"It's the dumbest way possible to make a film" - Russell Crowe on Gladiator

[@vbgggfff]

I have no idea how is that even remotely possible. You got no script, you end up making Gladiator.

[@lampshade5449]

Be experienced as Ridley Scott and surrounded by real pros like Russel Crowe

[@funkyboodah]

how indeed!!

[@vb8428]

@@funkyboodah look at Mission Impossible Fallout and Ghost Protocol. Some people come up with their best stuff under pressure at the 11th hour

[@crookedbraincrookedbrain9874]

Rewatch te movie us shitty

[@jon8004]

I'm sure it's a little more complex than that. A full script existed before production began. Crowe and Scott just thought it stunk, so they tore out everything they thought was junk and were left with 21 pages. I do not believe that they created an entirely new story. That actually would be impossible from a logistical and budgetary point of view. Whatever they invented would have to be doable within the locations they'd selected, the budget they had, etc. I imagine what they did, ultimately, was rewrite dialogue, reshape scenes and maybe invent new ones that could be filmed in the locations they had. But the story was probably similar.

[@solosnek]

The scene where he reveals his face to Joaquin Phoenix is one of the best scenes in cinema history.

[@CollectorDuck]

Entirely carried by Joaquin. Without him playing the part of Commodus so damn well, Gladiator would have been shit. He is played as such a despicable, pathetic and desperate man that you truly believe it and that carries the entire movie.

[@Budd631]

Lars Arnesen “and now they love Maximus for his mercy!”

[@Davidsworldtravels]

Lars Arnesen well ridley, Hans Zimmer, and Russell might have had a little bit to do with it

[@CollectorDuck]

@@Davidsworldtravels I'll give you Hans Zimmer, but my god Scott is a literal slot machine when it comes to movies.

[@grimmblade]

@@CollectorDuck if any of those 4 elements had been left out it wouldn't have been the film that it is.

[@OUTPOST209]

love this guy telling stories. wish he would do more interviews

[@palettebrush3610]

popfk me to he is a gladiator love him sooo much

[@chocho8036]

well that voice , could listen to that forever

[@Nameless-wr9tj]

Gladiator is the legend. And legends never die.

[@kevinle5460]

WE NEED ANOTHER MASTER AND COMMANDER

[@danearcher05111984]

I concur

[@allanfifield8256]

Much better picture than 'Gladiator'!

[@jickhertz4124]

@@jr5925 ah that's why...

[@jickhertz4124]

@@jr5925 that's why they didn't produce a second :)

[@mrfrosty3]

I read all 20 books a couple times, there is so much material to draw from.

[@KYoss68]

Sometimes the algorithm sends me a gem... it would have been nice if it had sent me this gem 4 YEARS AGO.

[@velvetindigonight]

True! Enjoy

[@kentallard8852]

They tried to make Robin Hood the same way. And they did not dodge a bullet that time.

[@jamesyelton11]

it was aight

[@wongnigel1158]

it spiralled down hill

[@futks9275]

At least it was better than the new one

[@maartineriksson]

It started out great, bold and innovative take on the story, but it feels like they "streamlined" the second half in an attempt to make it a safe bet instead.

[@remingtonpenaranda7762]

@@maartineriksson great point

[@Birdman721000]

Ridley Scotts should make a movie about making this movie lmao

[@187mrsmith]

Russell Crowe is by far one of the most underrated actors of all time

[@thedevil3890]

Underrated??? He's starred in some of the biggest n best movies in history. And he's won over 10 Best Actor awards including an Academy Award and 2 Golden Globes, along with many other supporting role awards. You're insane if you think Russell Crowe is "underrated" as an actor. A statement like that is literally delusional. He's one of the biggest movie stars in history. He's even won a Damn Oscar!!! You just made that idiotic statement to try n sound insightful or somethin huh?? Hahaha.... Russell Crowe underrated, yea, ok.

[@davidc2838]

@@thedevil3890 He was trolling you fishlips. And you took the bait.

[@JDProductions76]

This has to be one of the greatest stories in film history. I'm tempted to just write 2 pages and try to get a budget!

[@RonUSMC]

You could get a budget with just a pitch. Which means nothing written down, just pitch a movie and if they like it, you will get paid. There's a story a few years ago about a guy pitching a movie about an actor that looks exactly like Brad Pitt, I think he got a million for that idea.

[@JacobOlli]

Do you know which company gave him a million?

