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List Price: $19.99 | | Label: Dreamworks Video
Salesrank: 2034
Released: August 19, 2003 |
| Our Price: $11.00 |
| Used Price: $3.96 |
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MPAA Rating: R (Restricted)
Media: DVD |
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Editorial Review:
SET IN ROMAN TIMES A BANISHED ROMAN GENERAL FIGHTS HIS WAY BACK AS A GLADIATOR. THE ONLY POWER STRONGER THAN THE EMPEROR IS THE GREATEST HERO IN ALL THE EMPIRE.
Description of Gladiator (Widescreen Edition):
A big-budget summer epic with money to burn and a scale worthy of its golden Hollywood predecessors, 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
Gladiator (Widescreen Edition) Reviews:
DON'T BELIEVE THESE BAD REVIEWS!! 
2009-11-09 - THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH THIS BLU RAY!! HOW CAN YOU SAY HOW BAD THE PICTURE IS 9 DAYS BEFORE IT CAME OUT!? YOU CAN'T BASE REVIEWS OFF OF SCREEN SHOTS!! One review creates a wave of 1 stars just; jump on the bandwagon and make stuff up. I have BraveHeart Sapphire Series and Gladiator has better picture than it! You people need to get your vision checked, or actually purchase and watch the movie before you post a review! THIS MOVIE LOOKS OUTSTANDING!!
Gladiator BD 
2009-11-08 - Has anyone noticed the audio is only DTS
not DTS HD MA as one was led to believe.
This blu ray audio is worse than both the
original 5.1 and the subsequent 6.1 from the
later release.
Excellent movie
2009-11-07 - This was a great action packed movie.
Can there be a more versatile actor today than Russell Crowe, especially when he's directed by the great Ridley Scott.
What DNR and EE?
2009-11-01 - Purchased through a different retailer, this film was the first I watched on a new Blu-ray player and sound system. Perhaps I'm not the AV-snob others think we all ought to be, but watching this film was a revelation. I don't have a home theater space, rather just a simple 47" flat-screen and a room I can get pretty dark during the day. This film was beautiful to watch, and there were no playback issues (Panasonic DMP-BD60), picture quality was stunning (Phillips 47PFL7422D), and the sound quality was simply phenomenal (Onkyo HT-S6200). All in all, a fantastic film that is worth watching in Blu-ray format simply to see the splendor you missed the first time around.
To those who complained about DNR/EE, I'm assuming you have a much more sophisticated home theater set up than I do. For the regular Joe out there with a basic flat screen who thinks of HDMI as a jump, this disc is just fine.
Gladiator
2009-10-30 - Gladiator (Sapphire Series) [Blu-ray]
"A Ridley Scott Film" ... what more is to be said. Scott has to be ranked up in the top 10 Director's in the last 50 years! Brillant film, excellent masterpiece, riveting performance's by Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Oliver Reed, Djimon Hounsou: (who's making a name for himself in cinema) and applause for the rest of the outstanding cast put together including Richard Harris. This film is an attribute of pure genious, as far as, production, direction, and cinematography. In my own words 'Bravo' ... there's not enough superlatives or accolades that has not been already attributed to this movie. This film is liken the movies of epic perportions of the late 1950's into the early 60's, with it's magnificent cast and colossal action. Especially on the Blu-ray Disc 'Sapphire Series' and it's extended version, as an option. The Blu-ray transfer is the best I have seen to this date with it's rich and vivid color, sound, aspect-ratio. It's as if you were sitting in a theater and much more. It's definetely a keeper for your library with the additional bonus disc loaded with special features. I personally have three copies of this movie, the first release on DVD, the 'Signature Selection' two dvd set and the Blu-ray Disc "Sapphire Series".
