they could've re-shot everything with a different actor, but…

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Last time, I talked about some of the ways the script for Gladiator (2000) was formed during production on the movie. Today I want to delve even deeper, into the ways in which director Ridley Scott employs subtext in Gladiator to tell a story beneath the dialogue, visually. And then I want to showcase the ingenious ways production managed to bring actor Oliver Reed back from the dead to finish up the narrative, after he tragically passed away three weeks before the end of the shoot.
Check out my other video on Gladiator here: • when you realize the s...
Read the 1998 John Logan-revised screenplay of Gladiator here: thescriptlab.c...
Written & Edited by Danny Boyd

[@CinemaStix]

Get Nebula using my link for 40% off an annual subscription: nebula.tv/cinemastix Early content, exclusive content, ad-free content. Plus a great way to support me. :)

[@Blankford777]

The way they handled Reed’s passing with the patchwork cuts, reusing old takes and minimal CGI, is nothing short of masterful.

[@ADifferentVibe]

I honestly liked that better than full CGI for the entire actor. I couldn't tell the difference because they used actual shot footage.

[@Clint52279]

​@ADifferentVibe in the late 90s, when the film was being produced, I don't think CGI was even an option. Maybe in generating the composite shots, but for the most part, it was traditional film editing. These days we'd know, " Look at wonky this scene looks, this was the facial replacement after Reed died."

[@Cinnder]

Love the way you have the ability to really admire a film yet still admit when there are faults. Makes me really value your analysis.

[@krismctopher7]

Americans think that if you like something you have to swear an oath to defend it against all challengers.

[@Crimson_Downpour]

Oh? Look everyone, he wants us to know he understands what he is watching 😮

[@davinci3478]

Love a good CinemaStix multi week hyper fixation

[@CinemaStix]

:)

[@tracyharms3548]

Oliver Reed’s death displaces most of my other thoughts around this film. Thank you for exposing how they salvaged his performance in his absence.

[@justinklenk]

Ditto. What a production story. What an unnecessary tragedy. And what a final performance and role.

[@LikeStoriesofOld]

Really enjoyed these Gladiator breakdowns! Remarkable to see how so much of the movie came together through happenstance, improvisation and last-minute decisions, a true cinematic miracle

[@CinemaStix]

Thank you Tom! Like two weeks ago, Henry from The Closer Look messaged me and was like, hey, you should make a video on Oliver Reed’s death in Gladiator. And I was like, hah, I’m literally making that video right now.

[@bloodydominations992]

Even though his part is relatively small, to me Oliver Reed anchors the whole film. I’m glad they kept his performance, and the restructuring of the ending doesn’t seem to have hurt the film. Great video as always!

[@jaysmith8957]

Exactly. The film is actually pretty thin. Reed's story arc is as important as anyone else's, and he has some of the best lines.

[@NetGuyMsia]

The "restructuring" seems to have enhanced the movie. I much prefer this than the "Hollywood" ending where (almost) everyone lived happily ever after.

[@omnipi]

Same. His "rises like... like a storm" line gave me shivers in the theater and to this day. I did not say I knew him, I said he touched me on the shoulder once. And the only real character growth arc in the story, if you really think about it. Magnificent last performance (tragedy of his death notwithstanding)

[@artyb27]

For a long time I've kinda just accepted "movie magic" as a glib reference to SFX for the sake of SFX but.. wow. What they did here is a shining example of what the phrase should mean.

[@michaelhawkins7389]

The actor Omid Djalili, who was also in Malta at the time of Oliver Reed's death filming Gladiator, said during an interview in 2016: "He hadn't had a drink for months before filming started... Everyone said he went the way he wanted, but that's not true. It was very tragic. He was in an Irish bar and was pressured into a drinking competition. He should have just left, but he didn't." Having made a number of promises to Ridley Scott prior to filming, including that he would not drink during production, Reed worked around this by only drinking on weekend. so sad :( that people in that bar may have been the cause of his death

[@HeyItsStephx]

Everybody has a choice, he chose to not leave

[@QuantumHistorian]

Which was it: he only drank on weekends during filming, or he hadn't had a drink for weeks?

