Crowe portrays Roman general Maximus Decimus Meridius, who is betrayed when Commodus, the ambitious son of Emperor Marcus Aurelius, murders his father and seizes the throne. He was secretly dying at the time, as told by Commodus to his sister, Lucilla. In 2003, Chicago became another Best Picture winner which didn't win an Academy Award in either of these two major categories. Marcus’s writing also makes a prominent appearance in Steinbeck’s East of Eden, in John Stuart Mill’s On Liberty, and of course many people know Marcus Aurelius from the popular film Gladiator, where he is the old and wise emperor at the beginning of the film played by Richard Harris. Father to a … "[13] Of the writing and filming process, Crowe added, "Possibly, a lot of the stuff that I have to deal with now in terms of my 'volatility' has to do with that experience. Marcus oversaw Maximus' victory over a Barbarian force in Germania, and he allowed Maximus to return to his farm in Spain as a reward for his victory in the war. They showed him a copy of Jean-Léon Gérôme's 1872 painting entitled Pollice Verso (Thumbs Down). Directed by Ridley Scott. Marcus Aurelius. [97] The following year, Wick, Walter Parkes, David Franzoni, and John Logan switched direction to a sequel set fifteen years later;[98] the Praetorian Guards rule Rome and an older Lucius is trying to learn who his real father was. It also received four BAFTA Awards at the 54th British Academy Film Awards for Best Film, Best Cinematography, Best Production Design and Best Editing. His legions were led by his favourite, Maximus. You're being directed by Ridley Scott. In an effort to win back the people's approval, Commodus challenges Maximus to a duel in the Colosseum. Reality was very different than the film in this instance. [69][70], On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 77% based on 199 reviews, with an average rating of 7.32/10. Unexpectedly, Maximus leads his side to victory, and Commodus enters the Colosseum to offer his congratulations. In fact, most statues were thought to have painted eyes and pupils at the time when they were created; it was only through the passage of time that the paint would have worn off, leaving the statues with their blank stares. [28] The reverse side of the complex supplied a rich assortment of Ancient Roman street furniture, colonnades, gates, statuary, and marketplaces for other filming requirements. It stars Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen, Ralf Möller, Oliver Reed (in his final role), Djimon Hounsou, Derek Jacobi, John Shrapnel, and Richard Harris. The film's mainstream success is responsible for an increased interest in Roman and classical history in the United States. Roman forces, led by the general Maximus (Crowe), defeat Germanic tribes, bringing temporary peace to the Roman Empire.The emperor, Marcus Aurelius (played by Richard Harris), tells Maximus that he would like Maximus to succeed him upon his death and for Maximus to return power to the Senate, restoring the Roman … Picture by Pierre-Selim. On February 27, 2001, nearly a year after the first soundtrack's release, Decca produced Gladiator: More Music From the Motion Picture. I've always been a big fan of Ridley's. 2. "[108] The plot is expected to center on the story of Lucius. Commodus then produces a hidden knife, which Maximus drives into Commodus's throat, killing him. He gave him his liberty and allowed Proximo the lowly gladiator to become Proximo, the wheeling-and-dealing gladiator trainer. 9. Inspired by Daniel P. Mannix's 1958 book Those About to Die (formerly titled The Way of the Gladiator), the film's script, initially written by Franzoni, was acquired by DreamWorks and Ridley Scott signed on to direct the film. Stirrups were only employed in filming for safety reasons because of the additional training and skill required to ride with a Roman saddle. William Nicholson was brought to Shepperton Studios to make Maximus a more sensitive character. [100] An easter egg contained on disc 2 of the extended edition/special edition DVD releases includes a discussion of possible scenarios for a follow-up. Maximus will escape Rome, join his soldiers, topple Commodus by force, and hand power back to the Roman Senate. rubbish. Discs one and two of the three-disc extended edition were also repackaged and sold as a two-disc "special edition" in the EU in 2005. Entertainment Weekly. Marcus Aurelius (Emperor of Rome), André Dacier, Thomas Gataker (1701). The film's depiction of Commodus's entry into Rome borrows imagery from Leni Riefenstahl's Nazi propaganda film Triumph of the Will (1935), although Scott has pointed out that the iconography of Nazi rallies was itself inspired by