Gladiator – close reading of scene 20 you simply will not die

Gladiator – close reading of Scene Practise for

AssessmentScene 20 -You simply won’t die

Scene Summary

• In this scene Maximus has just defeated Tigris of Gaul another famous gladiator.

• Commodus ordered the death of Tigris with his thumbs down• Maximus ignored the order and spared Tigris• The crowd love it and chant ‘Maximus the Merciful’• Commodus goes to confront Maximus• He dares him to attack• He taunts Maximus with details of his family’s death• Maximus does not react but says your time will come.• The psychological battle/showdown foreshadows their

finalbattle

Scene Analysis

• This scene shows the contrast between Commodus and Maximus• Commodus is afraid and Maximus is courageous• Commodus is corrupt and cruel• Maximus is self-controlled and honourable• Commodus wants the mob’s approval but Maximus wins

their love.• Commodus has the protection of his guards still but they

still give way to Maximus• Maximus is patient and powerful and Commodus is afraid

of him so hesitates to act. He lacks control.

The 4 film aspects I have chosen to write about in my essay.

• Camera Shots• Characterisation• Sound/Dialogue• Setting

Plan – Camera ShotsLong shot of Tiger – emphasises the brutal and violent setting of the Colosseum where death and blood are entertainment for the mob of Rome. The tiger is both beautiful and terrifying like the Colosseum. Both symbolise power and death.

Low-angle Long Shot of Lucilla – shows her anxiety and tension. She is regal, still and controlled, but her body language betrays her concern. She is all alone and a contrast to the crowd watching to her left. Her beautiful clothes and jewels emphasise her wealth and position but she is powerless against Commodus’ corrupt tyranny and she is waqtching carefully to see what Commodus will do to respond to Maximus being ‘merciful’

High-angle longshot of arena framed between 2 spectators. It involves the audience in an intimate way and makes it seem as if they are sitting there watching the action. Shows the detail of the watching crowd and the ring of soldiers around Maximus and Commodus.

Midshot

Over-the-shoulder shot – involves the audience, shows Maximus’ self-control, his body language and expression convey his tense hatred and contempt for Commodus. He is sweaty and bloody from battle which contrasts with Commodus’s regal garments.

Reaction shot

Over-the-shoulder shot

Close-up shot

Close-up shot – shows Maximus bowing his head to Commodus as he says Highness. He shows respect on the outside but it is ironic because his body language shows tension and conflict. He is patient and controlled, and does not overreact.

Midshot of Maximus going to leave Colosseum. The guards part for him and do not stop him even though Commodus has not given any orders to let him through. This shows they respect Maximus and acknowledge his power, they do not treat him as a slave.

Plan - Dialogue

• You simply won’t die.• Are we so different, you and I?• I only have one life left to take• Then take it now• Your son squealed like a girl when they nailed him

to the cross.• Your time for honouring yourself will soon be at an

end, Highness. • Maximus, Maximus, Maximus

Plan - Setting

• The colosseum – it is glorious, brutal, violent, a bloodbath, entertainment by death – shown by longshots and high angle shots• The power and glory of the Roman Empire• The power of the mob, the audience• Setting of tyranny and corruption - the power of the

reigning emperor to control a country and its people• The different groups of people who control the

action – the mob, the soldiers, the gladiators, the senators and the Emperor and his sister

Practise Paragraph• The setting of this scene is authentic and realistic. The stunning

and glorious Colosseum is a symbol of Rome’s glory and decadence. The longshots of the Colosseum shows the range of people who came to be entertained by death – senators, common people (the mob) and the wealthy. The high-angle shots of the Colosseum make the audience feel like we are looking at a painting whereas the close-up shots and the over the shoulder shots make the audience feel as if we are there, watching Commodus insult Maximus and feeling the power of the scene directly. Ridley’s Scott’s stunning cinematography and his ‘painterly effect’ create a richness of detail that takes us back in time to the Roman Empire. The detail of the soldiers’ costumes and weapons add to the realism and atmosphere. The prowling tiger at the beginning adds to the violence and power the Colosseum evokes and symbolises.

Your turn – Practise Dialogue analysis• Describe the effect and meaning behind the dialogue

and how they relate to themes in the film.• Dialogue is important in cinema because . . . • In this scene dialogue is important because it shows

how Commodus and Maximus think and feel about . . . • You simply won’t die. This quote emphasises how . . . • Your son squealed like a girl . . . This cruel insult

highlights how . . . • Your time for honouring yourself will soon be at an

end . . . Maximus’s calm threat conveys his . . .