Gladiator

"At my signal unleash hell." Maximus

☆☆☆☆☆ Classic 

Gladiator (2000) is an acting tour de force for Russell Crowe.

Directed by Ridley Scott.

Starring Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen, Richard Harris, Oliver Reed among many others.

Some films from the start transport you to a world you could only read about in novels. Even fewer films have a lead actor that cements the directors creative reality with his presence and manner and physicality. Ridley's directing and Russell's acting tandem remind me of Werner Herzog and Klaus Kinski's team-up for Aguirre, Der Zorn Gottes, Aguirre, Wrath of God (1972). From the moment you see Russell in Germania with his Roman legions you are taken back 2,000 years. Scott has always been to me an epic film maker in the mold of David Lean.

Russell is magnetic as Maximus. What I always enjoy about Crowe's acting is his believability. I believe every word and action emanating from his being. In this towering role he reminded me of John Wayne. If you look closely most of Russell's scene partners are much taller and bigger than he is and yet they are no match for Russell's prodigious acting gifts which make him a giant among men.

Connie is breathtaking in her performance. She steals every scene she is in with a subdued and eloquent presence. I first saw Nielsen in The Devil's Advocate and thought she was an acting force to be reckoned with. Connie proves me right in this film. I first took notice of Joaquin in this film. Phoenix's younger sibling River cast a large shadow that Joaquin has managed to overcome. I love the way Phoenix mocks Russell's sword play by twirling his hands.

In the scene below I love the interaction between Russell and Connie. Watch how Connie plays her characters subtext of seduction. Crowe looks to be enjoying Nielsens subtle seduction.

Film Scene

Trivia - The wounds on Russell's face in the opening scene are real. Crowe's horse got startled and backed Russell into tree branches.

Original Film Trailer

Original Script

Aguirre, Der Zorn Gottes - Aguirre, The Wrath Of God

"That man is a head taller than me. That may change." Aguirre

☆☆☆☆☆ Masterpiece

Aguirre, Der Zorn Gottes - Aguirre, The Wrath Of God (1972) is a haunting tale of madness.

Directed by Werner Herzog.

Starring Klaus Kinski, Helene Rojo, Del Negro, Ruy Guerra and Peter Berling among many others.

Werner from the opening scene to its climatic ending mesmerizes with stunning visuals and sound. From the start you know how it will all end. Herzog draws you in and never lets you out. Your fate is sealed with that of his characters.

The film was inspired by a book of historical explorers a friend had given him. When Herzog read about the mad explorer, Lope De Aguirre, he knew Klaus Kinski was perfect for the role. Werner wrote the script in two and a half days while on a 200 miles bus ride with his soccer team. The entire production was shot in five weeks following nine months of pre-production on location in Peru's rain forest along the Amazon river.

Klaus is hypnotic to watch in every seen he is in. I wondered why he had such a heavy limp throughout the film. I discovered in researching Kinski that he had read that Aguirre himself had a severe limp from a war injury. Researching your character is so important in its development. What actor would have dreamed up on his own a limp for an explorer who had to scale mountains in his journeys.

Herzog keeps the dialogue simple and subdued. He somehow kept Klaus' vulcanic temper restrained which made Kinski's madness even more frightening. This is the first time while watching a film that I feared for the lives of the actors who were in scenes with Klaus.

Werner uses nature to slowly and methodically consume the characters. You feel a sense of impending doom that is fulfilled only in the last moments of the film.

The scene below shows the depth of Klaus' submersion into his character. Reminds me of Edgard Ramirez' work in Olivier Assayas' epic film, Carlos (2010). Klaus shares Edgard's fearlessness to lose himself completely in the role. Look into Kinski's eyes. Klaus is Aguirre and Aguirre is Klaus. Enjoy!

Film Scene

Trivia - When Klaus was young he rented a room from Herzog and for three months Kinski's terrorized Werner and his family with his mad rants. When Werner read about Aguirre he remembered Klaus' mad rants were perfect for the character. 

Film Trailer