the Roman Empire. [80], Conversely, Roger Ebert gave the film 2 out of 4 stars, criticizing the look of the film as "muddy, fuzzy, and indistinct." Gladiator takes place in ad 180 and is loosely based on historical figures. [30] The Mill accomplished this by shooting live actors at different angles giving various performances, and then mapping them onto cards, with motion-capture tools used to track their movements for three-dimensional compositing. In the modern-day, he is probably best known from the popular film Gladiator (2000 CE) as the father of Commodus (r.177-192 CE) whose decision to pass over his son as successor serves as the point of departure for the films plot. Marcus Aurelius. We Have Added the Great and Top Quotes Said by Marcus Aurelius on Meditations, Life, Love, Leadership, Latin and Many More. Scott also stated that due to the influence of previous films affecting the public perception of what ancient Rome was like, some historical facts were "too unbelievable" to include. Am I proud to look up to this person? Special features for the Blu-ray Disc and DVDs include deleted scenes, trailers, documentaries, commentaries, storyboards, image galleries, Easter eggs, and cast auditions. Maximus is arrested by the Praetorian Guard and is told that he and his family will die. Commodus is the film’s antagonist/villain. The extended edition DVD features approximately fifteen minutes of additional scenes, most of which appear in the previous release as deleted scenes. Nevertheless, some deviations from historical fact were made to increase interest, maintain narrative continuity, and for practical or safety reasons. He led a Twelve Year Campaign in Germania, and his legions there were commanded by the Roman General Maximus Decimus Meridius. 8. The film is noteworthy for using quotes from 'Meditations'. What Oliver did was much greater. [12] Russell Crowe describes being eager for the role as pitched by Parkes, in his interview for Inside the Actors Studio: "They said, 'It's a 100-million-dollar film. [86], The Cicero biography Cicero: The Life and Times of Rome's Greatest Politician and Gregory Hays's translation of Marcus Aurelius's Meditations received large spikes in sales after the release of the film. [78] Entertainment Weekly put it on its end-of-the-decade, "best-of" list, saying, "Are you not entertained?". Then, on September 5, 2005, Decca produced Gladiator: Special Anniversary Edition, a two-CD pack containing both the above-mentioned releases. Maximus Decimus Meridius: Maximus is an entirely fictitious character, but seems to be based on several characters, including Avidius Cassius, who was a general in Marcus Aurelius' armies. You play a Roman General.' Commodus, whose full name was Caesar Marcus Aurelius Commodus Antoninus Augustus, was proclaimed Caesar at age 5 and joint emperor (co-Augustus) at the age of 17, in 177 CE, by his father, Marcus Aurelius. "[32] The film is dedicated to Reed's memory. Gladiator was based on an original pitch by David Franzoni, who wrote the first draft. Maximus discovers from Cicero, his ex-orderly, that his former legions remain loyal. Both films portray the death of Marcus Aurelius as an assassination. https://gladiator2000.fandom.com/wiki/Marcus_Aurelius?oldid=4660. He has symbolized for many generations in the West the Golden Age of the Roman Empire. The DVD is also notable for having a new commentary track featuring director Scott and star Crowe. Reduced to slavery, Maximus becomes a gladiator and rises through the ranks of the arena to avenge the murders of his family and his emperor. [101] In 2009, details of Cave's ultimately-rejected script, titled Christ Killer, surfaced on the internet, which Cave described as a "deities vs. deity vs. humankind" story. [55], The Roman cavalry are shown using stirrups. Marcus Aurelius. Historian Allen Ward of the University of Connecticut believed that historical accuracy would not have made Gladiator less interesting or exciting, stating, "creative artists need to be granted some poetic license, but that should not be a permit for the wholesale disregard of facts in historical fiction". Commodus : Yes, father. Marcus Aurelius died on March 17, 180 during the expedition against the Marcomanni in the city of Vindobona (today Vienna). Stoicism is no exception. Adam Levy Is A Regular In The U.K. Theater Scene", "Gladiator and Contemporary American Society", Not Such a Wonderful Life: A Look at History in Gladiator, "The Movie "Gladiator" in Historical Perspective", "Filmtracks: Gladiator (Hans Zimmer/Lisa Gerrard)", "Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones", "The Big Picture: Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones (PG)", "Mr. Plinkett's Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones Review", "The 50 greatest movie heroes and baddies of all time revealed", "IGN FilmForce Exclusive: David Franzoni in Negotiations for Another Gladiator! [29], British post-production company The Mill was responsible for much of the computer-generated imagery effects that were added after filming. "[15] Crowe described the script situation: "I read the script and it was substantially underdone. We actually started shooting with about 32 pages and went through them in the first couple of weeks. Marcus Aurelius Antoninus Augustus was born in April 26, 121 AD, to a prominent family. The character of Maximus is fictional, although in some respects he resembles the following historical figures: Although Commodus engaged in show combat in the Colosseum, he was not killed in the arena; he was strangled in his bath by the wrestler Narcissus. So the best reason for depressive disorders is the incapability to handle these feelings alteration. [24] Finally, the scenes of Ancient Rome were shot over a period of nineteen weeks in Fort Ricasoli, Malta. [88][89][90], The character of Maximus was placed 12th in the Total Film list of 50 best movie heroes and villains[91] and 35th in the Empire's 100 Greatest Movie Characters. [16], In preparation for filming, Scott spent several months developing storyboards to develop the framework of the plot. Another asked not to be mentioned in the credits (though it was stated in the director's commentary that he constantly asked, "where is the proof that certain things were exactly like they say?"). The script would have opened with a group of dying Roman gods reincarnating Maximus, who returns to Rome to defend his son Marius and his Christian companions against the Decian persecution. Rather, it ushered in a chaotic and bloody power struggle that culminated in the, Stephens, William (2012). [35], At least one historical advisor resigned due to these changes. With Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen, Oliver Reed. [72] Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "A" on an A+ to F scale. It's called the 'Gladiator' effect by writers and publishers. Gladiator Quotes from Maximus. together with the preliminary discourse of the learned Gataker” 1285 Copy quote. Livius in Fall of the Roman Empire and Maximus in Gladiator kill Commodus in single combat, Livius to save Lucilla and Maximus to avenge the murder of his wife and son, and both do it for the greater good of Rome. He led a Twelve Year Campaign in Germania, and his legions there were commanded by the Roman General Maximus Decimus Meridius. Some of the music from the film was featured in the NFL playoffs in January 2003 before commercial breaks and before and after half-time. The film won multiple awards, including five Academy Awards at the 73rd Academy Awards: Best Picture, Best Actor for Crowe, Best Costume Design, Best Sound and Best Visual Effects. As Ridley Scott wanted to portray Roman culture more accurately than in any previous film, he hired several historians as advisors. “The Gladiator” is an open window on the past, through which we can see the daily life during the Roman Empire. The Nazi film opens with an aerial view of Hitler arriving in a plane, while Scott shows an aerial view of Rome, quickly followed by a shot of the large crowd of people watching Commodus pass them in a procession with his chariot. According to The New York Times, this has been dubbed the "Gladiator Effect". Commodus, upon hearing this, attempts to persuade his father he has the necessary virtues to inherit the throne. [84] However, the pair did win the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Score as co-composers.[85]. This includes a suggestion by Parkes that, in order to enable Russell Crowe to return to play Maximus, a sequel could involve a "multi-generational drama about Maximus and the Aurelians and this chapter of Rome", similar in concept to The Godfather Part II. The Bible Continues'? [14] Crowe allegedly questioned every aspect of the evolving script and strode off the set when he did not get answers. In Fall of the Roman Emp… Juba promises to see Maximus again, "but not yet". Spartacus provides the film's gladiatorial motif, as well as the character of Senator Gracchus, a fictitious senator (bearing the name of a pair of revolutionary Tribunes from the 2nd century BC) who in both films is an elder statesman of ancient Rome attempting to preserve the ancient rights of the Roman Senate in the face of an ambitious autocrat – Marcus Licinius Crassus in Spartacus and Commodus in Gladiator. And that set about a long process, that's probably the first time that I've been in