Roger Ebert’s two-star review is discussed through his “Rocky on downers” comparison, objection to the film’s joylessness, and later criticism of the special effects.

In the discussion (3)

Approx. transcript time · 00:28:31Read transcript

Ebert gave Gladiator two stars.
He compared the story to “Rocky on downers,” said the film lacked joy, and criticized its reliance on bitter, morose characters.
He later stood by the review and criticized the special effects.

Casting What-Ifs

Mel Gibson, Antonio Banderas, Ben Mendelsohn, and Hugh Jackman are mentioned as reported Maximus possibilities, while Crowe’s push for Christopher Plummer as Marcus Aurelius lost to Richard Harris.

In the discussion (3)

Approx. transcript time · 01:03:37Read transcript

Mel Gibson, Antonio Banderas, Ben Mendelsohn, and Hugh Jackman are mentioned as reported possibilities, with the hosts unsure of the sourcing.
Russell Crowe reportedly pushed for his Insider costar Christopher Plummer as Marcus Aurelius.
Ridley Scott chose Richard Harris after reported back-and-forth.

Recasting Couch

Angelina Jolie for Lucilla is rejected; Kevin Garnett for Juba is endorsed with an accent caveat.

In the discussion (4)

Approx. transcript time · 01:08:30Read transcript

Angelina Jolie is proposed for Lucilla.
The Jolie proposal is rejected as too modern or overpowering.
Kevin Garnett is proposed for Djimon Hounsou’s role.
The Garnett proposal is supported if the accent can be managed.

Research covers the cost of digitally completing Oliver Reed footage, historical Marcus Aurelius, Commodus, Maximus, and Lucilla, Crowe’s injuries, the Gladiator effect, sequel plans, Nick Cave’s script, and the film’s unusual finality.

In the discussion (10)

Approx. transcript time · 01:10:19Read transcript

Digitally completing Oliver Reed footage reportedly cost an extra $3.2 million.
Marcus Aurelius died during the Antonine Plague rather than being murdered by Commodus.
Historical Commodus fought in arenas, brutalized disabled people, ruled after his father, and was strangled in his bath by the wrestler Narcissus.
Maximus is identified as a fictional character.
Lucilla was implicated in an assassination plot, exiled, and later executed on her brother’s order.
Russell Crowe accumulated numerous injuries, including finger numbness, Achilles trouble, broken and cracked bones, tendon injuries, and a wound visible on screen.
The film is credited with a “Gladiator effect” that revived popular interest in classical history and historical epics.
Years of sequel ideas included a Maximus prequel and Lucius sequel.
Nick Cave wrote an unmade sequel in which Maximus returns from hell, fights through history, and ends as a modern Pentagon general.
The panel notes that a comparable modern action film would likely reserve its hero for sequels, while Gladiator gains power from Maximus dying.

Picking Nits

Commodus’s delayed killing of Maximus, ride timing, Germany-to-Spain travel, and the forest execution are questioned.

In the discussion (4)

Approx. transcript time · 01:21:03Read transcript

Commodus should kill Maximus immediately.
The ride-to-dawn timing is questioned.
Travel from Germany to Spain is implausibly compressed.
The execution squad’s forest procedure is questioned.

Probably Unanswerable Questions

The panel asks which arena mask each host would choose, whether Gladiator is a sports movie, how to classify Commodus’s predation, and which WWE plot the story resembles; it also records a Ridley Scott marriage fact.

In the discussion (5)

Approx. transcript time · 01:24:17Read transcript

Which of the available gladiator masks would each host choose?
Does Gladiator qualify as a sports movie?
Is Commodus primarily motivated by incest or by pedophilia?
The actor playing Maximus’s wife, Giannina Facio, married Ridley Scott in 2015.
Which WWE plot does Maximus versus Commodus resemble?

Mentions across The Rewatchables

Recorded movie reference

Rocky II

The Rewatchables · aired December 2, 2025

Gladiator is listed in the sourced research for this episode. The precise discussion has not been linked yet.

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