We are finally getting around to reviewing the movie that started a string of copycat Roman history movies by reviewing the blockbuster that is Gladiator. For reasons that me and Victor don’t understand, people like this movie. We, if you couldn’t tell from the episode’s title, don’t particularly care for it. The film is full of dumb plot points, bad dialogue, slow motion and several things that make no sense (like the fact that Maximus became a gladiator because … Reasons!). If we’re being honest, this entire movie is avoided by Marcus Aurelius writing a will.
If you rewatch Gladiator, take time to watch The Fall of the Roman Empire which is the inspiration for Gladiator. That will also help you unlock the secret of this movie which we stumble on as we discuss it. Turns out that there’s a connection between Maximus and Obi-Wan Kenobi which we think Ridley Scott clearly intended to convey in Gladiator. I also go on a rant about Boomers. This shouldn’t surprise you given one of the books I reviewed here.
The theme music is from Brent Arehart. Please call the pod (540-632-0160), leave a message and you’ll get in an episode. Let me know what you think about what we think in the comments, on Bluesky, on Mastodon, on Reddit, or on Instagram.
And never forget that The Classical Antiquity Sidequest is a podcast without end.
The Classical Antiquity Sidequest 