Synopsis
Gladiator is the kind of boxing movie that goes that extra mile -- a self-loathing boxing saga that relishes in bare-knuckled sucker punches, illegal eye-rubs, and gentlemen boxers who obey the Marquis of Queensbury rules by drop-kicking opponents when the are not only down but unconscious. James Marshall plays Tommy Riley, a Windy City high school student conned into participating in the illegal underground boxing arenas of the South Side of Chicago. In high school, Tommy was a prize boxer, and this skill comes in handy when his Father (John Heard) runs up a large gambling debt. When a sleazy boxing manager (Robert Loggia) spots Tommy defending himself during recess, he offers him quick money to box. Tommy, although he hates the sport, readily agrees, thinking his winnings will help his father pay off his debts. He quickly comes under the thumb of unscrupulous boxing promoter Horn (Brian Dennehy), who is involved in fight-fixing and dirty fighting. Manipulating the odds and exploiting his boxers make Horn rich and more venal. In the rancid environment, Tommy befriends another fighter, Lincoln (Cuba Gooding Jr.), a black fighter who sees fighting as his way out of poverty. Inevitably, Horn arranges for the two friends to duke it out in the ring together.
What Critics Say
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Movie News
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It's the Bare-Chested Gladiators
Starz is bringing "Spartacus" to life on the small screen, greenlighting a 13-episode series from executive producers Sam Raimi, Rob Tapert and Joshua Donen, reports The Hollywood Reporter.
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A Very Big 'Gladiator'
HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 21, 2000 -- If you didn't catch hunky Russell's Crowe's biceps in "Gladiator" the first time around, here's your chance to see them in an even bigger way: in an Imax theater.
DreamWorks Pictures has announced that it will re-release "Gladiator" beginning Wednesday at the large-screen theaters across the country, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The film will be featured in theaters in San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, Atlanta, Toronto and other cities.
The Ridley Scott blockbuster follows the re-release of "The Matrix" on Imax screens in September.
"Gladiator" was a big hit at the box office earlier this year, grossing $186.6 million domestically. But if you can't get out to see Crowe on the big screen again, the film is also being released on VHS and DVD today.
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'Gladiator,' 'Tiger' receive four nods a piece
HOLLYWOOD, Feb. 26, 2001 -- The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) recognized some of the year’s best films on Sunday. "Gladiator" was chosen best film, and "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" took away best foreign-language film honors. Each of these Oscar contenders received four BAFTA awards in total.
Producers Douglas Wick, David Franzoni and Branko Lustig accepted the best film award for "Gladiator," praising director Ridley Scott during their acceptance speech, who lost out on the best director prize to Ang Lee for "Tiger."
Besides best foreign film and best director, "Crouching Tiger" also won for music (Tan Dun) and costume design (Tim Yip). Of BAFTA and the United Kingdom, Lee said: "You've always been great to me. This is like a second home to me now."
“Gladiator” also won the Orange Audience Award for most popular film of 2000. Scott thank