Film Analysis of Gladiator Essay -- Papers Movie Analysis Cinematograp

Film Analysis of Gladiator The film Gladiator, directed by Ridley Scott, made its debut on May 5, 2000. Gladiator left its audience with both the highest praise and harshest rebuke. The historical action film was described as a â€Å"flashy, violent spectacle, everything a movie needs to be† by Haro-online, but Stephen Hunter of Entertainment Guide said, â€Å"Thumbs down! Drive that short sword though its palpitating heart, and pay no attention to its squeals for mercy†¦It’s not great. It’s a disappointment, so kill it swiftly and be done.† Reviews that contrast this much lead one to wonder what the criteria for a great historical action film would entail. One important criterion a historical action film must have is a certain degree of historical accuracy. However, a film doesn’t have to mirror history; rather, it has only to give a sense that what takes place in the film could have actually happened. It is nearly impossible to convert history in its exact form over to an entertaining film; therefore, some liberties are certainly allowable in historical accuracy, but the directors must be careful not to stretch the possibilities. Another piece of criteria that fits well with the historical accuracy is how meticulous the setting, costumes, weaponry, and battle scenes are created. A historical action film would lose much credibility if its setting isn’t set in its appropriate time period along with the costumes and props. A majority of the time, this is also where special effects come into play. A filmmaker has to utilize special effects and computer graphics to reconstruct its venue and replicate its date in history. The mos... ...side Movies. So what constitutes a successful historical action movie? Realistic historical accuracy. Amazing attention to detail. Intriguing plot. High emotions. Superb special effects. Outstanding score. Great casting and acting. Rave reviews. Gladiator possesses all these and is the epitome of a great historical action film. Yet accolades alone did not make it a box-office success. Many films garner pre-release raves, yet disappoint in front of an actual audience. Gladiator delivered on all counts, from its early praise to its amazing box-office success, setting records in theatres coast-to-coast. The perfect combination of all these melded with its attention to historical detail make Gladiator worthy of its Best Picture award and a true classic for the ages, much like its classic cousin Ben-Hur.