Gladiator (Single Disc Edition)

Starring:Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen, Oliver Reed, Richard Harris, Derek Jacobi, Djimon Hounsou, David Schofield, John Shrapnel, Tomas Arana, Ralf Moeller, Spencer Treat Clark, David Hemmings, Tommy Flanagan, Sven-Ole Thorsen, Omid Djalili, Nicholas McGaughey, Chris Kell, Tony Curran, Mark Lewis (VIII)
Director: Ridley Scott
Studio: Dreamworks Video
Product Type: DVD

Amazon.com essential video

A big-budget summer epic with money to burn and a scale worthy of its golden Hollywood predecessors, Ridley Scott's Gladiator is a rousing, grisly, action-packed epic that takes moviemaking back to the Roman Empire via computer-generated visual effects. While not as fluid as the computer work done for, say, Titanic, it's an impressive achievement that will leave you marveling at the glory that was Rome, when you're not marveling at the glory that is Russell Crowe. Starring as the heroic general Maximus, Crowe firmly cements his star status both in terms of screen presence and acting chops, carrying the film on his decidedly non-computer-generated shoulders as he goes from brave general to wounded fugitive to stoic slave to gladiator hero. Gladiator's plot is a whirlwind of faux-Shakespearean machinations of death, betrayal, power plays, and secret identities (with lots of faux-Shakespearean dialogue ladled on to keep the proceedings appropriately "classical"), but it's all briskly shot, edited, and paced with a contemporary sensibility. Even the action scenes, somewhat muted but graphic in terms of implied violence and liberal bloodletting, are shot with a veracity that brings to mind--believe it or not--Saving Private Ryan, even if everyone is wearing a toga. As Crowe's nemesis, the evil emperor Commodus, Joaquin Phoenix chews scenery with authority, whether he's damning Maximus's popularity with the Roman mobs or lusting after his sister Lucilla (beautiful but distant Connie Nielsen); Oliver Reed, in his last role, hits the perfect notes of camp and gravitas as the slave owner who rescues Maximus from death and turns him into a coliseum star. Director Scott's visual flair is abundantly in evidence, with breathtaking shots and beautiful (albeit digital) landscapes, but it's Crowe's star power that will keep you in thrall--he's a true gladiator, worthy of his legendary status. Hail the conquering hero! --Mark Englehart

Customer Reviews:

Combat, the Way it Should Be. .......2007-06-24

Although it really isn't history the way it should be as the real Commodus was a whole lot more bizarre than this one, and Maximus is as fictitious a character as one would think based on his name. It's a good thing though to familiarize modern audiences with the likes of Marcus Aurelius, however, and the movie deserves the accolades that it got. Russell Crowe is magnificent here as was Joaquin Phoenix. The latter's career is rising at present in the same manner as the mythic creature with the production of outstanding work in both The Village and Walk the Line. They're both excellent actors and are perfectly cast in this epic. Gladiator has about all you need from a film with constant action, beautiful sets, and an intriguing plot. It's a quick couple of hours and you'll find yourself surprised at how soon it is over. I fond it delightful.

A Roman Epic.......2007-06-20

This is a superb film from the opening battle scenes right through to the end. As it was directed by Ridley Scott this shouldn't surprise you, since he is one of the most consistent directors around.

Russell Crowe takes the leading role of Maximus, a Roman General who is betrayed by the son of the Emperor and he gives a commanding performance. The authority he gives off as a Roman General is spell-binding (not to mention his impressive physical condition) and if anything I would have given best Oscar for this role rather than A Beautiful Mind. In fact its a stellar cast all round with Richard Harris, Oliver Reed, Derek Jacobi and David Hemmings all playing good supporting roles. Joaquin Phoenix plays Commodus, the treacherous son of Marcus Aurelius and Connie Neilson his sister.

The cinematography and cutting is excellent, and although this was made 7 or 8 years ago now, the CGI efects still look good to this day. There are some brilliant scenes inside the Colloseum, noteably where the Tigers are released during a Gladiator fight, and during the scene involving the chariots.

Although the film is nearly 2 and 1/2 hours long, you'll never be looking at your watch during this. This is what cinema and film (and I include DVDs in this as well) were meant for. There is no basis of fact behind the story, but in the end who cares this is just great entertainment.

Great movie!!!.......2007-06-17

Lots of action and great special effect! 5 stars!!!

Gladiator one of the best.......2007-06-14

Glad I bought this one, saved me from renting it at least twice a year from here on out...

INCREDIBLE MOVIE.......2007-05-17

If you don't own this yet, please ADD TO CART now. This is an amazing movie, and when I put it in the DVD, I am always sad to see it end the way it does. But IT is a MUST have.

I wish I could give it 10 STARS.

Gladiator - Extended Cut (Three-Disc Special Edition)

Average customer rating:

Combat, the Way it Should Be.
A Roman Epic
Great movie!!!
Gladiator one of the best
INCREDIBLE MOVIE

Gladiator - Extended Cut (Three-Disc Special Edition)
Starring: Russell Crowe , Joaquin Phoenix , Connie Nielsen , Oliver Reed , and Richard Harris
Director: Ridley Scott
Manufacturer: Dreamworks Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0009QTS1M
Release Date: 2005-08-23

Amazon.com essential video

Customer Reviews:

Combat, the Way it Should Be. .......2007-06-24

A Roman Epic.......2007-06-20

Great movie!!!.......2007-06-17

Lots of action and great special effect! 5 stars!!!

Gladiator one of the best.......2007-06-14

Glad I bought this one, saved me from renting it at least twice a year from here on out...

