...it's like TV Tropes, but LINKED DATA!
Gladiator
- 1012 statements
- 198 feature instances
- 199 referencing feature instances
| Gladiator | type |
TVTItem | |
| Gladiator | label |
Gladiator | |
| Gladiator | page |
Gladiator | |
| Gladiator | comment |
Gladiator is a 2000 epic historical drama film directed by Ridley Scott. It follows the same period of history and takes similar liberties with its plot as the 1964 film The Fall of the Roman Empire, while also taking several cues from Stanley Kubrick's Spartacus. It is credited with reviving the epic Sword and Sandal genre, which had largely disappeared from the big screen since the aforementioned Fall of the Roman Empire back in The '60s.In AD 180 at the time of the Roman Empire, General Maximus Decimus Meridius (Russell Crowe) wins a decisive battle during the Germanic Wars and is named heir to the ailing Emperor Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris), who wishes that Rome be restored to a republic with the Senate ruling as the representative of the people. The Emperor's mad son, Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix), sees things differently: he murders his father, declares himself to be the new Emperor, and orders that Maximus be killed when the general refuses to pledge loyalty to him. Maximus escapes his fate, but unfortunately for him, his wife and young son do not. Maximus swears to avenge their deaths and join them soon after; wandering around the countryside, he is soon found and brought into slavery.Maximus is then trained as a gladiator by his captors, and he successfully wins the crowds to him in his first few performances; this allows Maximus to be brought to Rome and compete in gladiatorial battles arranged by Commodus. Maximus' fame soon wins Rome's heart — to the point where he begins to become more popular among the people than Commodus — and begins to plan his revenge...A sequel is set for release on November 22, 2024, with Ridley Scott returning at the helm. It reportedly takes place about twenty years after the end of the first film at the time of Emperor Caracalla, and follows an adult Lucius.Not to be confused with the proto-superheroic 1930 book Gladiator, the TV gameshow Gladiators, the Taito arcade game, the Taiwanese arcade game or the 1992 boxing drama of the same name. | |
| Gladiator | fetched |
2024-02-20T05:59:08Z | |
| Gladiator | parsed |
2024-02-20T05:59:08Z | |
| Gladiator | processingComment |
Dropped link to AdaptationalDyeJob: Not a Feature - UNKNOWN | |
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Dropped link to Averted: Not a Feature - UNKNOWN | |
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Dropped link to Blackmail: Not a Feature - ITEM | |
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Dropped link to Foil: Not a Feature - IGNORE | |
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Dropped link to GenreBlind: Not a Feature - UNKNOWN | |
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Dropped link to Spartacus: Not a Feature - ITEM | |
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Dropped link to TheLoneRanger: Not a Feature - ITEM | |
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Dropped link to TravellingAtTheSpeedOfPlot: Not a Feature - UNKNOWN | |
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Dropped link to TriumphOfTheWill: Not a Feature - ITEM | |
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Dropped link to Zulu: Not a Feature - ITEM | |
| Gladiator | processingUnknown |
AdaptationalDyeJob | |
| Gladiator | processingUnknown |
Averted | |
| Gladiator | processingUnknown |
GenreBlind | |
| Gladiator | processingUnknown |
TravellingAtTheSpeedOfPlot | |
| Gladiator | isPartOf |
DBTropes | |
| Gladiator / int_112daba0 | type |
Retired Badass | |
| Gladiator / int_112daba0 | comment |
Retired Badass: Proximo, once the greatest gladiator in Rome, who was freed by Marcus Aurelius himself. Tigris of Gaul, another (younger) retired gladiator who had never been defeated, brought back by special dispensation of Commodus in an attempt to kill Maximus. | |
| Gladiator / int_112daba0 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_112daba0 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_112daba0 | |
| Gladiator / int_132d93f1 | type |
Human Shield | |
| Gladiator / int_132d93f1 | comment |
Human Shield: Unintentionally invoked by Commodus, when he enters the arena to congratulate a masked Maximus, Maximus moves towards Commodus and clearly intends to kill him, but then Lucius runs up and hugs his uncle, so Maximus stops and puts down his arrowhead. Hagen uses his partner as this during the first gladiator fight, dragging the scribe in front of him to take the stab so he can finish off his opponent. | |
| Gladiator / int_132d93f1 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_132d93f1 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_132d93f1 | |
| Gladiator / int_1439161f | type |
Heroic BSoD | |
| Gladiator / int_1439161f | comment |
Heroic BSoD: Maximus is utterly heartbroken when he finds his home destroyed and family brutally murdered. | |
| Gladiator / int_1439161f | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_1439161f | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_1439161f | |
| Gladiator / int_1528593d | type |
Thousand-Year Reign | |
| Gladiator / int_1528593d | comment |
Thousand-Year Reign: That is how long Commodus wants his incestuous line to last, when he thinks he's won completely. | |
| Gladiator / int_1528593d | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_1528593d | featureConfidence |
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| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_1528593d | |
| Gladiator / int_153299b4 | type |
Boisterous Bruiser | |
| Gladiator / int_153299b4 | comment |
Boisterous Bruiser: Hagen, who is much more of a Blood Knight and hot-tempered fighter than Maximus is. | |
| Gladiator / int_153299b4 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_153299b4 | featureConfidence |
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| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_153299b4 | |
| Gladiator / int_15b2cab3 | type |
Tempting Fate | |
| Gladiator / int_15b2cab3 | comment |
Tempting Fate: In the first battle in the Colosseum, one of the gladiators shouts "To the death!" He is the second one killed from Maximus' group. Commodus says that he likes surprises when the 'Carthage' side wins. He doesn't like the surprise Maximus gives him. | |
| Gladiator / int_15b2cab3 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_15b2cab3 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_15b2cab3 | |
| Gladiator / int_170cf4b6 | type |
Heroes Love Dogs | |
| Gladiator / int_170cf4b6 | comment |
Heroes Love Dogs: As pointed out in this Cracked article, the German peasants at the start of the movie are a Ragtag Bunch of Misfits fighting against the all-powerful invading Romans in an attempt to protect their own land. Problem is, the movie wants you to root for the Romans, because that's the side Maximus is on. Solution? Give them a dog. | |
| Gladiator / int_170cf4b6 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_170cf4b6 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_170cf4b6 | |
| Gladiator / int_1779f10e | type |
"Well Done, Son" Guy | |
| Gladiator / int_1779f10e | comment |
"Well Done, Son" Guy: All Commodus has ever wanted in life was for his father to be proud of him. But Emperor Marcus Aurelius thinks poorly of his son. In fact, he thinks so poorly that he's giving the throne to Maximus. Naturally, Commodus takes this very hard and kills him over it. | |
| Gladiator / int_1779f10e | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_1779f10e | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_1779f10e | |
| Gladiator / int_17a45ff5 | type |
Misplaced Wildlife | |
| Gladiator / int_17a45ff5 | comment |
Misplaced Wildlife: At one point, a kingsnake is slipped into a senator's bed. Kingsnakes are exclusive to the New World. | |
| Gladiator / int_17a45ff5 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_17a45ff5 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_17a45ff5 | |
| Gladiator / int_18aff462 | type |
Artistic License – Biology | |
| Gladiator / int_18aff462 | comment |
Artistic License – Biology: The tigers released during Maximus' fight with Tigris are controlled by three men on a chain. A fully grown tiger is far too strong to be restrained by just three men. | |
| Gladiator / int_18aff462 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_18aff462 | featureConfidence |
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| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_18aff462 | |
| Gladiator / int_197b546a | type |
Scarpia Ultimatum | |
| Gladiator / int_197b546a | comment |
Scarpia Ultimatum: Roman Emperor Commodus performs one of these against his own sister Lucilla near the end. He tries to come on to her earlier in the film, but when she is exposed for conspiring against him with his political enemies Maximus and Senator Gracchus, he decides to give her a "merciful" fate. She has to become his consort, and Commodus takes away her son and threatens to kill the boy if she refuses or takes her own life to spite him. His demand even includes Lucilla having to carry his child so he can establish an eternal dynasty of "pure-blooded" Emperors. | |
| Gladiator / int_197b546a | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_197b546a | featureConfidence |
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| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_197b546a | |
| Gladiator / int_19e13868 | type |
Ancient Rome | |
| Gladiator / int_19e13868 | comment |
Ancient Rome: The film takes place in this setting, with characters like Commodus and Marcus Aurelius being real-life emperors, albeit with added artistic license in the film. | |
| Gladiator / int_19e13868 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
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| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_19e13868 | |
| Gladiator / int_1b65dfad | type |
The Cameo | |
| Gladiator / int_1b65dfad | comment |
The Cameo: BRIAN BLESSED appears as an audience member in The Colosseum. | |
| Gladiator / int_1b65dfad | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_1b65dfad | featureConfidence |
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| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_1b65dfad | |
| Gladiator / int_1daa7fce | type |
In the Back | |
| Gladiator / int_1daa7fce | comment |
In the Back: Commodus cripples the competition with a dagger in the back. | |
| Gladiator / int_1daa7fce | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_1daa7fce | featureConfidence |
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| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_1daa7fce | |
| Gladiator / int_1dd12556 | type |
We All Die Someday | |
| Gladiator / int_1dd12556 | comment |
We All Die Someday: Maximus tells Commodus that a late friend once told him "Death smiles at us all. All we can do is smile back." Commodus wonders whether the friend did the same thing at his own death. Maximus replies that Commodus should know, since that friend was Marcus Aurelius, Commodus' father. | |
| Gladiator / int_1dd12556 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_1dd12556 | featureConfidence |
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| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_1dd12556 | |
| Gladiator / int_20860a0e | type |
Punch-Clock Villain | |
| Gladiator / int_20860a0e | comment |
Punch-Clock Villain: Tigris of Gaul regards his duel with Maximus as simply another match. | |
| Gladiator / int_20860a0e | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_20860a0e | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_20860a0e | |
| Gladiator / int_21bf4878 | type |
Decapitation Presentation | |
| Gladiator / int_21bf4878 | comment |
Decapitation Presentation: The opening battle has the Germanic chieftain tossing the head of a Roman emissary in the mud before the battle begins. The rest of the emissary's body preceded the head on its way back to the Roman lines. | |
| Gladiator / int_21bf4878 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_21bf4878 | featureConfidence |
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| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_21bf4878 | |
| Gladiator / int_2317bc85 | type |
Tampering with Food and Drink | |
| Gladiator / int_2317bc85 | comment |
Tampering with Food and Drink: Shortly after Maximus is discovered to still be alive by Commodus, he is served some gruel the next day by the gladiator's cook. Juba shakes his head in disapproval, as if anticipating Maximus being poisoned. Hagen then takes a spoonful of the food, eats it, then begins choking on it. Then he starts laughing, revealing that the food is safe to eat. | |
| Gladiator / int_2317bc85 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
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| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_2317bc85 | |
| Gladiator / int_25101d1a | type |
Post-Victory Collapse | |
| Gladiator / int_25101d1a | comment |
