Essays on Gladiator

The idea of the “hero amongst men” has enticed and seduced various thinkers for centuries. Throughout the ages, selected character traits became associated with the idea and the ideal of man, known as heroism. But what defines a hero? What is the virtue most necessary to be a hero? By using modern films such as Gladiator and 300, one can compare and contrast contemporary definitions of heroism to the ancient Greco-Romans’ conceptualization. Deciphering what characterizes a hero greatly reveals culturally…...

“At the height of its power the Roman Empire was vast, stretching from deserts of Africa to the borders of Northern England. Over one quarter of the world’s population lived and died under the rule of the Caesars. In the winter of 180 AD Emperor Marcus Aurelius’ twelve-year campaign against the barbarian tribes in Germania was drawing to an end. Just one final stronghold stands in the way of Roman victory and the promise of peace throughout the Empire. ”…...

In the 21st century film, 'Gladiator', the director, Ridley Scott, uses a range of cinematic techniques to express the feelings and emotions of each of the main characters. Gladiator is a historical film, which is based on a true story, however the director has added a love triangle to add interest. Although this is a historical film, it is also a typical Hollywood film in the way that the hero defeats the villain and 'gets the girl'. In the first…...

The film follows Maximus (Russell Crowe) a respected Roman general who is loyal to the aged emperor Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris). However, Marcus Aurelius dies, killed by his son Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix) when he found he wouldn't be his successor. Commodus then betrays Maximus and makes the order to have him killed, but Maximus escapes home to protect his family only to find they have been murdered. All Maximus wants to do now is avenge his family's death. He is…...

"The Gladiator who defied an empire." The film that won over our screens. Gladiator is a compassionate film showing one man's personal journey of vengeance. Russell Crowe as the lead actor was born for the part, with his demeanour and look about him, he makes the perfect Roman General. We follow General Maximus from his latest battle and before he is allowed home the Emperor, Marcus Aurelius, (played by Richard Harris) tells the General he would like him to be…...

I stood there impatiently for the colleseum doors to open, waiting urgent to see who I would fight. Waiting there, thinking of what might come and kill me made me feel so tense. I was feeling so tense. My head was hurting so much like as if someone was banging my head with a hammer; my heart was beating so badly. Billions of images of soldiers, wild beasts, wild animals, chariots, horses and all sorts of things were zooming through…...

I am going to watch the film Gladiator by Ridly Scott. I hope to accurately describe and analyse how the director creates a feeling of tension, suspense and how overall he makes the film believable. I will not analyse the whole film, but just two of the scenes. The two scenes I have chosen are the first scene the battle of Germania and the last scene the death of the evil Emperor. The points I am most likely to focus…...

These two gladiators have to face each other in a bloody battle at the Amphitheatre. Their diaries tell you about the fight and the gladiator's feelings towards each other, during and before the fight. Echion the Retiari (net fighter) I woke up, just another day normal of my life I thought! No it is not a normal day actually it is either the day of my death, or the day that I become famous. Today is the day I will…...

Films are a masterful blend of artistic perfection and superb casual viewing. Like a painting is made up of colours, shapes and many brush strokes, a film is made up of camera angles, camera shots, and sound. Both existing within a context and a culture. Psycho and Gladiator are based in two different time periods with different perceptions of death and gender. Psycho, which was released in 1960 and set in, what was then modern time, a horror movie taken…...

To comment on the effectiveness of techniques and devices used in a film trailer, it must first be established, what a film trailer actually is, and essentially, what it tries to achieve. A film trailer is a device, which is used by the media, to advertise a new film that is to be released. It is released prior to the film; normally about 3-4 months beforehand. Most trailers are normally about 30-90 seconds, and in this time, clips from the…...

Describe the military weapons used against the Germanic tribes. bow and arrows, shields, swords, fire How is Maximus viewed by his troops? They adore him and honor him What reward does Maximus ask of Marcus Aurelius? To let him go home What does Marcus Aurelius ask of Maximus as his last duty to Rome? To become the protector of Rome and to give power back to the people What are Marcus Aurelius' feelings for his daughter Lucilla? He loves her…...

The first thing you'll notice about the painting is its size. Standing at 4 meters in height and 7 meters in width, the painting no doubt commands attention and gives off a majestic aura. Any viewer of the painting will feel dwarfed by the large painting and may feel overwhelmed by the magnanimity of it. The next thing you'll notice about the Spoliarium is the rich colors used. Predominantly, the painter made use of warm colors for his work of…...

While the Colosseum is a major tourist attraction today, back when the Roman Empire ruled it was a place of fighting, blood, and death. The colosseum was a source of entertainment for the people of Rome, as they witnessed the famed gladiators fighting to the death. The architectural design of the colosseum is an ingenious design, as well as the purpose and roles of it. The gladiators had an interesting history, as well as different classes and fighting styles. After…...

Fat boy swim is about a boy who's life has changed dramatically, from traumas and triumphs. Jimmy used to get bullied, he would cower in the corner and not be able to face the harsh critics. But when he started swimming he discovered a passion with connections to school, family life, appearance and most of all his dreams.......... When Jimmy has a crush, his confidence is boosted and he feels like superman! 'Up,up and awayyy! ' The writer has written…...

In recent years the emergence of filmmakers who expressed interest in adapting historical events as wide-screen presentations has revitalized public interest on historical events. But the usual problem is that the general public’s view usually gets distorted due to contemporary filmmakers’ nasty habit of utilizing their artistic license to its full extent More often than not, adaptations of historical events like Ridley Scott’s Gladiator offers a glimpse of early civilizations but neglects the aspect of historical accuracy which in turn…...

Its purpose was to be a gift to the Roman citizens, a massive breath-taking structure that conveyed the wealth, might and power of Rome, showing exotic, wild animals from all corners of the Roman Empire, showing off the extent of Rome’s conquests of different countries. It displayed the latest of Roman engineering and building techniques and showed re-enactments of famous Roman battles, including sea battles that required it to be flooded with water, which encouraged patriotism. This was the wonder…...

Gladiator is a wonderful story and won Best Picture in 2000. Even though the movie is so well done it does not mean that the story is historically accurate. The movie includes many historically accurate facts ranging from some of the characters to the society of Rome. However, Gladiator is for pure entertainment, and just like the real gladiator battles, it is for the enjoyment of the viewers. The film added to the cinematic categories such romance and intrigue but…...

In the movie, many things portrayed are the same as what really happened in Roman history. Some things though, are a little different in the actual history of Rome than in the movie. Scenes were changed in the movie too, to make the plot more interesting. I connected what I could between the movie and the actual history of Rome. Maximus was the general of Rome and a really good general at that. He lead Rome to many victories. He…...

Ridley Scott's Gladiator is the seriously well-known 2000 movie starring Russell Crowe which won forty-eight awards, including a BAFTA for best film. Gladiator illustrates the tale of Maximus Decimus Meridius and his battle against the may of the Roman Empire and the vicious gladiatorial arenas. Throughout Scott's work of art are a vast array of filmic strategies in the visual and auditory channels that team up in enunciating the overall narrative. The opening series is a prime example that uses…...