GLADIATOR
Director: Ridley Scott
Music by Hanz Zimmer and Lisa Gerrard
Cast: Russel Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Richard Harris, Oliver Reed, Djimon Honsou and Connie Nielson.
Gladiator takes place during the reigns of the Roman emperors Marcus Aurelius and his son Commodus in the second century A.D. when the Roman Empire was at its height.
The main character in the story is Maximus Decius Meridius (Russel Crowe) who is commander of the Armies of the North and General of the Felix Legions.
The opening scene is set in Germania as the Roman Armies attempt to force back the barbarian hordes advancing on them in order to secure the frontier borders of the empire against further invasion attempts.
Against overwhelming odds the Roman Army only a quarter the size of the barbarians manages to achieve a bloody victory through superior tactics and innovation. Maximus is honoured by the ailing emperor Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris). It is at this time that Caesar's son Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix) enters the story. He is a young ambitious man who expects to be named emperor within days. The emperor however has other plans and asks Maximus to become the Protector of Rome when he dies. He offers this power to Maximus and asks him to help make Rome a Republic again.
The emperor tells Maximus that Commodus is not a moral man and must not rule. Maximus agrees to consider the proposal however is reluctant to accept as he misses his family in Spain and is eager to return to them. 
The Emperor calls for Commodus who expects to be named emperor but is distraught to find out that Maximus will become the new emperor instead of him. He then kills his father and since there is no proof of the discussion between Maximus and Marcus Aurelius, Commodus is proclaimed Caesar.
Maximus is summoned before Commodus and asked to swear loyalty to him. He refuses as he suspects Commodus killed Marcus Aurelius. Maximus is then arrested and sentenced to die as is his family.
Maximus escapes his execution killing all four praetorians (Elite Roman guards) who were to execute him. He does however get wounded in the fight after which he takes 2 horses from the guards and rides to Spain in order to save his family.
Sadly he arrives too late and is distraught to find them already dead. After burying them he collapses from loss of blood. Slave traders capture him and sell him to a gladiator school. He fights well and eventually makes it to the collisseum where he gains support from the crowd. He then realizes Commodus is at the arena and begins to plan his vengence.
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