Historically accurate? Gladiator.

This new series is about films which are billed as fictional historical dramas. The articles that follow will show the basic information about the film, if it was presented in linear chronological order or not and if they are presented in a web type chronological order. Each article will explain different aspects of each film viewed. Anything from how the aesthetic choice contributes to the general effect on the audience and how elements like character development or foreshadowing impact the choice of storytelling methods, if the film follows a different presentation style how the difference affects the audience will also be presented. Details like whether or not effective lighting and sound were used, acting and acting styles will be discussed in the series. The following articles will discuss any one of, more than one or even all of the aspects mentioned above.

This will be an on going series with each film viewed in its entirety by the author of these articles. As with other published series by the author this one will have links to the previous articles as each one is published after this first article.

Here is the first:

Title: Gladiator.

Release dates: May 1, 5, and 12, 2000.

Written by: David Franzoni.

Directed by: Ridley Scott.

Major Actors: Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen, Oliver Reed, Derek Jacobi, Djimon Hounsou, and Richard Harris.

This film is presented chronologically linear format going in two directions at the same time. Part of the story portrays the restart of something that had come to an end. The other part of the story portrays the start of something new. The plot portrays how they are tied together and what happens at the eventual end.

The effect this has on the audience is it gives the viewers something to think about while trying to figure out how it is going to end. Some viewers may have questions such as:  How will it end? Will he get his revenge and avenge his family and his true emperor? Will the petty, jealous and evil emperor be brought down?

This film is only historically accurate in that Rome really did exist as an empire as did gladiator's who fought and died in the arena's all across the empire. The architecture is historically accurate as is the portrayed Roman form of government.