[@TPJH850]

​@@QuantumHistorianHe hadn't drank for months before filming and then starting drinking at the weekend during filming. Not rocket science to understand what that comment said.

[@justinklenk]

​@@TPJH850 Seriously. The inability to comprehend the most basic, obvious statements by such a massive proportion of our modem society... is truly troubling.

[@cheefussmith9380]

@@HeyItsStephxseems crystal clear to me. Have you switched to weekend-only drinking yourself?

[@JustinMayfield]

It's devastating that Oliver Reed never got to see his incredible performance on screen. RIP

[@HandsomeMalcolmcats]

Agreed

[@seanj3667]

I feel the same way about Ray Stevenson for the show Ahsoka. He was brilliant as Baylan Skoll and he deserved the love of Star Wars fans at conventions for years.

[@silvermanemilard]

Reed's charisma and dominance in a scene cannot be overstated. I'm glad he was kept in the movie.

[@rooh5825]

It is a greater realization, that usually when there are this many changes to the script, shooting, acting, actors, etc, in nearly every instance, it dooms a movie. Look at what has happened in a lot of Disney's recent endeavors for examples of that. But in this case, something magical happened. This is still a trap movie for me, if I'm flipping through channels, I get stuck if Gladiator is on. Such a great flick.

[@Nebol]

On a platform filled to the brim with stolen content and asshattery, it's amazing to see high-quality real content being posted...

[@Nanku42]

true words, thanks Danny

[@MyName-tb9oz]

This is definitely one of the few good channels on this platform.

[@plica06]

I agree but in fairness pretty much all the visual content is just taken from someone else. I know lots of channels do it, not only this channel.

[@flat6croc]

It really is hard to believe the same man made this film and the follow up. Gladiator 2 is such a tedious, cliched, cynical rehash.

[@e36z32]

He also just made the POS film Napoleon.

[@calvinhobbes6118]

Have you seen his Alien sequels? All terrible as well. The last one, Covenant, being even worse than Prometheus. Ridley Scott is in his 80s and hes rushing through movies, there is an over dependance on CGI. He takes one shot of a scene and hes done. As you can surmise, due to his age, he doesnt film, (in Alien, he did most of the camerawork), and even if he could, CGI demands multiple cameras filming at once. Modern filmmaking seems to be ruining auteurs.

[@Sotergarm]

Ridley has always been a hack director, but he's been reined in before.

[@CryLowderWithCrouder]

I wish this was 45+ min and went through everything involving Oliver Reed and his decision to act in the movie, his passing and more info on how they decided to change the movie and how they did it. It's so interesting, and may be the best execution involving an actor's death of all time.

[@CinemaStix]

Agreed. That stuff probably should’ve been an entire video, but I felt like making three videos in a row on Gladiator would be pushing it. I remember as a kid just being told he passed during filming, and that they used CGI to finish his scenes. I just thought huh, wow. But only years later did I learn, or pay attention to, how much more interesting the whole process of what they did really was.

[@aidanlang961]

@@CinemaStix I know it’s too late to tell you this, but I know the name of that body double that stood in for Oliver Reed as Proximo after passed away during filming. His name is Ian Walker. (He is of course credited as one of the stunts for the film in the scrolling end credits but it did not mention him being the late Ollie’s stand-in). There have been some films where an actor became unavailable during filming of a scene and the filmmakers sometimes use a body double to finish the scenes but they never reveal the name of the said body double before or after the films were released. Their names can be revealed somewhere else by searching hard if having the urge of wanting to the name and then you finally found it somewhere that is completely rare for films. And this film “Gladiator” is one of them. Do you want me to tell you how I found out about the body double’s name?

[@justinklenk]

​@@aidanlang961 I do, I do!

[@BillyKamp]

@@CinemaStix I remember watching and knowing he was dead thanks to the CGI, and when I saw the shadows and dust death moment I knew they reused the previous shot, and thought they were genious.

[@Avtomatik]

@@aidanlang961 speak !

[@Xaviar_St.Thomas]

As a child of 7 years, I remember watching Oliver Reed in the 3 musketeers series … he was the quintessential actor, swashbuckling sword-fighter and his gravitas filled the screen. I’m so grateful this legend past away with this as his final film. It was an honor to watch him.

