Gladiator (2000) *First Time Watching Reaction!! | We Were Entertained |

[@ForceOfLightEntertainment]

Share your thoughts, subscribe and give the video a 👍🏻💚! Let’s make 2024 great!

[@mikesilva3868]

😊😊😊😊😊its party time excellent

[@philshorten3221]

You are going to LOVE the move "The Last Samurai"😉 Or, if you want more Russel Crowe "Master & Commander (the far side of the world)" Both are pretty epic!

[@jason-gf8dg]

Good reaction, can you react to the movie 300?

[@YoureMrLebowski]

maybe 2024 will be the year you offer some full length reactions.

[@McMahonHater]

I like Natalie's new hair for the new year.

[@Cthulwho69]

I think it's a big misinterpretation by women when it comes to why men like certain types of movies. Big explosions, car chases, battles, that's fun sure.. but we are drawn to films that portrey what it is to be a Man. What drives a man to want to be a protector, to be there for his family, to be loyal to his friends and honorable.

[@brettsukolics5051]

The only time I will EVER cry in a film is when it shows a man doing what a man does

[@user-vc5rp7nf8f]

I think what I respected the most about him was how much self-control he had. that scene when commodus taunts him about his wife and kid after maximus openly defied him in the arena... just the amount of restraint he exhibited was crazy. he didn't deserve that. for me it's not so much the protector aspect, but just a guy who's a decent human being framed and having everything taken away from him, that feeling of powerlessness and not being able to do anything really makes you feel for him.

[@dustinh1583]

15:12 This might be the most shallow 6 seconds I have ever heard. "Well he is really just a solid guy with a lot of integrity." "No, I am talking about why the women were into him." As if having a solid character and morals is absolutely completely inconsequential to attraction. Lady on the left is fake AF and for that reason I am out.

[@synystera]

@@brettsukolics5051 like taking a piss while standing?

[@Boozhound905]

100% like BraveHeart

[@maingate7672]

As my Daddy used to say, before he left this cold, cruel world, ''A big problem in this world is there are too many people who demand respect that never do anything worthy of it, and too many people who earn respect that never receive it.''

[@rabbitholereviews]

That's a great observation your father made.

[@nealrepetti2396]

I'll just say this, I'm a guy and every guy l new cried at the end of this movie 😢😢. So , don't feel bad about crinn

[@nealrepetti2396]

Crying. I ment to say .

[@section5760]

To be honest nothing has really changed? It’s always been the same the poor pay the price for the rich.

[@WeFreestyleForever]

No truer words have been spoken.

[@acaciopoliveira]

24 years after... still carries weight... film masterpiece for ages!... This was a well deserved oscar of best movie and best actor of the year! Great reaction, thank you for the watch!

[@ForceOfLightEntertainment]

Thank you!!

[@yanceyh.1850]

​@@ForceOfLightEntertainmentTeam f, l, e, please review the movie entitled. Cinderella man it's another great movie with Russell Crowe...thanks for The Awesome Reviews !

[@dragonage2112]

@@ForceOfLightEntertainment Ridley Scott should have won for best director but didn't because the academy is biased and they do not like Scott so they screwed him because of personal feelings and politics instead of doing their job and awarding it on merit and talent. Never watched another award show again after this.

[@system3008]

​@@dragonage2112Hollywood is run by politics, not merit. It's why it is failing.

[@kroanosm617]

You cut out one of my favorite parts when his friend buries the toys and says " I will see you again. But not yet. Not yet."

[@davidnorton6400]

THEY CUT LOTS OF PARTS.

[@joekhan8503]

Cause this two woman are not interested in movies. Just interested in clicks...

[@Spinelli__]

They were even laughing and cracking jokes when the little boy was about to be ran over and murdered along with his mother, especially the girl on the left. I think the one on the right is more so just going along with it, it's mostly the one on the left. Unbelievable.

[@WaitAMinute1989]

Agreed! That part was about true friendship no matter what

[@tomsamper4345]

Every..... Single...... Day. I have been marginally obsessed with Ancient Roman history since early high school. This is my favorite movie of all time in part because the character of Maximus is something of an amalgamation of two of my favorite figures from Roman history. In the first (And probably most obviously) he was part Spartacus, the gladiator slave who led a slave revolt against rome and for the better part of a decade was the terror of the Roman army. And secondly (and much lesser known) He was part Lucius Quinticus Cincinnatus. A roman general/political leader whom in a time of great distress was named dictator of Rome (this was before the empire when Rome was strictly a republic) took total power and then did the unthinkable when he had absolute control, he laid down his power and returned to life as a farmer.

[@boboboy8189]

Basically hollywood combine both real historical character into 1....

[@johndarcangelo6893]

Titus Manlius Imperiosus Torquatus was also given dictatorship and then gave it back, 3 times actually, also during the time of the Republic. He started out as a common soldier and worked his way up to Consul. Rome has one of the most amazing stories of any civilization, built on the backs of great men and terrible deeds lol.

[@gracchi132]

Don't forget Marcus commodus pompeianius where Marcus Aurelius' daughter was married to him, she conspired to put pompeianius on the thrown after murdering commodus. Pompeianius declined and after the foil of conspiracy pompeianius was awarded Syria

[@tobiasrekker5376]

​​@@johndarcangelo6893Yes Cincinnatus is my all time favorite roman character. Remember Cincinnatus, saved Rome twice and returned the power twice too.

