Characters are represented in the story through a narrative method, each character being revealed in a chronological order according to plot succession. Although we follow mostly the story of the protagonist Maximus and the story that conclude him to his death, the plot does turn and fall into sub-plots and that's where the dramatic aspect of the film comes into play. By going into these plots the film does not only represent the fight and action genre but divulges in the history and dramatic story. For example, story begins with Maximus leading his army against the enemy. At that time the emperor is revealed, only to find that his son would kill him. the love interest is revealed as the emperor's sister. She is seen as a powerful woman in society, and she falls in love with the gladiator and turns against her brother. Through the bonding and relationships shared between individual characters being introduced, it shows the tension between all the characters and reveals motives. This adds to the issues being represented as the theme of love, and family are being tested because of all the dilemmas and conflicts throughout the film.
Scott chose high-class actors for his film, mainly those well known around Hollywood and have a massive admiring audience. This impacts the high quality of the film, as many would see the film as successful if they have their favorite actors performing in the film. Adding to this, the film takes place in a society and timeframe much different to that of our current era. In retrospect, the actors needed to fill in their roles by associating themselves in their character and also referencing to the cultures of the Roman Empire. In Gladiator, Maximus was played by Russell Crowe. Crowe is well known for his main roles in movies that pertain to genre study of drama, so being in an action film might've been a new experience. That being the physical characteristics of him in the movie, contribute to his wonderful performance. He gives emotion as displayed in the intensity of the fight scenes and truly represents the gladiator-esque role in the film because of the efforts of the production team and the behind the scene editors.
Meaning is expressed through the shots in comparison between certain sequences. An important factor to take note of is the chose in shots throughout the film. Gladiator is a historical action film that also goes into drama. The action scenes (and the most acclaimed part of the film for some reason) are shot in long shots and waist shots. This is because there's a lot of action taking place and the camera needs to the give the actors a lot of room for fluid movement. Generally, most action scenes depend on large open areas to show a wide scale of battle, and this film is not any different. There are also uses of panning and dollies to follow characters since they are constantly moving. However, another thing i noticed is that in any section besides the fight scenes they contain close up and conversational shots. For example there'd be a lot of action and reaction shots when the characters are discussing with each other. The director wants to reveal the drama and emotions of the character and want to build them up as characters. Through these shots, inner motives are revealed and bring light to the scandalous stories of the Roman Empire.
The editing of Gladiator is really clean as expected of a Hollywood film. Let's focus on the action sequences since they seem to be the most intricate to talk about in detail. Most of the sequences consist of a variety of shots that reveal the action adventures in other perspectives. The fight scenes consists of different shots compelled to together to bring out the excitement and gut-wrenching emotion. The editing is very clear as continuity is implemented and in those scenes the 180 degree line isn't broken. For example when when Maximus is on his horse and the horse begins to jump the action is followed and it is followed correctly in the next shot. This can also be seen through many of conversations as the characters stay in place, and when they exit from the left their seen entering through the right. This is of course the basics of editing, but since the plot was not meant to be obstructed by jump cuts or too many revealing flashbacks and forwards, not much editing was necessary.
What many do not take notice of in films like Gladiator is the thought process behind why certain shots look the way they are. As i was watching the film, I took steps to understanding the concept behind these principals and I was surprised to find out how a little time spent "seeing more than just the film itself" could reveal so much. Through the camera angles, I had realized most of the film was shot using directional shots, meaning that the shadows were greatly enhanced at the cost of the detail being lost. However through insightful use of fast falloffs it adds the dramatic genre. The story is more than battles sequences as there are ideals of revenges, secret romance, and dissipation embedded in-between. The use of this technique highlights expresses the dark or complex plot.
Within the film i had noticed some symbols within the story that constantly played important roles throughout the film. One symbol is the sword, which represented downfall and anarchism in a cynical manner. The sword had been an instrument of instant death and downfall as it was used in : Maximus using his sword to kill the king's enemies, Commodus killing his father for the throne, the gladiator killing his competitors, Commodus being killed in the same way he killed his father. Scott chose this symbol because all the important character had used it as an instrument of evil for their revenge. If we had a certain perspective of kindness for character it would shattered as the sword revealed them as savages. Another symbol was Crowe walking through wheat fields, representing eternal peace. Wheat can be viewed as a symbol of life, providing food and nourishment in life. As his hands graze the stalks of wheat, it can be interpreted as him feeling at peace and being truly alive and not wrapped up in the thought of war.
The technical elements of the film are the main reason why this film won awards and nominations. The year 2000 brings up thoughts of Matrix and high end animation and special effects. Both these films (Gladiator and Matrix) express these high budget films, however the reason why Gladiator won over other films will be expressed in the following section. A lot of money is needed to make animation and special effects, of course you already knew that. What many don't know is that the progression of technology plays a key role in the film's production, and Ridley scott was very much involved with the best of the best of technology. Having teamed up with film company "DREAMWORKS" they were given all the tools and technology to make the CGI animation of the film. An product of their animation abilities is the green screen and 3d visual effects around trying to recreate the roman empire. For example we'd see the character, but behind them was a setting revealing pillars, people in robes, any details that contribute to the setting. This also meant that much would not be needed for the set design as certain parts of the film a set could be created through animation. Yet, the director added to the realism of the film by placing certain scenes in the film in actual parts of Rome like the wheat fields and some of the historical locations (coliseum.)
The emotional impact through film is conveyed through the extremities of close-ups and the intense use of foreshadowing. Let's focus on the elements used in film, for example at the beginning of the film we are shown a huddle of soldiers before a battle. The lighting is very cool, and shadowed reflected greatly on their faces. All these elements are important as more emotion is expressed through the use of falloff. Even though it seems less detailed in the film, the shadows can represent the darkness of the film figuratively. These men are going into the bloodiest battle of their life, and when the hero returns he sees his wife and child killed. This is revealed as a flashback, and now it shows his inner motive of revenge in the film. Other conflicts in his journey to avenging his family fall into place, and that what makes a large portion of the film. Also considering that this film falls in the genre of drama, emotions would be displayed as the fall of the roman empire is retold in a tragic tale of deception and rebirth. Another example of emotion being displayed is the soundtrack of choice, pertaining to one of the time period. Mostly instrumental/orchestra and accapella which truly encompass the feel of an epic film.
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