed.
To offer a bio of Richard Harris by mentioning only Dumbledore and his drinking proclivity is to seriously lead Camilla astray. Harris was a great, great actor, in theater as well as in movies, for 40 years or more before Harry Potter showed up on the scene. I saw him in about a dozen movies and he was always memorably good, including here as Marcus Aurelus. He also was a good singer, notably the iconic MacArthur Park. I tend to think Harris would not have had Dumbledore high on his list of career accomplishments.
7:20 I really loved this scene. phoenix delivered it so well, the writers who wrote those lines too. its so genuine you just feel bad for the dude. and then he killed his dad, and.. nope.. dudes bad.
Marcus Ulpius Traianus and Publius Aelius Hadrianus (both from Hispania, actual Spain), were the best and greatest emperors of the Roman Empire. Marcus Aurelius was a great one, probably the most cultured and profound, having his written testimonies as reliable proof.
3:13 "Well, they had a lot more trees back then, too...." Not after the Empire had its way with them! Wood was the Empire's main source of construction material, industry, fuel and energy. Deforestation was widespread in the Italian peninsula and the entire Mediterranean region. Once fertile lands were laid waste over the years because of the removal of all the trees.
@22:57 everybody was obsessed with Maximus' mask when this came out but if I had it i'd pay Nicholas-Cage/stupid money for the actual Tigris of Gaul mask/prop that thing is siiick
Given the Battle of Troy, as described in the Iliad and attributed to Homer, is replete with supernatural events and divine interventions, it seems fair to place it firmly in the realm of myth rather than history.
The killing of Markus...Aralius WASNT intended, it was an embrace that got out of hand, but of course Commodus took advantage of the situation. Commodus is sympathetic to some extent (especially compared to the phycotic Caligula type twins in the new sequel film) which I feared would just be a repeat of this 1st film, but it wasnt, I liked the way that Commodus saw the Citizens of Rome, as his adopted family, much like modern day right wing Politicians often do, a good example of great writing
You are a fine Reactor. May I recommend 2 films? Saw them in the theater, when they came out and were both big hits.... "Fried Green Tomatoes" from 1994, and "Stand By Me" from 1986
If you're really interested in watching gladiator fights, try watching the Spartacus series... It was on for 3 to 4 years. Was about 10 to 12 episodes per season... That will teach you everything you need to know about gladiatory
Great reaction. Joaquin Phoenix is a crazy good actor. He was stunning in this. His character's sister (Lucilla played by Connie Nielsen) was pleasant to look at, and was convincing in her feelings of terror. She plays the same character in Gladiator 2 (2024). Of course, Russell Crowe nailed his character from beginning to end of the movie. "Strength and Honor" "What we do in life, echoes in eternity." “Commodus is not a moral man." "I will have my vengeance, in this life or the next."
Gladiator was set in approx 180 AD. A few films that are set in even older time periods: *The Passion of the Christ* (2004) approx 33 AD *Ben Hur* (1959) approx 26 AD *Cleopatra* (1963) approx 48 BC *Spartacus* (1960) approx 73 BC *Alexander* (2004) approx 285 BC *300* (2006) approx 480 BC *Troy* (2004) approx 1250 BC *The Ten Commandments* (1956) approx 1350 BC ...and then you have your pre-historic caveman films too. Quest For Fire, 10,000 BC, Clan of the Cave Bear, One Million BC....
Ok, Camilla. I think you missed that Maximus' son was hanging as well. Very good reaction. As a filmmaker, it is your job to be well-versed with t h e subjects that you wish to be a part of. The first step is watching films from the vault. Get tp kniw the actirs and directors. And put away your 21st-century notions of what is fair and right. Movies work in both directions simultaneously to draw interest and force you out of your comfort zone. In writing my own stories and characters, there are times when I must put aside my preferences and involve myself in the things I wouldn't want to confront. But the story suffers when you smooth off the edges. As a 66 year old black man, nothing is more insulting to me than catering to black people in any media as to apologize for the past. Tell the story, your story to the best of ability. And let the chips fall down. You are just getting started. I like what I see so far. If I decide after a few more screenings you are as sharp as you are here, I will subscribe. Suggestions for future movies. SAVING PRIVATE RYAN by Steven Spielberg. GOOD WILL HUNTING with Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, and Robin Williams. And TO SIR, WITH LOVE with Sidney Poitier. It shows the cultural shift in 196o's and coming of age during that time in London. It's very good. Lastly, take on a franchise to watch. I would suggest either the ROCKY movies with Sylvester Stallone. GODFATHER pt.1 and pt. 2. Or TERMINATOR 1& 2. THE GREEN MILE. Keep going and enjoy the movies.
