This movie was excellent. I went to the theater expecting a movie more in the line of "The Patriot". In other words, a good popcorn action/war flick, nothing special but still not a bad movie. What I found was a masterpiece. This movie blew me off my feet. The actors were perfectly casted. The storyline was excellent. The acting was some of the most memorable in many years. The special effects were amazing. The Cinematography was perfect. The battles were incredibly realistic and beleivable. Russell Crowe(Maximus) was perfect at playing his role; a Sad Hero. Throughout the movie you are made to believe that all he is trying to do is win his freedom. He has no "save Rome" attitude as I thought he would before I saw the movie. I thought he was going to be a "Rebel" trying to save the people. But what he is, is a man trying to win freedom and revenge against the man(who is the King's Son i.e. the Prince) who slaughtered his family and the king(who happened to be his best friend and the father he never had). By the end he finally wins his freedom.I wont ruin the surprise ending for you. I will say that it is deliciously ironic though.

This movie is so personal to me. I admire Maximus so much... I almost envy his character. I unfortunately can compare myself to comidus, which drive a steak through my heart at times. What I question in the end is .... are there men like Maximus? Or is it just a story of fiction ... or just a hero character we all fall short of fully embodying? Maximus is a man of absolute principle and values so deeply engraved he will clearly die for them. But is that the wise man? They say "Only the good die young" and "You either die a hero or live long enough to become a villain". Do u live a political life and compromise your values to survive or do you put your principles and values before your life? Something to think about..
A move that shakes my foundation...

It has it all, great acting, great plot, great action, and a great soundtrack. What more do you want? This movie will never get old.

OK, heres the deal, when a negative review has this statement in it, "Commodus was badly depicted, Roman annals usually depict him as" you know it isn't a "Movie" review, but rather some wanna be historian that wanted to watch a documentary.

Taking this film for what it is, A MOVIE!!!!!, it is near perfection.

Characters have to be created in a movie to inspire reactions by the viewer. It isn't a documentary, nor has it EVER intended to be.

Now, on a personal note, we need to get this thing released on Blu Ray ASAP.

DISC ONE

THEATRICAL EDITION MM A.D.
- Subtitles: English, French, Spanish (CC)

DELETED SCENE INDEX:
TRT = Total Running Time

01) Battle Aftermath = TRT = (1:30)
02) Looking for Strength = TRT = (:31)
03) The Seribe = TRT = (1:48)
04) Dye Maker = TRT = (1:38)
05) Stage Direction = TRT = (:52)
06) A meeting at Gracchus` House = TRT = (4:29)
07) Father and Son = TRT = (2:06)
08) The Execution = TRT = (3:13)
09) Grain Reserves = TRT = (1:55)
10) Spies Close In = TRT = (1:38)
11) Another Enemy = TRT = (1:29)
12) Fighting with Fire = TRT = (1:29)
12) Quintus Obeys = TRT = (1Min)

ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED?*
Historical & Production Trivia Track - On / Off
* All other subtitles will be disabled while this supplement is activated

WIDESCREEN 2:35:1
Running Time = (2:34:51)

---------------------------------------------------------------

*** EXTENDED EDITION MMV A.D. ***
- Introductions by Ridley Scott = Time (:32)
- Commentary by Ridley Scott & Russell Crowe - On / Off
- All Deleted Scenes are Restored!
- Subtitles: English, French, Spanish (CC)

ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED?*
Historical & Production Trivia Track - On / Off
* All other subtitles will be disabled while this supplement is activated

WIDESCREEN 2:35:1
Running Time (2:50:47)


DISC TWO

STRENGTH AND HONOR:
- Creating the World of Gladiator:
- (TRT) = Total Running Time

TALE OF THE SCRIBES:
- Story Development: TRT = (34Mins)

THE TOOL OF WAR:
- Weapons: TRT = (0:12:55)

ATTIRE OF THE REALM:
- Costumes Design: TRT = (19:38)

THE HEAT OF BATTLE:
- Production Journals
- Zucchabar: Ait Ben Haddou, Morocco (March 1999)
- Rome: Fort Ricasoli, Malta (Spring 1999) TRT = (1:05:49)

SHADOW AND DUST:
- Resurrecting Proximo: Oliver Reed: (1938 - 1999) TRT = (24:30)

THE GLORY OF ROME
- Visual Effects: TRT = (20:10)

ECHOES IN ETERNITY
- Release and Impact: TRT = (0:19:27)

WIDESCREEN 1:78:1
- Grand Total Running Time (3:16:30)


DISC THREE

SUPPLEMENT:
TRT = Total Running Time

IMAGE AND DESIGN:

PRODUCTION DESIGN
- Production Design Primer Arthur Max: TRT = (9:33)
- Gallery

STORYBOARDING:
- Storyboard Demonstration Sylvain Despretz = TRT = (13:36)
- Multi-Angle Comparison = TRT = (5:58)
- Chain Fight = TRT = (2:05)
- The Battle of Carthage = TRT = (6:50)
- Storyboard Archive

COSTUME DESIGN GALLERY:
- Photo Gallery

SUPPLEMENT ARCHIVE:
- Abandoned Sequences & Deleted Scenes:

- Alternate Title Design: Nick Livesey - TRT = (7:23)
- Blood Vision (Storyboard) = TRT (1:27)
- Outtakes (Super 35mm - Open Matte) = TRT (0:47)
- Rhino Fight (Storyboard) = TRT (3:46)
- CGI Rhino Test: Tippett Studios = TRT (:26)
- Choose Your Weapon: (Deleted Scene) = TRT (:48)

VFX EXPLORATIONS:
- Germania & Rome: TRT = (23:48)

TRAILERS & TV SPOTS

WIDESCREEN 1:78:1