Gladiator (Sapphire Series) [Blu-ray]
Gladiator (Sapphire Series) [Blu-ray]
Director Ridley Scott’s triumphant Gladiator is an unparalleled combination of vivid action and extraordinary storytelling that earned five Oscars® including Best Picture. The Blu-ray presentation will include both the original theatrical version of the film as well as the extended version in 1080p High Definition with English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, French 5.1 Dolby Digital and Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital, as well as English, English SDH, French, Spanish and Korean subtitles. The two-disc set also will feature over four hours of bonus material.
A big-budget summer epic with money to burn and a scale worthy of its golden Hollywood predecessors, Ridley Scott’s Gladiator is a rousing, grisly, action-packed epic that takes moviemaking back to the Roman Empire via computer-generated visual effects. While not as fluid as the computer work done for, say, Titanic, it’s an impressive achievement that will leave you marveling at the glory that was Rome, when you’re not marveling at the glory that is Russell Crowe. Starring as the heroic general Maximus, Crowe firmly cements his star status both in terms of screen presence and acting chops, carrying the film on his decidedly non-computer-generated shoulders as he goes from brave general to wounded fugitive to stoic slave to gladiator hero. Gladiator’s plot is a whirlwind of faux-Shakespearean machinations of death, betrayal, power plays, and secret identities (with lots of faux-Shakespearean dialogue ladled on to keep the proceedings appropriately “classical”), but it’s all briskly shot, edited, and paced with a contemporary sensibility. Even the action scenes, somewhat muted but graphic in terms of implied violence and liberal bloodletting, are shot with a veracity that brings to mind–believe it or not–Saving Private Ryan, even if everyone is wearing a toga. As Crowe’s nemesis, the evil emperor Commodus, Joaquin Phoenix chews scenery with authority, whether he’s damning Maximus’s popularity with the Roman mobs or lusting after his sister Lucilla (beautiful but distant Connie Nielsen); Oliver Reed, in his last role, hits the perfect notes of camp and gravitas as the slave owner who rescues Maximus from death and turns him into a coliseum star. Director Scott’s visual flair is abundantly in evidence, with breathtaking shots and beautiful (albeit digital) landscapes, but it’s Crowe’s star power that will keep you in thrall–he’s a true gladiator, worthy of his legendary status. Hail the conquering hero! –Mark Englehart
Stills from Gladiator (Click for larger image)
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User Ratings and Reviews
5 Stars Received Extremely Fast
My rushed delivery was received in A++ Condition and ontime for Christmas. Thank you!
5 Stars Extended version tells so much more of the story…
Obviously one of the greatest films of all time, but have you seen the Extended Version? It’s got a few scenes that weren’t in the theatrical version and they add so much to the story. Definitely worth watching. Definitely worth watching on Blu-Ray.
1 Stars Poor, poor transfer
Why pay money for a poor transfer? Wait until the re-release!
This sort of studio avarice is akin to that of the distributors of Lord of the Rings, who will release a Blu-ray in the shorter thetrical version in April, only to snatch more of your money by releasing the longer definitive version within the next 12 months thereafter.
5 Stars Must own for Blu Fans!
This movie is a must own for all Blu Ray collectors. Both the Video and Audio quality are among the best that I have seen. Add in the fact that this is a fantastic movie that won the Academy Award for Best Picture, and it should be clear why this movie deserves a spot on your shelf!
5 Stars Can a movie get any better?
I have loved this movie since the first time I saw it and now it is out on blu-ray! Awesome! If you loved the original, you will be so happy with this copy. I highly recommend it for anyone’s collection.
Filed under: Blue Ray Movie Reviews