[@Cadinho93]

"Brothers, what we do in life... echoes in eternity." Gladiator is an epic Ancient Roman historic drama masterpiece. It works on so many levels: the acting is phenomenal, the story is compelling, the backdrop of the film is beautiful. It's destined to be a classic, which is a film that can be watched and appreciated with each subseqent viewing. Also, Hans Zimmer does an excellent job in composing beautiful music that captures the tone of the film. The song, "Now We Are Free" by Lisa Gerrard that plays during the film credits is hauntingly beautiful and hypnotic. It's simply one of the greatest film scores ever made and shall be timeless for the rest of time.

[@ForceOfLightEntertainment]

Absolutely love that quote!

[@jacobwalsh1888]

It works on every level except historical... because there is little about it that is even remotely accurate.

[@Razzlion]

@@jacobwalsh1888 Its great that it isnt a historical documentary then i guess?

[@Blackflame24]

@@ForceOfLightEntertainmentthis is the movie that make grown men cry. Gladiator is definitely a gem!

[@Jaasau]

As a grown man, I cry at the end every single time. You truly don’t get movies like this anymore. And yes, I think about Rome at least several times a week.

[@tomaskennedy]

36:59 I love the fact that his image of the afterlife is the road leading downhill through the wheat fields toward his farm with his wife and son waiting for his return. His description of it earlier when he was talking to Marcus Aurelius (the emperor) sounded like paradise.

[@JustGrowingUp84]

After all these years, the ending to this movie still gets me...

[@ForceOfLightEntertainment]

It got us! 😂

[@bdleo300]

And the opening... the best opening in cinematic history: from the first scene (*hand) to the end of the battle, it's pure perfection. Pity that Hollywood today can't make anything near this good anymore (not even Ridley Scott)

[@artbagley1406]

Three words that make this bloody, eerie movie so very deeply heartfelt, human: "Go to them."

[@section5760]

@@ForceOfLightEntertainmentwatch porkys and the wonders great films of the time. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿♥️

[@section5760]

2 different films 🎥 sorry 😞. But great if you have sense of humour loll especially porkys. Enjoy. 👍🏼love and respect from Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿❤️👍🏼🫵🏽❤️

[@sanddab]

This was the movie I really wished Ridley Scott had won the Oscar for.

[@josephcrowe2908]

Deserved all the Oscars for sure.

[@lesgrice4419]

I was fortunate to sit and listen to the writer who was brought on board to re-write the script, on set. William Nicholson. They were filming already but Crowe was unhappy with the story, he was playing a man who just seemed to be a monster. Nicholson was brought in, sat in a mobile and made Crowe a family man, an unwilling soldier, a man who just wanted peace and his family and his farm. Nicholson said he reckons he added hugely to the takings becuse he attracted women to the cinema because of that. He kept on writing for 6 weeks as they were filming and developing the story when someone came in and said 'I'm sorry but we've run out of money.' By this time Nicholson says he'd been paid a million bucks or pounds so he wasn't bothered he was just enjoying the thrill of it all and of course it was a huge box office success. Incidentally Crowe went straight from winning an Oscar for the role to the set of the movie 'A Beautiful Mind' which you really ought to give a go, assuming you haven't....

[@rollyro71]

Everyone's gangster till they realize the epicness of Gladiator's emotional weight. Tears are fully expected. 🍻

[@kb4342]

I saw this in the theater. Thanks for reminding of the honor Crowe's character showed as a soldier. I do think of Rome not everyday but a lot. As an ex-soldier and historian I love military history and the impact Rome had along with Greece and Carthage. Loved Gladiator and it was great seeing the story again. Thanks Michelle and Natalie!

[@ForceOfLightEntertainment]

Thank you for your service!!

[@kb4342]

😊

[@joeschmoe233]

Notice how his men are ready to defend him after he reveals his identity. Men follow courage.

[@TFT-JF]

I don't think "men" think about the Roman Empire every day. I think anyone who understands how Western Civilization developed can see the effects that the Roman Empire had and still has on all of us. Roman numerals, prefixes and suffixes in our language, Christianity, and many, many more traditions were established in Europe by the Romans and still affect us to this day.

[@Gutslinger]

The Romans didn't establish Christianity, but they did help create an environment in which Christianity was able to flourish and grow. The many of thousands of miles of roads that they built around the Mediterranean helped people travel to help spread Christianity.

[@Qualimar]

"Do you think I'm afraid?" "I think you've been afraid all your life." One of my favourite hero/villain exchanges ever - I think that might have hurt Commodus more than the actual dagger.

[@James_Ford4815]

Think about Rome once a day? no .... Think about ancient times ancient civilizations and humans journey throughout the ages once a day? Absolutely YES

[@jamiewilson9280]

‘You sold me queer giraffes!’

[@Latinomicz]

This and Terminator 2 are probably the two movies where grown ass men left the theaters in tears, lol. Oh, and I did see it in the theater. I was about 12 I think? A buddy and myself bought tickets for another movie because they wouldn't sell us the tickets for Gladiator. We simply thought, Okay, we'll buy the other tickets and walk in to see Gladiator, that's what we're here for. Needless to say, it did not disappoint. Though obviously at that age, it didn't hit as hard as seeing it a tad older. At this point, anytime you watch the movie, it's almost impossible to not tear up at the end.

[@superfark5914]

Don't forget when Spock died...Men cried then too lol

[@servo5000]

Watching Gladiator in the theater was an unforgettable experience. The grandeur of those Colosseum battles was just epic on the big screen, and the actors were brilliantly cast and directed. It's difficult to imagine any way it could have been done better.

[@srenjrgensen1468]

12:24 The fact, that you first hear the sound and then see the actual sword flying straight towards you for a badass kill, is one of the most low key badass moments in Hollywood history ever. 💯

[@system3008]

Great camera work. Hollywood is full of paedos.