Post-Victory Collapse: Maximus drops after defeating Commodus in the Final Battle because his pre-battle wound is catching up to him. | |
| Gladiator / int_25101d1a | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_25101d1a | featureConfidence |
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| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_25101d1a | |
| Gladiator / int_26f68115 | type |
Art Imitates Art | |
| Gladiator / int_26f68115 | comment |
Art Imitates Art: The paintings of Lawrence Alma-Tadema served as a central inspiration for the film's production designers. His influence can be seen in the lavish sets and Janty Yates' costume designs, particularly for Lucilla. | |
| Gladiator / int_26f68115 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
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| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_26f68115 | |
| Gladiator / int_292d57cd | type |
Crusading Widow | |
| Gladiator / int_292d57cd | comment |
Crusading Widow: Maximus losses both his wife and his child early in the film. It certainly gives him motivation. | |
| Gladiator / int_292d57cd | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_292d57cd | featureConfidence |
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| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_292d57cd | |
| Gladiator / int_294ed981 | type |
Bilingual Bonus | |
| Gladiator / int_294ed981 | comment |
Bilingual Bonus: Maximus' names for the two horses on his breastplate translate to "Silver" and "Trigger". "You have a great name." ("Maximus" literally translates to "very great".) | |
| Gladiator / int_294ed981 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
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| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_294ed981 | |
| Gladiator / int_2a07adf3 | type |
Use Their Own Weapon Against Them | |
| Gladiator / int_2a07adf3 | comment |
Use Their Own Weapon Against Them: Commodus tries to beat Maximus in one-on-one combat in the Colosseum by cheating, first by stabbing Maximus in the side prior to the fight, and then later by pulling out a concealed dagger after both of them lose their swords. Even wounded, Maximus still thrashes Commodus and stabs him in the throat with the very dagger Commodus tried to use on him. | |
| Gladiator / int_2a07adf3 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
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| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_2a07adf3 | |
| Gladiator / int_2a6bf668 | type |
Inadequate Inheritor | |
| Gladiator / int_2a6bf668 | comment |
Inadequate Inheritor: The emperor favored Maximus over Commodus because he considered his son too corrupt for the job, wanting instead a humble reformer to take the helm. Pity one of his son's "virtues" was Ambition. | |
| Gladiator / int_2a6bf668 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
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Gladiator / int_2a6bf668 | |
| Gladiator / int_2b14367f | type |
Bring My Brown Pants | |
| Gladiator / int_2b14367f | comment |
Bring My Brown Pants: The scribe wets himself as he and the other gladiators are about to enter a fight in the Zucchabar arena. With good cause, as in a deleted scene he emphatically points out that he's got zero combat experience and is very aware he'll die soon. | |
| Gladiator / int_2b14367f | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_2b14367f | featureConfidence |
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| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_2b14367f | |
| Gladiator / int_2b34de10 | type |
Conversational Troping | |
| Gladiator / int_2b34de10 | comment |
Conversational Troping: Before Maximus fights Commodus in the arena, Commodus talks about how Maximus's epic life story can honestly be called the stuff of legend. He considers just killing Maximus to be anticlimatic, so the only fitting conclusion to the story would be a final showdown in the great arena between the two, although Commodus obviously considers himself the hero in this story. | |
| Gladiator / int_2b34de10 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_2b34de10 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_2b34de10 | |
| Gladiator / int_2d3f662b | type |
Chained Heat | |
| Gladiator / int_2d3f662b | comment |
Chained Heat: In the first gladiator battle in Africa, Juma and Maximus are there. Maximus hasn't yet begun to pursue revenge, so you have a character who wants to die chained to a character who wants to live, trying to survive in a gladiatorial arena. | |
| Gladiator / int_2d3f662b | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
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Gladiator / int_2d3f662b | |
| Gladiator / int_2f187e89 | type |
It Works Better with Bullets | |
| Gladiator / int_2f187e89 | comment |
It Works Better with Bullets: A rare non-gun example: "The frost. Sometimes it makes the blade stick." | |
| Gladiator / int_2f187e89 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_2f187e89 | featureConfidence |
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| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_2f187e89 | |
| Gladiator / int_2f50c5bf | type |
Theme Music Power-Up | |
| Gladiator / int_2f50c5bf | comment |
Theme Music Power-Up: Maximus has a driving, forceful orchestral battle theme only heard twice, once on the German battlefield and once in the Colosseum. In both moments he is leading armies to victory like a true front-line general. | |
| Gladiator / int_2f50c5bf | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_2f50c5bf | featureConfidence |
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| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_2f50c5bf | |
| Gladiator / int_2f5790f5 | type |
I Want You to Meet an Old Friend of Mine | |
| Gladiator / int_2f5790f5 | comment |
I Want You to Meet an Old Friend of Mine: Russell Crowe and Tomas Arana reunite after 1997's L.A. Confidential. | |
| Gladiator / int_2f5790f5 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_2f5790f5 | featureConfidence |
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| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_2f5790f5 | |
| Gladiator / int_30ed4f7d | type |
Sleazy Politician | |
| Gladiator / int_30ed4f7d | comment |
Sleazy Politician: Senator Falco. | |
| Gladiator / int_30ed4f7d | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_30ed4f7d | featureConfidence |
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| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_30ed4f7d | |
| Gladiator / int_311bcac6 | type |
Beard of Sorrow | |
| Gladiator / int_311bcac6 | comment |
Beard of Sorrow: Maximus grows one when his family is killed. | |
| Gladiator / int_311bcac6 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_311bcac6 | featureConfidence |
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| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_311bcac6 | |
| Gladiator / int_3255968b | type |
Implied Death Threat | |
| Gladiator / int_3255968b | comment |
Implied Death Threat: Commodus gives a pretty good one to Gracchus, after the senator undercuts his New Era Speech one time too many. | |
| Gladiator / int_3255968b | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_3255968b | featureConfidence |
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| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_3255968b | |
| Gladiator / int_33f18ad1 | type |
Appeal to Inherent Nature | |
| Gladiator / int_33f18ad1 | comment |
Appeal to Inherent Nature: Surprisingly, considering his personal lust for battle, Commodus seems to agree with his father's opinion that the war against the barbarians achieved nothing and sneers at the idea of Rome's people taking pride in meaningless victories they didn't experience, embracing a mere illusion of greatness. So, understanding the mob's nature, he'll win the people's love by giving them exactly what they crave. | |
| Gladiator / int_33f18ad1 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_33f18ad1 | featureConfidence |
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| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_33f18ad1 | |
| Gladiator / int_341b1691 | type |
"Take That!" Kiss | |
| Gladiator / int_341b1691 | comment |
"Take That!" Kiss: Commodus, after fatally stabbing Maximus, in order to piss him off more | |
| Gladiator / int_341b1691 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_341b1691 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_341b1691 | |
| Gladiator / int_347e35d6 | type |
Grim Up North | |
| Gladiator / int_347e35d6 | comment |
Grim Up North: Germania is a cold, harsh place filled with violent barbarians. | |
| Gladiator / int_347e35d6 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_347e35d6 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_347e35d6 | |
| Gladiator / int_35884ee7 | type |
Villainous Incest | |
| Gladiator / int_35884ee7 | comment |
Villainous Incest: One-sided, with Commodus lusting after his sister. | |
| Gladiator / int_35884ee7 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_35884ee7 | featureConfidence |
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| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_35884ee7 | |
| Gladiator / int_37b5c1b0 | type |
Big Badass Battle Sequence | |
| Gladiator / int_37b5c1b0 | comment |
Big Badass Battle Sequence: The opening Battle of Vindobona between the Romans and Germanic tribesmen. | |
| Gladiator / int_37b5c1b0 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
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| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_37b5c1b0 | |
| Gladiator / int_382a6399 | type |
The Hero Dies | |
| Gladiator / int_382a6399 | comment |
The Hero Dies: Maximus after finally exacting his revenge against Commodus at the end. | |
| Gladiator / int_382a6399 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_382a6399 | featureConfidence |
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| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_382a6399 | |
| Gladiator / int_392372f9 | type |
Actor Allusion | |
| Gladiator / int_392372f9 | comment |
Actor Allusion: Derek Jacobi wants to reform Rome. Additionally, BRIAN BLESSED is the voice of one of the spectators. Bonus points when Joaquin Phoenix's Commodus compares himself to the very Claudius by telling the story of the Emperor and how he was betrayed. | |
| Gladiator / int_392372f9 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_392372f9 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_392372f9 | |
| Gladiator / int_3ac2aa04 | type |
Deadly Hug | |
| Gladiator / int_3ac2aa04 | comment |
Deadly Hug: Commodus does this twice in the film. First he asphyxiates his elderly and helpless father in a hug, and then at the end of the film embraces Maximus as a brother before promptly stabbing him in the back. | |
| Gladiator / int_3ac2aa04 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_3ac2aa04 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_3ac2aa04 | |
| Gladiator / int_3aec9e5e | type |
Properly Paranoid | |
| Gladiator / int_3aec9e5e | comment |
Properly Paranoid: Maximus sleeps lightly with a dagger at the ready should someone try to assassinate him. Unfortunately he isn't quite paranoid enough when it comes to trusting Quintus. | |
| Gladiator / int_3aec9e5e | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_3aec9e5e | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_3aec9e5e | |
| Gladiator / int_3b0479f2 | type |
You Shall Not Pass! | |
| Gladiator / int_3b0479f2 | comment |
You Shall Not Pass!: The other gladiators blocks Maximus' attackers as he attempts to flee. Hagen dies during the battle. | |
| Gladiator / int_3b0479f2 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_3b0479f2 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_3b0479f2 | |
| Gladiator / int_3b4abb27 | type |
Double Meaning | |
| Gladiator / int_3b4abb27 | comment |
Double Meaning: Juba, seeing the Coliseum for the first time: "I didn't know men could build such things." On the one hand, he's awestruck by the scale of its construction; on the other, he's reminding the audience that the most advanced civilization in the world has built a giant arena for staging mass slaughter for the sake of public enjoyment. | |
| Gladiator / int_3b4abb27 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_3b4abb27 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_3b4abb27 | |
| Gladiator / int_3cd56ee | type |
"Bringer of War" Music | |
| Gladiator / int_3cd56ee | comment |
"Bringer of War" Music: Heard most prominently in two tracks, "The Battle", where we first see Maximus leading his troops into battle giving the famous "What We Do In Life" speech, and "Barbarian Horde", the gladiatorial fight where he rallies his gladiators and leads them to victory. | |
| Gladiator / int_3cd56ee | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_3cd56ee | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_3cd56ee | |
| Gladiator / int_3e8d9cd3 | type |
Historical Hero Upgrade | |
| Gladiator / int_3e8d9cd3 | comment |
Historical Hero Upgrade: Lucilla. The real life Lucilla was involved in a conspiracy to assassinate Commodus and replace him with herself and her husband. She failed and was executed. | |