Add “Streets of Fire” 1984. to your list of movies to watch. This is an under rated rock & roll type of movie. With performances of hit songs from the 1980's. A mercenary is hired to rescue his ex-girlfriend, a singer who has been kidnapped. Including Rick Moranis, William Dafoe, Bill Paxton, Amy Madigan and others.
in the beginning battle scene they found a forest that was going to be burned anyways so they asked if they could film the battle there and assist in the "burning" lol
Since you did Top Gun, you have to do Maveric, the latest. Since you are covering older films, I would like to offer one of my favorites, the Lord of the Rings trilogy by Peter Jackson.
DO NOT waste your time or money on Gladiator II. It's full of horrible CGI that makes it look like a cheap B movie you'd see on the SYFY channel. The script/story is dull, unimaginative, and uninformative. Acting is awful especially, but not exclusively to, Denzel ( he sounds like a modern day NYC cab driver transported back in time ) and the 2 Emperors. The original: A+ and one of my top 5 movies all time. Pt II: D and would have been an F if I paid to see it. You've been warned.
Camilla, the secret of success in this genre, is how genuinely emotionally committed you are to the material. You can’t just react to a film with curiosity commentary and ooo’s and ah’s. You have to get emotionally invested. It’s not just film commentary. People want to relive their experiences when they first saw these films. They want to cry, they want to laugh. Get invested, get overwhelmed. Do that and you’ll cross 100k subscribers. I’ve been watching film reactions for years now. The most successful are those that get lost in the experience….even if they don’t care for the film they’re watching. Give every film your full emotional attention. Good luck 👍
@@barryscott8041 Yeah, that’s bad. Also another big sin is making fun of what they’re watching. People are tuning in because the film has deep meaning for them. If a reactor starts making fun of it, it’s game over. Some reactors need to go with the flow.
@ No, you clearly don’t understand. All I’m saying is for reactors to emotionally commit. That’s all. Your interpretation of that being “fake” is incredibly short sighted. I don’t know if you’re being argumentative for likes or brownie points, but that BS isn’t flying over here.
England was going to do a controlled burn for deforestation on a section of one of their areas. The film crew said let us do it and we’ll pay for it! So we get the burning forest at the beginning
My grandmother used to own a pub a couple of miles from Bourne Wood. Russell Crowe, Richard Harris and Connie Nielsen visited a couple of times during the shoot.
Strangulation/Hanging was the most common method of execution in ancient Rome. Criminals were also thrown off of a cliff, thrown into the river, fed to beasts, buried alive and immured (walled in a prison cell). Crucifixion was usually for rebel slaves, disgraced soldiers and others who betrayed the Empire
"I genuinely don't understand how this could be entertaining." That's because the gladiator games have been greatly exaggerated in modern media. Having men dying on the sands just to entertain a crowd makes for high drama, but the real ones were typically done with blunted weapons wrapped in cloth padding. Accidents did happen occasionally, but they weren't trying to _actually_ kill each other. Not all that different from modern day boxing or MMA, with some historical reenactment mixed in. Not all gladiators were even slaves, many free men entered the arena by choice, since popular gladiators were big time star athletes who got fame and lucrative sponsorship deals.
You can’t look at historical civilizations with a modern view. Be that moral thoughts or political. That being said, Gladiators did not typically fight to the death. That’s a Hollywood myth. People did die in the arena, but most fights were not death match’s.
While in Rome last year our tour guide informed us that very rarely were gladiators killed. These were scripted fights much like pro wrestling today. They were Characters and when one was "killed" the gladiator simply changed costumes and became a new character. The people were far enough away they wouldn't have been able to tell the difference.
