Reel vs. Real: “Gladiator” the Movie

Reel vs. Real: “Gladiator” the Movie

Reel vs. Real: Gladiator

Gladiator CD Cover

Russel Crowe in Gladiator

I love history and historical fiction. I love to read it, write it and watch it. When an epic hits the big screen, I eagerly plunk down my money, buy popcorn, cheer the good guys, and boo the bad guys. It’s fun, but I have no illusions about the accuracy of the historical content. Movie producers are first and foremost entertainers who want to earn a profit from their product. Part of the entertainment for me is seeing what they get right and what they get wrong. Gladiator is the first in my “Reel vs. Real” series where I explore what is real behind the reel. These won’t be movie reviews, but a way to get at the history behind the entertainment.

Ridley Scott directed Gladiator, which came out in 2000.  I watched it in the theater and recently reviewed the DVD.  So let’s check the facts about the characters: (more…)