"How accurate is it?" Not very. But it was still entertaining.

i find it hard to believe this man is ~2000 years old.

It is utterly and entirely your fault that I now have to revisit Gladiator and the evening will end in tears. As someone else said, historical bollocks, but sheer movie bliss. 🙄

This dude is great. He knows his stuff and doesn't get hung up in every little thing that's out of place. He calls it out when necessary, tells his opinion on why they did what they did all the while giving great info. If he isn't/wasn't a teacher he should be. This is the type of engaging teaching we need in today's schools to keep kids interested.

All respect to Tristan that he can just look at the busts & recognise who they are 👏🏼

Would 100% recommend Tristan’s podcast “the ancients” I listen to it nearly every night before I go to sleep. Interviews incredible historians on some of the most fascinating times of the ancient world such as Greece, Rome, Egypt etc. - great video HH. Gladiator although inaccurate is my favourite movie.

As a historical document, Gladiator is bollocks, but as entertainment it's great.

It's refreshing to see a historian see historic movies for what they are, entertainment and are a gateway to learning about actual history. It's a shame some UKposts Historians don't have the same outlook.

An entertaining movie, just don't mistake it for history. Same goes for movies like "Braveheart", or, "The Last Samurai".

Welp time to fire up Rome Total War II

There was a movie made in 1964 called "The fall of the Roman Empire" which has the same Plot and story line as in this picture, Stars Sophia Loren, Stephen Boyd, Alec Guinness, James Mason, and Christopher Plummer,

I love it when the movie first shows Roma, Hans Zimmer just goes full Wagner.

As violent as the games were, the marine battle re-enactments must have been a spectacular sight to see, indeed.

18:30 - this appears to be the Ludus Magnus, a barracks and gladiator school that was indeed right next to the Coliseum, it’s ruins are visible until today

Marcus Aurelius philosophy has definitely improved my mental health

I could watch a 100 episodes in this series!! More Deep Dives on historical movies!

This is one of the best videos I’ve ever seen on UKposts. Thank you so much.

Love the HH podcast and this movie is a top 3 for me. When he tell Comidus his name no matter how many times I hear is my favorite scene.

Thank you! One of my favorite movies of all time.

Marcus Aurelius was a stoicist and hated to get up in the morning. I thought that was interesting, seeing some relatable humanity in a usually distant historical figure. Also, one of my favorite movie quotes is when the old gladiator is killed by the soldiers, clutching his wooden sword. He says, "Shadows and dust."

Fantastic video! Great commentary.I love how Mr. Hughes understands the value of entertainment & how it can lead some down the road to learn the history behind the movie & develop a love of history.

A great epic movie it had loads of fighting in it and plenty grisly bits . Russell Crowe played a good part

Really enjoyed the insight! I love how much of keen bean you are Tristian! Proper knowledge flex

I'm surprised that when he started talking about chariot racing, that he didn't reveal that it was much more popular than gladiator fights - the _Circus Maximus_ held *significantly more* spectators than the biggest _amphitheater_ (the Flavian Amphitheater, or Colosseum- as we know it, now)- the races were **the** Roman obsession...

Wow, i only just realized that Mf doom's mask is identical to the gladiator's 🤯🤯🤯

“That’s an interesting choice.” Translation of genteel phrasing: “You’re loud AND wrong here.”

It was a thrilled watching 👀 and entertaining video about Gladiator movie 🎬. Thank you ( history Hit) channel for sharing

I would love to see Tristan Hughes comment on the 2010 film Centurion.

Loved this, great job!

Strength and Honor!

Amazing - love your style, earned yourself a new subscriber! 👍👍

One of my professors in my undergraduate program constantly brought up that the Colosseum not having the posts at the foot of it to hold on the awning, so they made the awning defy physics. The funny thing was, he was a consultant on Spartacus and has consulted on other movies in the past.

One tidbit I always found fun about the opening battle sequence: at 4:48 when Russel Crowe is turning to stab some dude in the thick of the battle and it turns out to be a Roman soldier, apparently that was an extra who was legitimately afraid of ruining the sequence for a moment telling Crowe “wait! I’m not supposed to die yet!” because he was so focused on hitting his mark right. So that’s why Crowe gives that huge grin before turning away again. I don’t remember where I heard this, so it could be totally wrong, but I just think it’s a fun little unscripted moment in a wonderful movie.

WOW You explanation of this film is fantastic, Your video should be placed in schools as a learning aid

A Historian and a Blue nose ! Fair do's . Really enjoying the feature. One of my favourite films ever. Always wondered how authentic it was.

This guy knows who’s busts are in that tent that’s a new level of impressive

The battle scene in the beginning definitly had references to modern warfare, like the D day or with all that fire explosions Vietnam war Napalm usage.

Great video by the way . Have subscribed.

I’ve seen this movie a number of times and only now did I realize the the song that is being played in the background of the first battle of the movie is titled “Mars, God of War”. Near detail

Thank you for an interesting take on this film.