a situation where the script wasn't a complete done deal. We're working with an amazing writer as well, Peter Craig. Maximus is captured at the rendezvous with Cicero, where the latter is killed. A former Roman General sets out to exact vengeance against the corrupt emperor who murdered his family and sent him into slavery. Commodus learns of the plot when Lucilla's son, Lucius, innocently hints at the conspiracy. [22] Subsequently, the scenes of slavery, desert travel, and gladiatorial training school were shot in Ouarzazate, Morocco, just south of the Atlas Mountains over a further three weeks. However, Scott felt Franzoni's dialogue was too "on the nose" (lacking subtlety) and hired John Logan to rewrite the script to his liking. Source: Wikipedia Lucius Aurelius Commodus Source. Gladiator is a 2000 epic historical drama film directed by Ridley Scott and written by David Franzoni, John Logan, and William Nicholson. Fire arrows and canisters fired from catapults were not used at any point in ancient history. At one point in the Nazi film, a little girl gives flowers to Hitler, while Commodus is met by several girls who all give him bundles of flowers. [25] The rest of the Colosseum was created in computer-generated imagery using set-design blueprints and textures referenced from live action, and rendered in three layers to provide lighting flexibility for compositing in Flame and Inferno software. Marcus Aurelius : You will not be emperor. Scott noted that a tale of corruption in Rome was too complex, whereas Gladiator worked due to its simple drive. [77] In 2002, a Channel 4 (UK TV) poll named it as the sixth greatest film of all time. Marcus Aurelius Life Quotes Look within. Poverty Crime Mother. The three main and most memorable characters are; Marcus Aurelius, Commodus, and Maximus. [10], Ridley Scott was approached by producers Walter F. Parkes and Douglas Wick. [31], An unexpected post-production job was caused by the death of Oliver Reed of a heart attack during the filming in Malta, before all his scenes had been shot. "[13], Maximus' habit of rubbing soil before each fight references the attachment and affection to his former life as a farmer. He stabs Maximus before the match to gain an advantage. The opening battle scenes in the forests of Germania were shot in three weeks in the Bourne Woods, near Farnham, Surrey, in England. [20] When Scott learned that the Forestry Commission planned to remove a section of the forest, he persuaded them to allow the battle scene to be shot there and burn it down. Zimmer was originally planning to use Israeli vocalist Ofra Haza for the score, after his work with her in The Prince of Egypt. During their 30-year marriage Faustina bore 13 children, most notably son Commodus who would become Emperor and daughter Lucilla who was wed to Lucius Verus to solidify his alliance with Marcus Aurelius. You could only whisper it. [102][103][104][105] In March 2017, Scott again stated that he has an idea of how a sequel could be done, and that he is currently trying to convince Russell Crowe to reprise his role as Maximus. [25][26], In Malta, a replica of about one-third of Rome's Colosseum was built, to a height of 52 feet (15.8 meters), mostly from plaster and plywood (the other two-thirds and remaining height were added digitally). Father to a murdered son, husband to a murdered wife. This is a great representation of a man who would go down as the last of the five good emperors. Both films portray the death of Marcus Aurelius as an assassination. He kills his captors, although not without injury, and rides for his home near Trujillo, where he finds his home destroyed and his family murdered. [11] Scott was enticed by filming the world of Ancient Rome. He did declare himself emperor or revolt shortly after thinking Aurelius died in 175, suggesting a brief power struggle, but he was eventually killed after it became clear Aurelius was not dead. Despite his injuries, Maximus disarms Commodus, whom the Praetorian Guard refuse to aid. “My name is Maximus Decimus Meridius, Commander of the Armies of the North, General of the Felix Legions, loyal servant to the true Emperor Marcus Aurelius, father to a murdered son, husband to a murdered wife – and I will have my vengeance, in this life or the next.” – Maximus . When Commodus realizes his father won't change his mind, he murders him. [83], The film won five Academy Awards and was nominated for an additional seven, including Best Original Screenplay, Best Supporting Actor for Joaquin Phoenix and Best Director for Ridley Scott. He learns from Maximus what really happened to Marcus Aurelius, and that's the tipping point. 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