Gladiator

 

Gladiator is a 2000 epic historical drama film written by David Franzoni, John Logan, and William Nicholson and directed by Ridley Scott. DreamWorks Pictures and Universal Pictures collaborated on the film's production and distribution. The film was distributed in North America by DreamWorks Pictures, while it was released worldwide by United International Pictures on behalf of Universal Pictures. Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen, Ralf Möller, Oliver Reed (in his penultimate appearance), Djimon Hounsou, Derek Jacobi, John Shrapnel, Richard Harris, and Tommy Flanagan are among the cast members. Crowe plays Maximus Decimus Meridius, a Roman general who is deceived when Commodus, Emperor Marcus Aurelius' ambitious son, murders his father and seizes the throne. Maximus is sold into slavery and becomes a gladiator, rising through the ranks of the arena to avenge the assassinations of his family and emperor.

Gladiator had its world debut on May 1, 2000, in Los Angeles, and was released in theaters in Australia on May 4, the United States on May 5, and the United Kingdom on May 11, 2000. Critics praised the acting (especially Crowe and Phoenix's), Scott's direction, graphics, storyline, action sequences, musical score, and production qualities of the picture. It was a box office hit, generating $187.7 million in the US and $457 million worldwide, making it the second highest-grossing film of the year. The film won a total of five Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Actor for Crowe, Best Costume Design, Best Sound, and Best Visual Effects at the 73rd Academy Awards. At the 54th British Academy Film Awards, it won four BAFTAs for Best Film, Best Cinematography, Best Production Design, and Best Editing. Gladiator has also been credited with revolutionizing the sword-and-sandal genre and rekindling interest in ancient Greece and Rome-themed entertainment, such as the television series Rome, after its premiere.