[@Fanciest-Hobo]

I had never really thought about it, but i like how Maximus's intro with the bird shows us two sides of Maximus without any dialogue. We see the stoic, contemplative general about to go into battle. But then, for a moment, he sees a bird and he smiles. We see a man who can find joy in nature and the beauty of the world. A man who doesn't love war or combat. Then once the bird is gone and his moment over he locks back into being the stoic general. In this brief scene we see Maximus as the man and the soldier. He can't be the man for too long because he has a war to fight and only soldiers win wars. So much information conveyed with two shots and Crowe's acting. Incredible

[@krismctopher7]

In writing it's called "saving the cat". You want your character to be viewed with sympathy in spite of the absolutely horrific things we will see him do, so you make him save a cat first. It's cheap and manipulative.

[@markcarey67]

A bit like in James Clavell's Shogun (the book, I don't know if they included this in the series) where the first time we meet Toranaga he is tending to a bird with a broken wing.

[@s0me0ne1se]

@@krismctopher7haha, if you haven’t noticed by now, humanity IS actually manipulative. Better get used to it. Nothing cheap about using a writing resource as… well, you know, a resource. Maybe that’s why they exist in the first place?

[@krismctopher7]

@@s0me0ne1se I'm 73 kid.

[@trevornott2488]

Appreciate you noting where Mr Reed died in filming, and the way they kept him going in the film. Always wondered. Thanks

[@Novastar.SaberCombat]

That must've been ROUGH for Ridley and the cast. 😕 Gladiator was already "an improvisation" in many ways. But when Reed died, you can tell that Scott REALLY cared to make his performance count. He literally spared no expense.

[@vokasimid5330]

Everything counts

[@tacoo7697]

Gladiator a true "lightning in a bottle"

[@browndamon]

Love this. Forced improv is a whisper from the gods 👏🏾

[@JjackVideo]

The opening is brilliant. Without a word being said, we know the main character dreams about going home, doesn't like war, is committed to doing the battle, and he is respected and loved by his men. Now that's cinema.

[@arthursaey]

the Reed bits are staggering, I would never have known

[@Chef-vg4pu]

I know that I’m late to the game but the death of Oliver Reeve is so sad… and that he played an intro part of probably one of his best movies that he ever acted in, a fine actor in almost everything that he did…. It breaks my heart that he did not get the recognition while he was still alive…

[@SCharlesDennicon]

ANOTHER video that makes me love Gladiator even more... thanks for that, man. Love your channel.

[@RafitoOoO]

It's amazing how a movie that had so much improvisation became so succesful.

[@Jay_Sullivan]

I find it humorous that Max lives in the previous script, as I've never heard anyone say that they wish he lived or that they were disappointed that he died or the like.

[@panmandragora5560]

I just want to thank you for your work on this channel. These videos they are simply really great. Your insight, attention to detail, your voice, which I really enjoy listenig to, it all combines into entertaining and educational videos which make me fall in love with movies (and related stuff) even more. So thanks, great job.

[@lc9245]

The more I watch Ridley's works, the more I like them, but in quite a twisted way. I would skip most of the stories and watch shots just, go. It's not that his stories and scripts are bad, they are just not terribly engaging and interesting. The quality of his visual artistry though is undeniable. The man is a master and good producers should know where to put him, allowing him to channel his vision. I would rewatch just Gladiator opening scenes and the wheat field , Kingdom of Heaven from Messina to the army marched out in support, Alien opening scene or Bladerunner murder, Tears in Rain. The man is a damn magician in the right places.

[@latenightlogic]

This made me cry… absolutely beautiful

[@tscimb]

Awesome, as always. ❤

[@chasehedges6775]

👍💯

[@CinemaStix]

Thank ye :)

[@AW00047]

Thanks for reminding that guy could shoot some great cinema once

[@olmorio]

"'It feels like it was part of the fabric of the story when, in fact, it was just patchwork." Really love that line, just wanted to shout it out

[@mikewebsdale4777]

Love your work! I will watch EVERY video you make and I will learn and be entertained. I watch some parts over and over, I watch some of your videos again and again as needed pick me ups. When I have enough money I will support you better, but for now- Thank you. You make my life better.