The actor who played Proximo (the Gladiator trainer) was Oliver Reed. He was an extraordinary british actor, with a very interesting, fascinating and atypical life. He also was known for his alcoholism, having some scandals on TV and cinema as a consequence of this. During the filming of Gladiator in 1999, he sadly passed away. He had been sober for months, but one night (during a break from filming the movie) in an Irish pub in Malta (after a bet), he drank three bottles of Jamaican rum, eight bottles of German beer, numerous double whiskeys and challenged five young English sailors of the Royal Navy to arm-wrestling at The Pub bar (which after this incident was called Ollie's Last Pub). His bill, which was never paid, is preserved in a decorative frame in the bar.
Because he died before filming was complete, a couple of his scenes in the film are CGI of his face imposed on another actor's body
Oops
I remember an interview with Omid Djalilli the giraffe guy and I'm sure he said Reed actually grabbed his testicle for real.
I am a _Gladiator_ purist. So part 2 doesn't exist to me. The saga ends here with Maximus/Russel Crowe and a glorious end it was.
I was very disappointed with part 2. The plot has a million holes in it and the score is a complete joke compared to the first film. I would say that only the star power of Denzel Washington and Pedro Pascal will save it from becoming a financial disaster.
To add insult to injury, part 3 is rumoured to be in development.
This is how I feel about The Matrix.
Haven’t decided whether I’m excited for the sequel. Reviews are quite mixed.
@@justonecornetto80 Yeah I'm going to watch it just because I'm a Pascal and Washington fan. But there is a shortage of perfect movies in this world. It's a pity when they make a sequel of one. They really shouldn't have made a sequel to Matrix movie either. But I DO enjoy watching those although not nearly as much as the first one. I wonder if my feeling about Gladiator 2 and if there is a 3 or 4 will be the same. Probably will.
One of my favourite moments at 30:10. How Commodus is talking about them in the 3rd person, but then the camera pans to show she's there, hearing every single threatening word. Such a great piece of cinematography.
Another Russell Crowe movie that you should add to your list is Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World. I’m sure you’ve never heard of this, but ask Addie about it. It is an epic thriller. It is also known for its accurate portrayal of ship life.
...and great jokes. 🤐
The Charles Darwin subplot on his famous Galapagos journey is incredibly fascinating, too!
That's an awesome recommendation. As a historian myself, that movie is a bit of a masterpiece. Rarely can we be treated with a Hollywood film with such high level of historical accuracy as the way they portray ship life and naval warfare. It's incredible.
1:52 From east to west, the Roman Empire at its widest spanned the entire Mediterranean area from Spain to the Persian Gulf. From north to south, the furthest extent it ever reached was from the Antonine Wall in modern-day Scotland to southern Egypt.
People didn't watch the gladiators as much as Hollywood would have you believe. Chariot races were the main entertainment
Camilla, if you want to see Joaquin Phoenix's great acting range, check out "Signs" (2002), starring Phoenix and Mel Gibson.
Joaquin nearly stole that film, too! He is TALENTED.
He is, but I've never liked him as an actor because this was the first role I saw him in, and he is such a creep here, I can't see him as anything else.
@ …. Many people feel the same way! Commodus is one of the most vile film villains ever.
"Her" is another great performance from Phoenix.
Walk the line is one of my favorite of his movies he did a good job portraying as Johnny cash
His performance here blows away Signs.
“When you wake up in the morning, tell yourself: the people I deal with today will be meddling, ungrateful, arrogant, dishonest, jealous and surly. They are like this because they can't tell good from evil. But I have seen the beauty of good, and the ugliness of evil, and have recognized that the wrongdoer has a nature related to my own - not of the same blood and birth, but the same mind, and possessing a share of the divine. And so none of them can hurt me. No one can implicate me in ugliness. Nor can I feel angry at my relative, or hate him. We were born to work together like feet, hands and eyes, like the two rows of teeth, upper and lower. To obstruct each other is unnatural. To feel anger at someone, to turn your back on him: these are unnatural.”
― Marcus Aurelius
Is that a real historical quote?
@ Yes.
@@mr.embrute Wow, I looked it up, and it really is real. He was well known as a Stoic philosopher. He seemed like a genuinely good person, a rarity for men raised as a god among men.