[@JeanParisot]

Yes I do. Never quite realised it until it went viral. It's such a fascinating period of history that spans hundreds of years.

[@josephventura961]

The end scene with Djimon Hounsou is one of the best scenes...

[@artbagley1406]

"But not yet!"

[@WaitAMinute1989]

Friendship

[@Rahimer3689]

I cry every time I watch this. I cried with you today. Marcus Aurelius wisdom has passed far into history with the his meditations that are available to read. The character Russell played so well, surprisingly refined my personal views. I am trying to raise my three sons and daughter to be humans with integrity with how I protect and fight for them. If I can leave this world a better place and kids who will carry it on, then I have fought well.

[@tylerprime674]

Ever since I heard about Rome and Greece as a child it has never left my mind even now as as a 22 year old haha. You can even hear men constantly bring it up with each other at the job site

[@TenTonNuke]

In case no one mentioned, Proximo the slave owner died during filming after he basically drank himself into a heart attack, so they had to kill off his character using a body double, digital effects, and lots of shadows. "Shadows and dust."

[@VictorLugosi]

He did not.. Oliver reed the actor, and a Hollywood legend, died of a heart attack because of YEARS of alcohol and poor health.. don’t ever disrespect this British legend again..

[@TenTonNuke]

@@VictorLugosi How is what you said any different than what I said?

[@GrosvnerMcaffrey]

​@@VictorLugosidoesn't change he drank an absurd amount in one sitting that would have killed most people

[@markcarlton-rn3zc]

Oliver Reed is a legend

[@Calico_Jack_]

Yes, Rome is a daily thought, for me. I have seen this movie consistently since its release, the death scene still hits hard. Oliver Reed, "Proximo", died before filming was finished. The last scenes you see him was footage spliced in. Ralf Moeller, "Hagen" told Scott he wanted a big death. Both Moeller and Sven Ole Thorsen, "Tigris" are friends of Schwarzenegger from bodybuilding days. Thorsen has been in multitudes of movies with Arnold.

[@MrYellingdingo]

23:46 while this IS where it comes from.. historically thumbs up meant you were killed.. while thumbs down meant you were spared.

[@robhoskins8871]

That's true, and apparently, they reversed in it this movie to avoid confusing the audience.

[@happyslapsgiving5421]

I live in Rome. Why *wouldn't* I think about the Roman Empire every day?

[@meadmaker4525]

If you liked this one, you should definitely add Master and Commander to your list. Another excellent Russell Crowe flick.

[@mjg3272]

@meadmaker +1 "Master & Commander" and also "A Beautiful Mind". Two more terrific Crowe films!

[@Sabrecho]

Since you asked, The Roman Empire is hard for me to not think about daily. As a Christian, it's hard to think of Him and not remember that the Romans were an Essential part of His Story. Also, Oliver Reed (Proximo) poured the last days of his life into this movie.

[@ForceOfLightEntertainment]

Same:)

[@ididthisonpulpous6526]

Do you think about Greece or Mesopatamia every day? They had a lot more influence on the Word as we know it today, more than Rome. The language, vocabulary, and method of construction of the New Testament is very very very Greek in construction. It was the language much of it was written in for the much of history and the rhetorical method which it presents itself is Greek.

[@Sabrecho]

@@ididthisonpulpous6526 Do I...? No, not every day. Absolutely by no means am I suggesting that Greece and Mesopotamia didn't help make this world. But to return to my reasoning: In those years Jesus walked the Earth, it was not Mesopotamia that the Jewish High Priest conspired with. It was not Greeks that actually nailed Him to the cross. Demonstration that Resurrection is possible was necessary to the longevity of His message. "Resurrection" without having Died is merely Waking up in the morning. This is why Rome is essential to the Meaning of the Message. Greece was essential to Conveying the Message.

[@sprezzatura8755]

​@@Sabrechothank you for this. Perfectly said.

[@Sabrecho]

@@sprezzatura8755 I'll take credit for being faithful to type it, but I know where the words came from. 😇

[@olaspaz3079]

I read the book "Rubicon" by Tom Holland many years ago and have been thinking about Ancient Rome to an unhealthy degree since. Loved your reactions to "Gladiator". If you wanna stick with Rome you might also like "Ben Hur" with a young fella named Charlton Heston.❤️

[@ForceOfLightEntertainment]

Thank you!!

[@user-wr9ej6xe4j]

Ben Hur is still so good. And the 1 or 2 guys who actually got trampled by horses at the end and died in real life. Brutal lol

[@olaspaz3079]

@@user-wr9ej6xe4j fortunately or unfortunately, just like the hanging dwarf story from "the wizard of oz", the dead stuntmen story is a myth. Heston famously said "we knew how to hype movies back then too". A stuntman did die on the 1925 version, but I've never seen that one.

[@twotidoce]

Tom Holland is the man. Ever listened to "the rest is history"? A history pod with him and another historian. Its great, and they are funny👌

[@Mr.Batsu12]

I'm a guy - I don't think about the Roman Empire every day but I do at least 3-4 times a week. Two days ago I heard someone bring up "Roman Concrete" on a stream and I was once again blown away by it. Very basic explanation - it's a self-healing concrete that will seal cracks automatically. It was used thousands of years ago but knowledge of how it was made was lost during the middle ages. We have just recently discovered how it was made.

[@ForceOfLightEntertainment]

The Romans were pretty advanced.

[@Balkanjeros1]

Top 3 stories ever. This is not a movie,this is a masterpiece of humanity and so was Rome.

[@SoCalMeerkat]

I think that the fight scenes weren't there just to have fight scenes. They were very intentional to the charactor and story development. The fact that they were so well done was a bonus.