INCREDIBLE MOVIE.......2007-05-17

Gladiator (Two-Disc Collector's Edition)

Average customer rating:

Combat, the Way it Should Be.
A Roman Epic
Great movie!!!
Gladiator one of the best
INCREDIBLE MOVIE

Gladiator (Two-Disc Collector's Edition)
Starring: Tomas Arana , Russell Crowe , Djimon Hounsou , Derek Jacobi , and Ralph Moeller
Manufacturer: Dreamworks Video
ProductGroup: DVD
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Braveheart
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Black Hawk Down

ASIN: B00003CXE7
Release Date: 2000-11-21

Amazon.com essential video

Customer Reviews:

Combat, the Way it Should Be. .......2007-06-24

A Roman Epic.......2007-06-20

Great movie!!!.......2007-06-17

Lots of action and great special effect! 5 stars!!!

Gladiator one of the best.......2007-06-14

Glad I bought this one, saved me from renting it at least twice a year from here on out...

INCREDIBLE MOVIE.......2007-05-17

Average customer rating:

don't buy it
One of the Best Bibically-Based Films
A film that surmounted the acidic test of time!
An exciting epic sequel, fashioned according to the manner of Hollywood in the '50s
Robe Sequel drawn from "The Big Fisherman" Lloyd C. Douglas Novel

Demetrius and the Gladiators
Starring: Victor Mature , Susan Hayward , Michael Rennie , Debra Paget , and Anne Bancroft
Director: Delmer Daves
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox
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The Robe
Barabbas
David and Bathsheba
King of Kings
The Story of Ruth

ASIN: B000056AXZ
Release Date: 2001-02-27

Product Description

This enormously successful sequel to "The Robe" continues the story of Demetrius (Victor Mature), the Greek slave who, after the death of his master, is sentenced to train as a gladiator in the Roman arena. There, his newfound Christian faith is put to the test when he has to contend not only with the swordsmen and wild beasts of the arena, but also the evil and sensuous Messalina (Susan Hayward) and the mad emperor Caligula (Jay Robinson). Crammed with astonishing action and fight sequences, this heroic epic is not to be missed.

System Requirements:
Starring: Victor Mature, Susan Hayward, Michael Rennie, and Debra Paget.
Running Time: 102 Min., Color.
This film is presented in "Widescreen" format.
Copyright 2000 Twentieth Century Fox.

Format: DVD MOVIE

Amazon.com

Amid a cast of all-stars in 1953's The Robe, Victor Mature made the strongest impression as the Greek slave, Demetrius. It was only natural, then, that Mature should star in this 1954 sequel, in which the newly liberated Demetrius forges an alliance with his Christian brethren to hide the sacred robe of Christ, coveted for its "magic" by the vile emperor Caligula (Jay Robinson, also reprising his role in The Robe). Captured and manipulated into believing his beloved Lucia (Debra Paget) has been killed, Demetrius rejects his pacifist faith, plots vengeance while becoming a rising star in the bloody arena, and falls prey to the scheming senator's wife Messalina (Susan Hayward), who craves his... affection. It all leads to a crisis of faith that will determine Demetrius's fate as a noble Christian or downfallen hedonist.

Inheriting The Robe's CinemaScope production values, Demetrius and the Gladiators has everything you'd want in a Biblical epic, riding the wave that would crest two years later with Cecil B. DeMille's The Ten Commandments. It's campy, of course--Robinson is outrageously over-the-top; Mature is too contemporary (preceding the absurdity of Richard Gere's King David by 30 years); and Hayward seems closer to Rodeo Drive than ancient Rome. Still, there are abundant pleasures here, from the lavish arena battles (a bit cheesy, but still impressive) to a straightforward morality tale that doesn't compromise its themes of religious loyalty. You don't watch movies like this for historical accuracy, but for the combination of thrills, passion, and glory that were Hollywood trademarks of 1950s epics, long before the more secular ambition of Gladiator. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews:

don't buy it.......2007-05-13

This is a terrible movie - it would be bad enough if we hadn't read the book, The Robe, but because we did, the book portrays Demetrius as a thoroughy moral, loyal and admirable person, and the movie shows him as a pleasure-loving, vacant-eyed, immoral fighting machine. Where the movie makers came up with this spin is beyand me, but someone should have stopped them. Actually, after reading the book and 'knowing' Demetrius in that manner, I found the movie nauseating - like a crude and mean characture of a good friend.
Don't buy it.

One of the Best Bibically-Based Films.......2007-04-10

This is one of the very best Bibically-based films ever, and it was also one of the best of the early "sequels." Taking up the story precisely where The Robe left off, it is an even more exciting continuing tale of the Greek slave, Demetrius, and his quest to protect the robe worn by Jesus at His crucifixion. The gladitorial combat scene, where Demetrius avenges the assumed death of his sweetheart, and subsequently renounces his faith, is one of the most memorable ever, and actually rivals that of Russell Crowe in "Gladiator." A must for the Easter season, or for any time one needs a reaffirmation of faith or inspiration.

A film that surmounted the acidic test of time!.......2007-04-10

Demetrius and the gladiators is 'possibly one of the finest and exciting about the biblical epic. The movie in question depicts the last days of Caligula around the untiring search of the Holy cloak; the capture of Demetrius and his forced incursion into the gladiator' s epic, his sudden loss of faith when he fervently is seduced by Mesalina and finally the death and rise of Claudius.

There are brilliant and realistic sequences of brave fights on the Imperial sand but the film abruptly ends; and one leaves the hall firmly believing if it was question related with the budget.

Fortunately the precious Susan Hayward gives a tour de force acting who makes us to forget on one hand the awful performance of Caligula (absolutely flat and pasteboard) the straight stone faced of Victor Mature whose inexpressiveness was pitifully its main enemy to achieve a major status in Hollywood.