[@RonUSMC]

Not offhand. It was on Variety a few years ago. I just remember it was a pitch without anything written down. He sold it to them with a few sentences. There's also that pitch guy, who you can give ideas to and he will pitch them. He pays good money. I remember a grandma that pitched a guy who lives in the Statue of Liberty. It was one sentence and she got 100k for it.

[@JacobOlli]

RonUSMC Damn that's crazy.

[@UnleashthePhury]

Yeah you have to make Alien before they let you get away with that. But write your script!

[@ivespoken8902]

"Are you not entertained?" one of my fav movie line

[@nox5870]

Gladiator is a Masterpiece! Period .

[@tfmihancea]

Somehow, in spite of being very inaccurate and had very illogical scenes.

[@BroJ3221]

Richard Kelbe yup, still a great movie...I don’t think I would say masterpiece but I still really enjoyed it

[@IchbinX]

@Mister Guy I bet you watch feminist propaganda and call it a masterpiece.

[@jonnybgoode7742]

@Mister Guy "he had no redeeming qualities" Tyrants usually don't...

[@nox5870]

@Richard Kelbe I did, still think the same. It's a timeless classic.

[@nelsoc2]

Ali Plumb is one of the best interviewers in the industry. For whatever reason, the people he interviews seem very relaxed and give great interviews. Should look up his other work

[@Frosty_tha_Snowman]

I absolutely love that they made this masterpiece basically by winging it. That's just so fitting for some reason. It came together so damn beautifully...

[@scor66]

just simply one of the greatest actors on the planet! Love him!

[@mrfrosty3]

I had forgotten just how exciting that battle scene is at the beginning.

[@timberhoff]

this movie is so epic. I cannot believe they did it like that.

[@HIGHTS]

Wow. Insane info knowing how big and successful that movie was

[@sarkis951]

"He fight his detectors,he fight his fans,it's a problem that no one understands"

[@ejoshcoron]

and fightin round the world!

[@gioluvs1893]

Lmfao I forgot about that!! Classic

[@JonOroMusic]

Fytin round the wurld

[@dopeblacktherapist]

Someone PLEASE tell me why I love this man so much.

[@TrueZombieTwitch]

because you're an idiot?

[@dopeblacktherapist]

+ZombieTwitch Says the person watching a Russell Crowe interview lol have a nice comfy seat!

[@TrueZombieTwitch]

+Kristen Scott but I don't claim to "love this man so much", like a fucking sociopath...

[@dopeblacktherapist]

+ZombieTwitch Okay thanks for your input! Have a lovely day!

[@dopeblacktherapist]

+Wolfgang Megahertz Judging complete strangers doesn't make you much better.

[@Dweller415]

Joaquin Phoenix did an outstanding job as well.

[@wilabanodeniro9780]

Literally hated him till Joker because he was so good

[@ActionMan1979]

Robbed Oscar.

[@roelmartinvandervelde9407]

So true, his emperor was bona fide insane - i guess that between Ridley Scott, Russell Crowe, and Joaquin Phoenix, something beautiful was always going to grow.

[@kazimthomas1156]

This is the wildest movie making experience I've ever heard. Lol.

[@lampshade5449]

Sometimes you just have to go with the flow to produce something amazing.

[@CapnHolic]

Just goes to show a movie with actual actors who can get into character and work off each other is actual art. Too many actors forced to follow a shitty script and their performance is stifled by bad direction. A lot of the most iconic lines in cinema were improvised, the more heavy handed the direction, the more job like the actors performance, the worse the movie is.

[@guileniam]

CapnHolic Id agree, except Kubrick did exactly that and ppl love his movies

[@rustincohle2135]

Your comment is mostly bullshit. There's a HUGE difference between improvising a few lines/improvising a scene or two vs. having virtually no script at all as was the case with Gladiator. Gladiator was a fluke that luckily pulled through. Not having any semblance of a script during production almost always fails miserably.

[@humann5682]

@@rustincohle2135 Agreed. Seth Rogan and Will Ferrell tried to entirely improvise all of Neighbours and House. See how well that went. The problem isn't writing, it's that very few people can actually write well. Robert Downey Sr once said "Anyone can learn to act. A special few can direct. No one can write". With Gladiator, what Crowe isn't telling you is that he was apparently very difficult on set and refused to say lines and had to be coaxed in to it. He kept rejecting writing that was actually good enough for the final film (he eventually said his lines) that won the Oscar. The two writers he mentioned both confirmed this. I can't help but wonder how much easier the shoot would've been if Crowe just got on with the lines, rather than having tantrums and holding the whole thing up.

