Gladiator (2000)

Director: Ridley Scott
Starring: Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen, Derek Jacobi, Djimon Hounsou, Richard Harris
Certificate: 15
Genre: Action, Historic, Drama
Awards: Best Actor (Crowe), Best Costume, Best effects, Best picture, Best sound

Maximus Decimus Meridius (Crowe) is a general in the Roman army. The Roman Emperor  Marcus Aurelious (Harris) gives him power over the empire in order to give it to the senate. But Aurelios's crafty son Commodus (Phoenix) kills his father before he can tell anyone. He then has Maximus and his family executed. Maximus escapes but is captured by slavers. He is then trained as a gladiator and is sent to the colosseum where he comes face to face with the man who had his family killed.

Gladiator has a really touching story with some really good actors. Phoenix is a brilliant as ever, but it is Crowe who shines out. He plays a man who has lost everything. Richard Harris has a good small part as the kind emperor who wants to give Rome back to the people.

Hans Zimmer's Score reigns over the film with such force, it is quite easy to get emotional. The set pieces are immense and the battles are of a high quality. I would say that this is one of Ridley Scott's best films. In the top three.

*****Brilliant