[@eatsmylifeYT]

Of course they were intentional. How could you call a movie "Gladiator" if you don't have fight scenes?

[@noeticsquint1700]

It cracks me up that this review at the end seems to be “such a shock” a movie from the past could be so well crafted and well done. The soundtrack was pure as well. Try to remember the effect music has in a great film.

[@ForceOfLightEntertainment]

Not shocked that a movie from the past can be well made. We mostly watched movies from the past and enjoy most of them. The surprise was more from two women who aren’t the target demographic getting such a well written story/characters and enjoying the movie so much!

[@SisyphusOfSodom]

About the main characters : - Crowe played Maximus Decimus Meridius - Inspired by Tiberius Claudius Pompeianus (father of Lucius Aurelius Pompeianus) and Marcus Nonius Macrinus. - Dumbledore played Marcus Aurelius Antoninus - One of the most popular emperor of the Roman Empire, a great philosopher and intellectual. His literary work is still read, studied and highly praised today. He was not murdered and enjoyed a healthy relationship with his son Commodus. - Phoenix played Lucius Aurelius Commodus - He co-reign with his father as emperor for several years before becoming the one emperor upon his father's death. Commodus was assassinated 12 years after he became the sole emperor. At first he was poisoned but it didn't kill him, although it made him sick and dizzy. He was finished off, strangled, by his wrestling coach/sparring partner named Narcissus in his bathroom. This happened 10 years after he ordered the execution of his sister and his niece. - Nielsen played Annia Aurelia Lucilla - She schemed to have her brother, Commodus, assassinated. It was discovered and she was exiled on an island with her daughter for less than a year. Commodus sent a centurion (equivalent of a captain) to kill them. This was 2 years after Marcus Aurelius death. - Clark played Lucius Aurelius Pompeianus - Son of Lucilla and Pompeianus. Although the name and age in the movie are based on Lucius Verus, first son of Lucilla, everything else is based on her second son also named Lucius. Her first son died young and before Commodus became emperor. Not much is known about her second son, but he was also murdered around 20 years after Commodus death. Some trivia : 2:30 Real men think of the Roman Empire at least once per hour. 3:34 The portrayal of Germanic tribes is quite typical of western chauvinism. They didn't look like this at all. Asterix & Obelix, the comic series, are hell of a lot more accurate in their portrayal of Gallic/Germanic tribes. 4:06 Elysium, or the Elysian Fields, are equivalent to Eden. It is an ancient conceptualisation of the afterlife for the worthy. 4:31 Yeah, and purely fictional as well. Artillery on battlefield wasn't a thing during these times. Absolutely nothing make sense during this scene, battles are always fought in formation so there would never be one on one fight like we see in this scene. 5:43 The "good guys" are the Germanic tribes. They are fighting an Empire which by definition is evil and all about power and slavery. Germanic people are defending their land against an invader, but this movie portrays them as the barbarian sub-humans. 9:33 This didn't happen and they had a healthy relationship, they even co-reign together for a couple of years until Marcus Aurelius died. Also, even if Commodus didn't co-reign with his father, Marcus Aurelius probably wouldn't have been able to dishenerit his son without a huge civil war. Being Emperor of Rome is not like being Emperor Palpatine, an emperor is merely human and have to keep many people happy to stay in power. You can't easily do something like you see in this scene and if you absolutely can't help it, the Emperor would never do this in such an intimate and vulnerable way lol It would be either by edict, by imprisoning his son or by having a very huge escort of Pretorian around him. 11:40 These are not "guards" or ordinary soldiers and they do not share any relationship with nor any loyalty to Maximus. They are Praetorians, which is roughly the equivalent of the US Secret Service mixed with the Gestapo. They weren't nice people. And they killed many emperors. 12:25 Not really impressive. The sword would have simply bounced off the Praetorian armor because there's virtually nothing that can pierce such an armor during this time. 13:58 Oh, no, I assure you, they were plenty of reasons to do that, they simply weren't articulated in the movie. Women had influence, political ties, family members in influential positions. Letting them live would be a risk to Commodus reign, schemes could have been fomented around the son of Maximus to avenge his father, or by his wife to avenge her husband, soldiers loyal to Maximus could have rallied around them or someone who could have used Maximus family and his assassination to start a coup against Commodus. By the law and logic of this time, his family had to die. People don't know this, but in the ancient world (all over the globe!) it was VERY common and considered reasonable and justifiable to exterminate entire families if the head of the family or a very prominent and influential member commited what was considered a capital offense (arguably only when it was the kind of offense with the potential to jeopardize the authority of the ruler). It wasn't considered "cruel" per se, in the sense we understand the word today anyway. It was considered harsh, but not cruel. What the movie get quite wrong about that also is that the extermination of the family wasn't done so unceremoniously unless there was armed resistance. The family members would be arrested and imprisoned from less than a day to many years and then they would be executed with propiety through "humane" methods such as strangulation, beheading, poisoning (suicide) or hanging. Newborns, children, elders - usually no one was spared regardless of who or what they were. 18:00 Portrayal of gladiatorial combats are VERY inaccurate. It's like if George St-Pierre and Nick Diaz fought to death and GSP was killed. What do you think it would do to the sport if there was always one of the two top athletes killing each other? Gladiators were rarely killed in the arena and when they did died it was more often from accidental injuries that caused infection or bleeding than from someone who had the real intention of killing them. Lot of money was invested in them just like today with our athletes, and they even had sponsors to promote products and services during the games (not kidding). Although the movie is a 9/10, the accuracy of this movie is 1/10 as almost nothing in it is historically accurate.

