Posted on 05/02/2020 3:27:03 PM PDT by Rummyfan
Our star movie columnist, Kathy Shaidle, is off this weekend, so her fill-in guy is obliged to step in. I can't quite believe it's twenty years since this film was released, but nevertheless it is: May 5th 2000. So in honor of its first two decades, and in memory of a ridiculously distinguished cast too prematurely departed (Richard Harris, David Hemmings, Oliver Reed), we salute a film that has the courage of its own ridiculousness and features a splendid turn by Russell Crowe, although his turn as Javert in Les Miz came close, and so did his performance at the Riskie Awards. The historical research by Ridley Scott speaks for itself, so just to set the scene:
Germania, 180 AD. Rome is at war with the, er, Germaniacs, who stand around in the Black Forest grunting like Brits on the piss who've nutted themselves in one pub fight too many. You need a cool head to take on the Roman Army, and the only one the barbarians have belongs to Caesar's emissary, whom they thoughtfully decapitated before sending back. They wave the old noggin around like a treasured footie ball, grunting, "Ug Eugh Blug" or, translated from the original gibberish, "Over 'ere, mate." It's a scene that rings oddly contemporary in the age of Isis, although when I first saw it, a year before 9/11, it gave me the giggles. But then barbarians always seem funny from a distance, don't they? Here they scratch their pelts and grunt some more, seemingly unconcerned by the fact that the Roman legions are lighting up their blazing arrows and fireballs, the smart bombs of the day. The ensuing battle, whose outcome would seem never to be in doubt, is apparently the final bloody act in a twelve-year war.
(Excerpt) Read more at steynonline.com ...
Gotta love Steyn!
Gladiator is a great movie.
If they tried to make it today the main character will be played by a transvestite.
Also, Oliver Reed’s last film. During production in Malta he went out one day and quite literally drank himself to death. Fortunately for the production most of his scenes were complete.
There’s one scene where an automobile is momentarily seen for a split second. One of those famous movie faux pas. At least I think that’s the movie.
I was so taken with and loved this movie, that I ended up going to see it in the theater 10 times, the first time was when it had already been out for 2 months. I just could not get enough of it. I was so taken with its historical nature, the recreation of the Roman empire, the characters, the music, the costumes, everything about this movie!
I liked it too. He has been in some good movies-My favorite is “Master and Commander”
How can you not like “ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED?”
That ranks up there with “I love the smell of napalm in the morning...”
There is also a scene with a guy walking by leading a horse and he’s wearing jeans.
There’s a scene near the beginning where everyone is lined up to do battle and a guy in jeans steps out from the far left, you see jeans between the horse’s legs.
I think that was the best work Crowe has ever done.
In the service, one must always choose the lesser of two weevils.
I like the opening battle scene with those nasty barbarians. Kind of wish I were there, on either side.
Are you not entertained?
>>If they tried to make it today the main character will be played by a transvestite.<<
“Gladiatix” starring ru paul.
I recently watched it since it happened to be on TV, and I had forgotten how good it was since I saw it many years ago. He was loyal to the dream of Rome to the bitter end and fought to keep an evil ruler (Commodus) from corrupting it.
Haven’t bee n to a movie in several years but use to go regularly. If I were to rank what I’ve seen this would be number 1!!!
ANOTHER of my favorites! Great movie...
Ever see “Open Range”?
I’m always in awe of what the Great Steyn can do with words.
I just love the complete look of disbelief when he realizes he has been had...
Beautiful. I love the portrayal of shipboard life in that time. It inspired me to read all the novels it was loosely based on.
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