Gladiator’s Opening: Makes the Audience Favour Maximus and Dislike Commodus?

Gladiator is one of the most famous historical films in history, starring the likes of Russell Crowe, Richard Harris and Joaquin Phoenix. It was directed by Ridley Scott and released in 2000. Since then, its popularity has soared and it is widely considered one of the best history-based films ever. It tells the story of Maximus Decimus Meridius, a Roman general who escapes the wrath of the corrupt emperor Commodus before being sold as a slave and taking part in battles as a gladiator. The opening of the film is edited in a way that persuades the audience to see Maximus as a likeable character and Commodus as an evil and heartless individual.

Most people, when asked, would tell you that the film begins with the famous battle scene in Germania; however this is not the case as Ridley Scott wanted to show the character of Maximus in a different light. The actual first scene shows Maximus alone walking through a golden wheat field without a sword in his hand, brushing the crop with his left hand. Significantly, his left hand is the one on which he wears his wedding ring, meaning that we instantly associate Maximus with being a loving family man. Warm, bright light fills this whole field, again emphasising the feeling of comfort and serenity that the audience feel towards Maximus. Peaceful, almost celestial music plays in the background, also reinforcing the audience’s growing admiration for the character of Maximus. Being in a wheat field is also important because it means that we see Maximus as a simple farmer, who is a creator of life and shows no signs of a love of power whatsoever. Dirt is rubbed on his hands before he takes part in the many fights that take place in the film, again giving the idea that he is a creator of life.

Furthermore, animals are also used to influence the audience’s opinions regarding Maximus. During the initial battle scene in the woods, a dog actively protects Maximus from hurt and eventually sacrifices its own life to save Maximus. The fact that an animal, not possessing intelligence as high as that of a human is loyal and devoted to Maximus increases the level of respect that the audience have for him. Similarly to both Maximus and the robin, the dog displays levels of brutality and mercilessness that seem a long distance from its true nature in order to defend what mattered to it. Also in this scene, a robin is shown on screen for only a few seconds. The choice of a robin is significant because robins are known to be highly territorial, ruthlessly attacking any animal that enters its territory. This trait is very similar to how protective Maximus is of both his men and his family.

Additionally, the army of soldiers that Maximus leads show great respect to him and seem to see him as a friend instead of a leader. As he walks among them, they all kneel to him out of choice, not because they feel that they have to. Significantly, Scott chose that Maximus would recognise and speak to one of his soldiers. This shows that Maximus has a relationship with his soldiers as if he is a friend as well as simply a leader in battle. Friendly images like this increase the image of Maximus as an everyday farmer as opposed to a heartless and power hungry warrior. He shows no arrogance about being in charge of such a large army and sees himself as being no more important than his lowest ranked soldier, ensuring that he is seen as a modest and humble man who the audience instantly identify with and warm to.

Moreover, Scott aims to portray Maximus as a fierce warrior, who is still capable of remorse and compassion. Throughout the battle scene, Maximus is shown fighting in the midst of the main battle along with all of his men. He does not see himself as higher up in the hierarchy than his comrades and he fights gallantly along with them, instead of hiding away and leading from the back. Also, in the heat of battle, he holds back in mid-strike when he sees that he is about to kill his own man. Most soldiers would not have bothered to stop as they would be too absorbed in the battle, whereas Maximus’ compassion stops him from continuing with the attack. When the battle ends, it is clear that Maximus feels sadness and remorse for those that have been wounded or killed, another admirable quality that is a direct contrast to the way in which Commodus reacts when he hears of the plight of his soldiers.

In addition, Maximus is again shown as humble and not looking for power throughout the opening of the film, another way for the director to influence the way in which the audience perceive him. When Marcus Aurelius offers Maximus any reward he wants for his amazing achievements, he simply replies that he would like to go home, see his family and harvest his crops in peace. Again, this portrays Maximus as a selfless man who would do anything simply to return to his home and to the people that he loves. The impression given by this is that Maximus does not want to be a General and would much rather just be an everyday farmer who lives a peaceful, harmless life with his family where he could be happy and live a safe life without all the complications and danger that come with being a soldier.

Ridley Scott aims to show Commodus; Marcus Aurelius’ son in a bad light, so that we are instantly aware that he is the bad guy. He is first shown tucked away in a dark, cosy carriage, in stark contrast to Maximus’ first scene in the brightly lit cornfield. His face is shown in shadow, giving the impression that he does things that he does not want others to know about. This is supported by the quote from Commodus’s sister, who says that she is fed up with his “incessant scheming”, showing that even his own family are beginning to turn against him. Oppositely, Maximus is shown to be the ultimate family man and comrade. Commodus is informed of the number of soldiers that were wounded in the battle, but his reaction is less than honourable. He seems to toss aside this information and continue on with what he was doing, showing absolutely no compassion for these people or for their families.

Finally, Maximus is shown to be more loyal to Marcus Aurelius than Aurelius’ own son; Commodus. Marcus Aurelius is becoming old, so naturally looks to Commodus for help if he struggles with anything. However, during the opening of the film, Maximus is seen to be the person who seeks to help him when he struggles to mount his horse. Maximus moves instantly to help the struggling Emperor, whereas his son just looks on. Aurelius then states “so much for the glory of Rome”, referring to the fact that his son will become emperor when he dies and that he doesn’t think his son will do well, whereas Maximus would. This means that the audience’s respect for Maximus goes up even more as he is helping a frail old man without having to be prompted. Instantly, the audience connects this action with Marcus Aurelius wishing that Maximus was his son, a fact that is reiterated often until the point of Marcus Aurelius’ death at the hands of his son: Commodus.

In conclusion, the opening of Gladiator utilises many different techniques in order to sway the audience into liking Maximus and despising Commodus. These techniques are very effective because, when watching the film, you do not notice that all of these devices are influencing your views about the character; a very clever method for Ridley Scott and the rest of the production team to use. These devices continue to be used throughout the rest of the film, but become more pronounced and less subliminal as Commodus clearly spirals downwards into tyranny whilst Maximus soars in popularity, earning the nickname “Maximus The Merciful” from the people of Rome, due to his sparing of defeated combatants in the arena in direct defiance to Commodus.