[@carlesmacuaid]

Dumbledore played Marcus Aurelius...RIchard Harris was the greatest actor in the cast, he could at least be named.

[@SisyphusOfSodom]

​@@carlesmacuaidYeah, if I was 60 years old, but I'm not. Good for you for knowing him, but I don't care. I'm not a fan of his and don't know his work and I only seen him playing background characters.​

[@carlesmacuaid]

​@@SisyphusOfSodom You have to be 60 years old to know the name of one of the best actors of the 20th Century yet you can write an essay listing how inaccurately the movie depicted the Roman Empire?

[@SisyphusOfSodom]

@@carlesmacuaid Yeah, because I'm knowledgeable in polemology, not cinema history. What a dumb argument my friend.

[@SisyphusOfSodom]

@@carlesmacuaid Since you seem to care so much and are completely oblivious of the humour about using 'Dumbledore' instead of the real actor's name, let me point out that I have named the actors playing Lucilla and Lucius, which most people know nothing about. I had to look them up. I know who Richard Harris is but most people 40 years and younger don't know him by name. So instead I went with Dumbledore because THAT they most likely know. And like me, they may be surprised that the actor playing the emperor is the same playing Dumbledore, because I didn't realize it the first couple times I watched the movie. Hope you are satisfied now and not as butt hurt as you were initially.

[@scottrabie]

This was my first DVD! I'm happy you turned around on this one, this movie was a masterpiece. And yes I think about the Roman Empire once a day.

[@ForceOfLightEntertainment]

It’s pretty much a perfect movie 👌🏻

[@natskivna]

I'm 59 year old man and can state that most men I know consider the "Maximus" character close to the ideal of what a man should be and is one major reason why they like this film. In this day and age it seems rare to see a "hero" character like this anymore.

[@mikielsahagun6054]

It's not about rooting for someone in war It's about the tragedy of it in this one

[@ketorising81]

History was actually opposite to what thumbs up meant. Thumbs down was what you wanted to see because it was a signal to your soldiers to put their swords down. Thumbs up meant swords up. We’ve been doing it wrong for a long time.

[@nathanburr]

The one-liners were flying in this reaction. You had me laughing way too much. 👍🏼Indeed, I was entertained. 👍🏼

[@maggieshevelew1693]

Great reaction. I’m one of those women who love this movie, and love Russell Crowe. He couldn’t do a bad movie back then. Amazing films like L.A. Confidential, Master and Commander, Cinderella Man, A Beautiful Mind, and 3:10 To Yuma, just to name a few. Would love to see you react to one (or more) of them.

[@billyhndrsn4542]

You need to watch Russell Crowe in a early film The Sum of Us to see how talented he and John Polson really are.

[@jillfromatlanta427]

The Last Three Days and The Insider, too

[@jillfromatlanta427]

The Last Three Days and The Insider, too

[@jillfromatlanta427]

The Last Three Days and The Insider, too

[@jillfromatlanta427]

The Last Three Days and The Insider, too

[@MrWilly2204]

Yes. You cannot get away from Rome’s influence in architecture and infrastructure. What they accomplished was amazing. We would do well to study the reasons for their downfall as well.

[@Minion_of_Cthulhu]

Great reaction! It's always fun to see women react to Gladiator because they almost always go into it thinking it's a "guy" film that they probably won't enjoy all that much. Then they find out that it's much more than just Russell Crowe swinging a sword for two hours. Rocky and Rambo are two other films that usually surprise women with how good they are and how different the films are than what they expected.

[@ForceOfLightEntertainment]

It was great!! Thank you!

[@jimmyboy131]

This is one of my all time favorite movies! I saw it when it first came out. If you haven't seen Blade Runner, that's another all time favorite, and is also a Ridley Scott movie. As for the Roman Empire and do I think of it every day. No. But I think the point of that saying is that men frequently contemplate things that make us remember the Roman Empire, like its organization, it's system of government, it's military strength, its towering legacy, etc, etc. And concepts related to things like that. All those are modeled in the Roman Empire, and our modern western society is built on that. So if we frequently contemplate those things, then yes we frequently think of the Roman Empire.

[@carlesmacuaid]

Can't help but feel sorry for Richard Harris..."Ceasar is whathisname, Dumbledore, from Harry Potter"

[@georgedilligaf8570]

And before that, Little Bill kicked the shit out of him in Unforgiven

[@georgedilligaf8570]

And before that, Little Bill kicked the shit out of him in Unforgiven

[@stormchaser419]

The greatest movie of all time! Can't wait for Gladiator 2 coming November 2024. Ridley Scott!!!!

[@dsfddsgh]

Why a sequel 24 years later? Gladiator is a almost perfect movie and all a sequel can do is help ruin the reputation of Ridley Scott.

[@DONLove-e8u]

Took my wife and 16 yr old son to see this on Saturday matinee the opening week. My wife fell in love with the movie and my son was moved.. FILM FOR THE AGES !

[@ForceOfLightEntertainment]

It’s dang good!

[@GENGHISKHAN-hk3qs]

This movie is absolutely amazing. Top five of all time for me I own the extended cut on Blu-ray and I also saw it in the theater. Absolutely amazing movie.

[@ForceOfLightEntertainment]

Great movie!!

[@GENGHISKHAN-hk3qs]

@@ForceOfLightEntertainment Totally! Wonderful movie!

[@morbius_of_krell]

The ancient Romans gestured with their thumbs instead of their pointer fingers like we do. When a gladiator was about to deliver a coup de gras to his defeated opponent he would sometimes pause and wait for the emperor to decide. If the emperor gestured with his thumb upside down in a downward motion (what we think of as a 'thumbs down'👎) it meant "drop your weapon, show mercy". If the emperor drew his upturned thumb across his neck ('thumbs up'👍) it meant "slice his throat" or "off with his head".

