In 180 AD, Roman General Maximus Decimus Meridius commands the legions of Emperor Marcus Aurelius on the Germanic frontier, winning a decisive victory that brings peace to the northern borders. The aging emperor, trusting Maximus above his own son, reveals his wish: Maximus will become Protector of Rome and guide it back to a republic after the emperor’s death.

But Commodus, the emperor’s ambitious and unstable son, murders his father and seizes the throne. He orders Maximus and his family executed. Maximus escapes but arrives too late to save his wife and son, finding their bodies crucified and burned. Collapsing from exhaustion and grief, he is captured by slavers and sold to Proximo, a former gladiator turned impresario in the Roman province of Zucchabar.

In the arena, Maximus’s military skill and tactical genius transform him into an undefeated champion. His fame grows until he is brought to the Colosseum in Rome itself, where 50,000 spectators — and Emperor Commodus — witness his return. Using the gladiatorial games as his stage, Maximus plots his revenge while inspiring a political conspiracy to restore the Republic. Gladiator is a sweeping epic of honor, loss, and the fight for justice in a corrupt empire.

Director & Cast

Director: Ridley Scott — the legendary filmmaker behind Alien and Blade Runner, who revived the historical epic genre with this film.

Cast: Russell Crowe as Maximus (Academy Award for Best Actor), Joaquin Phoenix as Commodus, Connie Nielsen as Lucilla, Oliver Reed as Proximo (in his final role), Richard Harris as Marcus Aurelius, and Djimon Hounsou as Juba.

Behind the Scenes

Oliver Reed passed away during production, and his remaining scenes were completed using early CGI face replacement. Russell Crowe’s commanding performance earned him the Academy Award for Best Actor. The film won five Oscars total, including Best Picture. The Colosseum scenes were filmed at Fort Ricasoli in Malta with a massive partial replica.