| Gladiator / int_3e8d9cd3 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_3e8d9cd3 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_3e8d9cd3 | |
| Gladiator / int_3e92ed3e | type |
Groupie Brigade | |
| Gladiator / int_3e92ed3e | comment |
Groupie Brigade: When Maximus and the other gladiators are led into the Colosseum, they're mobbed by a group of scantily-clad women with obvious admiration and intentions towards them, one of them even grabs Maximus and whispers "I want you" in his ear until a guard pulls her off. | |
| Gladiator / int_3e92ed3e | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_3e92ed3e | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_3e92ed3e | |
| Gladiator / int_3ed195b4 | type |
Human Pincushion | |
| Gladiator / int_3ed195b4 | comment |
Human Pincushion: During the Praetorians' assault, Proximo is stabbed to death, and Hagen is hit by dozens of arrows. | |
| Gladiator / int_3ed195b4 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_3ed195b4 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_3ed195b4 | |
| Gladiator / int_40cc0c7e | type |
Bittersweet Ending | |
| Gladiator / int_40cc0c7e | comment |
Bittersweet Ending: Of the "mostly good" kind. Most of the gladiator school is wiped out and the survivors are imprisoned, but they are eventually released. Maximus defeats Commodus in a duel, ensures Rome will become a republic again, and dies of his wounds. However, he is seen reunited with his family in Elysium. This is mirrored just afterwards, when Juba returns to an empty Colosseum to bury Maximus' figurines, and says "I will see you again. But not yet. Not yet." | |
| Gladiator / int_40cc0c7e | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_40cc0c7e | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_40cc0c7e | |
| Gladiator / int_4130657a | type |
Cincinnatus | |
| Gladiator / int_4130657a | comment |
Cincinnatus: Maximus. After long years of slogging through the north, conquering for Rome, he just wanted to go home to his family and farm, even when he realized he was being offered total power in Rome, and that, Aurelius said, was why it had to be him to steward the Empire until it could be a Republic again. | |
| Gladiator / int_4130657a | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_4130657a | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_4130657a | |
| Gladiator / int_43f2f606 | type |
Annoying Arrows | |
| Gladiator / int_43f2f606 | comment |
Annoying Arrows: Averted. The barbarians that get hit with arrows in the opening battle tend to stay down, as they should. Played straight with the barbarians' arrows against the Romans, as all the arrows are stopped by the Roman testudo formation. Hagan also yanks out the arrow that gets stuck in his leg during the charioteer battle, but it is clearly quite painful and he's hobbling in all after scenes. | |
| Gladiator / int_43f2f606 | featureApplicability |
-1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_43f2f606 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_43f2f606 | |
| Gladiator / int_443b78cd | type |
Tranquil Fury | |
| Gladiator / int_443b78cd | comment |
Tranquil Fury: Maximus at a few points, most notably when Commodus mocks the deaths of his wife and child to his face. | |
| Gladiator / int_443b78cd | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_443b78cd | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_443b78cd | |
| Gladiator / int_44f5d199 | type |
Pretty in Mink | |
| Gladiator / int_44f5d199 | comment |
Pretty in Mink: The capes Maximus and Lucilla wore in the first act. But then, they are in Germania. | |
| Gladiator / int_44f5d199 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_44f5d199 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_44f5d199 | |
| Gladiator / int_44fc28e8 | type |
Honor Before Reason | |
| Gladiator / int_44fc28e8 | comment |
Honor Before Reason: Maximus refuses to kiss the ring and declare his loyalty to Commodus after he kills his father. Since he's clearly not ignorant of the risk (he armors up immediately afterwards, telling his servant Cicero to rouse the senators), it's possible he was counting on Quintus' own honor. | |
| Gladiator / int_44fc28e8 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_44fc28e8 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_44fc28e8 | |
| Gladiator / int_4565d81d | type |
Single-Stroke Battle | |
| Gladiator / int_4565d81d | comment |
Single-Stroke Battle: In what Ridley Scott acknowledged in the DVD commentary was a deliberate nod to several Akira Kurosawa films, Maximus faces off on foot with a mounted praetorian who charges at him; they pass each other in an eyeblink, each making a single stroke with his sword... and after a few seconds, the Praetorian tumbles off his horse, dead, though he did manage to wound Maximus in the shoulder. | |
| Gladiator / int_4565d81d | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_4565d81d | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_4565d81d | |
| Gladiator / int_469e3e2f | type |
In-Universe | |
| Gladiator / int_469e3e2f | comment |
Maximus pulled this on his audience In-Universe, and perhaps the viewers by extension. | |
| Gladiator / int_469e3e2f | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_469e3e2f | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_469e3e2f | |
| Gladiator / int_4830326a | type |
Give Me a Sword | |
| Gladiator / int_4830326a | comment |
Give Me a Sword: Both ways; Maximus gets one without asking while Commodus is left to fend for himself. | |
| Gladiator / int_4830326a | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_4830326a | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_4830326a | |
| Gladiator / int_48dfb7e4 | type |
Stock Sound Effects | |
| Gladiator / int_48dfb7e4 | comment |
Stock Sound Effects: The scene where a children's entertainer recreates a mock duel between Maximus and Commodus involves Maximus suddenly turning around and defeating Commodus by farting on him. The sound effect used for the fart is a rather widespread one that has received special attention since the late 2010s as the "Reverb Fart". | |
| Gladiator / int_48dfb7e4 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_48dfb7e4 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_48dfb7e4 | |
| Gladiator / int_4b1afa0d | type |
Spiteful Spit | |
| Gladiator / int_4b1afa0d | comment |
Spiteful Spit: Maximus does this after the famous "ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED" moment, showing his contempt for the audience paying to watch him kill, then being upset that it's over too quickly. | |
| Gladiator / int_4b1afa0d | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_4b1afa0d | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_4b1afa0d | |
| Gladiator / int_4da6ac | type |
Rated M for Manly | |
| Gladiator / int_4da6ac | comment |
Rated M for Manly: It's a film about a Roman general with a cool name who fights as a gladiator with one goal - win the crowd, win a meeting with the evil Emperor who had his wife and son killed, and kill the bastard. | |
| Gladiator / int_4da6ac | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_4da6ac | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_4da6ac | |
| Gladiator / int_500ecfb7 | type |
The Big Guy | |
| Gladiator / int_500ecfb7 | comment |
The Big Guy: Hagen, the German whom Proximo uses to test new fighters. He's a class three as despite his physical prowess (Maximus aside, he's pretty much the last person you want to fight in the arena), he's actually a perfectly friendly, candid guy. He'd probably be an outright Gentle Giant except that he's, well, a gladiator. | |
| Gladiator / int_500ecfb7 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_500ecfb7 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_500ecfb7 | |
| Gladiator / int_50d71a78 | type |
Dual Wielding | |
| Gladiator / int_50d71a78 | comment |
Dual Wielding: Tigris of Gaul fights with a sword in one hand and an axe in the other. Also, Maximus at one point wields two swords, and slaughters his opponent with multiple impalements and then a scissor decapitation. | |
| Gladiator / int_50d71a78 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_50d71a78 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_50d71a78 | |
| Gladiator / int_519f108a | type |
Throwing Your Sword Always Works | |
| Gladiator / int_519f108a | comment |
Throwing Your Sword Always Works: Maximus throws his sword and kills a Praetorian Guard from about twenty meters away in order to escape execution. Being the smart guy he is, he kept a backup sword to deal with the remaining Praetorian. Played with later when he throws a sword into a crowd of people during the "Are you not entertained?!" scene and injures a coffee table. Why would he seriously attack civilians? | |
| Gladiator / int_519f108a | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_519f108a | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_519f108a | |
| Gladiator / int_51a3ba7 | type |
We Used to Be Friends | |
| Gladiator / int_51a3ba7 | comment |
We Used to Be Friends: Perhaps surprisingly, the film implies that Commodus and Maximus were friends, or at least friendly, since the former calls the latter "brother" with what seems like a genuine tone of betrayal at his father passing him over to become Emperor. They might have even been raised together, or been close growing up. It would also explain Marcus Aurelius deciding to make Maximus his heir even more. | |
| Gladiator / int_51a3ba7 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_51a3ba7 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_51a3ba7 | |
| Gladiator / int_52aa0c4a | type |
The Caligula | |
| Gladiator / int_52aa0c4a | comment |
The Caligula: The Roman emperor Commodus. Commodus wasn't as bad in real life as he was in either this film, though he did fight as a gladiator in the arena (though not to the death as it is portrayed here), and is actually best-known for being the last of the "Pax Romana", the Golden Age of Rome. He'd spent most of his reign just doing whatever he fancied, and having a grand old time — it wasn't until there were several attempts on his life (one involving his sister) that he really kicked into gear and became a tyrannical dictator. | |
| Gladiator / int_52aa0c4a | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_52aa0c4a | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_52aa0c4a | |
| Gladiator / int_5313c266 | type |
Bookends | |
| Gladiator / int_5313c266 | comment |
Book Ends: In the beginning, Maximus imagines himself strolling through his farm's fields, and in the end, he sees himself strolling through the fields of Elysium, reuniting with his family. Juba's words to Maximus as he is recovering, and after he dies. "You will see them again. But not yet." | |
| Gladiator / int_5313c266 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_5313c266 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_5313c266 | |
| Gladiator / int_53f5119f | type |
The Dragon | |
| Gladiator / int_53f5119f | comment |
The Dragon: Quintus becomes the head of Commodus' Praetorian Guard after he becomes emperor. Unlike most examples in fiction, he does not seem to enjoy it too much. | |
| Gladiator / int_53f5119f | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_53f5119f | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_53f5119f | |
| Gladiator / int_559b4bb3 | type |
Call to Agriculture | |
| Gladiator / int_559b4bb3 | comment |
Call to Agriculture: "Maximus the Farmer!" This was Truth in Television for a lot of Roman statesmen and generals. Farming was considered one of the most laudable and noble occupations for a Roman man to undertake.note A Roman statesman named Cincinnatus became legendary for leaving his farm, taking the dictatorship, winning a war that it looked like Rome might lose, then going back to his farm. | |
| Gladiator / int_559b4bb3 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_559b4bb3 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_559b4bb3 | |
| Gladiator / int_5640e2c9 | type |
No Challenge Equals No Satisfaction | |
| Gladiator / int_5640e2c9 | comment |
No Challenge Equals No Satisfaction: In one match, Maximus kills every one of his opponents extremely quickly, making his audience turn silent, which in turn makes him chastise them. He gets criticized by Proximo for this as well, who urges him to try to "win the crowd" when he fights. | |
| Gladiator / int_5640e2c9 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_5640e2c9 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_5640e2c9 | |
| Gladiator / int_56515a39 | type |
Artistic License – History | |
| Gladiator / int_56515a39 | comment |
Artistic License – History: Has its own page. According to Wikipedia, Scott wanted to make the film more accurate, but was forced to do otherwise because the public is used to the troped version. An in-universe example: The reenactment of the "Battle of Zama" in the Colosseum by the Romans features the "Carthaginians" using Roman-style shields, while the "Roman Legions" consist of war chariots, a number of which contain female warriors. Justifiable, considering ancient Romans probably weren't too worried about history accuracy either, and it's a gladiatorial show just meant to look cool. | |
