I love this film and have watched it numerous times, this is actually the second screening for Moovember it was watched 1 year and 1 day ago, but for some reason when ever I see the title I can't help but think of a referee asking "Gladiators, ready? Challenger, ready?" then begins a challenge where peoples roll themselves around inside giant metal balls. All jokes aside though when you think of Gladiator one image strikes me, Russell Crowe in that metal mask. It is the film that made Russell Crowe a mega star and a film that I believe is one of those rare moments in film where the movie gods allow a film to be made solely for a particular film maker and actor.

It's a career defining film for Crowe and it just feels like the film could not work with any other actor as Maximus. When you think about it these career defining films are extremely rare as in a lot of films it's quite possible that another actor could be seen playing that role but Maximus is a character that I can see no one else playing him. For me the character of Maximus sits along side Indiana Jones, Harry Potter and Ripley as characters who could not have been played by another actor. Each of these characters, whilst being well written, are completely owned by the actors who portray them and there is really no one who could have given the same character.

For me this is Crowe's film 100%. He is everything Maximus needs to be. Vicious, Endearing, Smart, Calm and Inspiring. Crowe's other roles in the same styling will always be compared to Gladiator, see Robin Hood, and as a result we probably won't see Crowe in too many more films where he wields a sword. Either way I'm really glad that Gladiator was made and really happy it was on this years list.

Tomorrows Quote Clue: I'm not negative. I'm just positive you're gonna mess it up.