Gladiator - The Making of the Ridley Scott Epic

by Diana Landau, John Logan, Ridley Scott

The official illustrated companion book to the winner of five Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Actor (Russell Crowe), Costume Design, Sound, and Visual Effects.

Director Ridley Scott (Blade Runner, Thelma and Louise, Alien) brings the glorious battles of the ancient Roman arena back to the big screen. Set against the splendor and barbarity of the Roman Empire in AD 180, Gladiator tells an epic story of courage and revenge: The great Roman general Maximus (Russell Crowe) has been forced into exile and slavery by the jealous heir to the throne, Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix). Trained as a gladiator, Maximus returns to Rome, intent on avenging the murder of his family by Commodus, now emperor. The one power stronger than that of the emperor is the will of the people, and Maximus knows he can attain his revenge only by becoming the greatest hero in all the Empire. Russell Crowe heads up an international cast that includes Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielson, Oliver Reed, Derek Jacobi, Djimon Hounsou, and Richard Harris. Directed by Ridley Scott from a script by David Franzoni and John Logan, Gladiator is produced by Franzoni, Douglas Wick, and Branko Lustig, with Walter F. Parkes serving as executive producer.

This is the official full-color companion book, featuring excerpts from the screenplay, historical sidebars and illustrations, details on period costumes and epic set designs, behind-the-scenes photographs from the location filming, and interviews with the screenwriters, actors, and director.

Genres: Film, Media Tie In, Nonfiction

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

Reviews

[Mohamed]

أفضل فيلمين لملحمتين تاريخيتين عندي Gladiator and Troy

[Sara]

epic!
as movie

[Avaladez1]

This story was epic in many ways but mt favorite parts ws the arena battles. Its a classic story on ancient roman times in Eroupe. In this story a man grows up to become a gladiator for the king. although he had a family to worry about. The name of this killing maniac is Spartacus.
The reason I chose this book was because my mom went to the store and bought a set of penguin readers books. The following day she told me she wanted me to read them all by 2010. But being the fact that I have a milloin outher things to do than read I took longer.

[Saman]

در صورت تمایل، جهت مشخصات فیلمی که بر اساس این کتاب ساخته شده‌ است؛ می‌توانید از لینک زیر استفاده بفرمایید
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0172495

[Jessica]

I found this book at the library I work and I rented it out the same day!

It is so full of detail, the author even puts in the allusions and references that gave this film life! From costume design, to character history, to on set film location to sketches by Ridley Scott himself, this book is a treasure to own. I am seriously considering losing it on purpose just so that I can own it! Okay, so maybe I won't do it but man, it is quite a read. There were so many quotes about the production that stood out to me just as much as the ones used in the film. My favorite part was when the book discussed the use of animals. A must own for any Ridley Scott fan!

[Rob]

This book did a great job of describing what was involved in creating the film, Gladiator, which is one of my favorite films. It provided plenty of information in a succinct manner.

[Donovan Thompson]

Really good read, lots of respect to the cast and crew for the work put into this film, the concept illustrations were defo my favourite part, what an amazing artstyle!!

[Daniel Rodriguez]

The book talks about the story of the most important roman soldier of the Caesar Marcus Aurelio. The Caesar before die said that he wants to name Maximus the new Caesar instead of his son. When the Caesar Marcus tell this to his song Commodus he decide to kill his father and say to everybody that the Caesar die when he was sleeping and he named himself the new Caesar. Commodus knew that Maximus knew that he killed the Caesar and for that reason Commodus gave the order to kill Maximus and his family. The family was killed but Maximus was alive. Then a man who was in the business of gladiators took him and became him a slave. The new Caesar opened the coliseum to honoring his father. The man who took Maximus putted him to fight in the coliseum, when the Caesar saw that Maximus was alive and fighting, he tried to killed but he couldn’t because he was a excellent fighter. Next, Maximus, the sister of the Caesar and some senators made a plan to lift the Caesar but Commodus knew it and threat his sister of kill her son. The plan was release Maximus and that he found his army but he was escaping the soldiers took him. The Caesar was angry but he couldn’t kill maximus in secret because everybody love him. He decided to fight with him in the coliseum but before the fight the Caesar sticks him a knife several times. The fight started and maximus won but he also died. Finally, the senators took the power again.

[Jessica]

I found this book at the library I work and I rented it out the same day!

It is so full of detail, the author even puts in the allusions and references that gave this film life! From costume design, to character history, to on set film location to sketches by Ridley Scott himself, this book is a treasure to own. I am seriously considering losing it on purpose just so that I can own it! Okay, so maybe I won't do it but man, it is quite a read. There were so many quotes about the production that stood out to me just as much as the ones used in the film. My favorite part was when the book discussed the use of animals. A must own for any Ridley Scott fan!

[Amirul Rox]

The emperor killed his own father and claimed that Gladiator kill him. Gladiator was send to be exacuted by the emperor officers. But luckily, the servant glued one of the sword and stucked on the sword cover. Gladiator managed to escaped, but he was injured. Two days later, the people find him lying down somewhere on the desert, and brought him to duel. After long of dueling, the emeperor was impressed with his fighting. Soon later, the emperor know his true identity. The emperor then wanted to fought with him and in the end the both died. But gladiator won because the emperor died and Gadiator died due to lack of food. People saluted him and the prisoners were free.

[Jen]

Do not read this unless you have seen the movie. The book gives away the ending. However this book was fantastic. It gives a good overview of a period of Roman history as well as explaining the inspiration behind movie makers. I enjoyed all of the parts of the book, costumes, special effects etc. At no point did it become too bogged down in movie jargon to understand. Great read to get people into reading non-fiction.

[sanaz]

I love it. I really do!!!

[Mohamad asgari]

very good ramance!

[Morteza ata...]

فیلمش خیلی با حاله

[Bridget]

Loved this movie so much.

[Tori]

This is one of my favorite movies and when I saw this book at the library I was really excited. From page one I was not all that impressed. Some of the background info and sketches were good.

[Nancy Clifford]

Loved it. Of course.