| Gladiator / int_56515a39 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_56515a39 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_56515a39 | |
| Gladiator / int_575fd5e2 | type |
Dark Is Not Evil | |
| Gladiator / int_575fd5e2 | comment |
Dark Is Not Evil: For the final battle, Maximus is wearing black armor, and Commodus wears white. | |
| Gladiator / int_575fd5e2 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_575fd5e2 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_575fd5e2 | |
| Gladiator / int_5832e916 | type |
Die, Chair, Die! | |
| Gladiator / int_5832e916 | comment |
Played with later when he throws a sword into a crowd of people during the "Are you not entertained?!" scene and injures a coffee table. Why would he seriously attack civilians? | |
| Gladiator / int_5832e916 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_5832e916 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_5832e916 | |
| Gladiator / int_5869bd44 | type |
Arrows on Fire | |
| Gladiator / int_5869bd44 | comment |
Flaming arrows are used in the opening battle, although it appears that they are used mainly for their psychological effect. | |
| Gladiator / int_5869bd44 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_5869bd44 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_5869bd44 | |
| Gladiator / int_5cfa64d0 | type |
Dashing Hispanic | |
| Gladiator / int_5cfa64d0 | comment |
Dashing Hispanic: Maximus, the Spanish Roman General, is literally Hispanic (as in someone from the ancient Roman province of Hispania, i.e. Spain), and he is played by an Australian actor speaking The Queen's Latin, but Maximus Decimus Meridius is pretty badass. | |
| Gladiator / int_5cfa64d0 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_5cfa64d0 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_5cfa64d0 | |
| Gladiator / int_5dbf364d | type |
Would You Like to Hear How They Died? | |
| Gladiator / int_5dbf364d | comment |
Would You Like to Hear How They Died?: | |
| Gladiator / int_5dbf364d | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_5dbf364d | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_5dbf364d | |
| Gladiator / int_5e5cf652 | type |
Go, Ye Heroes, Go and Die | |
| Gladiator / int_5e5cf652 | comment |
Go, Ye Heroes, Go and Die: The pit manager to the small army of gladiators representing the "Barbarian Horde" before entering the Coliseum. They live and Maximus earns the admiration of the crowd. | |
| Gladiator / int_5e5cf652 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_5e5cf652 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_5e5cf652 | |
| Gladiator / int_60194b82 | type |
Spanner in the Works | |
| Gladiator / int_60194b82 | comment |
Spanner in the Works: Lucius unintentionally gets in the way of Maximus' chance to kill Commodus with a broken arrow after the reenactment fight, when he follows Commodus down to the arena to meet his hero 'the Spaniard'. Not only is Maximus reluctant to attack Commodus with the boy there, but Commodus unwittingly uses Lucius as a human shield by affectionately embracing the boy before himself. | |
| Gladiator / int_60194b82 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_60194b82 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_60194b82 | |
| Gladiator / int_60eac4ba | type |
Off the Rails | |
| Gladiator / int_60eac4ba | comment |
Off the Rails: Maximus manages to derail a gladiatorial reenactment of a battle (that his side should have lost). It's even lampshaded by Commodus. Interestingly, the problem was that they played the part too well; they were expected to fight like gladiators and get picked off one by one in an in-universe case of Hollywood Tactics, but instead they fight like the heavy infantry they're representing (and equipped as) and turn the tables. | |
| Gladiator / int_60eac4ba | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_60eac4ba | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_60eac4ba | |
| Gladiator / int_617f0563 | type |
Heel–Face Turn | |
| Gladiator / int_617f0563 | comment |
Heel–Face Turn: The entire Praetorian Guard, Quintus in particular. It's Truth in Television, given the Praetorians had a reputation for deposing and assassinating Emperors, although the real-life Commodus supposedly maintained the loyalty of the Guard until the end of his reign. | |
| Gladiator / int_617f0563 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_617f0563 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_617f0563 | |
| Gladiator / int_6381b11 | type |
Game-Breaking Injury | |
| Gladiator / int_6381b11 | comment |
Game-Breaking Injury: Double subversion. Maximus is stabbed before his battle with Commodus, but manages to defeat Commodus and give a last order before dying. | |
| Gladiator / int_6381b11 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_6381b11 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_6381b11 | |
| Gladiator / int_638b65bc | type |
Armor Is Useless | |
| Gladiator / int_638b65bc | comment |
Armor Is Useless: Maximus cuts through body armor with his swords, even though it would have probably protected them better in Real Life. | |
| Gladiator / int_638b65bc | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_638b65bc | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_638b65bc | |
| Gladiator / int_64e975cf | type |
Manly Tears | |
| Gladiator / int_64e975cf | comment |
Manly Tears: Defied. Maximus races home desperately... to find his farm burned and his wife and son crucified. He collapses in front of them, tears flowing. Spittle as well! Lots of spittle and mucus. The original plan was for him to do a normal discreet-few-tears-down-each-cheek dignified cry... but Russell Crowe and Ridley Scott agreed that what Maximus was seeing demanded (as Crowe put it) a "full blown snot-fest". | |
| Gladiator / int_64e975cf | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_64e975cf | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_64e975cf | |
| Gladiator / int_65331274 | type |
Flynning | |
| Gladiator / int_65331274 | comment |
Flynning: This is lampshaded; in the gladiator training camp scene, the instructor tells the student, "this is how you fight", and starts showing him the "Pirate Halves" move. It's also justified — gladiators were essentially entertainers, as well as fighters, and fights to the death were rare. Maximus, a former professional soldier, was told off for being too efficient as he naturally went straight for the killing move. | |
| Gladiator / int_65331274 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_65331274 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_65331274 | |
| Gladiator / int_659ef759 | type |
Implacable Man | |
| Gladiator / int_659ef759 | comment |
Implacable Man: Maximus foils Commodus' plot to have him killed by killing ALL the praetorians sent to kill him. | |
| Gladiator / int_659ef759 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_659ef759 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_659ef759 | |
| Gladiator / int_673c9dd8 | type |
Insignia Rip-Off Ritual | |
| Gladiator / int_673c9dd8 | comment |
Insignia Rip-Off Ritual: After becoming a gladiator, Maximus cuts up his SPQR tattoo, in angry sorrow about being betrayed by the government he'd served. | |
| Gladiator / int_673c9dd8 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_673c9dd8 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_673c9dd8 | |
| Gladiator / int_688afa6a | type |
Evil Uncle | |
| Gladiator / int_688afa6a | comment |
Evil Uncle: The evil Commodus is Lucius' uncle, though he treats him nicely enough. Lucilla has no faith in Lucius being safe from Commodus in the future if it becomes convenient to him, which pushes her into conspiring against her brother, and Commodus using her fears to blackmail her in turn. | |
| Gladiator / int_688afa6a | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_688afa6a | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_688afa6a | |
| Gladiator / int_693cabaf | type |
Gladiator Games | |
| Gladiator / int_693cabaf | comment |
Gladiator Games: The main set pieces of the film center around different battles in the arena. | |
| Gladiator / int_693cabaf | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_693cabaf | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_693cabaf | |
| Gladiator / int_69fb91e8 | type |
Chewing the Scenery | |
| Gladiator / int_69fb91e8 | comment |
Chewing the Scenery: Everybody. From Commodus: "AM I NOT MERCIFUL!?" From Maximus: "ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED?! ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED!? IS THIS NOT WHY YOU ARE HERE?!" | |
| Gladiator / int_69fb91e8 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_69fb91e8 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_69fb91e8 | |
| Gladiator / int_6b05b601 | type |
Jerkass Has a Point | |
| Gladiator / int_6b05b601 | comment |
Jerkass Has a Point: Commodus calling out Graccus' claim that the Senate represents the people of the empire is actually fair and on point — many of the common folk of the time were living on the edge of poverty and struggling to provide for themselves and their families, while most of the Senate came from the absolute uppermost echelons of Roman society. Commodus actually does improve matters, opening Rome's grain stores and literally providing the people with actual Bread and Circuses. Indeed, one of the reasons everyone just sort of went with Rome becoming an Empire in the first place was that the Senate's political infighting led to decades of bloody civil war, while Augustus stepped in and- by usurping the power of the senate- drastically improved the quality of life for the average Roman via an extensive public works program. Especially considering most of Augustus' initial successors followed in his footsteps, it's no wonder the Roman people (including most of the Senate) were happy to say goodbye to the Republic. | |
| Gladiator / int_6b05b601 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_6b05b601 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_6b05b601 | |
| Gladiator / int_6c7136b7 | type |
Tactful Translation | |
| Gladiator / int_6c7136b7 | comment |
Tactful Translation: Done with a sort of Gallows Humor when Maximus "translates" the Germanic Tribes killing his messenger as "They say no". | |
| Gladiator / int_6c7136b7 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_6c7136b7 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_6c7136b7 | |
| Gladiator / int_6ceddec0 | type |
Crowd Pleaser | |
| Gladiator / int_6ceddec0 | comment |
Crowd Pleaser: Proximo has fond memories of his finest battles in the greatest of Rome's amphitheaters in his youth. He also keeps reminding Maximus that the crowd want a show, not a simple quick slaughter, and that he must win the crowd's favour. Maximus makes use of this. It's subtle, but after his victory in the Colosseum, he's repeatedly turning around on his horse while holding a throwing spear for the crowd, gradually moving closer to Commodus' box. You don't realize what he was doing until he raises the spear in a very NOT posing way the moment before the emperor decides to meet him...and you see his frustrated reaction. He said he'd give them something they've never seen before. | |
| Gladiator / int_6ceddec0 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_6ceddec0 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_6ceddec0 | |
| Gladiator / int_6d814f61 | type |
Rule of Cool | |
| Gladiator / int_6d814f61 | comment |
An in-universe example: The reenactment of the "Battle of Zama" in the Colosseum by the Romans features the "Carthaginians" using Roman-style shields, while the "Roman Legions" consist of war chariots, a number of which contain female warriors. Justifiable, considering ancient Romans probably weren't too worried about history accuracy either, and it's a gladiatorial show just meant to look cool. | |
| Gladiator / int_6d814f61 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_6d814f61 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_6d814f61 | |
| Gladiator / int_6ec4232f | type |
Casting Gag | |
| Gladiator / int_6ec4232f | comment |
Casting Gag: Derek Jacobi as a Roman senator. Jacobi, of course, starred in one of the most famous fictional works about Ancient Rome, the television miniseries I, Claudius. | |
| Gladiator / int_6ec4232f | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_6ec4232f | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_6ec4232f | |
| Gladiator / int_7040b6bc | type |
Understatement | |
| Gladiator / int_7040b6bc | comment |
Understatement: Marcus Aurelius admits that "Commodus is not a moral man" when he explains why he refuses to make him his successor. He doesn't understand that he would go so far as to murder him when he breaks the news to Commodus, order Maximus along with his son and wife to be killed and let the latter be violently raped beforehand, or that he would make his sister, Lucilla, his Sex Slave. | |
| Gladiator / int_7040b6bc | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_7040b6bc | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_7040b6bc | |
| Gladiator / int_715b42f7 | type |
Rigged Spectacle Fight | |
| Gladiator / int_715b42f7 | comment |
