Gladiator trivia
Gladiator Mini Quiz
Test your knowledge with these top questions!
The historical movie Gladiator repeats a popular myth by showing a "thumbs down" gesture to mean what?
Director Ridley Scott knew a raised thumb likely meant death in ancient Rome, symbolizing a drawn sword. He kept the modern thumbs down myth to avoid confusing audiences.
Known for Oliver!, this actor died filming the 2000 movie Gladiator. CGI was used to finish his scenes as Proximo. Who was he?
Oliver Reed suffered a fatal heart attack in Malta before filming was complete. The studio spent millions to map a 3D mask of his face onto a body double to finish the role.
Before starring in Joker, what actor played the emperor in the 2000 film Gladiator, a ruler historically murdered in a bath?
Joaquin Phoenix plays Commodus, who dies in an arena duel in the film. Historically, the real emperor was strangled in his bath by a wrestler named Narcissus in 192 AD.
Enslaved warrior Maximus rubs dirt between his hands before every fight in Gladiator to show what?
This ritual reminds Maximus of his peaceful past as a farmer, contrasting his violent reality. Russell Crowe improvised the gesture early in filming to ground his character.
Emperor Commodus funds gladiatorial games in the film Gladiator to politically paralyze whom?
In Gladiator, Commodus distracts the public with 150 days of games to win their love, neutralizing the Senate by proving his direct influence over the Roman mob.