[@tempsitch5632]

That’s 100% inauthentic. It was used in the movie Spartacus and has been considered real ever since.

[@morbius_of_krell]

@@tempsitch5632 WHat was used?

[@timberhoff]

It is actually still debatable. There is literature that suggests the thumb up meant life such as Juvenal’s Satire 3 and also the writings of Suetonius. However, you read the works of the roman historian Cassius Dio and he suggests otherwise.

[@morbius_of_krell]

@@timberhoff True. Which one do you think is truer?

[@ronweber1402]

There is also the school of thought that says the thumb was held out sideways and a motion mimicking the thrusting of a sword was made to indicate death.

[@RobouteGuilliman-M41]

Don't forget: Gladiators were slaves. By the way, the music played when he died is called: "Honor Him", by the great Hans Zimmer.

[@system3008]

It's definitely a great movie. It hits the soft part.

[@michaelhubi5276]

I don't think about the Roman Empire daily, but often. Comparing the state of society then and now and what led to its rise and downfall. And not only about the Roman Empire, but also about ancient Greece. How they lived, and managed to invent a lot of things and techniques that were used and improved in the following generations. Speaking of ancient Greeks, I suggest you to react to the movie 300 from 2006/7. There is a second part 300: Rise of an Empire, but the first one is better in my opinion. If you enjoyed Gladiator, you will most likely also like 300, because it has a similar vibe, especially at the end. Edit: And Troy from 2004 with Brad Pitt and Orlando Bloom, is also a good one. I think you guys will love it.

[@johnv61]

“Seabiscuit” from 2003 is a great movie you two will love! Based on a true story and set in the depression era about an undersized race horse. Not just a horse racing movie, there is soo much more. No muted for several academy awards. A fantastic “feel good” movie

[@Notme.again106]

I love the scene after Comodus talks about wife and child. The look of shame on the Praetorians faces is so meaningful

[@NomineName]

I really liked your commentary and your vibe, was fun to reminisce on this movie with you guys

[@ForceOfLightEntertainment]

Thank you!!

[@Diana2703]

I come from a country that was part of the Roman Empire, I am from Romania. Italy, especially Rome, is an AMAZING, WONDERFUL city. The heart of fashion is in Milan. Please, do not miss to visit the most beautiful country in the world, Italy! All roads lead to Rome!

[@ForceOfLightEntertainment]

Have already spent 2 weeks going to cities like Milan and Rome! I would love to come back and explore the coast!

[@alvaroflores8831]

Just a note that incestual relationships did happen in the Roman empire. So Commudus desires for his sister (in this movie) did happen in that empire. But it did not happen in Commudus real story of his life. He didn't have the hots for his sister..

[@zimvader25]

Uh… actually it is recorded fact that Commodus did, in fact, have incestous relations with his sisters. While no specific names and accounts are mentioned, it’s ridiculous to think he was banging his other 4 sisters, all who were married, except for Lucilla. It wasn’t a historically recorded fact because of how normal incest was, especially amongst the ruling class. His own parents were first cousins. And it’s believed that Lucilla’s assassination attempt was due to jealousy because Commodus was married. The idiot that wrote the “screenrant” article on the “true history” of this movie got his timelines wrong when claiming her motives were his power hungry attitude. Up until she tried to kill him, he was perfectly happy letting his fathers administration continue to run the place exactly as it had been run before. He was nothing more than a bratty kid who wanted to party. It was her attempt that made him paranoid and crazy and he didn’t try to rename Rome until afterwards. It was her attempt that made him crazy, not the other way around.

[@n.johanness7451]

One of the best movies of the 2000s so far. And the soundtrack by Hans Zimmer and Lisa Gerrard deserves to be mentioned, it is epic.

[@ForceOfLightEntertainment]

Basically a perfect movie!

[@YoonbeenPark]

When I think of the US Senate, Star Wars, any European war, stoic masculinity, geopolitics, political corruption, monarchy, family dysfunction, the concept of citizenship, Greco-Roman mythology, dramatic storytelling, societal decline, or Christianity, I think of the Roman Empire (in varying degrees). So yes, I think of the Roman Empire at least once a day.

[@ForceOfLightEntertainment]

Because I read scripture everyday I subconsciously think about it daily

[@YoonbeenPark]

​@ForceOfLightEntertainment Nice. Sometimes you'll even read Peter's words from his Roman prison, I presume? So much early Christian history and scripture is intricately linked to the Roman Empire. So it seems you have also been thinking about Rome at least once a day, just like us 😆

[@dustynias]

Joaquin Phoenix performance was why this movie was great. few want to admit it.

[@michaelwoods3651]

Yes. I think about the Romans quite often. At one time they were a great empire. Marcus Aurelius will always be the philosopher, for me. His stoic ideals should be followed by every man. Great reaction!

[@ForceOfLightEntertainment]

Thank you!!

[@long-timesci-fienthusiast9626]

Hi Michelle & Natalie, I`m glad you enjoyed the film, so far I have not come across a female reactor that has not, though you might expect that. Two British actors who stood out in this film, were Oliver Reed (Proximo, owner of the Gladiator school) & Derek Jacobi (Sen. Gracchus, the politician Lucilla introduced to Maximus). Oliver Reed starred in the `70`s re-telling of (The Three Musketeers, 1973 & (The Four Musketeers, 1974) which I hope you might react to at some point. Derek Jacobi had previous "Roman Empire" experience, as he portrayed the character Claudius in the 1976 BBC mini-Series (I Claudius), which detailed the history of the Imperial family. Well worth watching, if you are interested in what went on, it was also star-studded with British talent.