@@Christobanistan You should check out his entire collection of writings called "The Meditations" that includes this quote. Since you liked this one. You will greatly enjoy many of the others.
@@benjaminroe311ify I read a bunch more of them already, you're right, I like the whole Stoic philosophy. It seems to have become a big part of western philosophy, since I've heard those ideas of optimism all my life. It seems nowadays, they've been abandoned by the "woke" in favor of Marxist power politics.
Someone who is actually looking forward to Gladiator 2 lol.
I figured everyone already knew they are not capable of making a movie like this now. Part 2 is something no one asked for or wanted and is going to be an absolute mess.
Whoever is making these movies now has no concept of emotional depth or the human experience. They are morally bankrupt and it shows in every line and scene they produce.
Um, it's out and you're right, it sucks. Super wokeified, unfortunately. All masculinity has been scrubbed.
The music is by Hans Zimmer, who had already been working in Hollywood for 12 years at that time, he debuted in 1988 with Rain Man with Tom Cruise and Dustin Hoffman, by the 2000's Hans was already a renowned musician and was very much in demand.
1 Percy, Greenmile
2 Norton, Shawshank
3 Commodus, Gladiator
Great reaction Camilla! There were actually a ton of different types of gladiator fights, many of which were not to the death and some others were essentially executions. I’m looking forward to the next reaction. Keep up the great work!
German guy here. And I really like that opening scene. I have no idea what that Germanic leader guy said in the beginning. But it just sounds familiar, like I should have understood it. Like "sorry, didn't get that, can you say it again?"
It's a really cool little detail.
Just so you know, irl that battle went the other way. Our ancestors kicked some serious Roman butt in 9AD, ending any plans of conquering Germania. The Rhine remained the border between the Roman Empire and and the lands of the Germanic tribes.
But of course this movie is still awesome. Remember the days when we got one off original stories instead of another sequel or entry in some cinematic universe? Days long past...
Strength and Honour!
The opening scene of this movie was filmed about 30 miles north of where I live, on land belonging to the Forestry Commission here in the UK. They were about to clear some land of old, diseased, and unwanted trees before replanting, when they were approached by the film company and allowed them to burn the trees for the film ( for a fee, of course). It looks as if it took place out in the wilds, somewhere, but in actual fact was about 15 miles south-west of London.
Camilla, it was a brutal world... It still is, in some places.
The first and better Gladiator's movimento, amazing. Brava Camilla!
One of the greatest movies of all time. And this music. 🥰 Wonderful reaction. And please do not cut short your thoughts on the end of the movie like so many reactors do these days. Even if the awful numbers of UA-cam show that many people end it directly after the reaction. That is just how it is. But the real ones also want to listen to what you have to say. 😊
The woman who played the wife of Maximus is Ridley Scott's wife, Giannina Facio.
I think I saw you with Addie.
there is a deleted scene why the emperor did not know he was still alive , the soldiers lied to him , they told him Maximus was dead , and then he executes 4 soldiers because of that . its on the extended edition
I love that Russell Crowe did all his own stunts and was an expert horseman. In the beginning battle, the wounds on his face are real. The horse he was riding spooked and backed into branches of a tree, and the director decided to leave them as battle wounds.
The real Emperor Commodus did in fact fight gladiators in the arena to try to show how tough he was, so this was loosely based on something real, but as depicted, he cheated: he made them fight with swords made of soft lead while he fought with a sharp steel one.
Why those gladiator didn't stole his sword while fighting and kill him?
I also read somewhere that Commodus would only fight wounded prisoners and old animals, and pay himself nearly a million sesterces per arena appearance.
Steel was barely being used in Rome for swords at the time Commodus ruled... And it was of very poor quality...
If i remember it correctly the audience hated him for it. He was essentially a rich boy trying to buy the fame of gladiators. Also he was apparently murdered while taking a bath, chocked to death by his gladiator trainer and bodyguard, which I find very funny.
Great reaction Camilla. In my opinion, Russel Crowe's performance in this film is nothing compared to his performance in The Insider, where he was absolutely robbed of the oscar. I'd say all of the nominees from the year of Gladiator were more deserving than Crowe, and some who weren't even nominated. Hans Zimmer's music in Gladiator, especially his collaboration with Lisa Gerrard, stands out to me in this film, with a well deserved nomination.
there are really only two, Ancient Rome epics that are the best -1960's SPARTACUS & GLADIATOR
I'm just here for her eyebrows.