Rigged Spectacle Fight: Just before the climactic fight in the Colosseum between Commodus and Maximus, Commodus stabs Maximus in the side. It's clear from the get-go that Maximus is dazed from shock and blood loss, even hallucinating the door to Elysium at one point, but he still pulls himself together enough to fend off Commodus' attacks and eventually kills Commodus with his own dagger. | |
| Gladiator / int_715b42f7 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_715b42f7 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_715b42f7 | |
| Gladiator / int_7286e96d | type |
Idiot Ball | |
| Gladiator / int_7286e96d | comment |
Idiot Ball: Lucilla telling her son about Maximus, but not telling him to keep his mouth shut about it. Marcus Aurelius gets handed one right before he decides to tell his evil ambitious son in private that he won't be Emperor. Maximus not being more tactful and pledging his loyalty to Commodus so he could plot against him from within. | |
| Gladiator / int_7286e96d | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_7286e96d | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_7286e96d | |
| Gladiator / int_72bafff5 | type |
Doomed Moral Victor | |
| Gladiator / int_72bafff5 | comment |
Doomed Moral Victor: Maximus becomes a darling of the public, kills the emperor in a duel and dies in the process. (Of course, historically, "victor" is dubious as the year after Commodus died is the year of the five Emperors, in which the next five rulers of the Roman Empire take over and are immediately assassinated.) | |
| Gladiator / int_72bafff5 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_72bafff5 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_72bafff5 | |
| Gladiator / int_733db81a | type |
Alone-with-Prisoner Ploy | |
| Gladiator / int_733db81a | comment |
Alone-with-Prisoner Ploy: When Lucilla arrives at Maximus' cell, she tells him "rich matrons pay well to be pleasured by the bravest champions". He has been chained up in preparation for her visit. In fact she's there to tell him there is a growing conspiracy against Commodus, and to ask him to meet a politician who's involved. | |
| Gladiator / int_733db81a | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_733db81a | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_733db81a | |
| Gladiator / int_771f6307 | type |
Brother–Sister Incest | |
| Gladiator / int_771f6307 | comment |
Brother–Sister Incest: Evil Emperor Commodus lusts after his sister Lucilla and makes an aborted attempt to seduce her, while she is appropriately horrified. When he catches her supporting Maximus' cause, he declares that he's going to spare her to be impregnated, so they can start a new dynasty with their progeny. | |
| Gladiator / int_771f6307 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_771f6307 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_771f6307 | |
| Gladiator / int_77414bc2 | type |
Action Prologue | |
| Gladiator / int_77414bc2 | comment |
Action Prologue: The film opens with a big, bloody battle between the Roman legions and Germanic barbarians. | |
| Gladiator / int_77414bc2 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_77414bc2 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_77414bc2 | |
| Gladiator / int_7784e19b | type |
Spiked Wheels | |
| Gladiator / int_7784e19b | comment |
Spiked Wheels: The Chariots in one battle. They're sharp, scary and highly effective, as some unfortunate fighters find out. | |
| Gladiator / int_7784e19b | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_7784e19b | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_7784e19b | |
| Gladiator / int_786bf97f | type |
Real Life Writes the Plot | |
| Gladiator / int_786bf97f | comment |
Real Life Writes the Plot: Proximo originally had a larger role, but unfortunately Oliver Reed died midway through production. | |
| Gladiator / int_786bf97f | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_786bf97f | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_786bf97f | |
| Gladiator / int_7a2a34ef | type |
Not With the Safety On, You Won't | |
| Gladiator / int_7a2a34ef | comment |
Not With the Safety On, You Won't: With a frost-stuck sword, no less. | |
| Gladiator / int_7a2a34ef | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_7a2a34ef | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_7a2a34ef | |
| Gladiator / int_7abd339f | type |
Black-and-White Morality | |
| Gladiator / int_7abd339f | comment |
Black-and-White Morality Played mostly straight with the main protagonist, Maximus, a brave and noble veteran who wishes to avenge the murder of his wife and son. Also played mostly straight with the main antagonist, Commodus, an insane and patricidal megalomaniac with a Caligula complex. Also played mostly straight with his father, Marcus Aurelius, who kept the Roman Empire expanding with a series of bloody conquests with only four years of peace in a twenty year reign, brutally conquering other nations right up to the day he died. Averted with the senate, with many being corrupt, power-hungry politicians, while many others are devoted to serving the people of Rome. Also averted by Lucilla, whose conspiring and politicking are all necessary for her own survival and the safety of her son, as his Uncle's only current heir. | |
| Gladiator / int_7abd339f | featureApplicability |
-1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_7abd339f | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_7abd339f | |
| Gladiator / int_7ae00dcc | type |
Driven by Envy | |
| Gladiator / int_7ae00dcc | comment |
Driven by Envy: Commodus was supremely jealous of how much attention Marcus Aurelius paid to Maximus, and it was this, combined with Aurelius naming Maximus his successor, that drove Commodus down the path he took. | |
| Gladiator / int_7ae00dcc | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_7ae00dcc | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_7ae00dcc | |
| Gladiator / int_7b4cb802 | type |
Bodyguard Betrayal | |
| Gladiator / int_7b4cb802 | comment |
Bodyguard Betrayal: At Quintus' request, the Praetorian Guard refuses to give Commodus a sword in his duel against Maximus. Despite his Praetorians betrayal, Commodus tries to finish Maximus anyway, but is gradually overpowered and killed. | |
| Gladiator / int_7b4cb802 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_7b4cb802 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_7b4cb802 | |
| Gladiator / int_7b4cbce1 | type |
Headbutt of Love | |
| Gladiator / int_7b4cbce1 | comment |
Headbutt of Love: Close friends Maximus and Juba bump foreheads before Maximus enters the ring. | |
| Gladiator / int_7b4cbce1 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_7b4cbce1 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_7b4cbce1 | |
| Gladiator / int_7d89315b | type |
"The Reason You Suck" Speech | |
| Gladiator / int_7d89315b | comment |
"The Reason You Suck" Speech: When Maximus chews out the arena for actually being shocked by his efficient killing. | |
| Gladiator / int_7d89315b | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_7d89315b | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_7d89315b | |
| Gladiator / int_8042e814 | type |
Actually Pretty Funny | |
| Gladiator / int_8042e814 | comment |
Actually Pretty Funny: Commodus is rather amused when, contrary to history, the 'barbarian hordes' of Carthage end up winning. | |
| Gladiator / int_8042e814 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_8042e814 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_8042e814 | |
| Gladiator / int_80ef74c3 | type |
Fictionalized Death Account | |
| Gladiator / int_80ef74c3 | comment |
Fictionalized Death Account: Marcus Aurelius is depicted as being murdered by his son Commodus, in reality Aurelius died of plague. Perhaps as a bit of a nod to this, the first thing that happens after Commodus returns to Rome (well, after his Triumph), is a meeting with the Senate where Gracchus tries to get Commodus to focus on the fact that plague is hitting at least parts of the city. Commodus himself was strangled by his a wrestler in his bath, with said wrestler being put up to do it by a group of conspirators and not in a gladiator match in the Colosseum. He did often participate in gladiator games, however. | |
| Gladiator / int_80ef74c3 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_80ef74c3 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_80ef74c3 | |
| Gladiator / int_8437cb10 | type |
Made a Slave | |
| Gladiator / int_8437cb10 | comment |
Made a Slave: Maximus is enslaved and becomes a gladiator after he loses everything else. | |
| Gladiator / int_8437cb10 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_8437cb10 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_8437cb10 | |
| Gladiator / int_85557b38 | type |
Reality Is Unrealistic | |
| Gladiator / int_85557b38 | comment |
Reality Is Unrealistic: The filmmakers kept out a number of actual facts about gladiators, such as endorsing products (which they did), because they assumed the audience would consider it parody. | |
| Gladiator / int_85557b38 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_85557b38 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_85557b38 | |
| Gladiator / int_86b21114 | type |
Badass Boast | |
| Gladiator / int_86b21114 | comment |
Badass Boast: "My name is Maximus Decimus Meridius, commander of the Armies of the North, General of the Felix Legions,note The plural is historically inaccurate. loyal servant to the true emperor, Marcus Aurelius. Father to a murdered son, husband to a murdered wife. And I will have my vengeance, in this life or the next." | |
| Gladiator / int_86b21114 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_86b21114 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_86b21114 | |
| Gladiator / int_875615dd | type |
Truth in Television | |
| Gladiator / int_875615dd | comment |
May be an example of Truth in Television, as Roman historian Cassius Dio does record instances in which the Romans were forced to break ranks against the Germans and still won. In one instance, Rome found itself pinned down on a frozen river, which the Germans were more easily able to navigate; the Romans broke formation and used their shields as platforms to maneuver across the ice, allowing them to win what should've been a decisive victory for the Germans. | |
| Gladiator / int_875615dd | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_875615dd | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_875615dd | |
| Gladiator / int_87b8f581 | type |
Refusal of the Call | |
| Gladiator / int_87b8f581 | comment |
Refusal of the Call: All Maximus wanted to do was go back to his farm! | |
| Gladiator / int_87b8f581 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_87b8f581 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_87b8f581 | |
| Gladiator / int_887da4ea | type |
Died Happily Ever After | |
| Gladiator / int_887da4ea | comment |
Died Happily Ever After: At the end, there's a few brief shots of Maximus in a field, walking towards his family in Elysium. | |
| Gladiator / int_887da4ea | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_887da4ea | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_887da4ea | |
| Gladiator / int_890d4ef2 | type |
Humiliation Conga | |
| Gladiator / int_890d4ef2 | comment |
Humiliation Conga: Commodus is disarmed and battered by a man he's clearly just injured, his own general turns against him and then he's slowly, painfully killed by his own stiletto knife to the neck. By the look on his face◊, he doesn't even care anymore. The released prisoners carry Maximus away and leave his corpse in the sand. | |
| Gladiator / int_890d4ef2 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_890d4ef2 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_890d4ef2 | |
| Gladiator / int_8930448 | type |
Soldier vs. Warrior | |
| Gladiator / int_8930448 | comment |
Soldier vs. Warrior: Maximus goes from being a General (soldier) to a gladiator (warrior). This at first causes him some problem because his efficient and pragmatic fighting style lets him chop through gladiators quickly, but leaves audiences unsatisfied. Proximo teaches him to fight with more flair ("Win the crowd and you win your freedom"). However later he uses his knowledge of military tactics to get the Proximo gladiators to decisively win a historical reenactment they were supposed to lose. | |
| Gladiator / int_8930448 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_8930448 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_8930448 | |
| Gladiator / int_8a30b162 | type |
ImprovisedWeaponUser | |
| Gladiator / int_8a30b162 | comment |
Improvised Weapon User: Several instances. From Hagen making a flail simile out of a severed hand still attached to the end of a binding chain to Juba using a helmet as a pummeling weapon. | |
| Gladiator / int_8a30b162 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_8a30b162 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_8a30b162 | |
| Gladiator / int_8ecba009 | type |
You Know Who Said That? | |
| Gladiator / int_8ecba009 | comment |
You Know Who Said That?: Emperor Commodus and Maximus have a final 'brotherly' moment before their duel in the arena. Commodus mocks Maximus' lack of fear for his own death, and Maximus tells his enemy that someone once told him "Death smiles at us all. All we can do is smile back". Commodus wonders whether the friend did so at his own death, and Maximus replies that out of anyone, Commodus should know. The man was Marcus Aurelius, the father he murdered. | |
