Rent Gladiator (2000)

Always Great - Gladiator review by GI

Director Ridley Scott's visually spectacular sword and sandal epic is still a marvellously entertaining watch even after loads of viewings. It has all of Scott's stunning attention to detail from the bleak forests of Central Europe to the sun drenched deserts of Africa and the magnificence of ancient Rome. The cityscapes with the Coliseum recreated in all its glory at its heart are spectacular cinema at its best. This is arguably Russell Crowe's best film and certainly his most famous and with a cast that includes such greats as Richard Harris and Oliver Reed the film was destined to be a big hit. I'm not surprised at all that it remains a firm favourite of many because it's a great story, a simple one of a hero overcoming oppression and tyranny against a nasty bad guy through bloodshed and against the odds. Joaquin Pheonix is suitably horrible as the corrupt megalomaniac Caesar Commodus who has his father's favourite General sentenced to death so he can control Rome how he wants. But unbeknownst to him the General, Maximus (Crowe) escapes, is sold into slavery and trained as a gladiator and returns for revenge. It's an age old narrative that still has that romanticised heroism to it that audiences love and in Scott's hands this is big, bold cinema that reminds you of similar greats such as Ben-Hur (1959) and Spartacus (1960). With a moving musical score, plenty of action it is simply great fun. The battle scenes are gritty and gruesome, the gladiatorial fights too are bloody and exciting and there's no real romance to divert the hero's attention. A film to make sure you see if you, by some weird chance, missed it and to watch again for the treat it brings.

An incredible, stunning achievement which looks magnificent remastered on 4K Blu-ray - Gladiator review by TB

I never understood the hype around Gladiator until I re-watched it years later, then saw it again on 4K Blu-Ray.

It is an incredible achievement with a staggering central performance by Russell Crowe as Maximus. Every other actor is also amazing. The locations, soundtrack, stunts/fights, cinematography/mise-en-scene and script all note perfect.

Watch remastered on 4K Blu-ray with the best equipment you can on the largest TV and be swept up in the magnificence of it all. Simply perfection.

Awful edge enhancement on this blu-ray transfer - Gladiator review by CSD

I was surprised to discover that six years after Universal replaced this original transfer of the film with a superior one that did not feature (as much) edge enhancement as this version, Cinema Paradiso is still renting out the old edition that was universally panned by blu-ray aficionados. This may not matter if you are watching on low grade equipment and a small screen, but if you love to enjoy your movies on a big screen AVOID this version!!!