Screening

About Gladiator

This modern classic—presented here in its theatrical cut—follows Roman general Maximus, who is sold into slavery after he refuses to  pledge loyalty to the emperor's power-hungry son, Commodus. In his quest to restore his honor and avenge his family, Maximus rises through the ranks of gladiators. He becomes legendary, fighting in arenas across the Roman Empire in his bid to meet Commodus once again in the Colosseum. The film received five Academy Awards and features a star-studded cast including an Oscar-winning Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen, Djimon Hounsou, and Oliver Reed in his final film role. [155 min; drama, action; English]

As part of the Art and a Movie series, this screening is in connection with the Eskenazi Museum of Art's new exhibition "Portraits of Septimius Severus and Julia Domna: An Exploration of Roman Imperial Identity and Power." Learn more here.

Before the film, head over to the Eskenazi Museum of Art for a pre-screening gallery talk on the real-life story of Gladiator from 12-12:30pm! Free, registration required.

"[Gladiator] catapulted Crowe into super-stardom, removed any doubt that Scott could work within any particular genre with success, and took a dusty old genre and made it new again." — Michael Clark, Epoch Times

"A mountain, a fever dream, an epic poem of a motion picture. Equal parts Ben-Hur and Braveheart, it is a victory not likely to be equaled any time soon." — Rick Kisonak, Seven Days

"Wholly improbable and voluptuously satisfying, Gladiator and its sheer shivery pleasure in cinematic spectacle and big emotion deserve a very Roman 'thumbs up.'" — Alison Gillmor, Winnipeg Free Press

Any film screened at IU Cinema may contain content that viewers find sensitive or upsetting. Visit our Audience Advisories page to learn more.