Gladiator is a return to the Hollywood era of epics such as Spartacus and Ben Hur, the previous emperors of the arena contests, which must now abdicate their thrones as there is a new champion. The only film of recent years that comes close to achieving the same bloody realism of pre-gunpowder battles is Braveheart, a stunning film, which is also bested by the opening scene in this movie.

The film opens with the mythical General Maximus Decimus Meridius (Russell Crowe) leading his troops into battle in Germania against the final remaining barbarian resistance. As he says in the film “At my signal...unleash Hell”. This is exactly what Ridley Scott does, the battle scenes are incredibly, if not disturbingly, realistic. In just the first ten minutes of the film, the viewers adrenaline is already on overload as the intricate cinematography and authentic sounds actually place you right in the centre of the raging battle. The opening scene also tells us what kind of man Maximus is. Evidently brave, revered by his troops and longing to return home to his wife and child, he is the epitome of the noble warrior.

Maximus is captured and eventually sold to Proximo (Oliver Reed), an ex-gladiator turned trainer. As a Gladiator Maximus quickly earns renown and, when the games are reopened in Rome, he is taken to the Colosseum to perform. In the first battle, in which Maximus and his fellow Gladiators are supposed to be slaughtered, he outwits his opponents and is drawn to the attention of the new emperor, Commodus. Their meeting in the arena is superb with Commodus requesting that Maximus reveal his identity, after a brief confrontation Maximus removes his mask and majestically proclaims.

Effectively this decribes the remainder of the film, Maximus is set on vengeance and Commodus on trying to find a way to kill Maximus. He must do this without alienating the crowd of the Colosseum; the true power in Rome and in awe of the mighty Maximus. Added to the general fray is Lucilla (Connie Nielsen), sister of Commodus and previously romantically engaged with Maximus, who has to fend of the incestuous advances of the emperor (Royalty!) whilst aiding Maximus and the senate to overthrow him. The film contiues with superb action sequences and enough of a plot to keep the mind engaged leading to a slightly abrupt (lack of money apparently) but satisfying enough ending.

Phoenix is also something of a revelation giving the emperor the right mix of megalomaniacal greed and neurotic frailty. He is almost the antithesis of Maximus, cowardly, deceitful and unloved. Connie Nielsen also portrays the role of emperor’s sister well combining both regality and humanity, as the situation requires. As for the old stagers, Reed gives himself a fitting send off with a great display as well as having some of the best lines in the film, Harris is terrific as the ageing emperor and several others also shine including Djimon Hounsou (Amistad) who is a fellow gladiator.

Accepting that there are a few imperfections in no way detracts from a film that should be essential viewing for all, well as long as you’re over 15 anyway. This is an epic of fantastic quality, a film that collects you at the start and takes you for a (barely noticeable) 150-minute ride through a visually superb, amazingly atmospheric and enthralling story that will leave you breathless. If you haven’t seen this yet …you should…NOW!!