Picture 73: Gladiator (2000)

A new millennium and where better to start than with the empire that founded Western civilisation. Gladiator takes us to 180 AD. The Roman Empire stretches across the known world and Maximus Decimus Meridius (Russell Crowe) is a successful general, seeing off the last European resistance from Germanic tribes in Central Europe. All seems well and Maximus is keen to return home after all of this hard work, fighting, leadership and management.

However, DreamWorks have other ideas and things start to unravel when Emperor Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris) states that he is keen for Maximus to succeed him rather than his own son Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix). Commodus is already troubled and has questionable morals but Marcus’ decision really triggers Commodus’ rejection dysphoria. He responds by assassinating his father and proclaiming himself Emperor. Maximus is suspiciously unimpressed and, in his opposition, becomes an enemy of the state. This is bad news in Roman times and soon he finds himself, after a botched execution attempt, sold into slavery and fighting as a gladiator in provincial arenas. His family in Spain are also tragically eliminated by the Praetorian guard.

Can Maximus use his combat skills as a gladiator to defy the Emperor? Can he avenge this new Emperor who wronged him so terribly? The answers unfold over 2 hours and 35 minutes in one of the greatest epics ever to win Best Picture.

This is big budget movie-making. The film’s 103 million dollar budget funded some stunning movie sets and visual effects. The opening Roman vs Barbarians battle and Coliseum sequences are especially impressive. But director Ridley Scott doesn’t let the visual scale detract from some excellent character development and acting performances. Joqauin Phoenix gives an especially memorable and disturbing portrayal of Commodus whilst Russell Crowe brings physical presence and tactfully resists the temptation to overact. Both are supported by a very capable cast.

Gladiator doesn’t lose its narrative in the sand of the Coliseum. This is a story about a man who loses everything, has his soul destroyed and yet somehow finds a way to rebuild and find meaning again. This is a powerful human story and with Hans Zimmer’s soundtrack on hand to crystallise any emotion, you end up with a very entertainin experience and a near perfect picture.

Landing in third place, Gladiator gets the 21^st century off to a magnificent start.

Rating: 10/10

Oscar Best Picture Rankings:

1. The Godfather (1972)

2. Schindler’s List (1993)

3. Gladiator (2000)

4. Casablanca (1943)

5. The Apartment (1960)

6. Rebecca (1940)

7. The Godfather: Part II (1974)

8. The Sound of Music (1965)

9. The Silence of the Lambs (1991)

10. Ordinary People (1980)

11. A Man for All Seasons (1966)

12. Gandhi (1982)

13. The Deer Hunter (1978)

14. Lawrence of Arabia (1962)

15. The English Patient (1996)

16. American Beauty (1999)

17. Titanic (1997)

18. Ben-Hur (1959)

19. The Last Emperor (1987)

20. Unforgiven (1992)

21. Lost Weekend (1945)

22. Platoon (1986)

23. Gone With the Wind (1939)

24. Rocky (1976)

25. Annie Hall (1977)

26. Amadeus (1984)

27. All About Eve (1950)

28. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975)

29. Hamlet (1948)

30. How Green Was My Valley (1941)

31. Braveheart (1995)

32. Out of Africa (1985)

33. West Side Story (1961)

34. Mrs. Miniver (1942)

35. All Quiet on the Western Front (1930)

36. Wings (1928)

37. Mutiny on the Bounty (1935)

38. You can’t take it with you (1938)

39. Patton (1970)

40. Terms of Endearment (1983)

41. The Best Years of Our Lives (1946)

42. On the Waterfront (1954)

43. The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957)

44. Midnight Cowboy (1969)

45. Driving Miss Daisy (1989)

46. Rain Man (1988)

47. Kramer vs. Kramer (1979)

48. Forrest Gump (1994)

49. Dances with Wolves (1990)

50. Marty (1955)

51. Oliver! (1968)

52. Cimarron (1931)

53. Grand Hotel (1932)

54. The French Connection (1971)

55. An American in Paris (1951)

56. Shakespeare in Love (1998)

57. From Here to Eternity (1953)

58. It Happened One Night (1934)

59. My Fair Lady (1964)

60. Gentleman’s Agreement (1947)

61. Cavalcade (1933)

62. The Sting (1973)

63. The Life of Emile Zola (1937)

64. Going My Way (1944)

65. The Great Ziegfeld (1936)

66. Chariots of Fire (1981)

67. All the King’s Men (1949)

68. In the Heat of the Night (1967)

69. Gigi (1958)

70. Around the World in 80 Days (1956)

71. The Greatest Show on Earth (1952)

72. The Broadway Melody (1929)

73. Tom Jones (1963)

Previous or current ranking leaders are in bold.

With credit and thanks to the patrons of the Best Picture Film Club:

Dr Sophie Bloomfield – Fashion Correspondent

Dr Caspar Briault – Head of Cynicism

Dr Conrad Charlton

Dr Sophie Clarke

Dr Kate Diomede

Dr Fionnuala Durrant

Dr Josh Fisher

Dr Joseph Gallaher – CEO and Founder

Dr Joseph Hamilton

Dr Adam Holland – Head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Dr Sid Mohan - Divisional Lead for the 1980s

Dr Hannah Morrison

Dr Meera Radia