[@doberski6855]

👍Russell Crowe saying 'Are you not entertained?' If you ladies are allowed, think you need that as a new clip and emoji for your channel! I think this is Ridley Scott's best film and another example of how, great script, brilliant direction and production, and superb performances from the cast can create a timeless classic! So glad you two reacted to it, and enjoyed it as much as I did when I first saw it in the theaters. As to your question, thinking about the Roman history and what ifs like the one suggested in the film, well not a daily thing for me, but yeah on a regular basis I ponder it for sure. Gladiator was such a perfect film, and did not need a sequel in my opinion. Which is why I will be really surprised if I am even remotely 'entertained' by Gladiator 2.

[@ForceOfLightEntertainment]

Agreed! And yes we are getting that clip!!

[@kwanwallacephotography5145]

@@ForceOfLightEntertainment please give these a try great movies PLEASE REACT TO ❤️💪🏽BAD BOYS Trilogy (Martin Lawrence ) MONEY TALKS (Chris Tucker), BLUE STREAK (Martin Lawrence) LIFE (EDDIE MURPHY) NOTHING TO LOSE (TIM ROBBINS) BAIT (JAMIE . HARLEM NIGHTS(EDDIE MURPHY RANSOM (MEL GIBSON) KISS THE GIRLS (MORGAN FREEMAN) THE EQUALIZER AMERICAN GANGSTER ,DEJAVU, FALLEN (ALL DENZEL WASHINGTON )🙏

[@ForceOfLightEntertainment]

@@kwanwallacephotography5145 thanks for the recommendations!

[@happyyad]

One of my favorite movies. Wonderful watching through your reactions. I don’t think of Rome every day, but I am fascinated by history, so Rome of course, is such a beautiful and horrible part of it.

[@robhoskins8871]

Great reaction and I agree with all of your points. And please don't leave out the brilliant musical score by Hans Zimmer. The theme song from this movie "Now We Are Free" is a classic!

[@ForceOfLightEntertainment]

Thanks!!

[@allbies]

I made this comment a while ago on one of the uploads of the 'Now We Are Free' song that plays at the end of this film, I'll repeat it here. This piece of music connects us to the history of humanity more than anything I've ever heard. It's the beauty and tragedy of temporary existence on this earth and our shared experience no matter where you were born or what language you speak. All the tribulations our ancestors went through to get by, to survive, to better their families lives, their communities lives all the while gradually advancing the human race with each generation that learnt from the previous. That's what this piece of music makes me think about, it's beautiful.

[@randalthor1327]

The movie is amazing and I heard they are actually making a sequel, Somethings should never be done.

[@Stevarooni]

At least they won't try to keep Russell Crowe. I'm pessimistic, but I'll probably go to see what comes of Rome in an alternate history.

[@DocMicrowave]

I agree. Gladiator was perfect all by itself. Sequel not needed. Especially in this day and age.

[@Stevarooni]

@@DocMicrowave It's absolutely _nit_ necessary! But still, it might be good. A Studio hand slapping down on it would be horrible.

[@DocMicrowave]

@@Stevarooni I suppose I would be curious to see where they take it. It's just that I feel it would become ....... just a mess. A money grab trying to capitalize on the greatness of the original as it tries to appeal to "modern audiences". As many reboots, reimaginings, sequels have done in the last few years, with little success. Gladiator was just such a complete story/movie. No cliffhanger. No open end. No lingering 'what about' questions.

[@johnulanowski3612]

I had a friend named MARK my other friend Brian said to me that Mark is precarious it always sounded like a Roman name ...When I would see Mark I would call him Markis precarious of the palace guard and being Salvic Roman is a popular name.. I have cousins named Roman so almost every day I think of Rome. LOVED THE MOVIE AND YOUR REACTION

[@ForceOfLightEntertainment]

Thank you!!

[@georger.3489]

Amazing reaction, girls. Knew that the ending would get you both :)

[@ForceOfLightEntertainment]

Thank you!! 😁 It certainly did!

[@DougerSR]

I KNEW you’d tear at this one! I called it. My theater back then was completely sniffling and bawling. Totally get it.

[@Dondi6000]

Lol I think we do lol... being serious too!!

[@Onz70]

The question you asked at the start. Yes, I do. It's like when I watched Band of Brothers I wanted to be back in 1940 and be a Soldier. I think it's a male thing we want to protect and go into battle when required.

[@shanenolan5625]

Thanks ladies. One of my favourites. You know its a remake. The original was 60s . Alec Gunness played the emporer ( the fall of the roman empire ) but they are very different movies.

[@ForceOfLightEntertainment]

Didn’t know it was a remake!

[@MrRosebeing]

I wasn't thinking of the Roman Empire at all today, if I'm honest. Now you've mentioned it, I can't seem to stop thinking about it, so I thank you for that.

[@vivek27789]

Yes I do... Especially in the last few years 😅

[@ForceOfLightEntertainment]

😂

[@Pelegrino354]

Marvelous reaction, best from Bulgaria 🇧🇬 girls

[@DDC75]

The extended cut is my favourite movie of all time... some great stuff added...love it ❤

[@Hyxtrem]

Actually, the Thumbs Up in the Arena was "I approve the sentence to death" and the Thumbs Down was "I disapprove" meaning the Gladiator lived. it's just Hollywood changing the reality fact because they thought that Thumbs Up would feel better on screens. Thx for your reaction.

[@ForceOfLightEntertainment]

Thanks for watching!

