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Gladiator

Date: Jun 29 2000

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Intro

1. Learn Vocabulary - Learn some new vocabulary before you start the lesson.

crippled

2. Read and Prepare - Read the introduction and prepare to hear the audio.

Plot: Maximus (Russell Crowe), a Roman general, is about to be appointed Caesar of Rome. But before this happens, the current Caesar’s son kills his own father. This makes the son the new Caesar. Maximus is enslaved and spends the rest of his life trying to gain his freedom by fighting as a Gladiator.
Clip: In this scene, the dying Caesar tells Maximus that he wants him to be the next Caesar, instead of his son. Maximus has a very difficult decision to make.

Dialog

1. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.

Caesar

Maximus

Caesar: There is one more duty that I ask of you before you go home.

Maximus: What would you have me do, Caesar?

Caesar: I want you to become the protector of Rome after I die. I will empower you to one end alone give power back to the people of Rome, and end the corruption that has crippled it. Do you except this great honor that I have offered you?

Maximus: With all my heart, no.

Caesar: Maximus, that is why it must be you.

Maximus: But surely a prefect, a senator, somebody who knows the city, who understands the politics.

Caesar: You have not been corrupted by politics.

Maximus: And Commodus? *

Caesar: Commodus is not a moral man. You have known that since you were young. Commodus cannot rule. He must not rule! You are the son that I should have had. Commodus will accept my decision. He knows that you command the loyalty of the army.

Maximus: I need some time.

Caesar: By sunset, I hope you will have agreed. Now embrace me as my son, and bring an old man another blanket.*

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Discussion

This conversation does a good job of explaining the plot of the movie. The Caesar is an old man, and Maximus is maybe in his 30s. Since they are supposed to be Romans, they have slight accents, which might make it a little hard to understand when you see the movie. I really liked this film. In fact, it’s the best I’ve seen in a long time. Russell Crowe does a very good job at being a tough gladiator. After going to Rome last summer and visiting the Colosseum, it’s fun to see it rebuilt with computers. I give it a 9 out of 10 and recommend that you see it in the theater to get the full effect. Have you seen this movie and you want to share your opinion? Or maybe you have seen another movie recently you want to talk about? Well, come to the “Movie Madness” message board and tell us about it! From the front row, John