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In ancient Rome, a legendary warrior's destiny is shattered when Commodus, the power-hungry son, murders Emperor Marcus Aurelius and annihilates Maximus' family. Betrayed and broken, Maximus musters his unyielding spirit, disguising himself as a gladiator to infiltrate the Roman Colosseum and exact revenge on the treacherous Commodus, reclaiming honor and justice for Rome.

In ancient Rome, a legendary warrior's destiny is shattered when Commodus, the power-hungry son, murders Emperor Marcus Aurelius and annihilates Maximus' family. Betrayed and broken, Maximus musters his unyielding spirit, disguising himself as a gladiator to infiltrate the Roman Colosseum and exact revenge on the treacherous Commodus, reclaiming honor and justice for Rome.

Does Gladiator have end credit scenes?

No!

Gladiator does not have end credit scenes.

Actors

Meet the cast of Gladiator and learn about the talented actors who brought the characters to life. Explore their roles and career highlights.


Ratings

Discover how Gladiator is rated on popular platforms like IMDb, Metacritic, and TMDb. Explore audience and critic scores to see how this movie ranks among the best.


Metacritic

67

Metascore

8.7

User Score

Rotten Tomatoes
review

80%

TOMATOMETER

review

87%

User Score

IMDb

8.5 /10

IMDb Rating

TMDB

82

%

User Score

Movie Quiz

Challenge your knowledge of Gladiator with an engaging quiz. Test your memory of the movie’s characters, plot twists, and unforgettable moments.


Gladiator Quiz: Test your knowledge on the epic tale of Maximus Decimus Meridius and his pursuit of vengeance in ancient Rome.

What battle does General Maximus Decimus Meridius win at the beginning of the film?

Discover the awards and nominations received by Gladiator. Explore the history of Gladiator and its cast and crew.


73rd Academy Awards 2001

Russell Crowe
Win

Actor in a Leading Role

Russell Crowe
Joaquin Phoenix
Nomination

Actor in a Supporting Role

Joaquin Phoenix
Nomination

Art Direction

Nomination

Cinematography

Win

Costume Design

Ridley Scott
Nomination

Directing

Ridley Scott
Nomination

Film Editing

Nomination

Music (Original Score)

Hans Zimmer
Win

Best Picture

Win

Sound

Win

Visual Effects

Nomination

Writing (Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen)

54th British Academy Film Awards 2001

Win

Best Film

Ridley Scott
Nomination

Best Direction

Ridley Scott
Russell Crowe
Nomination

Best Actor in a Leading Role

Russell Crowe
Joaquin Phoenix
Nomination

Best Actor in a Supporting Role

Joaquin Phoenix
Oliver Reed
Nomination

Best Actor in a Supporting Role

Oliver Reed
Nomination

Best Original Screenplay

Win

Best Cinematography

Nomination

Best Costume Design

Win

Best Editing

Nomination

Best Makeup and Hair

Nomination

Best Original Music

Win

Best Production Design

Nomination

Best Sound

Nomination

Best Special Visual Effects

6th Critics' Choice Awards 2001

Russell Crowe
Win

Best Actor

Russell Crowe
Win

Best Picture

7th Screen Actors Guild Awards 2001

Russell Crowe
Nomination

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role

Russell Crowe
Joaquin Phoenix
Nomination

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role

Joaquin Phoenix
Nomination

Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture

53rd Directors Guild of America Awards 2001

Ridley Scott
Nomination

Feature Film

Ridley Scott

Plot Summary

See more

Get the full story of Gladiator with a detailed plot summary. Dive into its themes, characters, and the twists that make it a must-watch.


Shouting “Roma Invicta!” as his troops charge, General Maximus Decimus Meridius leads the Roman Army to a hard-won victory against Germanic barbarian tribes in 180 A.D., concluding a lengthy conflict and earning the respect of the aged Emperor Marcus Aurelius. As Aurelius nears death, he chooses to entrust temporary power to the honorable Maximus, with the intention of ultimately returning authority to the Roman Senate. This critical decision is communicated to Maximus, who is given a moment to ponder his new role, before Aurelius reveals it to his envy-ridden son, Commodus. Consumed by jealousy, Commodus murders his father to seize the throne.