[@dogkungfu8510]

The Coen Brothers and all their movies disagree...

[@ashb7]

You have no idea what you're talking about. Acting is as much of a job as writing and directing, don't put actors on some mystical pedestal where they understand the nuances of screenplay, dialogue and story structure better than professionals. Improvising a few lines can work, and being able to tell on the spot that something isn't working out and taking input from everyone, even actors, is the sign of a good director. But don't try to say that having a clear vision and trying to stick to it within reason isn't BY FAR the best way to make a movie. Gladiator is part of the 1% where the "just wing it" strategy managed to work out. You mostly don't hear of the 99%, cause who woulda thought, movies where people have no idea what they're doing tend to be shit.

[@JB17521or]

My absolutely facourite Actor of all time. Russel Crowe is such a nice person, just think Maximus Decimus Meridius, Jack Aubrey, Robin Hood...

[@martilofficial7987]

at that time I remember I watched gladiator 6 times in a row in one day, I rented the movie cassette tape :) it was 1 eur for 24 hrs, we split the cost me and my best friend, locked the room so no one can bother us , we got what we needed ( chips, drinks and sandwishes..) what a phenomenal movie , a masterpiece and great joy we felt at that time, still my favorite piece after all these years

[@vinzer72frie]

I'm sure joaquin's sticking out his tongue during the blood splatter wasn't scripted

[@ashb7]

Joaquin screaming "AM I NOT MERCIFUL?!" in Connie Nielsen's face was completely off-script, and her reaction in that scene was genuine.

[@greenscarab2]

He is an icon.

[@ericwoodlee9745]

Such an amazing film, it will always be one of my favorites.

[@ejoshcoron]

love this movie so much

[@mattmmilli8287]

Definitely in my top 5 movies. The ending made me so mad when I was young 😔 I would daydream if he had escaped

[@mevanperera6171]

Russell crowe showed his peak performance in early 2000s A beautiful mind, gladiator , cinderella man

[@piglet2548]

Russell Crowe should do voice acting.

[@USEBharatIT]

Love you from India... For your Gladiator... Kindly Google it - साथियों हम जो अच्छा काम करते हैं, लोग हमें उसी से याद रखते हैं। This line makes my life lesson.

[@bergilein5850]

They obviously made all the perfect choices.

[@IvoPavlik]

1:40 I love how Ali obviously couldn't believe his ears when Russell explained they went shooting a movie without enough material prepared 😀

[@bladerunnerblues2501]

Sometimes it’s the best way to go with the flow and not plan something because all the elements came together and the stars aligned for this film.

[@tf7274]

The movie was awesome...and the extended behind the scenes was amazing...cost $60 back in the day...so good.

[@sodadrinker89]

The fact the script wasn't done when they started shooting, that's why the beginning plotwise was like "Fall of the Roman Empire".

[@maximillianosaben]

That's really awesome. You would never guess any of this while watching the movie. And there are plenty of examples of other movies with similar circumstances but with very different results.

[@kiwi_comanche]

Brilliant film. Bloody brilliant film.

[@gazza7693]

All of Ridley Scott's movies are best watched with the final/directors cuts as his movies theatrical versions tend to omit crucial plot scenes and extra exposition, probably due to pressure from the studios to get the project done and on budget.

[@czos9239]

Kingdom of Heaven!

[@LevCallahan]

Mmmmm.... I'm gonna disagree slightly. I've seen the cut of Gladiator with some of the deleted scenes included; it wasn't a director's cut. Ridley specifically stated that it wasn't his decision to come out with the extended version with those deleted scenes included-- that was all the studio's decision. He said that his cut *was* the theatrical version. Because you watch a lot of those deleted scenes and you think, "Yeah, these are kinda good scenes, but I can totally see why they wouldn't really work if they were included." And sure enough, when you (or at least when I) watch the extended version, those scenes don't really work at all.

[@gazza7693]

@@LevCallahan The scene where the emperors general explains his motivations to Maximus in the dungeon cell makes his action of neglecting the emperors plea for help make more sense because hes driven by retribution, without that exposition it seems like he just doesn't like his emperor so he lets him die which is silly, theres an entire conspiracy to want to kill the emperor but they needed a martyr for it, Maximus was that martyr. just a few lines of dialogue can add so so much more detail and agency to a story.

[@greenscarab2]

Now that he has played his parts, he is going to transform again.losing weight, putting on. shaving, He has so many looks.

