Gladiator | What to Watch

Ridley Scott's epic Roman drama packs a powerful punch

Roman army general Maximus (Russell Crowe) gets on the wrong side of his malicious new emperor (Joaquin Phoenix) in Gladiator.

After narrowly escaping execution and with his family murdered, Maximus has nothing but revenge to live for and ends up fighting as a gladiator in Rome's Colosseum.

But, courtesy of his new master Oliver Reed (excellent, in his final role), the paths of the two men are destined to cross again...

With its in-your-face battle scenes and brilliant acting from a super cast that also includes Peter O'Toole, Richard Harris and Derek Jacobi, director Ridley Scott delivers an unbeatable Roman epic that still packs a powerful punch.

*****