But there are justified moments of emotion all the way through, for kids and adults.

An exciting epic sequel, fashioned according to the manner of Hollywood in the '50s.......2007-03-12

Demetrius and the Gladiators is a very good movie, in the classic sense of that term.

Many people of his time adored Victor Mature, while critics sometimes claimed he was melodramatic, but Mature was impressively right for the majority of films in which he was cast. The studio system was smart that way.

In this case, Mature brings the drama to life almost single-handedly, and certainly carries off this cast-of-thousands sequel to THE ROBE beautifully. Mature was well suited to the 50s sword-and-sandal trend, and I'd say this film, along with DeMille's equally good SAMSON AND DELILAH, are among his best performances of the period.

This film is a respectable and interesting sequel to THE ROBE, and unequivocally worth seeing. What's more, I can't agree that Jay Robinson is "over the top" -- he's just as fascinating a villain as he was in THE ROBE, and we're lucky to have more of him in the role in this movie. Considering that Robinson became, by all accounts, mentally obsessed with his character of the Roman emperor in these two films for the rest of his life, I'd say this movie is even more fascinating in that regard. Robinson is one of those actors who proves the old saying that it only takes one stand-out performance to secure an actor's place in history forever. Robinson's performance is easily the best Roman emperor ever committed to celluloid up until now, I CLAUDIUS notwithstanding.

In short, don't sell this movie short, or you'll be the worse for it. The movie's tone is certainly different from THE ROBE, but it is a genuinely satisfying Hollywood entertainment of a fairly high order. The budget is generous, the cast is excellent, and the movie looks very good in all the most important aspects as a result. Feel free to bring popcorn, and I'd recommend a Kleenex as well.

Robe Sequel drawn from "The Big Fisherman" Lloyd C. Douglas Novel.......2007-02-15

In an age when Hollywood was not fond of making sequels (1954), we have here a continuance of the story of the Robe of Christ and the Christians who were dedicated to it's preservation after Tribune Gallio (Richard Burton) is martyred at the end of 1953's "The Robe", an extremely popular Christian epic. The plot follows Demetrius (Victor Mature) as he experiences what Christians call "backsliding", due to a perception that his love is dead at the hands of some drunken gladiators. What follows is a tremendous example of revenge and eventual redemption of a man overwhelmed with grief and filled with hate. The Gladiator scenes are wonderfully done. The colors and production in Cinemascope stand out and some of the continuing performances such as Jay Robinson are worthy of an Academy Award nomination, as Robinson gives his heart to the role of the manic Caligula, believing himself to be a God and eventually being killed at the hands of his own guards. The revenge scene against the Gladiators is Great! Demetrius grabs a sword and kills them one by one in the arena as his opponents are forced to face him under the whip of Ernest Borgnine and the hot-smoking poker of Demetrius's friend. "These aren't the rules" says a gladiator full of fear at Demetrius's blood lust for their deaths. "We're changing the rules!!! replies Borgnine as he chases the rest of them out to die. WOW! One of the better Gladiator movies since Spartacus and although Crowe's Gladiator is excellent and funny in spots, this movie from the 50's is a classic rendering with bad guys you love to hate! Well recommended, but make sure you see "The Robe" first to know what is going on.

Pompeii - The Last Day/Colosseum - A Gladiator's Story

Average customer rating:

Very interesting
A Gladiator's Story a huge success
Superb combination of narrative, acting, special effects, computer graphics, & then-and-now site comparisons to tell the story.
Pompeii - The Last Day
Not bad for a docu-drama

Pompeii - The Last Day/Colosseum - A Gladiator's Story
Starring: Chrissie Cotterill , George Yiasoumi , Emily Canfor-Dumas , Inika Leigh Wright , and Neji Nejah
Director: Peter Nicholson , and Tilman Remme
Manufacturer: BBC Warner
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B0006OBPZY
Release Date: 2005-02-01

Amazon.com

Ridley Scott's Gladiator is a great movie, but Colosseum: A Gladiator's Story has the distinct advantage of purely historical accuracy. The Roman gladiator whose story is told here is Verus (played by charismatic British hunk Robert Shannon), one of two victors in the only gladiatorial battle that was ever described in detail (by the Roman poet Martial in 80 A.D.). Using this factual record as its basis, Colosseum follows Verus as he is recruited from slavery, trained in gladiator's school, rises to favor among wealthy Romans, and ultimately battles his best friend, Priscus (Derek Lea), to a crowd-pleasing draw in the inaugural games of glorious, brand-new Colosseum, the construction of which is shown in fascinating detail. Combining authoritative narration with diary-like voiceovers from Verus's perspective, this riveting 50-minute BBC production is simultaneously intimate and epic in scale, employing the latest in digital compositing techniques to achieve its unparalleled (for TV, at least) visual splendor. With well-cast actors speaking authentic Latin, this sumptuous production is both dramatically involving and exacting in every detail.

Just as convincing--and just as impressive in its use of cutting-edge CGI--is the 50-minute bonus program Pompeii: The Final Day, which chronicles the final 24 hours of Pompeii when it was decimated by the ultraviolent eruption of Mount Vesuvius on August 24, 79 A.D. Inspired by the written descriptions of Pliny the Younger (whose detailed observations were later vindicated by geological science), recovered artifacts, and the haunting remains of Pompeii citizens preserved under tons of pumice and ash, Pompeii is first-rate from start to finish, proving yet again that the BBC is now setting the standard in lavishly produced docudrama programming. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews:

Very interesting.......2007-05-12

I bought this for a World Cultures class I teach in sixth grade. Instead of boring still pictures the dramatizations of the the last days of Pompeii kept the kids engaged and interested.

