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"I
am an 8th grade teacher who works in a poorer section of the district somewhere
in Texas. I try every day to instill in my students the same ideas of Maximus,
the slave, gladiator and general. I have seen the movie 3 times already. Every
time I see it, there's something different I didn't notice before. Russell Crowe
makes a truly gifted performance as a man who wants the peace of being with his
family and a gladiator/general who finally exacts his vengeance on the man
responsible for his family's death.
I
was caught totally off guard the first time I saw the show because I never gave
any thought to what would become of Maximus after he killed the emperor.
So, tears flowed when the general finally joined his wife and son. On the second
and third viewing, I cried for the unfairness of it all. Maximus is an example
of all the people who do the right thing and get screwed. I was especially
touched by these lines: "We
will meet again, but not yet, not yet.
" and "What
we do in life echoes in Eternity."
My
warmest congratulations to Zimmer and Gerrard for the soundtrack. I love
excellent music and theirs is full, warm, and rich with imagery. If
you know the movie, you can relive it in the music.
Dreamworks
once again made us believe it was real. On the wide screen, you can feel
the heat and the sand of the desert as well as the cold wind in the Germanian
forest."
-- Jane Carver, Texas, USA
"I
agree with what you wrote about the movie, but there are two other important
points:
1)
Maximus’s major battle wasn't
against warriors (as a great soldier, he was not afraid of such battles) but
against human nature, which dictates us to die for power, money and desire to
destroy with hate. It's our nature to fight for something or against something,
but isn't it difficult to keep honor when your country turned against you, when
they took your family, when you are almost dead? It's too easy to go for
revenge, but Maximus did it right, and to win that battle even life is too small
a price. That's why he had to die in the end. That's why Gladiator is No.1 for
me. Sometimes, your honor and principles can cost you your life, your family,
glory, well being... Are you ready?
2)
"Are you not entertained?" This was addressed not only to Romans
watching fights, but also to us. It came to me from the screen and hit my heart.
We are still the same. We watch it all like them. We kill for money and power.
And if you think we became better, then read the history of the 20th century.
Gladiator is supposed to make us think. Remember his words. “WHAT WE DO IN LIFE
ECHOES IN ETERNITY”.
About the wheat fields. Wheat field is a symbol of creation and peace. War,
nevertheless, is the favorite business of human beings. But even so, there is
something beautiful and very clean in our world. We can touch it if we love, and
then power and money lose their value for us. Maximus did it. Today, there is a
war. Tomorrow, there is grass. After tomorrow, there are children playing. Life is
stronger then Death in the long run. That's why the death of Maximus actually
means his rebirth."
-- Dmitriy Solovyov
"I
am haunted by the feelings this beautifully created film has engendered in me.
Knowing it is not real and NO one man can be this way is disheartening. Yet
often, we must view or read a tale that has swung too far to get even a glimpse
of the truth the aforementioned strive to teach or share with us.
I
was totally resistant to viewing this film when it was released. I see the error
of my ways. Totally uncharacteristically, I rented this film last weekend for my
grandson. I started it and received a phone call, so I missed the film until
Commodus kills his father. While I watched the rest, I crept to the edge of the
ottoman and stayed there spellbound until the end of the film. I watched it
again the next day and now must buy it. I also want to go to a theater to see
it.
The
gore is not the reason. The reason is the dawning knowledge that the portrayal
could be believed. I can now see why so many men AND women are enamored of this
film. My 26 year-old son viewed it three times in two weeks in the theaters. I
have seen what we as people want in our lives. Honor, strength of purpose,
loyalty, hard work, real love and respect. I cried to see these things portrayed
so well. Maybe the popularity of Gladiator could cause a change in what
film makers have valued in their films in recent years. I hope so. I am in love
with movies again because I respect what I have seen."
-- Candace Garner, Solvang, CA, USA. |
