All Roads Lead to Rome. Review on Gladiator Movie

The Empire of Rome is one of the greatest achievements of civilized man. Many storytellers have tarvelled back through history to unravel the glories of this empire, many mammoth motion pictures made, elucidating the ambitions, aspirations and treachery of the rulers and the ruled. Its soldiers were legionnaires who fought and tilled their lands, on a part time basis. Regular professional soldiers joined the army as Rome flourished, and its rulers fought many wars to extend the empire and their personal glory.

The movie, Gladiator, is the story of a brawny and charismatic General called Maximus (Russell Crowe), who loves to go back to his farm and his family. The movie begins with Maximus caressing the long grass and flowers on a meadow with his hand, symbolizing his love for the earth and nature. The camera moves with him, walking along the ranks of his army. Director Ridley Scott leads you to an arena of gigantic proportions - a battlefront - where a massive Roman army waits in full gear.

'' At my signal - unleash hell! ''

Maximus orders in his commanding voice. An astounding and bloodthirsty fury commences; a ferocious battle with the Germanian barbarians sets off. A fierce fusillade of flaming arrows and rocks and hammers, ravages the advancing barbarians, who are sliced into pieces. Ridely Scott literally succeeds in taking you amongst the destruction and blood bath. At a distance, on the hilltop, a frail and ailing Emperor, Marcus Aurelius Caesar (Richard Harris) watches the massacre very sadly. He has fought many wars for his empire and is fed up of the homicide. He congratulates the victorious Maximus and reveals his wish and intention of passing the mantle to him and entrusts him to take over Rome, to return to democracy. He does not trust either of his son Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix) or daughter Lucilla (Connie Nielsen).

He summons Commodus and conveys his decision. The son sheds crocodile tears and commits the most brutal and cold-blooded patricide. The detestable villain orders the execution of Maximus. Maximus escapes, killing the guards and rushes to his farm limping from his injuries. But it is too late, as Commodus’ men have already burnt his farm and murdered his wife and son. Maximus sheds tears at the feet of his wife’s corpse. Hans Zimmer’s music is mind blowing. Maximus’ grief flows in the notes of the background music. There was a lump in my throat and a dampness in my eyes as the music filled the surroundings, while I was watching the movie. He blacks out and is captured by slave-traders who sells him to Proximo (the late Oliver Reed, may his soul rest in peace), who is a trainer of gladiators.

Maximus becomes his star gladiator. Maximus fans the fire of vengeance in him against the treachery of Commodus. Meanwhile, Commodus tries to appease his subjects by holding games and fights at the Collosseum at the same time plotting against the senate. Maximus wins many fights at the Collosseum incognito, and becomes the darling of the Romans, who cheers at every human body being felled and the stench of blood fills the Colloseum. Breathtaking events and drama follow to the climax.

Ridley Scott has presented larger-than-life characters, magnificent scenery and fantastic sets. He enthralls and immerses the audience in an ocean of reality. He has used historical personages to suit the fictional screenplay. He deserves praise for the way he has created a second century Rome with all its splendour, very credible and stunning. The civilization of ancient Rome has been depicted in its true historical reality. The Collosseum has been resurrected to its full glory; any modern architect would not have been able to do the same, thanks to the modern technology. The games, the fights and the bloodshed at the Colloseum, truly portrayed by him, throw light on the stark grisliness of the rulers of Ancient Rome. They laugh, clap and enjoy at every drop of blood shed by the innocent slaves, very intriguing. Ridley Scott is a great showman. The photography and special effects are par excellence. The music is extraordinary and mind-boggling. On many occasions the pathos of the music creates a twinge in the remote walls of your heart and makes the eyes misty.

Russell Crowe as Maximus is most awesome. He fills the screen. He is a supremo who truly shines as a protagonist who defies all odds. He is commanding with temperance. He dominates with his clenched jaw, cold stare and a sure gait. He expresses feelings on his rugged face, which come straight from the bottom of his heart.

Phoenix has excelled in his role of a weak but wicked emperor in the roll of Commodus. He has truly given life to a spoiled and ruthless Roman ruler, as venomous as a snake, coiled and ready to strike. Richard Harris as the ailing emperor, Derek Jacobi, Oliver Reed and Connie Nielsen have all done justice to their rolls. Djimon Hounsou plays superb as Maximus’ brother-in-captivity.

Gladiator is the saga of the victory of a heroic human being over insurmountable obstacles. It is an irony - a slave taking on the Roman Emperor.

Happy viewing at the Collosseum!!!