| Gladiator / int_8ecba009 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_8ecba009 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_8ecba009 | |
| Gladiator / int_93399c3c | type |
Patricide | |
| Gladiator / int_93399c3c | comment |
Patricide: Marcus Aurelius takes Commodus aside to tell him that he intends to make Rome a republic again and entrusts Maximus to oversee the transition, meaning Commodus will never be Emperor. Commodus reacts by smothering his father to death and then trying to pass it off as the old man dying in his sleep. | |
| Gladiator / int_93399c3c | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_93399c3c | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_93399c3c | |
| Gladiator / int_967edd3a | type |
Action Film, Quiet Drama Scene | |
| Gladiator / int_967edd3a | comment |
Action Film, Quiet Drama Scene: Many examples, especially between Maximus and, variously, Marcus Aurelius, Proximo, Juba, and Lucilla. Arguably it is the skillful use and execution of these scenes that allows this to transcend being a great action movie and become an epic masterpiece. | |
| Gladiator / int_967edd3a | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_967edd3a | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_967edd3a | |
| Gladiator / int_9694a209 | type |
Gimmick Matches | |
| Gladiator / int_9694a209 | comment |
Gimmick Matches: In-universe, many variations on gladiatorial combat take place in the arena. For instance, in Maximus' first match, he and Juba are tied together by the wrist, with Maximus holding a sword and Juba a shield. During this fight Hagen's ally quickly becomes a human shishkebab, so Hagen has a novel solution for freeing himself, and then another with the chain. An example of Truth in Television, as the Romans loved themed gladitorial fights and even had different gladiator "characters" akin to modern pro-wrestlers. | |
| Gladiator / int_9694a209 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_9694a209 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_9694a209 | |
| Gladiator / int_970c790a | type |
Big Bad | |
| Gladiator / int_970c790a | comment |
Big Bad: Commodus, the instigator of all the conflict in the film and the object of Maximus' revenge. | |
| Gladiator / int_970c790a | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_970c790a | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_970c790a | |
| Gladiator / int_9724d6fa | type |
Call That a Formation? | |
| Gladiator / int_9724d6fa | comment |
Call That a Formation?: The Roman shieldwall during the opening battle advances relatively well, albeit made crooked by the uneven terrain, but comes apart almost immediately when the Germans smash into it. Realistically speaking, the Romans would have stayed in formation throughout the fighting or likely been routed. Subverted in the "reenactment" fight. Maximus' team wins when they were expecteded to be massacred specifically because they form up with their shields instead of trying to run after chariot archers separately. | |
| Gladiator / int_9724d6fa | featureApplicability |
-0.3 | |
| Gladiator / int_9724d6fa | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_9724d6fa | |
| Gladiator / int_97fa0a10 | type |
Mass "Oh, Crap!" | |
| Gladiator / int_97fa0a10 | comment |
Mass "Oh, Crap!": The Germanic tribesmen when they see Maximus and his cavalry bursting out of the forest behind them. | |
| Gladiator / int_97fa0a10 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_97fa0a10 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_97fa0a10 | |
| Gladiator / int_984ef9ef | type |
"Not So Different" Remark | |
| Gladiator / int_984ef9ef | comment |
"Not So Different" Remark: As Marcus Aurelius' son, Commodus believes this to be the case in regard to Maximus, who was like a son to Marcus Aurelius, and says this one verbatim to Maximus when they meet in the cells under the arena. | |
| Gladiator / int_984ef9ef | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_984ef9ef | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_984ef9ef | |
| Gladiator / int_9b66f7f5 | type |
Suspiciously Small Army | |
| Gladiator / int_9b66f7f5 | comment |
Suspiciously Small Army: In-universe example when the Colosseum stages a historical re-enactment of the Battle of Carthage with a few dozen men. Played for laughs when the announcer presents THE BARBARIAN HORDE! and the camera pans to this tiny group in a vast arena. | |
| Gladiator / int_9b66f7f5 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_9b66f7f5 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_9b66f7f5 | |
| Gladiator / int_9d12bbc1 | type |
Foreshadowing | |
| Gladiator / int_9d12bbc1 | comment |
Foreshadowing: Quintus comments early on that "People should know when they're conquered". When Commodus kills Marcus Aurelius, Quintus quickly realises there is no point resisting, chooses pragmatism before honor and betrays Maximus. | |
| Gladiator / int_9d12bbc1 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_9d12bbc1 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_9d12bbc1 | |
| Gladiator / int_9d723582 | type |
Shield Bash | |
| Gladiator / int_9d723582 | comment |
Shield Bash: Maximus dislodges a tiger that leapt on him from behind with one of these. | |
| Gladiator / int_9d723582 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_9d723582 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_9d723582 | |
| Gladiator / int_9e10b88d | type |
Defeating the Undefeatable | |
| Gladiator / int_9e10b88d | comment |
Tigris of Gaul, another (younger) retired gladiator who had never been defeated, brought back by special dispensation of Commodus in an attempt to kill Maximus. | |
| Gladiator / int_9e10b88d | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_9e10b88d | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_9e10b88d | |
| Gladiator / int_9e1e14ea | type |
Ambition Is Evil | |
| Gladiator / int_9e1e14ea | comment |
Ambition Is Evil: Commodus tells his father, Emperor Marcus Aurelius, that while he doesn't have the traditional virtues of Wisdom, Justice, Temperance and Fortitude, he does have Courage ("Perhaps not on the battlefield, but there are many kinds of courage..." — and in truth, he's actually a pretty good fighter, he just never saw real battle), and Ambition, which drives him to excel. He then murders his father and assumes the Imperial throne for himself. This is especially Anvilicious, considering that Marcus Aurelius was going to hand power over to General Maximus specifically because Maximus didn't want to rule. | |
| Gladiator / int_9e1e14ea | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_9e1e14ea | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_9e1e14ea | |
| Gladiator / int_9eb11fac | type |
Weak, but Skilled | |
| Gladiator / int_9eb11fac | comment |
Weak, but Skilled: Commodus has some experience and training with a sword, as a brief scene near the beginning shows, but by his own admission, he has never been in a battle nor ever really used those skills in a life or death situation. When he decides to fight Maximus one-on-one in the Colosseum, Maximus, who is not only a war veteran with years if not decades of combat experience, but has also constantly honed his duelling skills from his various gladiator battles beforehand, completely outmatches Commodus and swiftly proceeds to beat him down and kill him. And this is after Commodus had already fatally wounded Maximus in the side beforehand to further stack the deck. Even when both combatants lose their swords and Commodus tries to attack Maximus with a concealed dagger, Maximus easily dodges the attacks and simply lays into Commodus with Good Old Fisti Cuffs, which the pampered Commodus clearly has no training to defend against. | |
| Gladiator / int_9eb11fac | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_9eb11fac | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_9eb11fac | |
| Gladiator / int_9eeb5455 | type |
Evil Virtues | |
| Gladiator / int_9eeb5455 | comment |
Evil Virtues: Commodus believed his virtues were just as good as the ones of a traditional ruler, such as the ambition to excel and kill his father. | |
| Gladiator / int_9eeb5455 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_9eeb5455 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_9eeb5455 | |
| Gladiator / int_a0db7803 | type |
It's Personal | |
| Gladiator / int_a0db7803 | comment |
It's Personal: Maximus would have happily retired to his farm and retired in peace. Commodus, however, decided to burn it down and kill his family. | |
| Gladiator / int_a0db7803 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_a0db7803 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_a0db7803 | |
| Gladiator / int_a22c6d89 | type |
The Evil Prince | |
| Gladiator / int_a22c6d89 | comment |
The Evil Prince: Commodus, though he had something of an excuse: his father, rather than passing on emperorship to him, as had become commonplace, was going to give it to Maximus, who in turn was going to use it to put power back into the hands of the Senate and restore the Republic. | |
| Gladiator / int_a22c6d89 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_a22c6d89 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_a22c6d89 | |
| Gladiator / int_a2f6e439 | type |
The Living Dead | |
| Gladiator / int_a2f6e439 | comment |
The Living Dead: As Maximus died with his eyes slightly open and Lucilla brought her hand to close his eyes, you could see Russel Crowe's eyes closing before her fingers could touch his eyes. | |
| Gladiator / int_a2f6e439 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_a2f6e439 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_a2f6e439 | |
| Gladiator / int_a679184b | type |
Due to the Dead | |
| Gladiator / int_a679184b | comment |
Due to the Dead: "He was a Soldier Of Rome. Honor Him." | |
| Gladiator / int_a679184b | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_a679184b | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_a679184b | |
| Gladiator / int_a6b14ee1 | type |
Hollywood Tactics | |
| Gladiator / int_a6b14ee1 | comment |
Hollywood Tactics: Flaming arrows are used in the opening battle, although it appears that they are used mainly for their psychological effect. The Roman legions were trained to fight as a regimented force, and to maintain formation for mutual support. In the film, the formation collapses instantly upon contact with the enemy. This would have almost certainly led to a Roman defeat, given the visible push and tactic advantage of the Germans. Further, the Roman legions used spears called pila. Doctrine called for them to be thrown while the enemy closed. The Romans would then draw their swords and fight, while remaining in formation. Though the Romans are shown holding their pila in the opening scenes, they are never used against the barbarians, and we see no pila-riddled shields and/or corpses in the background. May be an example of Truth in Television, as Roman historian Cassius Dio does record instances in which the Romans were forced to break ranks against the Germans and still won. In one instance, Rome found itself pinned down on a frozen river, which the Germans were more easily able to navigate; the Romans broke formation and used their shields as platforms to maneuver across the ice, allowing them to win what should've been a decisive victory for the Germans. | |
| Gladiator / int_a6b14ee1 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_a6b14ee1 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_a6b14ee1 | |
| Gladiator / int_aa70b926 | type |
Classic Villain | |
| Gladiator / int_aa70b926 | comment |
Classic Villain: Commodus, representing Ambition, Envy, Lust, Pride, and Wrath. | |
| Gladiator / int_aa70b926 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_aa70b926 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_aa70b926 | |
| Gladiator / int_aaece264 | type |
Rousing Speech | |
| Gladiator / int_aaece264 | comment |
Rousing Speech: "Is Rome worth one good man's life? We believed it once. Make us believe it again." "Three weeks from now, I will be harvesting my crops. Imagine where you will be, and it will be so. Hold the line! Stay with me! If you find yourself alone, riding in the green fields with the sun on your face, do not be troubled. For you are in Elysium, and you're already dead! Brothers; what we do in life, echoes in eternity." | |
| Gladiator / int_aaece264 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_aaece264 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_aaece264 | |
| Gladiator / int_ab5eea65 | type |
Dramatic Irony | |
| Gladiator / int_ab5eea65 | comment |
Dramatic Irony: Commodus jokes that he doesn't mind that the "barbarian" gladiators defeated the Roman gladiators in the first arena because he enjoys surprises. Audiences get to enjoy a few minutes of his ignorance before he gets blindsided by by Maximus' return. | |
| Gladiator / int_ab5eea65 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_ab5eea65 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_ab5eea65 | |
| Gladiator / int_acecb17d | type |