A Gladiator's Story a huge success.......2007-03-18

A Gladiator's Story has several great things going for it, but the strongest is its factually-based story. The cinematography captures the scenes wonderfully, without becoming a cheesy over-produced extravaganza. By incorporating simple Latin phrases in the dialog, the introductory Latin student is hooked, and the Roman life details help the viewer to identify with aspects of humanity (funerals, religion). A quick pace and frequent references to help the viewer understand the significance of the scenes make the story clear and enjoyable. As a Latin teacher, I used this in a unit with my 7th and 8th grade students who enjoyed it immeasurably. A winner!

Superb combination of narrative, acting, special effects, computer graphics, & then-and-now site comparisons to tell the story........2006-10-22

If you are curious about the geology, history, and culture concerning the volcanic eruption of Vesuvius and its effects on Pompeii and Herculaneum, this is your DVD. What I liked so much about this program was the interlaced use of the five components mentioned in the title to this review. Before you see this film, I would recommend that you become familiar with the geological term "pyroclastic flow". It took me some time to grasp just what this was.
The program on the Colosseum was, (amazingly) nearly as stunning. Similar techniques are used to show how and when it was built and just what was going on in there. There are all kinds of jobs, perhaps you have one right now, but "The Beastmaster" job was not an easy job at all. It was a tough job, but somebody had to do it. Find out about this and much more.

Pompeii - The Last Day.......2006-06-28

Very well done and a thrill to watch. Brought the moment and time of the tradegy into clear focus, so that even a novice historian like me could understand why so many died that fateful day.

Not bad for a docu-drama.......2006-04-15

Odd mix of original language, voice-over (multiple narrators with not distinctive enough voices), filmed drama, attempt at a documentary. I found it enjoyable, because I enjoy nearly everything about the classical world, and enjoy accuracy even if the entertainment factor isn't quite there (compared to the pyrotechnics of Gladiator)

It was nice to see some myths defused, such as gladiators were always killed in the matches.

So if you're a history buff, this isn't boring. I'd recommend to anyone interested in Classical history.

The Epic Legends Collection (Braveheart / Gladiator - Extended Edition)

Average customer rating:

The Epic Legends Collection (Braveheart / Gladiator - Extended Edition)
Starring: Mel Gibson , and Russell Crowe
Director: Mel Gibson , and Ridley Scott
Manufacturer: Paramount Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000P5FH4E
Release Date: 2007-07-31

Amazon.com

Braveheart
Mel Gibson's Oscar-winning 1995 Braveheart is an impassioned epic about William Wallace, the 13th-century Scottish leader of a popular revolt against England's tyrannical Edward I (Patrick McGoohan). Gibson cannily plays Wallace as a man trying to stay out of history's way until events force his hand, an attribute that instantly resonates with several of the actor's best-known roles, especially Mad Max. The subsequent camaraderie and courage Wallace shares in the field with fellow warriors is pure enough and inspiring enough to bring envy to a viewer, and even as things go wrong for Wallace in the second half, the film does not easily cave in to a somber tone. One of the most impressive elements is the originality with which Gibson films battle scenes, featuring hundreds of extras wielding medieval weapons. After Eisenstein's Alexander Nevsky, Orson Welles's Chimes at Midnight, and even Kenneth Branagh's Henry V, you might think there is little new that could be done in creating scenes of ancient combat; yet Gibson does it. --Tom Keogh

Customer Reviews:

Gladiator - Cuba Gooding Jr., & James Marshall.......2007-01-19

Excellent Movie. One of my favorite movies that these actors made together.

Cuba Gooding Jr. is great in this movie, no wonder he is a great movie star and James Marshall doesn't get enough credit as an actor, he needs to play more roles like this... they way the filmed this movie was great... old fashion, made you feel you were right there with them.

Cuba Gooding Jr. was an upcoming star at this point, it just was starting out in his carrer... look at him now.

GREAT MOVIE... GET IT.. YOU'LL ENJOY IT.

Cheap Trick's classic Surrender on Soundtrack and likable..........2006-05-17

though somewhat average Havana
Gooding, Jr. Film. At least it's
not 'Snowdogs'. When I was at the
'02 NHL Allstar game @ the home
of the best Pro basketball team
in L.A., the Clippers, somebody
yelled @ Gooding, "Hey Havana,
Snow Dogs sucked!" Even Jewel,
who was there singing the National
Anthem and songs between periods
laughed!

A "must see" movie!.......2006-04-25

I am a big Cuba Gooding, Jr. fan. I have seen most of his movies, included among those, "Boyz N The Hood," "Gladiator," "Snow Dogs," "Judgment Night," "Radio," "Rat Race," "A Murder of Crows," etc. This movie is one of my favorite movies of all time and it is good because it shows that there can be positive relationships between people of different races, even in times of adversity.

Starts off really slow, but....................2005-05-08

A really good film. When this film came out in 1992, people had been tired of the classic "Rocky" films for years, and the musical climate was changing from hair metal to grunge. Too bad, because there is one boxing film from 1992 that remains in it's place as an underrated film. That film is "Gladiator". As a matter of fact, it measures up pretty well for a boxing film. Read on for my review of this:

Tommy (John Marshall)is a high school student who has seen tough times in his life:His mother died a while back ago, and even when he still had his father, John Riley (John Heard)his Dad was drinking too much alcohol and was also gambling to win money that would help him support him and his son. Tommy and John are now living in a rundown apartment in Chicago, and even though John has straightened up, he has gotten a job that requires selling, advertising, and promoting- which means that he must travel around the country for a month, leaving Tommy alone by himself in the apartment. At the beginning of this film, Tommy is getting picked on a lot, and even when he gets a job washing dishes at a restaurant, the people he works with still aren't treating him in a great way. Things just are not going well for Tommy.