[@OrangeTabbyCat]

greenscarab2 Actually right these days he is gaining weight for his next role

[@stormchaser419]

From 1997 to 2007 there was arguably no better actor in Hollywood. LA Confidential, The Insider, Gladiator, 3:10 to Yuma, American Gangster, Master and Commander. A Beautiful Mind and Cinderella Man. What a stretch!

[@CherrylMaree]

This film will 'echo in eternity'

[@jackcloud4728]

late 90s and early to mid 2000s was the peak of movies more practical than cgi big movies like troy gladiator lord of the rings black hawk down harry potter ect

[@hialyssah]

okay just listening to this story is CRAZY and STRESSFUL wow

[@valpanig]

not too crazy, often people produce outstanding ideas when they get out from comfort zone. It was a blow of life in the movie

[@TheDcraft]

Gladiator, best movie ever.

[@dfdfdgggjhjjh5081]

Sometimes adrenaline really brings the best out of people. I'd always score the best of any kind of test when I have to cram and I'm loaded with adrenaline and a hint of anxiety.

[@delbroox]

He is a Legend.

[@nickchristensen8945]

And yet, the greatest film ever made

[@rahulmodi8706]

I realised my problem with Gladiator is that it was too short and Maximus didn’t met his soldiers and conquer Rome and live happily as the Emperor. Which is a ridiculous Disney style ending. So basically I loved the film and wanted more

[@theodoranfilov5101]

*in Tony Soprano voice* In this house, Maximus Decimus Meridius is a hero and Gladiator is masterpiece- End of subject!!!

[@CornyBum]

that thing that happened to his wife and son, whatever happened there

[@theodoranfilov5101]

@@CornyBum whatever happened there? That fucking animal Commodus...

[@theodoranfilov5101]

@@CornyBum whatever happened there? That fucking animal Commodus...

[@seancollins6524]

A very special movie to have seen in the cinema 🎥

[@discovermajid]

well yeah its on prime time somewhere in the world COZ ITS FREAKIN AMAZING

[@terrylandess6072]

In one sentence Ridley is described as responsible while explaining how they didn't know what they were going to shoot next. Quite odd overall.

[@Galenus1234]

He is described as 'responsible' when it comes to spending money. So he didn't spend it for extravagant scenes expensive (special) effects that don't end up in the final movie because of extensive reshoots. (I am looking at you Disney Star Wars!)

[@miguelriveraalvarez9773]

Best film ever seen

[@TheRubberStudiosASMR]

It’s amazing to hear this. It is such a brilliant film!

[@davidderidder2667]

Well, I am 52 years have seen many many films and Gladiator is the best film I ever saw.

[@nathanperkins5353]

This is how I run D&D!

[@nanmonstaway3599]

The nice guys is a masterpiece

[@Dflowen]

00:20 is when Crowe said the title.

[@Norciusz]

Nice Guys, Gladiator. Great movies. I adore Russell.

[@toffeebluenose7331]

Last film with Oliver Reed who must have got board waiting on script,and went on drinking competition and died. The scipt killed him.

[@evilmario6061]

I think you're right

[@shadow.banned]

Why did it do so well? Improvisation. It brings the best art out in filmmakers.

[@rustincohle2135]

The film wasn't improvised on set. Ridley Scott and Russell Crowe had a team of writers working on the weekends. And then sorted together the best bits, the best scenes and the best dialogue and shot them.

[@ChinchillaDeluxe]

He should be a bit more grateful and don’t talk bad about the film that made him famous for a while.

[@megamar]

Best movie ever

[@yllbardh]

gladiator: what we do in life echoes in eternity youtube texting: dot, dot, dot, that goes to maternity...

[@AcDCsama-rt5qz]

My favourite movie of all time

[@chocho8036]

that movie lives on eternally in prime time t.v. , he said it.. i have been on jungle island living in a tent for three months (few houses at all, no cars, jungle hiking paths only ) 60 kilometers off the coast of Thailand, Andaman Sea side and if there's a t.v., boom! you're watching Gladiator

[@Gator12]

I enjoyed it. One of my favorite movies when it first came out

[@tonytee5121]

That answers the question why there were so many historical inaccuracies in the film. Not only was it poorly researched, they hadn't fucking finished the script hahaha!

[@diannabishop4053]

It's historical fiction, not a biopic. It's not meant to be historically accurate.

[@tonytee5121]

@@epf2654 A lot of the costumes were not accurate. Or came before or after the events that were portrayed.

