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Gladiator (2000) - Two Disc Set


RRP: £24.99
Our Price: £2.29 (subject to change)

Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review

Ridley Scott's glossy historical epic Gladiator revitalised the classic sword 'n' sandal genre, bringing both a modern pop-culture sensibility and state-of-the-art computer-generated special effects to what had seemed like a worn-out formula. Essentially a remake of Anthony Mann's stodgy 1964 Fall of the Roman Empire, Gladiator also borrows heavily from Saving Private Ryan in its stunning opening sequence, and employs Ridley's brother Tony Scott's rapid-fire editing style for the remarkably staged Colosseum fights. The overall effect is a hugely impressive but emotionally empty spectacle complemented by Hans Zimmer's bestselling but derivative score.

Russell Crowe cements his star status with a brooding, muscular performance helped along by lots of pithily quotable mock-Shakespearean dialogue. But Crowe's Maximus, along with everyone else in the film, is a disappointing two-dimensional stereotype: there's also the ridiculously melodramatic villain (Joaquin Phoenix), the old flame who's still in love with her hero (Connie Nielsen) and the trusty companion (Djimon Hounsou--who seems stuck in these roles). Richard Harris lacks the gravitas to convince as the philosopher-king Marcus Aurelius, and only Oliver Reed, in his very last film, brings some depth to his world-weary ex-gladiator. Still, if Scott's film lacks the profundity of Ben-Hur, Spartacus or even Cleopatra, it remains a kinetic, exciting thrill ride that gives us some sense of what it must have been like to fight and die with a gladius in hand.

On the DVD: Gladiator's two-disc set quickly became a must-have on its first release and remains one of the absolute essential DVD purchases. It set the standard both for picture and sound quality (Dolby 5.1 or DTS) as well as providing a second disc fully loaded with excellent special features. Scott's audio commentary is on the first disc, and the second has documentaries about both the history and the film, deleted scenes, storyboards, hidden "Easter Eggs" and more. --Mark Walker


An Epic Saga
Review date: 2007-10-05 Rating: 10 out of 10

A friend told me not to waste my time watching this. Boy, was he wrong. I bought the DVD here from Amazon and have watched everything on the DVD within 2 days. Yes I even watched the movies with commentary. I loved it. WOW! From the great Battles of the Roman Legions in Germania to Morocco and then Rome. What an Epic. I felt like I was there...And no where is their a part where you feel you want to pause the movie. It is a non-stop watcher. You must see this...

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Reviews


A FANTASTIC MOVIE
Review date: 2007-08-07 Rating: 10 out of 10

have to say, I love this film. It is without doubt one of my top ten favorite films ever made. This is without doubt one of the most stunning Hollywood blockbuster made in the modern era, ironic considering that it is throwback to the glory days when big budget Hollywood blockbusters were all about great story and and the onslaught of an emotional context. Gladiator does everything right. The script is superb, mixing the personal story of revenge with the political angle of ancient Rome, the performances from all are fantastic and not one actor feels out of place, be it Crowe, Reed, Harris, Phoenix, Jacobi or Nielson, all have their moment and all rise to the occasion. And of course, Ridley Scott. Not giving Ridley Scott the Oscar for Best Direction was the most blatant example of day light robbery at an award session I have ever seen. As a director who has been accused of putting style over substance, here he gets the balance right. He awes us with a fantastic overhead shot of the Coliseum, and then moves us during the final moments when Maximus enters heaven and returns to his wife and child. (Special kudos must also go to Hans Zimmer and Lisa Gerard for their fantastic music, haunting and beautifully emotional, it is one of the best music scores that has ever accompanied a film).

The real star here is Russell Crowe. He may be a hell raiser and famous for getting into fights, but he shows us what a versatile talent he is here with a performance that is one of modern Hollywood's true greats. How can one not fail to be moved at Maximus' discovery of his dead family. The scene is superb, with Crowe giving the scene his all, while his chemistry with Oliver Reed is second to none. Having these two trouble makers on screen is superb, and Reed, had he not have sadly died during production, would undoubtedly have seen a renaissance after this film, and possibly an Oscar. The delivery of his speeches to his gladiators are without doubt some of the stand out moments of the film.

Overall this is a superb film, one of the best films to come out of Hollywood in a very long time. Undeniably this is a classic in the making.


My Favorite movie ever
Review date: 2006-05-04 Rating: 10 out of 10

I have watched this movie more than any other movies. Every time I enjoy watching it as if is the first time. Great play and worth buying! Enjoy

Gladiator
Review date: 2005-01-13 Rating: 10 out of 10

It's an action movie with a lot of special effects.But it is based on a true story that takes place in Roma, where a respected general was punished by an emporer because of an unsolved crime and was transformed in to a slave that became a brave gladiator, who came up against the emporer.I have enjoyed all the film but the end is the best part, it is really moving.Which I recommend to all ages, but specialy for teenagers.The film is so good that it took my breath away.

Excellent Service
Review date: 2004-12-17 Rating: 10 out of 10

Fantastic service arrived in good time and well packaged. will deffinitly use them again. very very impressed

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
Joaquin Phoenix
Oliver Reed
Connie Nielsen
Richard Harris
Russell Crowe

Creators:
Russell Crowe (Primary Contributor)
Joaquin Phoenix (Primary Contributor)
Branko Lustig (Producer)
David Franzoni (Producer)
David Franzoni (Writer)
Douglas Wick (Producer)
Laurie MacDonald (Producer)
John Logan (Writer)
William Nicholson (Writer)

Director(s):

Recording label: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
EAN: 5035822009844
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 2
Format: Anamorphic, PAL,
Release date: 2000-11-20
Number of discs: 2
Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
Audience rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 149 minutes
Theatrical release date: 2000-05-05
Language: English (Original Language)
Language: English (Subtitles For The Hearing Impaired)
Language: English (Subtitled)
Language: Hindi (Subtitled)
Language: Turkish (Subtitled)
Language: Danish (Subtitled)
Language: Icelandic (Subtitled)
Language: Bulgarian (Subtitled)
Language: Swedish (Subtitled)
Language: Hungarian (Subtitled)
Language: Polish (Subtitled)
Language: Arabic (Subtitled)
Language: Dutch (Subtitled)
Language: Finnish (Subtitled)
Language: Croatian (Subtitled)
Language: Czech (Subtitled)
Language: Greek (Subtitled)

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