7/10
GLADIATOR (2000). There is only one reason why this film works and he is called Russell Crowe. No one else could have managed the level of ferocity, intensity and seriousness required to hold together what is a pretty silly film. Spectacular, certainly, but many other swords and sandals epics have been tried before and since, and what do all they have in common? That’s right, they don’t work. This one does, and RC deserved his Oscar.