Declaring himself Emperor, Commodus seeks Maximus’ loyalty, which the general, having realized Commodus’ treachery, vehemently rejects. Furious, Commodus orders Maximus’ death and dispatches the Praetorian Guards to execute his wife and son as well. Maximus escapes the initial execution attempt, but tragically, he returns home to find his family’s charred remains amid the devastation of his villa. Overwhelmed by grief, Maximus collapses on their graves after giving them a proper burial.

Captured by slave traders, Maximus is transported to Zucchabar, a harsh region in North Africa, where he is sold to Proximo, the owner of a gladiator school. Spiraling into despair over his family’s fate and feeling betrayed by the empire he served, Maximus initially refuses to fight. However, his remarkable skills as a warrior soon earn him the admiration of the crowd as he defends himself in the arena. During his training and subsequent battles, he forms friendships with Hagen, a Germanic warrior, and Juba, a Numidian hunter, who becomes a confidant to the mourning Maximus, often discussing the afterlife and the hope of reuniting with his family.

In Rome, Commodus reignites the gladiatorial games to mark his father’s death, and Proximo’s gladiators are summoned to participate. In a grand reenactment of the Battle of Zama, the crowd is captivated as Maximus leads the gladiators to triumph against a seemingly invincible foe. When Commodus discovers that the leader of the gladiators is none other than Maximus, he is taken aback, unable to act against him due to the audience’s fervent adoration.

As time progresses, Commodus pits Maximus against Tigris of Gaul, Rome’s undefeated gladiator, in a dangerously designed arena filled with captive tigers specifically trained to attack him. After an intense contest, Maximus emerges victorious and chooses to spare Tigris’ life, a decision that angers the Emperor but simultaneously earns Maximus the title of “Maximus the Merciful.” As Commodus suffers from the dual blows of his inability to eliminate Maximus and the loss of his own popularity, he devises schemes against his rival.

Through an encounter with Cicero, an ally from his past, Maximus learns that his loyal army awaits him at Ostia. Together with his former servant, Lucilla, Commodus’ sister, and Senator Gracchus, they plot to reclaim power from Commodus. However, Commodus, suspecting betrayal, threatens Lucilla’s son, forcing her to betray their plans. The ensuing attack by the Praetorian Guards leads to chaos in Proximo’s barracks, resulting in the death of Hagen and Proximo while capturing Juba and the remaining gladiators. Amidst the upheaval, Maximus narrowly escapes but watches helplessly as Cicero is murdered in the fray, followed by a brutal ambush by the guards.

As legends forged in the Colosseum must meet their end therein, Commodus challenges Maximus to a climactic duel before a roaring audience. He resorts to dishonorable tactics, wounding Maximus before the combat begins, yet Maximus, resilient and skilled, soon overcomes him. Commodus, pleading for a sword from his guards, finds himself betrayed as they refuse to aid him. In the heat of the battle, Maximus triumphs, ultimately killing Commodus with the weapon that was meant to end him.

In the eerie silence that follows Commodus’ fall, a dying Maximus catches glimpses of his beloved wife and son in the afterlife, yearning to join them but must first issue final commands. He orders the release of Proximo’s gladiators and reinstates Senator Gracchus, instructing him to restore a Senate-led government in Rome. As Maximus succumbs to his wounds, Lucilla rushes to his side, where he provides reassurance of her son’s safety and the demise of Commodus. As Maximus passes on, he is carried out from the Colosseum by the surviving gladiators, while Juba, now liberated, buries two small statues of Maximus’ family in the ancient arena, promising he will join them one day — but not just yet.

Uncover the Details: Timeline, Characters, Themes, and Beyond!

Keywords

Discover the keywords that describe the themes and topics of the movie. Explore the keywords that define the essence of the film.


roman empiregladiatorslaverycombatbattlefieldmother son relationshiparenabloodcrucifixionbetrayalrevengefather daughter relationshipfantasy sequencegladiatorial gamescommodusancient rome2nd centuryfather withholds love from his sonhistorical fictionemperordeathcaesardepravitydebaucherycrueltybastardincestbrutalitygladiatorial combatblood splattersexual tensionspeardeath of cast memberfamily betrayalbarbariantorso cut in halfwarriortragic herojealousystabbed in the throatstabbed in the legstabbed in the backafterlifesuffocationpatricideloss of wifeloss of sonmurder of a childchariotcatapult

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