The tomb of the general who inspired the film "Gladiator" has been found

This is useful for our class case study film. Consider the reasons why the plot of the film differed from the story of the real general and the impact this might have for generating audiences.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7675633.stm

Read also this important BBC artcle written in the year 2000 which reveals how Russell Crowe was on the verge of joining the 'A' list of Hollywood stars from being just another 'respected' actor. This short article also draws attention to how the empire of ancient Rome can be interpreted as an allegory (a comparison) for the modern empire of an imploding USA. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/740653.stm

Music and Scenes from "Gladiator"

Here's a post for the student charged with researching Hans Zimmer, the composer of most of the music in "Gladiator". I'm looking forward to the feedback on the research on the Russell Crowe, Joachim Phoenix, Ridley Scott, Hans Zimmer, The Producer, David Franzoni (there are two) and how technology was used to cover up the fact that Oliver Reed died part way through the film. Consider also how speeches early in the film seem to foreshadow America and Britains' "War on Terror" in Afghanistan and Iraq with the US as the modern equivalent of The Roman Empire.

Students should also notice how "Gladiator" links the past with present with the current vogue of the Reality TV shows in which contestants try "do one another in" and then rely on audiences "saving" them in phone votes, etc. (For instance, The Weakest Link", "The Apprentice", "I'd Do Anything", etc.). Is it any wonder that Gladiator, made during the turn of the last century and the new Millennium in which audiences were encouraged to look back and look forward, appealed to modern audiences who have since been schooled in gladiatorial television series? The caesars are the panel show hosts with Carphone Warehouse sponsoring the plebs who vote from their armchairs and setees.

Gladiator case study information

Jill Nelms's book "An Introduction to Film Studies" is essential reading for our class case study film, "Gladiator". Do not ignore the value of what can be found in books for your individual case study films.

http://books.google.com/books?id=vb_1ma9DKH0C&pg=PA26&lpg=PA26&dq=gladiator+case+study&source=web&ots=0jBd3E-uqw&sig=_M-dmK884o1FfEtY8ICkj8Ri_QA&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=3&ct=result#PPA27,M1