While spectators are rushing into cinemas to watch the long-awaited sequel to this cult film from the 2000s, the first opus, released more than twenty years ago, has returned in force to the Top 10 on Prime Video.
Twenty-four years after the release of Gladiatorspectators finally had the pleasure of discovering the sequel to the epic directed by Ridley Scott. The second opus, led by Paul Mescal and Pedro Pascal, picks up sixteen years after the events involving the charismatic Maximus Decimus Meridius, played by Russell Crowe. His son Lucius leads a peaceful existence in Numidia with his wife until the day his house is invaded by the Roman army led with an iron fist by general Marcus Acacius. The hero’s wife is killed and he is reduced to slavery. Lucius finds himself fighting as a gladiator for Macrinus, a former slave who will use his hatred and desire for revenge to overthrow his rival Marcus Acacius as well as the young emperors Caracalla and Geta. If Gladiator II is expected on November 22 in the United States, it has already grossed $90 million at the international box office. A real success for the film, the first opus of which is enjoying renewed success in streaming.
Gladiator makes a resounding return to Prime Video’s top 10 following the success of its sequel
The release of Gladiator II had an impact on its first opus, which made a spectacular return to the top of the most viewed films of the moment on Prime Video in France. The cult peplum knocks out the competition and takes number 2 in the streaming platform rankings, just behind the new series Cross. Subscribers certainly wanted to remember Russell Crowe’s incredible performance as Maximus Decimus Meridius. The general is the most faithful support of Marcus Aurelius, whom he led from victory to victory. Jealous of the prestige of the Commander-in-Chief of the northern armies, Commodus, the emperor’s son, stifles his own father and orders the arrest and execution of his rival. The hero escapes his assassins, but cannot prevent the massacre of his wife and his 8-year-old son residing in Roman Hispania. Captured by a slave trader, he becomes a gladiator and plots revenge against the one who has his family’s blood on his hands.
Gladiatorthe masterpiece with 5 Oscars
Gladiator marked the start of the 2000s by revisiting the peplum genre, which had enjoyed significant success in the 1960s. Ridley Scott’s film won around forty awards after its theatrical release, including the Oscar for best film and Best Actor for Russell Crowe. His character, who has become cult for his lines, also appeared in the list of the hundred greatest heroes and villains in cinema history established by the American Film Institute.
Article written in collaboration with 6Médias
