Gladiator (2000) Action/Adventure -R-
10/10: Undoubtedly one of the best movies of all time. Captivates you with epic Roman battles, an unforgettable Hans Zimmer soundtrack, and morally exemplary characters.
Recommended for:
Kids-only movie night: No
Family movie night: No
Older kids movie night: Yes
Grownups only movie night: Yes
Overview: Gladiator (2000) tells the story of Maximus, a former Roman General turned slave and gladiator who seeks revenge against the corrupt emperor Nero who murdered his wife and boy. A unique and irrepeatable experience for any teenager and adult, especially those into ancient history. The definition of a perfect movie, and the Roman version of Braveheart (1995).
Sex/Nudity/Pornography 5/10: There is nothing explicit. The worst scene is where the perverted and incestuous emperor kisses his sister, who just stays still in fear of her life. See below at minute 2:50. This is shown negatively. Later, the widower Maximus kisses Princes Lucilla after she visits him in prison. A gladiator asks another “What do you want, a girl? A boy?”
Violence/Gore 7/10: Director Ridley Scott avoids gore. The worst is the scene where his family is killed by Roman soldiers. The young boy thinks the soldiers are coming with his father, but they actually run him over. We then see the mother’s charred feet hanged from a tree as Maximus cries, mourns, kisses them, and later buries them both.
Soldiers are killed, decapitated, and burned but nothing more than the necessary violence is shown. Gladiator fights feature deaths by sword, arrows, and even animals.
Drinking/Drugs/Smoking: 1/10
Alcohol use is limited to social contexts, particularly among Roman elites, with Emperor Commodus drinking wine. No glorification of vice.
Cursing/Blasphemy: 2/10
Profanity is sparse, with a few mild expletives such as "damn" and one use of the s-word. A woman is insulted as a “b--ch.”
Virtuous Examples 10/10:
Maximus stands as a paragon of integrity and courage. Loyal to Rome and its ideals, he rejects personal power and wealth to stay true to his principles, famously declaring, “What we do in life echoes in eternity.” His friendship with fellow gladiators and his deep love for his family reflect his moral depth. He ends up dying for the cause and is shown in “elysium” or their version of heaven in the end. He is morally perfect, and even prays to the “gods” and to his ancestors. See here at second 0:45.
Lucilla displays courage protecting her son from Commodus’s corrupt grip and enduring suffering and incestuous advances to topple him later on to avoid ruining the plot.
Moral Lessons 10/10:
The film sharply contrasts Maximus’s moral fortitude with the degeneracy of Commodus, who embodies selfishness and hedonism. The film critiques such degeneracy, serving as a cautionary tale about the dangers of moral erosion, and the importance of love for one’s country, gods, and ancestors. This movie is a solid representation of the importance of God, family and country, and is an example to follow for both men and women to fight for what is right, regardless of persecution, all the way unto death because great is the reward in Heaven.
Awards: Academy Awards (5), Golden Globe Awards (2), BAFTA Awards (4), Screen Actors Guild Awards (2), Critics' Choice Movie Awards (2), Satellite Awards (3), Saturn Award (1), Empire Awards (3).
Quotes
“My name is Maximus Decimus Meridius, commander of the Armies of the North, General of the Felix Legions, loyal servant to the true Emperor Marcus Aurelius, father to a murdered son, husband to a murdered wife. And I shall have my vengeance, in this life or the next” - Maximus to the corrupt emperor after taking off his helmet in the Colosseum and revealing his secret identity
“What we do in life echoes in eternity.” - Maximus to his soldiers before charging the enemy
“Are you not entertained?” - Maximus to the bloodthirsty crowd of the arena
Final Rating: 10/10
Gladiator is a cinematic masterpiece that captivates through its grandiose and unique depictions of the ancient world, flawless acting, unparalleled Roman and gladiatorial fight scenes, instantly recognizable Hans Zimmer soundtrack, and morally exemplary characters. It’s not for younger audiences, but it remains a unique and irrepeatable experience for any teenager and adult, especially those into ancient history. Perfect for a teenagers and up movie night, Gladiator challenges its audience to reflect on “strength and honor”, sacrifice, and the fact that “what we in life echoes in eternity”.