Just?
😂😂😂😂
@@Billinois78 oh yeah those are some attractive brows.
I'm here her 5 head😂
And beautiful eyes
React to lord of the rings
Oh god, no. Spare us.
I've heard many people call Commodus by a bad name, but "Mr.Nastypants" is definitely a new one.
I love Gladiator. I saw it when it was originally released in theaters and it was amazing. Speaking of Joaquin Phoenix, as a teenager in the 80's, I saw him in a few movies when he was still a boy. He had a small part in the 1982 film Fast Times At Ridgemont High and played main characters in the 80's films Russkies and Space Camp.
PS if your haven't seen the Green Mile a must do reaction. Percy. That's all I will say. J.
For more of Russell Crow Master and Commander, Ridley Scott Blackhawk Down, and Alien. For Joaquin Phoenix , Her or the 80's classic Space Camp
Just found your channel and subbed. I appreciate watching your reactions.
Rome’s Colosseum was used for many different types of “games”/contests including battles between naval vessels of the times where the grounds of the Colosseum could be flooded to float such vessels!!
Joaquin Phoenix is my favorite in the movie
The thing about Joaquin Phoenix in this is that right from the very start, there is something off-putting about his character. This movie works so well because you just can't wait for Commodus to get what is coming to him.
"Don't hurt the doggie...don't hurt the horsies." I know there are people who perceive animals as "innocent" creatures as they don't choose to be participants. But to be innocent a creature must be capable of making moral choices, and doggies and horsies do not have this capacity, they simply behave in accordance with their instincts, training, and experiences. Please don't misunderstand me, I consider any needless death, human or animal, to be tragic. But, I can't help but point out the hypocrisy as it's only "cute" animals that matter, i.e., doggies and horsies and kitty cats. But the same people who decry the demise of doggies, horsies and kitty cats will readily kill rats, and snakes, and mosquitos, and cockroaches, and other creatures that aren't "cute" or are considered "pests." It's only the cute, whether human or animal, that are to be valued and deserve to live. A tragic situation for those of us creatures who aren't "cute." Ms. "Camilla's Corner" can take heart as she certainly meets the cute criterion, and I'm happy for her.
Myself, I'm not going to be watching Gladiator 2
Me neither. Russell Crowe is pissed off about it
Commodus wasn't even close to being the worst emperor. That's scary
0:15 "I also work in the film industry" and has not seen Alien nor Bladerunner, two films that define and changed the film industry. A lot of modern movies have at least one element from either film.
Neither of those films "changed the film industry."
My girlfriend & I are seeing Gladiator II in IMAX tonight.
Interested in hearing what you thought of it, if you feel like sharing.
Cant wait for Gladiator 3.
I saw this in the theater with my girlfriend. When it was over, she cried all the way back to the car......A lot of women were crying.
(from 11 hours later) We were entertained. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 10/10 👍x2
@@alextan1478 Cool. Some responses I saw were just lukewarm, so I wanted to get a fresh perspective.
I don't know about Europe, but the US now has more trees than it did in the 1900s.
LOL, "Mr Nasty Pants"
I've heard the new one isn't that good. This one is one of my favorites ❤
Pay no attention to the haters.
Be who you are.
Never apologize.
Dont touch your eyebrows.
You dont need makeup or filters.
Also, there are currently more trees on the planet than there has ever been in its entire history.
Thank you for watching this Classic. And thank you for understanding the moment when Lucilla and Maximus kiss, in his prison cell. They were lovers when they were young, and now they're desperate, not knowing if they'll ever see each other again. With all the darkness and death in this film, I've seen 2 Reactors who had extreme revulsion at the kiss, and pass judgement on them both. I don't watch past that. But I love this movie....
You will love Ben Hur from the 60s. Since you work in this area, watch an epic movie will definetly show how big and great movies can be.