[@KonstantinNakonechny]

Great video, Danny! Merry Christmas and a happy new year man!

[@artheals8869]

Wow, I always wondered how they managed to finish Reed’s scenes that’s so cool and very impressive how they were able to put that all together.

[@mrshaggy6301]

Not sure if you take requests or even suggestions but I urge you to watch a film called "no one will save you" There are literally 5 lines of dialog in the whole film but it has a coherent story and clearly does the "show not tell" type of exposition. I was genuinely surprised by it but have recommended it to everyone since.

[@steve.santiago]

Be honest, Danny. When you uploaded this video, did you scream “Are you not entertained?!”

[@SamTheMan666]

And then yeet a pen across the room with the fury of a roman gladiator.

[@MumRah]

I am entertained!! 😂

[@budleyherbo1266]

My guy, you are so good at this. Your love and respect - nay, reverence - for the medium shines through every episode. 👊 mad respect

[@WheatThnis]

Such gems are hard to find these days.

[@neverhawks]

good lord your videos are so good....thank you

[@charlesmiller6281]

Thank you so much for the Proximo story, I never heard that one before and it is pure genius!

[@CinemaStix]

Right? I was always told “they used CGI to finish his scenes”. And like, yeah, some. But that wasn’t at all the magic of it.

[@charlesmiller6281]

@@CinemaStix The way you told it is indeed magic- movie making magic! The "shadows and dust" line connects the two gladiators with the overriding theme of eternal life (Elysium, burying the figures, etc) it just made total sense- before knowing it was filmed for something completely different! Reminds me of the DVD special features from the cutting room floor where they combined near random scenes (all beautiful cinematography!) with Zimmer's beautiful score into something more like a mini-movie.

[@lucasfabisiak9586]

That's brilliant! Thanks for the video.

[@anthonypc-248]

Glad this largely improvised movie worked out a lot better than The Rise of Skywalker!

[@euansmith3699]

I found this peek behind the scenes fascinating; and Danny is such a chill guide.

[@SuperJumper40]

But they didn't improvise all the changes from the John Logan draft. William Nicholson, the third writer, joined shortly before the start of production and rewrote a lot of things before and during filming.

[@alinkbetweengames4328]

He explained that in the previous video.

[@BillyKamp]

And even with three writers there are a lot of improvisation, Maximus praying to the little figurines of his wife and son was his idea after seeing a prop of said figures as decoration on a prayer altar.

[@bltzspr]

It might be patchwork - but It was so well done

[@PaletoB]

And it's so damn well done I bet 99% couldn't even tell

[@HopeUnveiled]

That's genius. Proximo was a perfect character

[@earningzekrom4173]

RIP Oliver Reed, legend

[@chazlewis8114]

This is what you can achieve when you have a truly talented cast and crew.

[@Robotech2049]

This is great , TY

[@SamTheMan666]

I never really gave this movie any credit before I watched it, I just thought it was another fantasy about the misremebered past of an unsustainable empire, It also doesn't help that I was an infant when this was made so, yeah there's that, but I watched it for the first time and since then I've seen it multiple times and I understand the love people have for It.

[@Welverin]

Unsustainable? It lasted for nearly 1,500 years. And that doesn't include the years of the Republic.

[@SamTheMan666]

@@Welverin and where are they now?

[@Welverin]

@@SamTheMan666 What kind of stupid ass comment is that? Just because it eventually fell doesn’t mean it was unsustainable No ancient civilization survived to the present day. Nor do modern go back all that far with some kind of change in rule. To say a society that persisted for 1,500-2,000 years (depending how you account things) was unsustainable, is a laughable assertion.

[@SamTheMan666]

Ok, anything else?