But one night, things suddenly change. After Tommy leaves the diner he is working at to go back to his apartment, he is approached by about four, five, or six guys who have been picking on him, and they start fighting him with their fists. Tommy fights back, and he does a pretty good job at it- becuase in the middle of the fight, a boxing manager named Pappy Jack (Robert Loggia)gets out of his car, breaks up the fight, and offers Tommy a one night only boxing contract becuase he is so impressed by his fighting ability. Tommy takes the job- and then he ends up taking the job full-time. What happens in this film after Tommy has taken his boxing job full-time instead of part time? I'd be giving away too much if I included all of that in this review.

Like I already mentioned in the headline for this review, this film starts off really slow and kind of borng for about the first hour of this movie, but once it picks up, it is an incredible film. The sad thing is that this film did not make too much money when it was first released in 1992, and it is also a shame that directors can call their own film by the same title as another film as long as it is not a rip-off of the film (hence, Ridley's Scott's 2000 oscar winning film that carries the same name as this film does).

Give this film a chance. Sure, it didn't win any Oscars,and John Marshall is not Sylvester Stallone, but overall,this film proves that good things don't always get appreciated and that some not too good things (I won't complain about anything, you choose your own pick at that)do get appreciated. I will admit, the only reason why I checked this film out is becuase Warrant, one of my favorite bands of all time, contributed two songs to this film (an original song entitled "The Power" and an excellent cover version of Queen's classic song "We Will Rock You")but I'm glad that I decided to check this film out. I didn't go to a theater to see this film when it first came out in 1992, but I'm glad that I was lucky enough to get the chance to see it, and you probably will be glad that you got the opportunity to watch this film also. You might even find it hard to decide which film you like better- this or "Rocky".

If you ever rent/buy this film, be sure to get it on DVD. The special features on the DVD for this film include the cast files for the actors in this film and three theatrical trailers for three films by Cuba Gooding, Jr. (he was in this film). It is kind of dissapointing to see that they did not include the trailer for this film on this DVD, but oh well.

Excellent cast, excellent story/script (as well as an excellent and surprising ending for this film)and excellent music=a great film.

Great film.......2003-09-16

Great great film. Direction, performances, writing, casting all first rate and better than any other modern boxing movie. Don't miss this film, it is great entertainment for everyone- family, adults,and kids. You will not go wrong with this movie.
Should have won for Best Picture of the Year.

Gladiator Days - Anatomy of a Prison Murder

Average customer rating:

Reveals another injustice
Powerful!
not that shocking
A cautionary 4 stars though
Sickening

Gladiator Days - Anatomy of a Prison Murder
Director: Marc Levin
Manufacturer: Hbo Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B00006SFKG
Release Date: 2003-01-07

Description

Across the United States, violent crime in prison is an everyday reality, with inmates routinely exposed to assault, riot, rape and murder. Gladiator Days: Anatomy of a Prison Murder examines the culture of institutional violence through the events that led to one burtal prison murder. Utah State Prison surveillance cameras capture this disturbing real-life account of the vicious stabbing of black inmate Lonnie Blackmon by convicted murderer, white supremacist Troy Kell and his accomplice Eric Daniels.

Customer Reviews:

Reveals another injustice.......2007-05-22

I first saw this compelling, often gruesome and very enlightening documentary on HBO. I have realized that in these maximum security men's prisons, most of the inmates either have to gang up for survival or they become the prey. If they are in fear of their lives, they either have to deal with it themselves or go to guards and wardens and risk being labeled as a "snitch" and killed for that. This documentary also first revealed to me facts that indicated Sandy Shaw, Kell's childhood friend, was railroaded into prison even though all he was supposed to do was fistfight a guy who was stalking her when she was a terrified 15-year-old, with no stalking law to protect her. Unbeknownst to anyone else, Kell brought a gun to that supposed harmless fistfight and shot and killed the adult stalker who was pursuing a minor child. In his effort to help her, Kell made his friend Sandy Shaw his second victim. Getting into the mind of a killer who grew up with a decent life and then snapped makes for fascinating viewing.

Powerful!.......2007-04-18

As a part-time criminal justice instructor, I make this DVD required viewing. As someone interested in the subject matter I think it addresses a variety of issues: racial issues, delinquency, juvenile housing, gang violence, lockup procedures,and criminality in general. I think it also addresses some of the stereotypes concerning criminals and criminal behavior. Troy Kell is the perfect example of someone who came from a decent family, educated and had all the tools for success, and yet ended up on death row (1st killing a guy over some foolishness and then committing a murder while in prison). I think even to the average person, they would find Kell charasmatic, charming (oops, that is the same thing), with no regrets or excuses. Bravado or not we will never know, but Kell is definately someone to be studied for years to come.

not that shocking.......2006-06-12

To be honest, I really don't see why people say this is that shocking. Perhaps I'm a little desensitized, but the attack is shown from quite a distance away. Overall, I liked the documentary. I thought it was interesting and very well done.

A cautionary 4 stars though.......2006-05-09

This is an excellent documentary, but it is brutally honest. The video of the actual attack is so shocking as to be almost unwatchable, yet you have to watch once.

Almost as brutal is the effect that the prison system has on these people.