First and foremost great reaction. Marcus Aurelius was actually one of the most amazing Roman emperors and a most brilliant philosopher. I highly recommend looking up some of his writings. Commodus Antoninus Augustus was way more evil than even this movie has shown. One of the worst humans to ever live and have power. Much love and keep on keepin on J.
The real Commodus did in fact fight gladiators in the arena, but instead of injuring them like in the movie, he made them fight with swords made of soft lead while he fought with a sharp steel one.
@@charlize1253 I always love learning thank you.
Dont watch the sequel
The Hans Zimmer music is just perfect for this movie
If you haven't seen movies set this far back in time, you'll need to watch "Troy" and "Life of Brian"... and well technically Star Wars...
My favorite movie of all time since it came out. Great reaction. ❤️
if you would like to see a great western. Give Tombstone (1993) a try.
Great movie. Top 3 for me. Thanks for your reaction
Not story it's self is not accurate historically. But the fights themselves, the culture around the arena in Rome the way the crowd got into it etc. The tigers, the chariots, the varied weapons and fight formats etc, are all accurate and could have been things actually witnessed nearly 2000 years ago in Rome. Marcus as a thoughtful philosophical emperor is also accurate. Commodus as a emperor cheating in the arena is accurate as well. It's pretty great historical fiction. Accurate in a lot of ways with realistic characters for the time but not a true historical story of course.
3:27 amazing warcry
Fun Fact: One of those tigers is the same one from The Hangover! 😜
This battle campaign in the movie never happened. After the Romans lost 15,000* legionaries in the Varus Battle in 9 AD, there were only minor battles in Germania afterwards. *3 legions
Good movie, but more fantasy than historical.
It follows in Gladiator 2: in one scene there is a Roman sitting in a café drinking tea and reading the newspaper!!!! It's awesome cough🤣
9:35 "Cute kid...Never mind the kid and the cavalry, the HOUSE is burning 🔥! (The legs seen...no mention of the kid again) what kid?" 😅
Such an epic movie, love it!
When I heard that in this sequel (25yrs on) that it would be Luscious grown up, I had my doubts about the believability of it all
BUT having seen it now , the concept DOES work well, my only critisisms about the new film are the twin Emporor's that are suddenly in place that have come from know where, as GLADIATOR finished with a republican Rome.
"I never seen this movie and i work also in the film industry"
Catering ?
I’ll comment on this reaction, but not yet, not yet
Always happy to see a new reactor. Looking forward to seeing more movie reactions. "Alien" was Ridley Scott's second feature film and made him a household name.
If you haven't watched Dune (the Lynch and/or the Villeneuve version) those would be fun to see reactions to. Looking forward to more.
Marcus Aurelius was played by the first Dumbledore, yes (Richard Harris). Harris appeared in the first two HP films, but later on died. Therefore, Michael Gambon continued playing Dumbledore in the rest of HP saga. Also, Richard Harris, had many stories of carousing and escapades with the aforementioned Oliver Reed.
Nope. Harris's drinking buddy was Peter O'Toole. He only went drinking with Oliver Reed once and it almost resulted in the having a fight.
To offer a bio of Richard Harris by mentioning only Dumbledore and his drinking proclivity is to seriously lead Camilla astray. Harris was a great, great actor, in theater as well as in movies, for 40 years or more before Harry Potter showed up on the scene. I saw him in about a dozen movies and he was always memorably good, including here as Marcus Aurelus. He also was a good singer, notably the iconic MacArthur Park.
I tend to think Harris would not have had Dumbledore high on his list of career accomplishments.
Such an Awesome movie. So we'll done. ❤
The thumbs up and down thing is a movie invention. It didn't happen
7:20 I really loved this scene. phoenix delivered it so well, the writers who wrote those lines too. its so genuine you just feel bad for the dude. and then he killed his dad, and.. nope.. dudes bad.
Loved your joint Reaction with Addie on the Hangover that is what brought me over to you 😉😉👍👍
For a change of pace: "The Great Race" (1965)
👍👍👍
Fun fact about the colosium they woud pump water into it and have naval battles for entertainment
Marcus Ulpius Traianus and Publius Aelius Hadrianus (both from Hispania, actual Spain), were the best and greatest emperors of the Roman Empire. Marcus Aurelius was a great one, probably the most cultured and profound, having his written testimonies as reliable proof.