[@gorflunk]

Classic. Excellent, quality documentary. Thank you for producing and sharing this. This movie has been around long enough that I've gone from looking like Maximus to looking like Proximo.🧔🏻‍♂️🧔🏼‍♂️

[@rooramblingon895]

Very interesting when you described Ridley Scott as a primarily visual director. That has explained a lot of the issues I have had with the varying quality of his films over the last 40 plus years. He must be better at story than George Lucas, who I realised 30 years ago was a genius with visuals but utterly awful in every other way. Or, perhaps Ridley simply realised himself that he shouldn't get too involved with scripts etc.: letting others deal with that side. I dunno! I can't do any of these things, so it's just been a private thought process of my own from pure fascination [until today 🤷‍♀].

[@omnipi]

Incredible that the movie ended up being a jam-session, sweded version of itself, and is a masterpiece (esp compared to the intended script). How this occurred hints at what's magic's within the inscrutable tapestry of human creativity

[@gravelrhoads]

I didn't realize you were on Nebula. Now following you over there.

[@Ph33NIXx]

The more I learn about the production of Gladiator.. the more I am amazed that it became what it became.. I feel like a lot of other big blockbuster flops have exactly the same history.

[@MariaVosa]

I can't believe that "He killed the man who gave you that sword" line was not part of the scene originally! It's so f*cking brilliant! Ridley Scott fascinates me - he is such a massively talented director, and unusually both and "actor's director" and a "visual director". The one area he can at times struggle with is *story*, ending up with movies that are a bit clunky (the prequel Aliens-movies, Kingdom of Heaven, Robin Hood). Sometimes all the parts work, he has the right collaborators in front of and behind the camera, and sometimes even the Master Chef, cooking with the best ingredients at his disposal still delivers an uninspried dish. Still, even his least successful movies are heads above almost everything else in visual style.

[@MrSaeedted]

The old title was better

[@kevinbrennan-ji1so]

Such great performances by not only the main actors, but the many role players (think of the announcer in the Colosseum, for example).

[@gnoscyde]

Thanks CinemaStix, your video somehow helped cleanse the bad taste left by Gladiator2.

[@Antonin1738]

I wish Ridley never lost his touch. But then again, his sets are still good

[@Spazzboy911]

I've never even seen this movie; now I have to

[@BillyKamp]

The Last Samurai, Braveheart and Glatiator are the Big 3.

[@daviddelossantos6075]

That is brilliant. Great video.

[@MumRah]

I love your videos Danny. Keep it up. I'll be sure to post a better reaction when I have time. 👍

[@76ToneCrome]

I think Reed was Oscar nominated as well.

[@srirahadjeng]

No, but nominated for BAFTA

[@marcblanchet678]

gmorning bud. thanks for the video

[@CinemaStix]

(Wiping the sleep from my eye) Mornin!

[@michaelhawkins7389]

@@CinemaStix Oliver Reed died most likely due to over drinking, (alcohol ) he would get drunk most days while filming Gladiator

[@joncarroll2040]

Oliver Reed is really the best part of the movie.

[@kurttruk2]

So much better and so much more respectful than the use of CGI replacements for long deceased actors.

[@keysersoze5920]

When Maximus looks upon the little bird, he is looking upon a sparrow. Sparrows are messengers between our lives and the afterlife.

[@13xDan]

Great video

[@HouseholdDog]

I always thought Reed and Crow had a lot in common. This film was really a passing of the sword.

[@AbdulHannanAbdulMatheen]

👏🙂 Great video

[@MarakanaCacak1989]

why change thumbnail _

[@BobMori]

"Shadows and Dust"🎬

[@Armakk]

As someone who owns Logan's script, 10/98 draft, a copy from Ridley's agency where I worked at the time of production, I found this essay baffling. It's very much the same movie. If by "more Hollywood" you mean "it's coherent and realistic and has a satisfying third act" unlike the final film, well I encourage you to watch more Hollywood films cuz the movie Ridley put together was pure Hollywood cheese. Agree about the editing to save Reed's performance, thought, maybe you could have gone into more detail about the digital FX and color matching.

[@pablogonzalez2009]

old title was better

[@JonahGhost]

They should have never made part 2 This movie is a masterpiece as is.

[@connorarmstrong3922]

fascinating

[@Ennio444]

How could Risley go do wrong with G2?

[@CinemaStix]

Believe it or not, I haven’t gone to see it yet. Might do this afternoon.

