Of all of Russell Crowe's movies, I would rate this one among his best. I remember, when they interviewed the director (Ridley Scott). He mentioned that the Maximus character was actually several roman generals, compiled over many years. Russell Crowe was able to make his character believable to the audience. Even though his general dies in the end, he is able to acquire the freedom for his fellow gladiators, and return Rome to a republic again.