Hadrian is overrated af
You need to see a movie set even further back in time, "The Ten Commandments"
3:13 "Well, they had a lot more trees back then, too...." Not after the Empire had its way with them!
Wood was the Empire's main source of construction material, industry, fuel and energy.
Deforestation was widespread in the Italian peninsula and the entire Mediterranean region.
Once fertile lands were laid waste over the years because of the removal of all the trees.
@22:57 everybody was obsessed with Maximus' mask when this came out but if I had it i'd pay Nicholas-Cage/stupid money for the actual Tigris of Gaul mask/prop that thing is siiick
You should try "Troy" with Brad Pitt; it takes place much farther back in History
Given the Battle of Troy, as described in the Iliad and attributed to Homer, is replete with supernatural events and divine interventions, it seems fair to place it firmly in the realm of myth rather than history.
I agree, Commodus knew at heart Maximus would be a better emperor, his little monologue to his father at the beginning about virtue shows that
The killing of Markus...Aralius WASNT intended, it was an embrace that got out of hand, but of course Commodus took advantage of the situation.
Commodus is sympathetic to some extent (especially compared to the phycotic Caligula type twins in the new sequel film) which I feared would just be a repeat of this 1st film, but it wasnt, I liked the way that Commodus saw the Citizens of Rome, as his adopted family, much like modern day right wing Politicians often do, a good example of great writing
another good Reaction but way to short
You are a fine Reactor. May I recommend 2 films? Saw them in the theater, when they came out and were both big hits.... "Fried Green Tomatoes" from 1994, and "Stand By Me" from 1986
If you're really interested in watching gladiator fights, try watching the Spartacus series... It was on for 3 to 4 years. Was about 10 to 12 episodes per season... That will teach you everything you need to know about gladiatory
Great reaction. Joaquin Phoenix is a crazy good actor. He was stunning in this. His character's sister (Lucilla played by Connie Nielsen) was pleasant to look at, and was convincing in her feelings of terror. She plays the same character in Gladiator 2 (2024). Of course, Russell Crowe nailed his character from beginning to end of the movie. "Strength and Honor"
"What we do in life, echoes in eternity." “Commodus is not a moral man." "I will have my vengeance, in this life or the next."
Gladiator was set in approx 180 AD. A few films that are set in even older time periods:
*The Passion of the Christ* (2004) approx 33 AD
*Ben Hur* (1959) approx 26 AD
*Cleopatra* (1963) approx 48 BC
*Spartacus* (1960) approx 73 BC
*Alexander* (2004) approx 285 BC
*300* (2006) approx 480 BC
*Troy* (2004) approx 1250 BC
*The Ten Commandments* (1956) approx 1350 BC
...and then you have your pre-historic caveman films too. Quest For Fire, 10,000 BC, Clan of the Cave Bear, One Million BC....
Ok, Camilla.
I think you missed that Maximus' son was hanging as well. Very good reaction. As a filmmaker, it is your job to be well-versed with t h e subjects that you wish to be a part of. The first step is watching films from the vault. Get tp kniw the actirs and directors. And put away your 21st-century notions of what is fair and right. Movies work in both directions simultaneously to draw interest and force you out of your comfort zone.
In writing my own stories and characters, there are times when I must put aside my preferences and involve myself in the things I wouldn't want to confront. But the story suffers when you smooth off the edges.
As a 66 year old black man, nothing is more insulting to me than catering to black people in any media as to apologize for the past. Tell the story, your story to the best of ability. And let the chips fall down.
You are just getting started.
I like what I see so far. If I decide after a few more screenings you are as sharp as you are here, I will subscribe.
Suggestions for future movies.
SAVING PRIVATE RYAN by Steven Spielberg.
GOOD WILL HUNTING with Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, and Robin Williams.
And TO SIR, WITH LOVE with Sidney Poitier. It shows the cultural shift in 196o's and coming of age during that time in London. It's very good.
Lastly, take on a franchise to watch. I would suggest either the ROCKY movies with Sylvester Stallone.
GODFATHER pt.1 and pt. 2.
Or TERMINATOR 1& 2.
THE GREEN MILE.