I cant watch this battle scene without getting goosebumps EVERY time

What I wouldn’t give to discuss Rome with him . From the beginning of it start to the end and the Byzantine empire have studied it for years . Thank you for your insight

re - 22:45 Hang on! I seem to recall that Caesar's description of those few Celtic tribes in Britain who dared to face his legion (yes, singular legion, for his first voyage to Britain), that they used scythed chariots. Also, on Caesar's second voyage to Britain, when more resistance had arisen (and when more legions had successfully made the crossing), there were even more clashes vs scythed chariots, which the Romans had learned to combat, since their previous voyage to Briatin. I could be wrong, and Caesar might have described simple "Chariots," rather than "Scythed Chariots," but I'm reasonably confident that they were, in fact, scythed chariots that Caesar described in Commentarii de Bello Gallico.

Hey mate. New here. I listen to alot of videos at work. I thought it worth mentioning that I'm enjoying the video but the sound is alot quieter than most the videos I listen to. Having a louder max volume would go a long way for folks like me. Otherwise fantastic

Watching these clips from the opening battle. It’s actually crazy how much better it looks than all blockbusters today. Obviously it’s Ridley Scott but even comparing it to Napoleon, I think Gladiator looks much better. What has happened? I understand the benefits to shooting on digital but is it worth it?

I have heard many people say that Gladiator was to fake because, they thought, it was unrealistic to believe a Roman Emperor would ever enter the Arena. But history can be stranger than truth. Commodus actually did do so and not once but many times.

In 2021, Scott announced that writing had begun on a sequel, which is scheduled to be released in the United States on November 22, 2024.

An interesting overview of the actual historical accuracy of yet another of Ridley Scott's 'interpretations'. I read somewhere that although Commodus fought in the Arena his opponents were given wooden swords with which to defend themselves? I would also thoroughly recommend Tristan's The Ancient podcast 10/10.

I love this historian, you can tell from his body language alone, without him speaking, that he is brilliant. He also transmits how much he loves the subject matter he discusses and he is careful and respectful of it. Very engaging to the viewer. He and Eleanor Janega are my favorite historians in the channel.

I was entertained, Maximus?!

I get what this guy is saying about Hollywood not portraying historical battles correctly, he would rather they make it exciting so people will then be more interested in looking up the real way the battles were fought. Unfortunately these days a lot of audiences, especially younger ones, assume what they see on screen is accurate when more and more it is not. It is a Hollywood writers job to make a movie exciting, but 9/10 if they made it historically accurate it would still be exciting if they were a good enough writer. For example what we see in that opening battle is wrong in so many ways. Firstly the number of men involved would have been way more, 3-4 times what we see on screen. Secondly you would not have a cavalry charge through a forest. In fact forests were used to protect an armies flanks FROM cavalry!! Thirdly the Roman war machine was so successful because the legions didn't fall apart when battle was joined. The battle wouldn't fall into a melee where it was every man for himself. The Roman infantry were a meat grinder, marching forward together in one unstoppable formation of shields and swords.

Septimius Severus was born in 145 ad. This was supposed to take place the night Marcus Aurelius died, so it should be 180 ad. Certainly, there wouldnt have been a bust of a senator in his mid 30s in Aurelius's tent. I think what Hughes meant to say is that it was before Septimius was even emperor in 193 ad.

I read that the Senaton chewed on laural leaves to keep from laughing at Comadus in the arena

Just when I want to stop thinking about Rome, this excellent video comes along😂

The opening battle makes me laugh - more pyrotechnics than a Rammstein concert!

wait a minute, isn't that the MF DOOM mask??? 25:59

Thanks for mentioning his name! It has always disturbed me.

I think it’s good to remember that Commodus was the first Roman emperor to gain the throne thru primogeniture, I just don’t understand why his father, Marcus Aurelius, known to be a smart man would just hand over the power to such an inept

This guy speaks surprisingly good English for an Ancient Roman.

Too bad he didn't comment on the SPQR tattoo. I am really curious whether that acronym was used at all in the imperial era. My guess is that it wasn't.

Sadly no comments about the Zulu regiment fighting with the Germanic tribes.

Brilliant video! One of Sir Ridley Scott's greatest films.

I just saw this movie for the first time a few days ago! I'm sort of a history nerd (I listen to lectures while I drive), so I did annoy my wife with a fair few of these. Loved hearing the perspective of an actual historian! I did think that the movie was a great time and I really enjoyed it overall. The costume and and set design was just beautiful especially.

Out of all Ridley Scott’s ‘historical’ works the inaccuracies in this one bother me the least

You're wrong about the Gladiator barracks not being in the centre of Rome. The Gladiator School (or maybe a) ruins are around the corner from the colosseum, you can visit them today. Gladiators were pretty high status, so I'm guessing you don't need to hide them away, and you want them near the fighting arena. Edit: it's called Ludus Magnus, and like in the movie, it is right next door to the Colosseum. Google maps it!

Septimius Severus was born already for some time in 180 AD, considering he became emperor in 193...

I read that when Commodus fought in the arena his opponents were always given blunted weapons.

MF the Gladiator

You never mention the film crew seen in the crowd during the "Are you not entertained" speech.