Sickening.......2006-04-07

After seeing this film, I am pretty amazed they have been able to put what they did on to a dvd. I actually felt sickened by the images I saw and had to turn it off many times. Yes its an interesting documentary but can you imagine how the victims family felt knowing the images of their loved one being violently stabbed were being shown to people? Personally, I think you've got to have a strong stomach to watch it.

Average customer rating:

Okay story
spartacus
sigh, what ARE movie makers thinking?
Looks great, but a bit too cliché'd and not very accurate
"Civilization Hangs on The Cross ~ If The Gods' Love You, You Die In Childhood"

Spartacus - The Complete TV Miniseries
Starring: Goran Visnjic , Alan Bates , Angus Macfadyen , Rhona Mitra , and Ian McNeice
Director: Robert Dornhelm
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
ProductGroup: DVD
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Julius Caesar
Augustus
Nero
Pompeii - The Last Day/Colosseum - A Gladiator's Story
Empire

ASIN: B0002PYTB4
Release Date: 2004-10-26

Customer Reviews:

Okay story.......2007-05-26

Having read up a bit on Spartacus, I was at first disappointed as the story started to play out. But as it got so off historical facts that I started to enjoy it as a fiction story. It is a shame as I would have liked a historic drama.

The acting was okay. I particularly did like some of the actors that played Roman characters.

The filming is not much but satisfactory.

spartacus.......2007-02-07

a good production of the now-familiar story of Spartacus. Goren does a very believable job portraying him.

sigh, what ARE movie makers thinking?.......2006-12-24

Ok, joining in the rant about lousy history, costuming, military tactics et. al.

Just watch the original Kirk Douglass one--they don't even PRETEND to be trying to do anything other than entertain you in that one.

Sorry, the acting wasn't that great (well, except for Ian McNiece, and I just happen to think he's a really good actor) the costuming made me wince and we won't even TALK about the attempts at modern PC. Come on guys--talk to anyone in your family over 2 and you will see that what was PC 10, 15, 20, 30 years ago isn't even considered remotely polite now--never MIND 2k+ years ago. Trying to make an historical personage toe the modern PC line is just stupid. (And, if you'd been unlucky enough to meet him, would probably have gotten your throat slit) So come on, lets just make the movie and SHOW the different perspective that would have ruled then. After all, if I want modern views reinforced, all I have to do is turn on the news or any tv program on in prime time.

Looks great, but a bit too cliché'd and not very accurate.......2006-10-01

With a mythic story like Spartacus, you can't expect too much accuracy and realism, especially with differing stories on the subject. One theory says Spartacus was a Roman, who fought in the legions, but was arrested for treason after refusing to obey commands and defying his commander, and who abandoned his name and took the name Spartacus when he was enslaved. The whole "Thracian" thing developed because at the time there were two types of gladiatorial fighting styles---Gallic and Thracian, and he was Thracian.

Another story goes that he really was a Thracian, who fought in the Roman legions (probably auxiliary) or earned his citizenship and fought in the legions, then the same thing happened and he became a slave and w/e. I don't care which to believe.

In this TV version I was very impressed with the cinematography and costumes and such, but it suffers a lot from cliché's. For one, all the Romans are depicted as villainous, greedy scum who don't care about anything--not even other Romans, by the looks of it; all the slaves are depicted as noble upright men forced into their current position but are all such noble godly men and such.

Another thing which really annoys me is that this Spartacus is a full-blown atheist, which I think should have gotten his stupid little head crushed in by the other slaves--or killed by the black slave when he was ordered to fight him for Marcus Licinius Crassus's viewing pleasure. Listening to his dumb atheistic sayings like "i don't believe in anything unless i can see and touch it" is really lame and cliché', and it doesn't do much for his intelligence, either. Even a true atheist wouldn't base his atheism on something that childish and ignorant.

Then the Roman armor really looks... they've got no armor--no scale plates like some depictions, no hamata lorica chain mail like in historical depictions, but BROWN LEATHER! Even their helmets are brown leather. Really ridiculous. The battle scenes are also very "Gladiator"-esque, with the soldiers pretty much wandering off to pick their own individual fights, but for their sake, they weren't even in formation in that scene, so that's an excuse.

Then there's the slave uprising at the gladiator school, in which for some effed up reason, the legionaries outside go into testudo formation (used for deflecting ARROWS, JAVELINS, SLINGS) and get butchered in seconds by what are essentially gladiators armed with knives, daggers, and some spears.

The performances are quite average on everyone's part, except Ian McNiece who is spectacular, and Angus Macfeyden is stupendous. His acting as Marcus Licinius Crassus is awesome. And I especially love that crazed look of disillusionment he does on the wall in Southern Italy when he discovers Spartacus has sneaked over the walls while distracting the Romans by sending cows with torches strapped to them to make them look like an army in the night. The guy who plays Spartacus is really abysmal.

All in all, probably fun to watch, but if you're really into history like me, you'll be shouting at the TV screen like a lunatic, saying "nuh uh!" and "omg" and "impossible!" and such! One of my biggest complaints was the Senators' irrational and illogical fear that Crassus would overthrow the Republic. If anything, Pompeius should be their biggest concern for that sort of thing, yet they consider him some sort of hero of the Republic (not true) rather than the Picentine upstart he is. And there's absolutely no mention of Lucius Cornelius Sulla at all, who was only just dictator of Rome just a few years before the events and had a tremendous impact on Roman politics at the time. Sort of curious that Ian McNiece is in it, and the year after he would appear in HBO's "Rome" as the newsreader. He should've gotten a bigger role in "Rome" though.

