Gladiator screencap analysis - Basil Allen


This scene from Gladiator (2000) is incredibly meaningful both tonally and in terms of the plot. In it, Maximus reveals his true identity to Commodus. Maximus gives a powerful speech, declaring who he is and what he wants: vengeance. Commodus, shocked and disgusted, desperately wants to kill Maximus where he stands. However, both the crowd and the other gladiators stand by Maximus; the other gladiators stand in between the pair, physically protecting Maximus, and the crowd chants, "live! Live!" with growing intensity. Commodus is forced, by the will of the people, to save him, despite every instinct and desire he has to kill him right where he stands. 

This shot exemplifies the tension between the two. Most notably, the sword at Commodus' neck. Its presence represents how he is feeling: threatened and "at knife point" to save Maximus from death, as well as threatened by Maximus himself. He stares directly at him, an expression of hatred and disgust on his face, while the thumbs up contrasts directly with this; his expression says that he wants Maximus dead, while his body language (the thumbs up) saves Maximus from death. In addition to this, his lavish, gold and black armor contrasts with Maximus' plain, dirty armor, creating a sense of power imbalance on both sides. In accordance with this, the viewer sees Maximus from the back, which creates a sense of vulnerability, though the fact that Commodus looks up to him creates a sense of power. Both men are threatened and powerful at the same time, and this shot exemplifies that. 

Comments

  1. Kai Makino-DillowayOctober 26, 2023 at 6:29 PM

    Just from looking at this image, I didn't even realize the imagery around the sword and the pressure on Commodus. Now that you point it out, that's a brilliant observation and move on the director's part. I also believe part of the reason why Maximus' back is turned to us is because we, the audience, is supposed to see the scene from Maximus' point of view, which increases the already high tension and stakes of the scene. But it also does make us and Maximus vulnerable, like you said.

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