[@waterbeauty85]

In all seriousness, I probably think about ancient Rome a couple of times a month, but I think about ancient Greece almost every day relative to a huge variety of subjects that interest me such as art, literature, politics, law, medicine, psychology, even martial arts.

[@mikeclifford7525]

great reaction at the end.. you can tell you are both good kind souls.. saw this three times in the cinema when it came out.. was awesome

[@tommywalker3746]

This is a great movie definitely in the top ten of all time. Russell Crowe also did a Robin Hood remake that is really good

[@davidw839]

Michelle, I love your reaction at 34:25. “He sucks!” 😂. You summed it up well. One of the most vile characters ever.

[@ForceOfLightEntertainment]

He really does suck 😂

[@davidw839]

@@ForceOfLightEntertainment And one of the most satisfying kills in movie history too for that matter.

[@matthewgordon2811]

Happy Tuesday! Classic film! Awesome reaction! 😊

[@ForceOfLightEntertainment]

Thank you!! ☺️

[@matthewgordon2811]

You're welcome! 😊

[@erivej]

I'm Italian on both sides of my family so there are always references it seems . So many Italian brands have Roman ties. So any time I'm in the kitchen there is some grated cheese or olive oil or something with a Roman(Latin) name. Also, there were several episodes of The Sopranos that reference this movie. Definitely one of my favorites. The final line I used during my brother's eulogy.

[@markwarner5554]

Ridley Scott knows his business.

[@therealstephentv]

No, I don't think about the Roman Empire once a day. But I do like the Gladiator movie and I hear they're making a second one. I don't know how I feel about that. That one guy you said was so familiar but you couldn't place him. If you've ever seen Braveheart, he played in that as one of William Wallace's men. Commodus just wanted everything given to him and he just thought that everyone would love him. But he didn't earn any of it. Not like Maximus, who earned his place and admiration from his soldiers, friends, and the people. 5 hoot to you ladies. 🦉🦉🦉🦉🦉. And may God continue to bless y'all.

[@ForceOfLightEntertainment]

Thank you Stephen!

[@MrLovegrove]

​@@ForceOfLightEntertainment he's also maybe best known from Sons of Anarchy where he played Chibs

[@Ryan-LegionGames]

As a US Army Veteran, the ending stills makes me tear up.

[@ForceOfLightEntertainment]

Thank you for your service! 🇺🇸

[@Ryan-LegionGames]

@@ForceOfLightEntertainment It was my honor and privilege, thank you!

[@louislynge]

As a man "we" (at least I do and many that I know) think about Rome once a day BECAUSE we constantly see the way that society / politics / law are being used against the people. History rhymes / repeats, and we think about Rome because of the fall of the Roman empire, we are at the precipice of another downfall if we do not come back to reason and common sense.

[@johnbeans2000]

I think about history very often and compare current day to events from the past. I'm from Sweden so right now I am invested into learning how the country was created from different "tribes". Rome is always somewhere in the background even up in Swedish territories! For instance the Goths supposedly came from Sweden, how much truth there is in that who knows. We have Geats and that might be Goths so on... Rome I think of atleast a few times every week😂

[@James_Ford4815]

Oh the Geats , I remember them being mentioned in Beowulf (another cool movie , kind of wish it would of come out in present time instead of back then so we can get updated graphics)

[@iv4ptab177]

Wars are good for peace. You cannot have peace until you win wars. The fact of life here on earth.

[@oslafoirausuebutuoy5457]

40:31 Yes, Joaquin Phoenix's performance in this film is underrated, imo. He did an amazing job, because you do hate his character, but it also doesn't feel like a two-dimensional bad guy, which is important. You can see the pain, the envy and the anger in his performance. And of course Connie Nielsen, Oliver Reed and Richard Harris also were absolutely incredible.

[@oslafoirausuebutuoy5457]

38:56 As a side note, I personally don't trust people who don't get emotional at the end of this film, at least the first time. 43:28 I never cry watching movies, but the end here always gets me for some reason.

[@freemansteinslab]

Absolutely...Joaquin Phoenix as Commodus...Jack Gleeson as Joffrey Lannister and even Imelda Staunton as Dolores Umbridge...it takes great skill in a actor to make the audience truly hate them

[@ForceOfLightEntertainment]

The whole cast was phenomenal!

[@guitarman8462]

He did a much better job than Rissell Crowe

[@mariag.4884]

​@@guitarman8462no, they both were equally great.

[@stephenfitzgerald9769]

Probably an extreme example, but as the son of a history buff, I can confirm that not only did my father and I both think about the Roman Empire *MULTIPLE* times a day, but it was common for us to have multi-hour discussions about it every couple of weeks or so.

[@charlesbarnes6912]

I'd kinda like to hear Natalie talk more about releases and climaxes 😂gigity

[@ForceOfLightEntertainment]

Get your head out of the gutter 😜

[@REdds-ws4ll]

The movie got it wrong; historically, thumbs 'up' actually meant death and thumbs 'down' meant you should live.

[@michaelbriefs9764]

Women love this movie! I've seen a lot of female reactors go in with low expectations and suspicion about this film -- thinking like it's too much of a "Guy Flick" for them to like -- but they always end up loving it and that is great! It is an excellent film. Ridley Scott practically does no wrong!

[@frodotheewok]

modern movies have lost the art of storytelling and no longer hold a candle to masterpieces like Gladiator

[@ChrisEllisMedia]

If you like Russell Crowe in this you should give "Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World" a try. BTW - I love this movie.

[@billyhndrsn4542]

You should watch a early Russell Crowe film called The Sum of Us to see how talented Russell and John Polson really are.