Gladiator

20 March 2024

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See you in the grave. Our time is approaching.
Well, we didn't win. We'll die in the arena.
All the better, not bald, from women, from drinking.
The sky above the Colosseum is also blue.
As for our homeland, which we have left in vain.
For the truth, and for the riches of the Romans.
We are not offended, is that an insult?
It's just that, apparently, we got a planid.
Our time is approaching... People are already settled.
We'll die in the arena. People want shows. .

(Joseph Brodsky)

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05 August 2020

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Not even twenty years have passed! I just came across an article where it is mentioned how difficult the film was shot, the script was not clearly spelled out and, most importantly, one of the main actors Oliver Reed died 3 weeks before the end of filming. I didn't know! What a story. What a deep and powerful image. At the very end, the last 2 minutes with him was already filmed using his digital image.

And here's another:
“Reed was “resurrected” with computer graphics, stunt doubles and a dummy. The scene of the massacre of Proximo is filmed from the back (this is another actor), but the voice belongs to Reed – he repeats the theatrical phrase “Shadows and perishables”. She appeared in the film almost by accident.

During the filming of Maximus' entrance to the arena, Proximo shouts after him: "We are just shadows and corruptible!" The camera was then not turned off immediately, and Reed after this scream thoughtfully repeated "Shadows and perishable..." The episode was cut during editing, but after Reed's death, the phrase seemed perfect to the director to say goodbye to both the actor and his hero. A beautiful gesture.

Rest in peace. . .

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21 June 2021

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This is probably one of Russell Crowe’s best roles. And, of course, one of Ridley Scott's finest works. You can talk a lot about a very conditional approximation to the recognized historical facts of that era, but this is a fiction, not a documentary or educational film. And in that sense, as old J.R.R. used to say, a good story is not a sin to embellish. And the plot is really great: there is sincere patriotism (both at the macro and micro levels), and love (fulfilled and unrealizable), and much more, not counting various hints of cultural and philosophical nature. Hans Zimmer’s soundtrack is also pleasing: Jivan Gasparyan’s unique duduk and Lisa Gerard’s deep vocals turn it into a real celebration for music lovers.

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06 July 2020

18 November 2019

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A movie for all time! Maximus is a general who became a slave. A slave turned gladiator. A gladiator who challenged the empire. He was ready to give his life for Rome. And he did. He remained a loyal servant and general of Rome. This is by far Russell Crowe’s best performance. The role for which he was fully rewarded. Maximus is not a conqueror or ruler of the world, but a man who knows the price of life and the price of human justice. I really liked it. . .

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