Gladiator
is a 2000 epic film directed by Ridley Scott, starring Russell Crowe,
Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen, Ralf Moeller, Oliver Reed, Djimon
Hounsou, Derek Jacobi, and Richard Harris. Crowe portrays the loyal
General Maximus Decimus Meridius, who is betrayed when the Emperor's
ambitious son Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix) murders his father and seizes
the throne. Reduced to slavery, Maximus rises through the ranks of the
gladiatorial arena to avenge the murder of his family and his Emperor.
In
the final days of Marcus Aurelius' reign, the aging emperor arouses his
son Commodus' anger when he makes known his wish that Maximus be his
successor. Power-hungry Commodus kills his father and orders the death
of Maximus. But the latter flees and hides his identity by becoming
slave and a gladiator. Eventually, Maximus journeys back to Rome to
confront his arch-rival.
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