Gladiator (Limited Edition Steel Book) [Blu-ray]

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

Gladiator picked up five Academy Awards® and tells the story of Maximus Decimus (played by Russell Crowe), a Roman general who is betrayed by the corrupt prince Commodus. Captured and enslaved along the outer fringes of the Roman Empire, Maximus rises through the ranks of the gladiatorial arena to avenge the murders of his family and his emperor.
This format-defining release is presented on two BD 50 dual-layer discs and includes 11 hours of extra content. The first disc will include both the theatrical and extended version of the film, audio commentary, deleted scenes and the Vision of Elysium: Topic Portal, a new U-Control feature that allows viewers to tag moments of interest throughout the film and create a "shopping list" of topics to learn about in the supplements on disc two. The second disc also includes Strength and Honour: Creating the World of Gladiator, the definitive documentary on the origin, product and impact of the film.

Includes Art Cards

Disc One

Theatrical version: MM A.D. (155 mins.)

• Audio commentary by director Ridley Scott, cinematographer John Mathieson and editor Pietro Scalia
• Deleted Scenes with optional commentary

Extended version: MMV A.D. (171 mins.)

• Introduction by Ridley Scott
• Audio commentary by Director Ridley Scott and actor Russell Crowe

U-control features on both theatrical and extended versions:

• The Scrolls of Knowledge: the original Are you not entertained trivia track newly enhanced allowing viewers to access a series of new behind-the-scenes featurettes exploring key scenes throughout the film
• Vision of Elysium: Topic Portal, a U-Control feature that allows you while watching disc one to tag moments of interest throughout the entire film, creating a “shopping lists” of topics to learn more about from the features on disc two

Disc Two

Vision of Elysium: Topic Portal, a U-Control feature that automatically accesses further content from tagged moments of interest that have been marked by you from disc one

Strength and Honour: Creating the World of Gladiator (200 mins.): The definitive documentary on the origin, production and impact of this Oscar-winning Best Picture, includes:

• Tale of the Scribes: Story Development
• The Tools of War: Weapons
• Attire of the Realm: Costume Design
• The Heat of Battle: Production Journals Germania / Zucchabar / Rome
• Shadows and Dust: Resurrecting Proximo
• The Glory of Rome: Visual Effects
• Echoes in Eternity: Release and Impact

Strength and Honour will now include all-new Picture-In-Picture content accessed via U-Control (156mins)

Aurelian Archives:

• The Making of Gladiator (25 mins.)
• Gladiator Games: The Roman Bloodsport (50mins.)
• Hans Zimmer: Scoring Gladiator(21 mins.)
• Maximus Uncut: Between the Takes with Russell Crowe (8mins.)
• My Gladiator Journal by Spencer Treat Clark (Text/Photos): the personal diary of the young actor who played Lucius, providing a unique and amusing perspective on the creation of an epic film
• VFX Explorations: Germania and Rome (24 mins.)

Image and Design

• Production Design Featurette and Galleries (10 mins.)
• Storyboard Demonstration (14 mins.)
• Multi-Angle Storyboard Comparisons and Galleries (15 mins. x 2 angles)
• Ridleygram Galleries
• Costume Design Galleries
• Photo Galleries

Abandoned Sequences and Deleted Scenes:

• Alternate opening: titles and featurette (9 mins.)
• Blood Vision (with optional commentary) (3 mins.)
• Rhino Fight (with optional commentary) (5 mins.)
• Choose Your Weapon (1 min.)
• Treasure Chest (7mins)

Trailers and TV Spots (13 mins.)

Ridley Scott (Blade Runner, Alien) transports Hollywood to second-century Rome in this rousing historical epic that proudly harkens back to such films as Ben-Hur and Spartacus. Russell Crowe plays Maximus, a Roman general who leads the troops in conquering Germania for the empire. When an ageing Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris) tells Maximus that he'd like him to rule Rome once he's gone, a classic confrontation ensues between the brave and charming soldier--who wants to return home to his wife, son, and farm--and the jealous and conniving Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix), the emperor's only son, who is thirsty for power. Bought as a slave by the profiteering Proximo (Oliver Reed, in his last role), Maximus must kill or be killed in the ring, battling to save not only himself but the future of the very empire that he loves and honours. The film features a terrific battle sequence (that recalls the beginning of Saving Private Ryan), huge crowd scenes of thousands of people, and even a little romance, albeit mostly taboo. The impeccably choreographed gladiator scenes are violent yet thrilling, flashing by like lightning. Gladiator is a glorious spectacle filled with heart and soul.

An awesome achievement, a gloriously entertaining thrill-packer.