25 years ago today, I went to the AMC 20 theater inside Puente Hills Mall to watch Gladiator for the first time. Needless to say, the Ridley Scott-directed Roman epic starring Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix and Connie Nielsen was my favorite movie of 2000...and now one of my favorite flicks of all time. Along with the amazing action sequences—ranging from the opening battle in Germania and the re-enactment of the Battle of Carthage to Maximus' (Crowe) final showdown with Emperor Commodus (Phoenix) inside the Colosseum—you also had Hans Zimmer and Lisa Gerrard's hauntingly beautiful music score, and the memorable quotes below:
"If you find yourself alone, riding in green fields with the Sun on your face, do not be troubled. For you are in Elysium...and you are already dead!"
"Are you not entertained?!"
"The time for honoring yourself will soon be at an end, your highness."
"Tell me what you've been doing, busy little bee, or I shall strike down those dearest to you. You shall watch as I bathe in their blood."
"Am I not merciful?!"
"The general who became a slave. The slave who became a gladiator. The gladiator who defied an emperor. Striking story! But now, the people want to know how the story ends."
Granted, I had to Google the exact wording to the 'Elysium,' 'busy little bee' and 'the general who became a slave' quotes...but you get the point. Gladiator was also one of the first movies that I talked about when I started my main Blog 25 years ago this October!
Gladiator II was my favorte film of 2024, but its 2000 Oscar-winning predecessor will always be a movie that significantly enhanced my passion for cinema. Happy Cinco de Mayo!
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