Gladiator: Maximus fun

Every year, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences chooses one great film as best picture, and this year it was the Ridley Scott-directed epic "Gladiator." Just because the film won the Academy's vote for best picture doesn't automatically make it a great DVD. \nBut it is.\nLet's just get the film aspect out of the way. This film is amazing. The box office proved it this summer, and the Academy voters agreed. Rarely does a film win the hearts of both these groups. Simple summary: Maximus (Oscar-winner Russell Crowe) goes from general to slave to gladiator to hero.\nNow the DVD part. This two-disc set is one of the best out right now. For fans of the movie and for fans of great DVDs, it is a must-have. This is what DVDs were created for. The video is amazing, and the sound is extraordinary. The commentary features director Ridley Scott, editor Pietro Scalia and cinematographer John Mathieson. Commentaries are supposed to inform viewers with answers to questions they might have had while watching the movie. This commentary does this and more. This trio answers any and all questions.\nThe deleted scenes are just as great as the ones left in the film, and the additional commentary by Scott explains why they were cut. His explanation is the film was already too long, but the execution scene and the foreshadowing of Christians being fed to lions should have stayed. There is also a montage of scenes not used in the film cut to a Hans Zimmer score along with an interview with the composer.\nThe special features continue with an HBO behind-the-scenes montage and The Learning Channel's documentary on gladiator games titled "The Bloodsport of a Gladiator." The documentary is great for anyone interested in the truth behind the movie, which, in fact, is pretty close to reality. Another interesting feature, absent on most DVDs, is the production diary of actor Spencer Treat Clark, who plays the young Lucius. Basically, the creators stole this little kid's diary and published it, but it makes for great insight into the world of moviemaking through a young star's eyes. A lot of it is simple praise to Crowe and Scott, but they deserve it.\nAn award-winning film deserves an award-winning DVD, and this definitely takes the Oscar for both categories.