The Colosseum of Rome
For this genre, Gladiator’s Colosseum of Rome surpasses prior versions of gladiator fights, such as that found in Spartacus or Ben Hur. In Gladiator, the camera shows the entire Colosseum, revealing the power and wealth of the Roman Empire. But, the camera also shows the interior tunnels where the gladiators await the fights, and they are dark, gritty, and unidealized. These sets reveal the dark side of the Roman Empire, and are uncompromising. Director Ridley Scott’s crew constructed only the first rows of the Colosseum used for the movie, with the remainder of the arena and fans being computer generated. The effect is remarkably realistic. Compared with “Ben Hur” from 1925 which had a “staged” feel, or “Spartacus” from 1960, which involved many, many extras, the computer generated version seems more truthful and natural. This is done through providing camera shots of the computer generated crowd, interspersed with head shots of real people watching the action. The only downside to the colosseum is the fact that the inner part of the arena has pillars identical to the ones in “Ben Hur” 1959. However unlike prior films such as Spartacus, the common man isn’t handsome or appealing. He looks unwell, poor and is viciously enjoying the action.
This is a shot of a few authentic spectators, and thousands of computer generated spectators.
The fighting which takes place in the Colosseum is also more realistic, than prior movies of this genre. Director Ridley Scott conveys thrilling and gritty images of the daily gladiatorial battles in the Colosseum, even though the Colosseum was only partially built by the production team and was then filled with computer generated crowds. Arena combat is shown up close with great detail and bloody realism. Weapons and costumes appear to be more historically accurate than in prior movies. For example, Maximus, in one scene fights Tigris a Gaul who wears extensive armor and an unusual face mask. As they fight, tigers are released from trap doors from beneath the surface of the arena, and held back on chains gripped by a team of men, presumably slaves. The tigers are terrifying and real looking and the method of release is historically accurate. Compare this with “Quo Vadis” from 1951 in which Emperor Nero releases lions, to maul and eat the Christians. The Christians are unrealistically well fed and well groomed, as are the bloodthirsty, cheering members of the crowd. The lions are released from cages built into the side of the arena, which was probably easier to do in 1951, but not historically accurate. The lions chase the Christians, but little is shown of what this scene would actually look like in reality: gruesome and horrifying. Overall, in comparison to prior films in its genre, Gladiator is far more vivid and horrifying in showing gladiator combat.
