Gladiator Blu-ray

Roman general Maximus (Russell Crowe) goes from hero to zero, then fights back to win the heart of an Empire in this action-packed and emotionally charged blockbuster. Stunning special effects and superb performances from Russell Crowe and Joaquin Phoenix as the deadly enemies Maximus and Commodus make Ridley Scott's Gladiator an experience to be savoured again and again… Winner of 5 Academy Awards (incl Best Picture) and 4 BAFTAs (incl Best Film). Special Features: Theatrical & Extended versions of the film Feature Commentary (Theatrical) with director Ridley Scott, editor Pietro * Scalia & cinematographer John Mathieson Feature Commentary (Extended) with director Ridley Scott & actor Russell Crowe Deleted Scenes Index w/optional commentary by Ridley Scott (Battle Aftermath, Looking for Strength, The Scribe, Dye Market, Stage Direction, A Meeting at Gracchus' House, Father and Son, The Execution, Grain Reserves, Spies Close in, Another Enemy, Fighting with Fire, Quintus Obeys) Intro by Ridley Scott The Scrolls of Knowledge: Are You Not Entertained w/Behind the Scenes Historical PODS Visions From Elysium: Topic Marker (a new U-Control feature that will allow viewers to tag moments of interest throughout the film and create a ‘shopping list’ of topics to learn about in the supplements on disc 2) BD-Live Strength and Honour: Creating the World of Gladiator Image & Design Multi-Angle Comparisons w/opt commentary by Sylvain Despretz Storyboard Archive (stills) Costume Design Gallery (stills) Photo Galleries I & II (stills) Weapons Primer: Simon Atherton Abandoned Sequences & Deleted Scenes The Aurelian Archives: The Making of Gladiator Gladiator Games: Roman Bloodsport Hans Zimmer: Scoring Gladiator An Evening with Russell Crowe Maximus Uncut: Between the Takes with Russell Crowe My Gladiator Journal by Spencer Treat Clark (stills) VFX Explorations: Germania & Rome Trailers 20 TV Spots Awards 2001 Won – Oscar / Academy Awards: Best Picture, Best Actor in a Leading Role Russell Crowe, Best Costume Design, Best Effects, Best Sound 2001 Won – BAFTA – Best Film, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best Production Design 2001 Won – Critics Choice Award – Best Picture, Best Actor Russell Crowe, Best Cinematography, Best Production Design, Best Score, Best Supporting Actor Joaquin Phoenix 2001 Won – Empire Award – Best Film, Best Actor Russell Crowe, Best Actress Connie Nielsen 2001 Won – Golden Globe – Best Motion Picture – Drama, Best Original Score – Motion Picture 2001 Nominated – DGA Award, Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures Ridley Scott Review "…Ridley Scott's Gladiator is a rousing, grisly, action-packed epic that takes moviemaking back to the Roman Empire via computer-generated visual effects. While not as fluid as the computer work done for, say, Titanic, it's an impressive achievement that will leave you marveling at the glory that was Rome, when you're not marveling at the glory that is Russell Crowe. Starring as the heroic general Maximus, Crowe firmly cements his star status both in terms of screen presence and acting chops, carrying the film on his decidedly non-computer-generated shoulders as he goes from brave general to wounded fugitive to stoic slave to gladiator hero. Gladiator's plot is a whirlwind of faux-Shakespearean machinations of death, betrayal, power plays, and secret identities (with lots of faux-Shakespearean dialogue ladled on to keep the proceedings appropriately “classical”), but it's all briskly shot, edited, and paced with a contemporary sensibility. Even the action scenes, somewhat muted but graphic in terms of implied violence and liberal bloodletting, are shot with a veracity that brings to mind–believe it or not–Saving Private Ryan, even if everyone is wearing a toga. As Crowe's nemesis, the evil emperor Commodus, Joaquin Phoenix chews scenery with authority, whether he's damning Maximus's popu­larity with the Roman mobs or lusting after his sister Lucilla (beautiful but distant Connie Nielsen); Oliver Reed, in his last role, hits the perfect notes of camp and gravitas as the slave owner who rescues Maximus from death and turns him into a coliseum star. Director Scott's visual flair is abundantly in evidence, with breathtaking shots and beautiful (albeit digital) landscapes, but it's Crowe's star power that will keep you in thrall–he's a true gladiator, worthy of his legendary status. Hail the conquering hero!" –Mark Englehart