Chekhov's Skill | |
| Gladiator / int_acecb17d | comment |
Chekhov's Skill: Early on, Maximus lingers for a moment in his camp to watch Commodus practice his swordsmanship. He'll get a taste of the Emperor's skill himself during the film's climax. | |
| Gladiator / int_acecb17d | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_acecb17d | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_acecb17d | |
| Gladiator / int_ad042153 | type |
Defeating the Cheating Opponent | |
| Gladiator / int_ad042153 | comment |
Defeating the Cheating Opponent: Emperor Commodus has a Villainous Breakdown during his final battle with Maximus. Even though Commodus has rigged the fight in his favor, Maximus is still beating him. During said breakdown, Commodus reveals his dagger and goes after Maximus, even though his plan was to humiliate Maximus in a "fair" fight. Then, Quintus gives his own middle finger to the Emperor by refusing to give him his sword, and ordering the guards surrounding him to sheathe their swords as well. Commodus is killed as a result by Maximus, but the wound inflicted by Commodus and his dagger still ends up fatal to Maximus, as he gets back to Rome just before the wound claims his life. | |
| Gladiator / int_ad042153 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_ad042153 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_ad042153 | |
| Gladiator / int_ad1db87c | type |
Oh, Crap! | |
| Gladiator / int_ad1db87c | comment |
Oh, Crap!: The look on Commodus' face when he realises who "The Spaniard" is. Maximus gets a brief and relatively stunted one in the beginning when he's taken by surprise by a charging, angry German with a big axe. Who is screaming. And on fire. He gets another one in the battle with Tigris, upon turning to see a tiger already in mid leap at him. | |
| Gladiator / int_ad1db87c | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_ad1db87c | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_ad1db87c | |
| Gladiator / int_aed65980 | type |
All for Nothing | |
| Gladiator / int_aed65980 | comment |
All for Nothing: Commodus fatally stabs Maximus before their fight to give himself the edge...and then he gets overpowered and killed anyway with relative ease, so it doesn't work. | |
| Gladiator / int_aed65980 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_aed65980 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_aed65980 | |
| Gladiator / int_af54b81d | type |
Pillow Pistol | |
| Gladiator / int_af54b81d | comment |
Pillow Pistol: General Maximus sleeps with a daggar. When Quintus comes to wake him Maximus snaps it out instantly, ready to slice his throat, sheepishly smiling when he recognizes his friend. | |
| Gladiator / int_af54b81d | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_af54b81d | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_af54b81d | |
| Gladiator / int_b0fb2427 | type |
Bread and Circuses | |
| Gladiator / int_b0fb2427 | comment |
Bread and Circuses: Commodus' policy, with a literal example as Commodus has cartloads of bread thrown to poor in the Colosseum. It's discussed that Commodus is paying for the games, too. | |
| Gladiator / int_b0fb2427 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_b0fb2427 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_b0fb2427 | |
| Gladiator / int_b14ce563 | type |
Pinned to the Wall | |
| Gladiator / int_b14ce563 | comment |
Pinned to the Wall: In the first gladiator fight in Zucchabar, Hagen - lacking a proper weapon - dispatches one of his opponents by pummeling him back into the arena wall and then lifting him up onto the spikes, skewering him. Now that's what the Romans call interior decorating. | |
| Gladiator / int_b14ce563 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_b14ce563 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_b14ce563 | |
| Gladiator / int_b1fd7687 | type |
Kingpin in His Gym | |
| Gladiator / int_b1fd7687 | comment |
Kingpin in His Gym: Commodus is shown practicing his swordsmanship against multiple opponents, showing that wealth and power have not made him soft. This holds true to the real Commodus, who was supposedly very good in the Colosseum... although he tended to fight men with training weapons while using real ones himself. | |
| Gladiator / int_b1fd7687 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_b1fd7687 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_b1fd7687 | |
| Gladiator / int_b38ebb09 | type |
Miles to Go Before I Sleep | |
| Gladiator / int_b38ebb09 | comment |
Miles to Go Before I Sleep: Maximus will happily join his wife and son in the afterlife, just as soon as he avenges them. | |
| Gladiator / int_b38ebb09 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_b38ebb09 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
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Gladiator / int_b38ebb09 | |
| Gladiator / int_b4a7b5ef | type |
The Queen's Latin | |
| Gladiator / int_b4a7b5ef | comment |
The Romans speak The Queen's Latin, the Germanics speak modern German (and sing in Zulu as an nod to - well, Zulu), Maximus' son speaks Italian (which, being a language descended from Latin, just adds more questions). | |
| Gladiator / int_b4a7b5ef | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_b4a7b5ef | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_b4a7b5ef | |
| Gladiator / int_b58b4e3c | type |
Too Dumb to Live | |
| Gladiator / int_b58b4e3c | comment |
Too Dumb to Live: Before their first fight in the Colosseum, Maximus tells his gladiators to stick close in order to survive. Several of them immediately separate from the group once the charioteers ride in and are all killed except for Hagen. | |
| Gladiator / int_b58b4e3c | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_b58b4e3c | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_b58b4e3c | |
| Gladiator / int_b773ec0e | type |
DidNotThinkThisThrough | |
| Gladiator / int_b773ec0e | comment |
Did Not Think This Through: The Zama recreation set heavy infantry against light chariots that don't have enough room to maneuver with the expectation the chariots will win easily. Tactical Rock–Paper–Scissors ensues. | |
| Gladiator / int_b773ec0e | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_b773ec0e | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_b773ec0e | |
| Gladiator / int_bc1a0bb1 | type |
The Last Dance | |
| Gladiator / int_bc1a0bb1 | comment |
The Last Dance: Maximus' fight against Commodus takes place after he is already grievously wounded by Commodus. Win or lose, he isn't going to last long. | |
| Gladiator / int_bc1a0bb1 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_bc1a0bb1 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_bc1a0bb1 | |
| Gladiator / int_bedae243 | type |
Relative Button | |
| Gladiator / int_bedae243 | comment |
Relative Button: Except with less of the beatdown effect and instead just provoking Maximus' Implacable Man. Commodus even casually brings up Maximus' wife's gang-rape and the crucifixion of his son in front of the Praetorian Guards. | |
| Gladiator / int_bedae243 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_bedae243 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_bedae243 | |
| Gladiator / int_bfc2ec8a | type |
That Makes Me Feel Angry | |
| Gladiator / int_bfc2ec8a | comment |
That Makes Me Feel Angry: "It vexes me. I'm terribly vexed." It makes sense when you consider how melodramatic Commodus was. | |
| Gladiator / int_bfc2ec8a | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_bfc2ec8a | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
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Gladiator / int_bfc2ec8a | |
| Gladiator / int_c1d9d74c | type |
Win Your Freedom | |
| Gladiator / int_c1d9d74c | comment |
Win Your Freedom: Averted. Maximus doesn't intend to leave alive. | |
| Gladiator / int_c1d9d74c | featureApplicability |
-1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_c1d9d74c | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_c1d9d74c | |
| Gladiator / int_c2d6fc5e | type |
Murder by Inaction | |
| Gladiator / int_c2d6fc5e | comment |
Murder by Inaction: After Maximus disarms Commodus in the arena, Commodus immediately starts demanding one of the surrounding Praetorian Guards give him a sword. If he hadn't recently and publicly dishonored his own royal guards, they might have. | |
| Gladiator / int_c2d6fc5e | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_c2d6fc5e | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_c2d6fc5e | |
| Gladiator / int_c75df49a | type |
Shout-Out | |
| Gladiator / int_c75df49a | comment |
Shout-Out: The Germanics sing the Zulu war chant from Zulu before engaging the Romans in battle. The revolutionary senator brothers Gracchi are taken from Spartacus. The blue tunics worn by Proximo's gladiators also resemble the one worn by Kirk Douglas after Spartacus rebels and stops being one. Commodus's triumph in Rome is modeled after Triumph of the Will. Maximus names his horses Argento and Scatto. In English, Silver and Trigger. The cameo appearance of BRIAN BLESSED is a nod to his role in the BBC adaptation of I, Claudius. | |
| Gladiator / int_c75df49a | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_c75df49a | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
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Gladiator / int_c75df49a | |
| Gladiator / int_c868a42a | type |
Freudian Excuse | |
| Gladiator / int_c868a42a | comment |
Freudian Excuse: Commodus explains, prior to killing his dad, that all he wanted was a little love and a warm hug... and what he would have done to get it. | |
| Gladiator / int_c868a42a | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_c868a42a | featureConfidence |
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Gladiator / int_c868a42a | |
| Gladiator / int_c887dc21 | type |
You Can Barely Stand | |
| Gladiator / int_c887dc21 | comment |
You Can Barely Stand: Commodus stabs Maximus before facing him in the arena. Maximus, a seasoned general mind you, proves to be able to defeat the reasonably skilled but nonetheless inferior Commodus, but dies from bleeding afterwards. | |
| Gladiator / int_c887dc21 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_c887dc21 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
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Gladiator / int_c887dc21 | |
| Gladiator / int_c93a6560 | type |
Impaled with Extreme Prejudice | |
| Gladiator / int_c93a6560 | comment |
Impaled with Extreme Prejudice: In the first battle in the Coliseum, Hagen bodily lifts one of his opponents and impales him on the spikes lining the top of the arena walls. | |
| Gladiator / int_c93a6560 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_c93a6560 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
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Gladiator / int_c93a6560 | |
| Gladiator / int_c9954979 | type |
Crippling the Competition | |
| Gladiator / int_c9954979 | comment |
Crippling the Competition: Commodus restrains and stabs Maximus just prior to their final, climactic arena duel in order to gain the upper hand during the fight. | |
| Gladiator / int_c9954979 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_c9954979 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
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Gladiator / int_c9954979 | |
| Gladiator / int_cb70651c | type |
Maybe Magic, Maybe Mundane | |
| Gladiator / int_cb70651c | comment |
Maybe Magic, Maybe Mundane: At certain points in the movie and at the end, is Maximus really heading into Elysium to be with his family, or is it just a Dying Dream? | |
| Gladiator / int_cb70651c | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_cb70651c | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_cb70651c | |
| Gladiator / int_d001c42c | type |
Anti-Villain | |
| Gladiator / int_d001c42c | comment |
Anti-Villain: Quintus is a fairly noble version go the My Master, Right or Wrong type, when Commodus first takes over, but seeing how Commodus rules eventually causes him to rethink that philosophy. | |
| Gladiator / int_d001c42c | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_d001c42c | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_d001c42c | |
| Gladiator / int_d0bab7f5 | type |
Royal Inbreeding | |
| Gladiator / int_d0bab7f5 | comment |
Royal Inbreeding: Emperor Commodus indicates that he intends to force his sister Lucilla to become his concubine and carry his child because he is obsessed with creating a "pure-blooded" dynasty. He's killed before he can put it into action, though. This is some serious Artistic License – History, since aside from giving Commodus a dose of Historical Villain Upgrade, the historical Romans also had laws against incest (hence the slander against disliked emperors such as Caligula and Nero) and looked down on contemporaneous royal families like the Ptomelys for their habits. | |
| Gladiator / int_d0bab7f5 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_d0bab7f5 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_d0bab7f5 | |
| Gladiator / int_d15ab386 | type |
Gladiator Revolt | |
| Gladiator / int_d15ab386 | comment |
Gladiator Revolt: Maximus tries to make a bid for freedom with his fellow gladiators, but the rebellion is put down with several casualties along the way. | |