"Civilization Hangs on The Cross ~ If The Gods' Love You, You Die In Childhood".......2006-08-08

'Spartacus' the '04 mini-series starring Goran Visnjic (who?) as Spartacus leads a cast of even lesser known names in a surprisingly good retelling of the famous slave rebellion against Rome, circa first century BC. Almost three hours long, 177 minutes to be exact, the storyline is consistently enjoyable throughout and the allotted viewing time passes quickly.

Plot: A band of gladiator slaves rebel against their masters, first destroying the gladiator school and then the local garrison of Roman troops. As the slave army roams the countryside they attract more slaves to their cause and their numbers multiply. Repeated attempts are made by Rome to destroy the rebels but against all odds the slaves win victory after victory. That is until Spartacus plans for a sea escape are thwarted and all the might of the Roman Empire are summoned to squash the insurrection.

Surprises: I was surprised to see that two of my favorite scenes in the original '60 epic were not included in the mini-series. However, In spite of there absence the film doesn't suffer from their exclusion. This is all in all an excellent production that deserves to be seen.

Cast: Goran Visnjic does a masterful job at balancing the emotive, warlike nature of Spartacus with the more sensitive, cerebral longings of the legendary warrior, while Rhona Mitra as his love interest Varinia displays a much more aggressive, firey nature than we've come to expect from the original Varinia played by Jean Simmons. Rhona is absolutely magnificent! James Frain gives a fantastic performance as well in the role of David, Spartacus second in command. Also strong performances by Angus Macfadyen as Marcus Crassus and my daughter's favorite Paul Telfer as Gannicuc.

Average customer rating:

worth a look
Morality and Ashes.
A movie with depth and style
Sheer class from Basil Rathbone
I love this movie. . .

The Last Days of Pompeii
Starring: Preston Foster , Alan Hale , Basil Rathbone , John Wood (II) , and Louis Calhern
Director: Merian C. Cooper , and Ernest B. Schoedsack
Manufacturer: Turner Home Ent
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The Cecil B. DeMille Collection (Cleopatra/ The Crusades/ Four Frightened People/ Sign of the Cross/ Union Pacific)
Last Days of Pompeii
The Black Swan
Pompeii - The Last Day/Colosseum - A Gladiator's Story
Warner Bros. Pictures Tough Guys Collection (Bullets or Ballots / City for Conquest / Each Dawn I Die / G Men / San Quentin / A Slight Case of Murder)

ASIN: B000B7MX70
Release Date: 2005-11-22

Amazon.com

Fresh off their monumental success with King Kong, producer Merian Cooper and director Ernest Schoedsack teamed again on The Last Days of Pompeii, another big-scale offering with a special-effects emphasis. Nominally based on the Bulwer-Lytton book, the film invents a new storyline much in the spirit of the Cecil B. DeMille religioso-melodrama school. Preston Foster plays a pacifist blacksmith whose life is ruined by fate; he turns his fighting skills to the gladiatorial arena and raises a foster son. A cameo appearance by Jesus Christ affects the boy but not the man, and it all comes a-cropper years later when Mount Vesuvius gets restless outside Pompeii's city limits. Fond childhood memories of the volcano's eruption should be tempered by the fact that the effects (designed by Kong man Willis O'Brien) are limited to the final 20 minutes of the film, and that the preceding 75 minutes are a slow ride indeed. This film's creakiness makes you appreciate how good DeMille was at whipping up entertainment out of historical yarns. One definite bright spot: Basil Rathbone, bringing his equine deliberation to the role of Pontius Pilate. --Robert Horton

Customer Reviews:

worth a look.......2007-04-08

fine acting, especially by rathbone. but for me, a movie that has the courage of it's convictions, regarding the very last scene, a scene that makes the movie a stand out. most religous movies would skirt the issue of repentance and showing of the Christ. not this one, which makes it very special in my book.

Morality and Ashes........2006-09-18

Produced and ghost directed by Merian C. Cooper, THE LAST DAYS OF POMPEII is a morality tale loosely based upon minor events in Sir Edward George Bulwer-Lytton's novel THE LAST DAYS OF POMPEII. The film stars Preston Foster as Marcus, a simple blacksmith of Pompeii. Marcus is a happy man. He has a beautiful wife and an energetic young son. Though the family doesn't have much money, Marcus is happy at his chosen career and what he has is enough. The man in charge of the arena thinks Marcus would make a formidable gladiator, but he can't seem to convince him to abandon his job as a blacksmith for more money. Marcus' wife and son are tragically run over by a runaway chariot. Unable to pay for medical care because of his modest means his family dies. The loss of his family fills Marcus with despair and fuels an ambition to gain wealth. Thus the second act of the film begins as Marcus begins his new life as a gladiator.

Marcus becomes the finest gladiator in the land, an unbeatable opponent. After one fatal match, Marcus discovers the boy of his fallen foe. The child is now an orphan. Reminded of his own dead son, Marcus adopts the boy as his own. To secure the boys' future and to insure that he will not have to fight in the arena, Marcus begins taking suspicious and dangerous assignments that pay him extremely well and help him become the Master of the Arena itself. While on one of these assignments to Judea, Marcus' son, Flavius is struck down in a freak accident. The child is healed and that encounter changes the boy's life forever. Marcus is grateful, but he is still tainted by the greed and ambition birthed from the grief of his wife and first son. Years later it is revealed that Flavius has been helping slaves and gladiators escape from Pompeii. Marcus is crushed, but loves his son so deeply that he will do everything in his power to protect him. Then the volcano erupts and judgment comes.

