Gladiator

'Gladiator’ is a 2000 film directed by Ridley Scott, adapted from the book of the same name written by Dewey Gram. The screenplay was written by David Franzoni, John Logan and William Nicholson. They created a very successful movie. Russell Crowe played Maximus and Joaquin Phoenix played Commodus in this movie.

Summary

General Maximus is commander of the Roman Army of the North. He fights his last battle in the war against Germania. Then, he hopes to return to his farm and his family in Spain. However, there are many serious problems in Rome.

Emperor Marcus Aurelius knows he will soon die. Maximus realizes that he must perform another duty for the Emperor before he can go home. Emperor wants Maximus to become the Protector of Rome.

When Commodus, the Emperor’s son, finds out about this, he hates Maximus. Then, he kills his father and becomes the new Emperor.

Commodus wants Maximus to die but Maximus escapes and returns to his home, Spain. He is late because his wife and son are killed. Maximus is taken into slavery and trained as a gladiator by Proximo.

Eventually, Maximus and other gladiators are sent to Rome to perform for Commodus. Maximus finally kills Commodus but he dies because of his fatal wounds.

Maximus is first a general, then a slave, then a gladiator and finally a hero. He is loyal to Rome. He is the main character of the movie.

Commodus is the spoiled son of Emperor Marcus Aurelius. He becomes the emperor and Maximus’ enemy. He is jealous of Maximus.