[@FabledGentleman]

Ridley has been a hit and miss director his entire career. But i wouldn't really say he went wrong with G2. It's almost the same movie, just with less emotional impact. For people who just want a good action film with great visuals and awesome combat scenes, G2 delivers. It's not like it's a Michal Bay movie or anything.

[@thetalentof]

John Mathieson (Ridley's cinematographer on 5 features) just came out and publicly trashed Ridley's now rushed style of filmmaking saying that the reason he wasn't able to make Gladiator 2 look as good as the first one was because a) he was given the time to light for every individual frame on the original and b) Ridley shot on a digicam vs Kodak with up to 15 digicams going at once for only a couple of takes max, meaning John was limited in how well he could make it look, resulting in some of the scenes looking like BTS footage. Lighting and using proper film cameras was a big part of capturing the visual style and tone of the original so it's a shame that John had to take shortcuts this time and it really showed. I think Ridley should now focus more on producing as he was a very active producer on 'Alien Romulus' and the end result was pretty good, even if poor Fede was required to tie in some lore to Prometheus at the end of the film.

[@JerryAsher]

Via Copilot, the non-click bait summary -The video discusses the movie "Gladiator" and how the production team managed to complete the film after the actor Oliver Reed passed away three weeks before the end of the shoot. Reed played the character Proximo in the film. Instead of reshooting all of his scenes with a different actor, the team decided to use a combination of old takes, patchwork cuts, and minimal CGI to complete his performance. The decision to keep Reed's performance was driven by the team's admiration for his work and the belief that his portrayal was integral to the film. This approach allowed them to honor Reed's contribution while still completing the movie successfully

[@gelul12]

The time that Ridley could still make great movies

[@chrismac2234]

I would have loved to see the originally planned historical, Shakespeare style script

[@scottb235]

Shadows and dust...

[@blaircox1589]

Why they are redoing this movie, trying to erase this, is beyond me. Just a money grab. I'll pass and rewatch the good one.

[@swanofnutella4734]

In my personal head-cannon, Pre-Vader Anakin Skywalker is played by a young Oliver Reed.

[@blackthorne-rose]

Masterpiece of historical fiction...

[@Debo_OG]

1:16 not me immediately saying, “mY nAmE is JeFF”

[@Luciphell]

Fell in love with Oliver Reed in the rock opera film by "The Who", Tommy.

[@miggy78]

Thank you, thank you, thank you…..I’m feel guilty for not having subscribed sooner. I’ve watched more than a fair share of your docs, clips and coverage of films. I’m so thankful how you don’t use AI to narrate and your insights are very delightful and thought provoking. Ever since the films premiere and I heard how Ridley and Russell re-edited the film, recut scenes and used CGI to wrap up Oliver Reed’s performance. I’ve wondered how specifically. This is HANDS DOWN. The best film analysis KZbin channel….Strength & Honor!!!

[@kapner2104]

It would’ve been a crime against cinema if they cut those Oliver Reed scenes

[@Micah__]

You’ve got more thumbnails than Spatula City has spatulas.

[@chrisarmour5727]

great video but you should consider using more suitable background music for your clips, was a bit funny having some sexy neo soul music underneath a scene between Proximo and Maximus hahahah

[@CinemaStix]

Haha, fair enough.

[@Jchan4477]

Lol these quotes about how ridley is an artist are so funny knowing how absurd gladiator 2 was

[@TomBoss123]

WHY DO YOU INSIST ON CONSTANTLY CHANGING THE TITLES OF YOUR VIDEOS

[@jca759]

I also thought the "I am Maximus" line was great. But apparently Russell Crowe didn't like saying it, from what I saw in an old interview. It's still one of the most iconic scenes in the entire film though.

[@letho4334]

wow

[@VeryStableGenius]

Fantastic

[@blondegirlsezthis8798]

Hollywood still haven't learned Don't fix what ain't broken. Don't corrupt the loved memory of a film. Hero's aren't comic book panels. You must Make it believable. Make the characters human. Then throw in some personality. It's not even that hard guys. You waste 20 million on effects, hundreds of people and you pay a fraction of it for a few people on one script with the supervision of a corporate luncheon kicking ideas around with the accounting team and lawyers? FAIL.