Hoping to capitalize on the success of KING KONG, Merian C. Cooper invested a great deal of time and money into this picture. Watching the film one can tell that it was an expensive picture to make (at the time). The sets are lavish and are quite reminiscent of a Cecil B. de Mille picture. The movie has some of the same religious overtones and morality of a de Mille picture, too. But a Cecil B. de Mille picture this is not. The screenplay is basically a morality play forced into the usual three-act structure. Foster does a decent job in his role, but he and everyone else in the cast is outshone by Basil Rathbone who portrays Pontius Pilate. Rathbone brings an element of humanity that is often lacked in other portrayals of the famed leader. He illustrates that arrogance of Pilate, but tempers it with sensitivity and a tortured conscious over his dealings with Jesus.

When it was initially released, THE LAST DAYS OF POMPEII was a flop and the film had to be re-released several times (often as a double bill with King Kong) in order to earn back its cost. Over seventy years later, the movie hasn't changed much. It still comes off as being an average movie with one outstanding performance. For film buffs it's worth watching for Rathbone's performance. Anyone who likes big spectacle films might enjoy it as well as anyone who likes old-time Bible-type films.

A movie with depth and style.......2005-07-03

I first saw this movie as a child in the 50's on TV and fell in love with it. My mother would let me cut school in order to see it on tv( and my family was not particularly religious), along with a number of others like Cyrano de Bergerac, Androcles and the Lion, Sign of the cross, and The High and the Mighty, and Captain Sirocco. I combed the tv guide once a week for classics like these. The redeeming quality of all of the movies I become attached to is "nobility". Aside from the awesome eruption of Vesuvius, and awesome it was for its day, and as thrilled as I am about the special effects and the disater movie perspective ....the story is simply ...Sublime.
Preston Foster, in typical post silent era acting style, plays Marcus - with dash and bravura. Marcus is a simple, humble man. He is completely contented with his life as a blacksmith and has a wife and son he cherishes, everything any man could hope for. He is quickly reminded of the foolishness of his take on life by a jaded slave dealer and a kindly but skeptical roman patrician who gives his son a gold coin. Marcus and his wife Julia close shop for the day and set out to celebrate the windfall by purchasing a ball too big for the tiny grasp of his small child. The fates intervine... the ball rolls into the street and Julia and the infant are over run by a speeding chariot. So the saga begins, brilliantly, with such irony, the gift and joy of a gold coin and a new toy leading to a tragedy as Marcus' wife and child both die. Marcus now impoverished, and a broken man.....having given up his ideals and sense of morality to fight in the gladitorial arena, as the only way to get the money he needed to try and get medical help for his family and with nothing left of his former life to live for embraces a new view of life and the Gods he once loved. A world weary and newly cynical Marcus becomes a Gladiator commenting "it's easy to get money. All you have to do...is Kill". Thru success after success in the gladitoral arena he becomes a famous man, a formerly detested slaver, and thru' clever manipulation of events and opportunities , ultimately head of the Arena itself. During one of his triumphs in the arena he meets the son of a fallen foe named The Wolf. Distraught at the appearance of the young boy waiting for his fathers victory he reluctantly asks if the boy knows what happens to people when they die. Marcus overwhelmed by guilt and reemorse asks the child if he would like to become his son. The child agrees and a new life centered around this child emerges as he lives his life now to make up for taking the life of the boys father and to give the boy every opportunity in life. While in Judea the young boy is struck down in an accident and he is healed by the Christ, a moment of passion in this film that foeshadows Christs own travails later in the movie, and the dilema put forth to Marcus to intervene. One of the hallmarks of this film is Pontius Pilate, played with sensitivity, grace, and remarkable understatement by the great Basil Rathbone. This one of the truly remarkable small parts in movie history. Totally unforgetable and worth the watch of the film, if for no other reason.This film goes on and on with jewels of philosophical wisdom from a kindly Greek tutor, plentious action, and an intelligent and intriguing perspective on the spiritual defeat and then reawakening of the magnificent and earnest Marcus. Who in the end makes the right decisions for the right reasons. I NEVER get tired of watching this movie! It is one of my top 20 all time favorites!

Sheer class from Basil Rathbone.......2003-09-29

Movies are movies .Books are books .So we should not be too suprised when film makers make changes to novels during the process of tranferring them to the screen .Thus it is that all the movie versions of the Bulwer-Lytton minor classic have concentrated on the relatively unimportant gladiatorial sub plot ,bringing it centre stage .
This is so here in this mid thirties version which really only utilises the book's title and its climax ,the destruction by volcanic activity of the titular city.Its centre is an invented tale ,wholly divorced from the novel, of Marcus ,a blacksmith whose obsession with power and wealth leads him to a state of spiritual poverty.Even when ,while on a visit to Judea.his stricken son is healed by Christ ,Marcus is not sufficiently moved to come to the aid of Christ in his hour of crucifixion .It is not till his city is engulfed by lava that he finds his spiritual awakening.
Preston Foster is adequate as Marcus but a towering performance by Basil Rathbone as Pilate dominates the movie.We see him as a clever ,arrogant but essentially decent man tortured by his capitulation over the crucifixion and the realisation that what he did ,or did not do ,may damn his name throughout time.

The destruction of the city is capably done but is not Willis O'Briens best work by a long chalk .
The mixture of decadence and piety is very reminiscent of the Biblical epics of de Mille .
De Mille did this type of thing with more flair but this will do if you like vintage historical drama

I love this movie. . ........2001-12-19

This is one of my all time favorite classics! Basil Rathbone plays Pontious Pilate, a man plagued by questions and doubts with his decision to crucify Christ and whether or not Christ was worthy of crucifiction. This movie deals with what really is important in life and it does it tastefully. Preston Foster is the man who has lost everything, including his family; gains wealth as a fighting gladiator, then comes to the conclusion in the end about what is really valuable. I can watch this film over and over again without getting tired of it.

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