Ridley Scott's greatest film ever made. A masterpiece in almost every way and a magnificent return to the sword and sandals Roman epic tradition of the 1960s. Gladiator is more brutal than Spartacus and Ben-Hur and does a lot more to capture the real atrocities of being a Roman slave. Russell Crowe is also unmissable in this inspirational story of a Roman General forced into slavery by a corrupt new Emperor (Joaquin Phoenix), but then decides to stand up to an Empire. The violence is almost unwatchable, but this is a strong contender for film of the decade. A classic.