Name: Gladiator
Genre: Action, Drama
Duration: 155 min
Cast: Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen

Oscar · 5Globe · 3BAFTA · 4

Spoiler-free premise

Roman general Maximus is betrayed, enslaved, and forced into gladiatorial combat after Commodus seizes imperial power.

Read expanded premiseLonger, still spoiler-free

After Emperor Marcus Aurelius favors General Maximus over his son Commodus, the succession turns violent. Maximus is condemned, separated from his family, and sold into slavery, where arena victories offer a path back toward Rome and the new emperor.

Why it belongs

Through muscular arena geography, monumental production design, and Crowe's contained grief, Gladiator restores the sword-and-sandal epic.

Read expanded why it belongsThe fuller editorial case

Russell Crowe's restrained physicality and Hans Zimmer and Lisa Gerrard's score keep personal loss inside the spectacle. Scott unites dust, steel, crowds, practical sets, and digital extensions to give each arena a distinct tactical shape.

Major award record

Metadata only · zero points in 40/40/20

Academy Awards5 wins2001 · official ceremony record ↗

Best Picture2001 · Douglas Wick, David Franzoni and Branko Lustig, Producersofficial ceremony record ↗Actor in a Leading Role2001 · Russell Croweofficial ceremony record ↗

Plus 3 additional wins

Golden Globes3 wins2001 · official film record ↗

Best Motion Picture - Drama2001 · Gladiatorofficial film record ↗

Plus 2 additional wins

BAFTA4 wins2001 · official BAFTA 2001 Film Awards results ↗

Best Film2001 · Ridley Scottofficial BAFTA 2001 Film Awards results ↗

Plus 3 additional wins

Totals include every recorded competitive win. Only Picture or top-film honors, Direction, Screenplay, and lead or supporting performances are named.

Good for

Film Club

Descriptive guidance derived from rating, genre, runtime, mood, and GCML scores.

Gladiator

Double Feature