Keep going and enjoy the movies.
Add “Streets of Fire” 1984. to your list of movies to watch.
This is an under rated rock & roll type of movie. With performances of hit songs from the 1980's.
A mercenary is hired to rescue his ex-girlfriend, a singer who has been kidnapped.
Including Rick Moranis, William Dafoe, Bill Paxton, Amy Madigan and others.
“Bread and Circus”
in the beginning battle scene they found a forest that was going to be burned anyways so they asked if they could film the battle there and assist in the "burning" lol
Camilla: "Yay he did it"
Me: (wait for it)
Camilla: "WAIT... is he about to die??? ........ no... he's about to die too"
Since you did Top Gun, you have to do Maveric, the latest. Since you are covering older films, I would like to offer one of my favorites, the Lord of the Rings trilogy by Peter Jackson.
Camilla is straight up gorgeous
Great reaction!
21:50 bonk Camilla 🤣
DO NOT waste your time or money on Gladiator II. It's full of horrible CGI that makes it look like a cheap B movie you'd see on the SYFY channel. The script/story is dull, unimaginative, and uninformative. Acting is awful especially, but not exclusively to, Denzel ( he sounds like a modern day NYC cab driver transported back in time ) and the 2 Emperors. The original: A+ and one of my top 5 movies all time. Pt II: D and would have been an F if I paid to see it. You've been warned.
3:28 Not sure the subtitles caught that.
Camilla, the secret of success in this genre, is how genuinely emotionally committed you are to the material. You can’t just react to a film with curiosity commentary and ooo’s and ah’s. You have to get emotionally invested. It’s not just film commentary. People want to relive their experiences when they first saw these films. They want to cry, they want to laugh. Get invested, get overwhelmed. Do that and you’ll cross 100k subscribers. I’ve been watching film reactions for years now. The most successful are those that get lost in the experience….even if they don’t care for the film they’re watching. Give every film your full emotional attention. Good luck 👍
@ how did you get “fake it” from what I just wrote? Please work on your reading comprehension.
Most annoying are Reactors who don't listen to dialogue, or talk over it. Then halfway through, they're lost in confusion. "What's going on?"......
@@barryscott8041 Yeah, that’s bad. Also another big sin is making fun of what they’re watching. People are tuning in because the film has deep meaning for them. If a reactor starts making fun of it, it’s game over. Some reactors need to go with the flow.
@ No, you clearly don’t understand. All I’m saying is for reactors to emotionally commit. That’s all. Your interpretation of that being “fake” is incredibly short sighted. I don’t know if you’re being argumentative for likes or brownie points, but that BS isn’t flying over here.
England was going to do a controlled burn for deforestation on a section of one of their areas. The film crew said let us do it and we’ll pay for it! So we get the burning forest at the beginning
My grandmother used to own a pub a couple of miles from Bourne Wood. Russell Crowe, Richard Harris and Connie Nielsen visited a couple of times during the shoot.
Thanks for the reaction video, BTWyou look exactly like Emilia Clarke
This is Rome. They don't hang you. They nail you to the cross.
Strangulation/Hanging was the most common method of execution in ancient Rome.
Criminals were also thrown off of a cliff, thrown into the river, fed to beasts, buried alive and immured (walled in a prison cell).
Crucifixion was usually for rebel slaves, disgraced soldiers and others who betrayed the Empire
"I genuinely don't understand how this could be entertaining."
That's because the gladiator games have been greatly exaggerated in modern media. Having men dying on the sands just to entertain a crowd makes for high drama, but the real ones were typically done with blunted weapons wrapped in cloth padding. Accidents did happen occasionally, but they weren't trying to _actually_ kill each other. Not all that different from modern day boxing or MMA, with some historical reenactment mixed in. Not all gladiators were even slaves, many free men entered the arena by choice, since popular gladiators were big time star athletes who got fame and lucrative sponsorship deals.
The tigers were real
Gladiators were like the athletes of their time ( even though they were slaves). Good Gladiators were treated like star athletes
You can’t look at historical civilizations with a modern view. Be that moral thoughts or political.
That being said, Gladiators did not typically fight to the death. That’s a Hollywood myth. People did die in the arena, but most fights were not death match’s.