[@sun131089]

Ridley Scott is a fucking beast .....force of nature

[@massacrene1]

meanwhile a Mulan crew with extended time make a dump of a movie that i would consider even slamming my balls between an anvil and a hamster.

[@FreestyleGGD]

Awesome!

[@paulrevere2928]

I saw this film and got up the next morning to discover that the tiger had attacked Roy Horn of Sigfried and Roy act in Las Vegas... Odd synchronicity...

[@paulmorin2234]

I really like listening to this guy. I would like to have a drink with this guy, I’ll buy.

[@russellrussellcrowe1182]

Thank you for the love and support ..Today I decided to carve out some time from my busy schedule to get closer to my fan and learn their thoughts on my career and I came across you through my official KZbin channel. A big hug for me ❤️

[@Restfulrain]

This is agile methodology before they put a name to it. To iterate, revise and deliver small chunks rather than have it all planned out from the beginning often produces better results if you do it right.

[@BloodyFlowerFilms]

Goes to show when you have someone like Ridley Scott in charge, shits gonna get done. No matter what. So suck it haters. The man is a genius.

[@Sean-ce1hu]

Ollie Reed was the real star of Gladiator.

[@SuperCowboyblue]

All I can say is it's a superb film no all the crap about it not being true to history it's not a doc its here to entertain you n it does in spades I still watch it now 20 years on and I still hooks me in how many films can you say do that very few is ya answer

[@russellrussellcrowe1182]

Thank you for the love and support ..Today I decided to carve out some time from my busy schedule to get closer to my fan and learn their thoughts on my career and I came across you through my official KZbin channel. A big hug for me ❤️

[@dukeofmania6504]

Hey, it’s that Gladiator guy!

[@JakeDisselt]

Very interesting. Such an amazing film yet I've always felt like it had a sense of restlessness to it

[@Floridacoastwriter]

Correction: the way movies are made today are the "dumbest way possible." Even with a script, the drama is usually skin-deep and this over dependence on CGI is nauseating for adults. It's ok if you're a child, but mindless entertainment gets old.

[@Liscome]

Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon should have won best picture

[@edzenver4884]

Oliver Reeds film a fitting last movie for a legend

[@christinafjren4895]

Ooo! He's the guy who's playing in one of the movies I'm auditioning for!! Really unrelated, but that's so cool

[@mollgrn]

good luck with your audition!!

[@christinafjren4895]

+Mollie Green Thank you

[@jasminedelis8072]

Which movie?

[@christinafjren4895]

+Jasmine Delis A crime movie called 'Low Key' :)

[@vivacehome1]

What country are you from Christina

[@elrifle24]

so you're telling me it's method acting at its finest? great!

[@1pcfred]

They'd all previously spent time in a Turkish prison and had a lot of grown men naked on the set. Which of course is the perfect formula for making a gladiator movie.

[@bethg.5611]

I was disappointed when he blinked at the end when his eyes were being closed. Lol

[@pugtactics2195]

best movie ever!!!

[@ShindlerReal]

You can tell they didn't have a screenplay because in real Roman Empire no way Maximus would have been a fucking farmer.

[@Paul37Ontario]

how did it get the go ahead with a incomplete script?????

[@Moggleberries]

I've never seen it ^^" But now I want to!

[@HusseinAbdirahman]

your missing out big time

[@Lukas-kh5gu]

I wish I still wouldn't have seen it. One of the more iconic movies - Troy is a joke compared to Gladiator. The atmosphere and feeling you get from watching Gladiator is hardly matched these days. I would watch it with you together anytime.

[@rdfresson]

epic film! well worth a watch :)

[@dopeblacktherapist]

My favorite movie of all times. Favorite actor, too! The move has so much depth and Russell is intense (and hot hot hot!!!) in it.

[@ejoshcoron]

never seen it??

[@FergusWalsh-dz7mq]

I could not agree more Kevin Le ,Patrick O'Brian's books are available and waiting and I could definitely see a lot of the origional crew coming back[hey free holiday in the south pacific or wherever] and Peter Weir is well able to duck Russell Crowes FIGHTING or acting whichever he brings on the day

[@kooskansloos4834]

Maximus the Merciful

[@gungasc]

Master and commander was dope, just make the years match the timeline.

[@thomasraven]

Well, if there's an expert on dumb, it's Crowe.

[@Automobiliana]

Wonderful, epic movie

[@lapoissonnerie3891]

Beside of that, I loved "the nice guys"

[@J4sse]

How was this project even go through when no one had a plan?