| Gladiator / int_d15ab386 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_d15ab386 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator | hasFeature |
Gladiator / int_d15ab386 | |
| Gladiator / int_d246d18b | type |
Historical Relationship Overhaul | |
| Gladiator / int_d246d18b | comment |
Historical Relationship Overhaul: The real Lucilla was married twice, both to high-ranking officers and personal friends of her father: Lucius Verus (d. 169 AD), and Pompeianus. Only Verus is named in the film as having passed and Lucilla being his widow, whereas by this time she would be already married to Pompeianus. Some of Pompeianus's traits are transferred to Maximus. She had a son named Lucius from her first marriage, but he died young along with a sister. Her son from her second marriage was named Pompeianus and he was about the same age as the film's Lucius. She also had a surviving daughter from her first marriage, Plautia. She did grow concerned about Commodus early in his reign and did take part in a conspiracy to assassinate him with the support of the Senate (or claimed support, anyway), but instead of blackmailing her into incest, Commodus banished her to Capri and had her executed there by unknown means, along with Plautia and other alleged conspirators. | |
| Gladiator / int_d246d18b | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Gladiator / int_d246d18b | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
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Gladiator / int_d246d18b | |
| Gladiator / int_d4f281a3 | type |
Villainous Underdog | |
| Gladiator / int_d4f281a3 | comment |
Villainous Underdog: While Emperor Commodus is at least somewhat adept with a sword, it's clear that between them, General Maximus is the superior swordsman by a long shot due to his status as a war veteran. Because of this, Commodus keeps throwing one deadly gladiator after the other at Maximus, before mustering enough courage to personally face Maximus in the arena. Still, he has to resort to handicapping Maximus by secretly kniving him fatally before the fight to make the odds at least somewhat equal. He's still no match for the hero. | |
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| Gladiator / int_d51263b9 | type |
Fake Shemp | |
| Gladiator / int_d51263b9 | comment |
Fake Shemp: An infamous example. Oliver Reed died before filming all his scenes as Proximo, so they used shadows, CGI, and creative re-editing of already-shot scenes, along with some stock footage, to finish filming and rewrote several important scenes that would have been otherwise unfilmable. | |
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Hypocrite | |
| Gladiator / int_d52d28b6 | comment |
Hypocrite: The Romans, described by Maximus as the torchbearers of civilization who bring "light" to the rest of the cruel, barbaric world, have built a giant arena at the center of their capital city where slaves fight to the death as a form of public entertainment. | |
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The Good King | |
| Gladiator / int_db912a80 | comment |
The Good King: Marcus Aurelius, who was a wise king who believed in limiting the power of the crown and trying to bring back the Roman Republic. Similarly, Marcus Aurelius was this in real life.note Marcus Aurelius was the last of the Five Good Emperors. | |
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Screw Your Ultimatum! | |
| Gladiator / int_dc4a43ea | comment |
Screw Your Ultimatum!: At the beginning, the Romans send an emissary to the Germanic tribesmen they're fighting to demand they surrender. The tribesmen send the emissary back minus his head. | |
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Just Following Orders | |
| Gladiator / int_dca97045 | comment |
Just Following Orders: Quintus starts out as General Maximus's Number Two in the Felix Legion, but becomes The Dragon for Commodus and the head of the Praetorian Guard after Commodus's murder of his father to become Emperor. Quintus carries out Commodus's orders without question, even having Maximus's wife and son killed, telling Maximus before the final duel with Commodus that "I'm a soldier. I obey." For his part, Maximus doesn't hold it against him, and Quintus is eventually so fed up with Commodus's lack of honor that he refuses to hand him another sword after he loses his and abides by Maximus's last words. | |
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Good Republic, Evil Empire | |
| Gladiator / int_e0f75086 | comment |
Good Republic, Evil Empire: The good guys are hoping to turn the Roman Empire back into a Republic by giving more power to the Senate. The bad guy wants to get rid of the Senate altogether. Historically speaking, no one planned to make Rome a republic again, especially since the last five emperors had been both good and competent guys, and the final years of the Republic were marked by a rapidly deteriorating society caused by political infighting and decades of bloody civil war. In fact, beginning with the fist Emperor, Augustus, the Senate helped to maintain the facade that Rome was, still in fact, a Republic; it took 300 years for the Roman Empire to openly acknowledge that the Republic had ended and a monarchy had formed. Nor was there ever any serious prospect of abolishing the Senate; while centuries later its power would be diminished to the point of being purely ceremonial, the Roman Senate actually outlasted the (Western) Roman Empire and the Byzantine Empire (Eastern Roman Empire) had its own Senate last until the 1400s. | |
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Translation Convention | |
| Gladiator / int_e11b003d | comment |
Translation Convention: The Romans speak The Queen's Latin, the Germanics speak modern German (and sing in Zulu as an nod to - well, Zulu), Maximus' son speaks Italian (which, being a language descended from Latin, just adds more questions). Had Crowe got away with it, he would have mimicked Antonio Banderas' accent for the part as a reference to Maximus' Spanish origin, even though there is no way a Hispano-Roman would have sounded like that.note Though the idea is actually not without merit: it is recorded that Emperor Hadrian's Spanish accent made the Roman senators laugh. | |
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| Gladiator / int_e16217f8 | type |
Historical Villain Upgrade | |
| Gladiator / int_e16217f8 | comment |
Historical Villain Upgrade: Commodus is not as bad in history as this movie would make you think. See above for the Artistic License – History. | |
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Know When to Fold 'Em | |
| Gladiator / int_e16cd24e | comment |
Know When to Fold 'Em: Discussed in the opening scene, regarding the Germans: | |
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| Gladiator / int_e3b0cd87 | type |
Morality Pet | |
| Gladiator / int_e3b0cd87 | comment |
Morality Pet: Commodus actually seems to care about Lucius quite a bit and clearly wants the boy to see him as a father figure. Then Lucius reveals that he idolises Maximus instead, and that last semblance of Commodus' humanity goes out the window. | |
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| Gladiator / int_e4965307 | type |
Composite Character | |
| Gladiator / int_e4965307 | comment |
The real Lucilla was married twice, both to high-ranking officers and personal friends of her father: Lucius Verus (d. 169 AD), and Pompeianus. Only Verus is named in the film as having passed and Lucilla being his widow, whereas by this time she would be already married to Pompeianus. Some of Pompeianus's traits are transferred to Maximus. She had a son named Lucius from her first marriage, but he died young along with a sister. Her son from her second marriage was named Pompeianus and he was about the same age as the film's Lucius. She also had a surviving daughter from her first marriage, Plautia. | |
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| Gladiator / int_e52a0409 | type |
Calling the Old Man Out | |
| Gladiator / int_e52a0409 | comment |
Calling the Old Man Out: Commodus tears into Marcus Aurelius for neglecting him and grooming Maximus instead to be his successor. | |
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| Gladiator / int_e567510d | type |
Determinator | |
| Gladiator / int_e567510d | comment |
Determinator: Maximus takes a lot of shots over the course of the movie but keeps soldiering on. In the final battle with Commodus, he fights through an ultimately-fatal wound. | |
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| Gladiator / int_e8b0f099 | type |
Dark Is Evil | |
| Gladiator / int_e8b0f099 | comment |
Dark Is Evil: Generally averted. Commodus, in the final duel, wears white armour. Maximus wears dark armour, with a spiked helmet, for most of his gladiatorial career, including that fight. | |
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| Gladiator / int_e913fe74 | type |
Epic Flail | |
| Gladiator / int_e913fe74 | comment |
Epic Flail: A common gladiator weapon. One spiky-haired Red Shirt ends up catching one full on in the gob in the first gladiator battle of the movie, literally only seconds after stepping out into the arena. | |
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| Gladiator / int_e9784ee6 | type |
Epic Movie | |
| Gladiator / int_e9784ee6 | comment |
Epic Movie: A quintessential example. Stunning set pieces, A-list actors, plenty of action, and a grand scale culminating in battling the Emperor of Rome in gladiatorial combat. | |
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Younger Than They Look | |
| Gladiator / int_e9db9908 | comment |
Younger Than They Look: According to one script/art book, Commodus is supposed to be nineteen. This was the age his Real Life counterpart ascended to the throne. But unlike the film character, he blessed the Roman people with his just and wise rule for twelve years before meeting his death. | |
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Groin Attack | |
| Gladiator / int_eaf5a1ac | comment |
Groin Attack: The gladiator wielding the trident in the first fight has it turned against him by Maximus and Juba. After they clothesline him with their chain, you can see the front of his loincloth soaked with blood. | |
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| Gladiator / int_eba6a077 | type |
Cain and Abel | |
| Gladiator / int_eba6a077 | comment |
Cain and Abel: Commodus as the Cain, Maximus as the Abel. They're not related by blood, but Marcus Aurelius considered Maximus the son he should have had instead of the ambitious Commodus and nominates him as regent. Commodus also considers Maximus his non-blood brother, as both try to win Aurelius' and Lucilla's love. However, Commodus resorts to murdering his father and arranging to impregnate his sister, before Maximus kills him in the arena. Discussed near the end: | |
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Why Won't You Die? | |
| Gladiator / int_ecac4c42 | comment |
Why Won't You Die?: Commodus asks Maximus this after Maximus makes it through a match which was blatantly set against him. | |
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A Handful for an Eye | |
| Gladiator / int_eef35d8d | comment |
A Handful for an Eye: At the beginning of the one on one duel against Tigris surrounded by tigers. The opponent kicks dirt/gravel/dust into Maximus's face. | |
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You Bastard! | |
| Gladiator / int_f642b1f9 | comment |
You Bastard!: Maximus pulled this on his audience In-Universe, and perhaps the viewers by extension. Proximo later discusses the same topic when instructing Maximus: | |
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Together in Death | |
| Gladiator / int_f6624c30 | comment |
Together in Death: Maximus is shown walking to his family after his last fight in the arena. Also alluded to by Maximus's friend Juba, who assures him that they'll meet again in the next world... but not yet. | |
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Post-Rape Taunt | |
| Gladiator / int_f914cae5 | comment |
Post-Rape Taunt: Commodus to Maximus, describing how his men raped his wife. | |
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| Gladiator / int_f9671119 | type |
Death Equals Redemption | |
| Gladiator / int_f9671119 | comment |
Death Equals Redemption: Facing his imminent death is what gets Marcus Aurelius to reassess his life and ultimately decide he needs to set things in motion in order to save Rome by making it a Republic again. | |
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The Dog Bites Back | |
| Gladiator / int_fb3576b2 | comment |
The Dog Bites Back: Immediately after being told that he would not be taking over from his father in ruling the Roman Empire, having spent his entire life training for it, Commodus calls out his father on it and then smothers him, having his father's preferred heir executed and taking over Rome anyway. | |
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Department of Redundancy Department | |
| Gladiator / int_fc151e9d | comment |
Department of Redundancy Department: | |
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Gladiator |
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