Man, the opening battle. Imagine being a little small family who’s off on their own. Constantly on the move just trying to survive and stay hidden. And you hear just godly rumbling and yelling, chants and just noise of something you’d prob assume was hell itself on earth. And you stumble up ontop of one of those hills on the side off from each sides rear . And you just witness the full scale of carnage and insanity. I’d be shook for life as an adult but a child would be forever traumatized. Even if they have seen war or violence resulting in death before. This is just madness.

I'd love to see your thoughts on Rome.

Concerning the logistics of artillery. Was it manufactured elsewhere first and then transported in parts to the battlefields, or was it easier for campaigns to build their artillery as needed?

V good deep dive.

Can you do or have you done Spartacus blood and sand?

Enjoyed the analysis and encourage a subscription to "History Hit" that has the best British historians covering the entire span of British history.

Anyone else ever noticed the opening battle scene, the chanting is from the film zulu😅

roman buildings would have been painted too, not just grey concrete. i was taught that the thumbs up or down just meant that they were agreeing with the crowd or vetoing it. so if the crowd was yelling death, thumbs up meant death.

22:41 I've always known that the Roman Empire was advanced for its time, but I never knew they used gas canisters to make chariots flip over in a cool way, lol 😂

I had completely forgotten Tommy Flanagan was in Gladiator.

A Historically inaccurate film does not make it a bad film like Tristan Hughes says, I don't like how so many experts put films down because of this point, there has to be room for dramatising a film and making it more exciting.

If you can find it, you should definately read "Those who are about to die" by Daniel P. Mannix. It is a tremendous book about the history of the Roman games from the start to the end.

History hit has been killing it on UKposts lately!

I guess what this film is about is leaders. How we do our best for them, we lay down our lives, make sacrifices, place trust in them ETC, but in the end our leaders are our real enemies. While we position ourselves in support of them, but they are entirely for themselves. This is a universal throughout history and up to today.

You spoke over one of the best bits lol maximus maximus the merciful 😂

I appreciate that this is a historical film that is colourful. No blue-grey filter such as we are getting used to. Common people wearing well fitting clothing in cheerful colours! Because humans have always been human.

ty subbed

Some of the arrows flying in the Collesium would surely have found their way to the spectators. Makes sense that there weren't battle reenactments in relatively tight quarters.

New fan, you keep history from vanishing into oblivion. Procopius

"We want you to judge the historical accuracy of a film." "Who made it?" "Ridley Scott" "It's not accurate."

Can I complain about Maximus riding that horse in the reenactment. You can't jump on any old horse and ride it into battle, it's going to freak out, buck you off, and bolt. You have to train horses and familiarize them with everything you want to do, a chariot horse isn't a cavalry horse.

A blazing fire makes flame and brightness out of everything thrown into it

If you think the capacity for the Colosseum was large, it was dwarfed by the seating at the Circus Maximus, which could hold up to 350,000 people, one in every three people in Rome. The " roar" of the crowd at the circus could be heard before you could see the city walls. The reason the Circus became redundant was two fold. First and foremost, the seats at the Circus, often put together especially for each event, had several well known seating " collapse" incidents, one of which caused over 50000 injuries and deaths. This arrangement was unsustainable, so more permanent facilities were constructed, with the " Flavian Ampitheatre" having to wait for funding to finish the project, and this was duly provided by loot from the Temple in Jerusalem, a siege which Titus had to finish while his father took control. The second reason is that the " spectaculars" became more and more elaborate with a " theatre" like organisation requiring a " backstage", where animals and participants could be kept, and " props" stored and introduced to the arena with pulleys lifting them to the arena floor, or animals lifted into the arena cages to be released into the atena itself. This type of "behind the scenes" activity to set up each event was not really possible at the Circus, hence the need for a more " purpose built" facility.

I've never seen this film but is there a straight up dog fighting with them in the opening battle???

To give some credit to Gladiator regarding "thumbs down," while we don't know for sure whether thumbs down meant live or die, the movie only really shows the Emperor using the thumb at all. When the audience wants Maximus to be spared they yell "live" and when they want Tigris dead they yell "kill," and wave their arms wildly, making it hard to tell whether they're actually turning their thumbs up or down.

Good camera work for 180 AD.

The fact that Gladiator and Pirates of the Caribbean have basically the same soundtrack always takes me out of the movie

'Accurate as a battle reconstruction'? It is OK if it isn't (particularly since this is an unnamed engagement, rather than a specific historical battle). However, recreating accurately the most basic tactics, the logic of what might or could have been the practice of fighting? This is a significant element in making the depiction plausible. Cavalry charging through the forest (which, incidentally, is also bombarded by its own army) is patently ridiculous. Other than this omission, a great video.

I heard that battle scene was made not very far from an Air Force base where I was stationed. All that is left now is an airport- Hahn.

28:28: Props to this guy for correcting himself. 👍

Funny, but the statue of Marcus Aurelius always looked vaguely Irish to me somehow. Appropriately he was portrayed by an Irishman. Phoenix was great as well. An updated John Hurt from "I Claudius" as Caligula. And speaking of "I Claudius".. Derek Jacobi! Casting was magnificent!