What we flagged
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Our take
This is a long, intense historical epic about a Roman general who loses everything and is thrown into the gladiator arena. The battle and arena scenes are frequent and bloody, with swords, spears, and a great deal of killing, though the gore is strong but not lingering. Grief runs through the whole film, including the murder of the hero's family. There is some coarse language and plenty of wine, but no real sexual content. This is a grown-up watch, best kept to teens around M and up.
Uplifting themes
Honour, loyalty, and standing firm against a tyrant run strong through the story. The hero holds onto his principles even when it costs him everything he has Maximus is steady, brave, and protective of the men beside him, leading by example instead of cruelty. His sense of duty and mercy stands out against the villain The film paints a vivid, loosely accurate picture of imperial Rome and its arena culture. It is a drama first, so the history is best taken lightly
Story (may spoil tone)
After the death of Emperor Marcus Aurelius, his devious son takes power and demotes Maximus, one of Rome's most capable generals who Marcus preferred. Eventually, Maximus is forced to become a gladiator and battle to the death against other men for the amusement of paying audiences.
What we flagged
Details
Violence Battlefields and the arena deliver sustained, hard-hitting combat, with…
Battlefields and the arena deliver sustained, hard-hitting combat, with sword and spear fighting, beheadings, and crowds roaring for blood. It is tightly staged, but the sheer amount of killing stacks up across a long runtime
Language A few harsher insults land, including the b-word and a crude put-down o…
A few harsher insults land, including the b-word and a crude put-down or two. It stays occasional and mild next to everything else on screen
Sex / nudity There is talk of lovers and an uncomfortable hint of obsession inside t…
There is talk of lovers and an uncomfortable hint of obsession inside the royal family, though nothing explicit appears. Romance sits well in the background of a war story
Drugs / alcohol Wine is poured and drunk at Roman gatherings as part of the period sett…
Wine is poured and drunk at Roman gatherings as part of the period setting. It never becomes a talking point of its own
Frightening The arena carries a genuine do-or-die tension, and the young emperor's…
The arena carries a genuine do-or-die tension, and the young emperor's cold cruelty keeps the dread simmering. The scale of the fighting can feel overwhelming for younger viewers
Child peril / abuse The hero's young son is among the family killed away from the main acti…
The hero's young son is among the family killed away from the main action, glimpsed only as aftermath. The moment is upsetting but not graphic
Bullying / discrimination Slavery and the trade in arena fighters run through the story as a cons…
Slavery and the trade in arena fighters run through the story as a constant backdrop. The powerful treat these men as property to be bought and used
Gore / death / weapons Wounds, blood, and fallen bodies fill the arena, including a severed li…
Wounds, blood, and fallen bodies fill the arena, including a severed limb and a brutal animal attack. Deaths come often and the weapons stay front and centre, though the camera does not dwell on the worst of it
Grief / bereavement Loss powers the whole film, from a dying emperor to the murder of the h…
Loss powers the whole film, from a dying emperor to the murder of the hero's wife and child. His mourning and his need for justice sit under every scene
Flashing lights We have not confirmed whether this version contains flashing lights.
We have not confirmed whether this version contains flashing lights.
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Talk after watching
- Maximus holds onto his sense of honour even when it costs him dearly. When is standing by your principles worth the price?
- The crowd cheers for blood in the arena. Why do you think people are drawn to watching others fight?
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Gladiator
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