Gladiator: Critical film essay Essay

Ridley Scotts Gladiator is the critic bothy acclaimed 2000 contract starring Russell Crowe which won forty-eight awards, including a BAFTA for best film. Gladiator depicts the tale of Maximus Decimus Meridius and his struggle against the might of the roman Empire and the pitiful gladiatorial arenas. Throughout Scotts masterpiece are a wide range of filmic techniques in the optical and auditory channels that collaborate in enunciating the overall narrative. The opening sequence is a prime lesson that uses Mise-en- facial expression, lighting, costume and film speed to enunciate the key scene. The opening scene begins with some historical nurture that introduces the audience into the scene and sets up the narrative. Scott informs his audience on the vast scale of the Roman Empire, One tail end of the worlds population lived and died under the Caesars. The emphasis is on and died in order to set the scene for the incoming battle. The Universal and DreamWorks logos are in a sepia c olour. This colour informs the audience that the film is set in the past due to it being utilise for old photographs and ink. The historical breeding is accompanied by calming, serene music which leads to the first view of the agonist.Scott has made use of coloured lighting, incorporating gold (which is exemplar of the wealth the Roman Empire had) in many scenes throughout the film. The colour gold is an interesting filling because it represents peace and riches which could also be a reference to the Roman afterlife Elysium. Scott has apply Mise-en-scene in the first shot of the protagonist, brushing his hand in the corn field. Although the audience are only presented with an ingrained tight fitting up shot of his hand they learn about his character through Scotts watch of what appears in the frame. The audience sees a wedding ring on his hand and so learn that he is a family man. The critic John Gibbs also comments on Mise-en scene, the contents of the frame and the way t hey are organised. During the close-up of the protagonists hand, the audience can hear a diegetic sound of the wheat blowing. A non-diegetic sound of children vie and soothing music can also be heard which again tells the audience he is a family man with something to loose. The consonant tone of music and golden cornfields set up an idyllic scene of stillness which instantly contrasts when the frame cuts to a harsh, cold and dark Germanic battlefield. The television camera uses a medium close up of Maximuss face which reveals the emotions of a tired soldier. Maximus catches a glimpse of a red redbreast which symbolises his near return home to the summer and his family. The robins red breast could also be a signifier of the forthcoming bloodshed. When Maximus moves on to greet his army a long shot is used which displays him walking alone.The theme of isolation comes into play which also recurs throughout the film. As the battle scene draws near, a game angle long shot is used to display the mighty Roman army. Costume is used a great deal in Gladiator and adds to the films authentic chance. A medium close up shot is used for the first time on Emperor Marcus Aurelius which shows him wearing rich clothing and skirt by knights. This scene only lasts a few seconds but the audience discover he is a man of importance through costume. Moreover, Scott wanted Maximus to appear as a strong character that holds laid-back authority as an important character. This is achieved through costume as Maximuss armour is bigger than all other characters and has different insignias weaved into it. The costume for the atrocious army is rather contrasting to that of the Roman Empire. The barbarians are spiffed up in rugged cloth which suggests they are not nearly as advanced or pie-eyed as the Roams who wear steel armour. A Critical Introduction to Film highlights the importance of costume, Costume provides information about time and place, but, more importantly, they express social milieu and personal style. At 0441 the barbarian leader steps forward from his army and lunges the head of the Roman messenger into the swampy ground and disrespects the Roman army.This is a casual chain of events that help drive the plot forward, Film narration moves forward by a succession of events linked in a casual chain. It is evident that the Roman army willing fight now and Maximus kneels down to run dirt through his hands which is a recurring idea. The motif shows the spiritual side of Maximus, he asks the gods to fight beside him. As Maximus kneels down the audience are given a Point of View shot through Maximus staring into a bounders eyes. The dog symbolises the wolf force of Maximus and suggests he is a wild character. As Gladiator mounts his horse the music quickens and a non-diegetic deck out beat begins to enunciate the battle scene. The music increases pace as the battle almost begins which heightens audiences tension and excitement. As the battle begin s a wave of Roman arrows are dispersed and computer generated imaginativeness showcases a variety of special effects. A long range establishing shot on a high angle displays the destruction that the Roman Empire is unleashing.AsGladiator rides with his cavalry there is an array of unfaltering cutting shots that last a few seconds each. The fast paced shots give the audience a battle alike feel with exaggerated sound effects of swords clashing and explosions. Maximus demonstrates his leadership role by shouting commands like, amaze with me and Hold the line . After the establishing shots of the battle Scott includes scenes that are more subjective to Gladiator. The gory battle follows Maximus as he enters a slow-motion phase that displays his disorientated point of view of the battle and a montage of his men fighting. Furthermore, the dog also engages in battle which suggests he is strong and independent like Gladiator. Ridley Scotts Gladiator incorporates promising techniques th at contribute in enunciating the opening sequence.These techniques are things such as the use of costume which generates an authentic feel and camera speed which demonstrates a terrifying battle. A strong use of Mise-en-scene shows how the narrative develops through camera lighting and casual chains in the plot.