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Gladiator (2000)
 | Information at Internet
Movie Database |
| Review
by Matt McEver, Journal of Religion and Film. |
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Cinema in Focus, a
social and spiritual commentary by Hal Conklin and Denny Wayman. |
| Roger
Ebert Review, Chicago Sun-Times |
|
Looking Closer, review by Jeffrey Overstreet, "searching for truth, beauty
and meaning in the movies." |
| Hollywood
Jesus visual review |
| Review at Movie
Parables |
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"Gladiator
and the Visions of the Afterlife," Steve Lansingh, TheFilmForum:
Christian Conversation about the Movies. |
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"Gladiator:
The Reluctant Warrior," Kevin Reynolds, TheFilmForum:
Christian Conversation about the Movies. |
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Review, Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality & Health -
Spiritual Practices for Human Being. |
| Themes
 | Afterlife/Heaven
 | The Garden he enters is completely white,
symbolizing the holy spirit. He also must enter through a
narrow gate. This alludes to the passage in Matthew's Gospel.
(submitted by Steve Ash, Memphis TN) |
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| Ascension
| After his death, he levitates on the ground towards
a heaven-like garden that is completely white. Since in this
film heaven is a lateral place it is not unlikely that his
levitation was meant to symbolize an ascension. (submitted by Steve
Ash, Memphis TN) |
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| Baptism
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When Maximus is deloused after being bought by
Proximo. He is being baptised into a new life as a slave.
(submitted by Steve Ash, Memphis TN)
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| Clean/Unclean
| Maximus is portrayed as a devout, even pious man.
He is is reminder not to associate "pagan" with "godless."
We should be careful not to Christianize his beliefs. (submitted by
Mike Clark, Hamilton, Canada) |
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| Covenants
| The old method used for making an oath was for a
man to place his hand in the groin area and this is shown briefly
when Maximus makes his vow to the good king (before his son kills
him). I just think this is a cool clip to help bring the Bible to
life. (submitted by Dave Robinson, MCYM/Club Beyond (a joint
partnership between Young Life and Youth for Christ to reach US
Military-dependent students) Bad Aibling, Germany) |
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| Crucifixion
| When Commodus is taunting Maximus, while Maximus is
tied up in a crucifixtion -like pose. Then Commodus stabbs
Maximus in the side, very symbolic of Matthews passion narrative.
(submitted by Steve Ash, Memphis TN) |
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| Interconnectedness
| There is a quote that goes a little like this:
"What you do today echoes through eternity." I think an
entire year can be filled with lessons using this quote as a
launching point. (submitted by Dave Robinson, MCYM/Club Beyond (a
joint partnership between Young Life and Youth for Christ to reach
US Military-dependent students) Bad Aibling, Germany) |
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| John the Baptist
| Proximo is a John the Baptist character in the
film. Once realizing how good a gladiator Maximus is, he
guides him to achieve his goal. (submitted by Steve Ash, Memphis TN) |
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| Joseph (OT)
| Gladiator develops a similiar theme that is found
in the life of Joseph, Maximus has a "decent" into the
bottom of the social order by becoming a slave. Joseph becomes a
slave and maintains his integrity --God is with him - and as Joseph
ascends in power...in a sense conquers mighty Egypt from within.
Maximus defeats the mighty power of Rome single-handedly because of
his integrity and resolve, ascending to a place of prominence while
being a slave. (submitted by Todd A. Capen)
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