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Gladiator


Maximus is motivated by the desire to defend his family and the prosperous way of life that Roman imperialism provides. Whereas Commodus proves that the masses enjoy bread and circuses, Maximus in the end gains support from the masses by displaying the virtues that supposedly made Rome great.
             In this war and drama epic, political issues arise that give meaning and cause to the actions. Ray Pratt, author (and brilliant professor!) of Projecting Paranoia states that films "can function in many important ways as a type of political behavior. Film involves both "purposive" and "effective" dimensions of political behavior." The first ten minutes of the movie Maximus tells the Emperor that the men fought and died for "the glory of Rome," for Rome's imperialistic expansions. The last wish of the Emperor before he dies is to give the power of Rome back to the people by giving the Senate control rather than an emperor. His son however does not want to see Rome become a democracy because he feels that the people do not know what is good for them and they need someone higher than them who are appointed by the gods to rule. Throughout the movie Maximus proves to be a leader by gaining the peoples support not only when he is a General but also when he is a Gladiator. Soon after entrance to Rome Maximus portrays a type of purposive behavior by influencing the ideas of others and is soon being called the "Savior of Rome." Commodus, the new emperor can not kill him because that would tell the people he is weak yet each day Maximus is alive his political support grows weaker. Commodus thinks that the people's support can be bought by gladiator games and free bread but Maximus realizes that the people want a self ruling and just government that is for the people by the people. .
             With a central character grounded by family, religion, and a pledge of loyalty to the dream of a Roman Republic, the film allows time for thematic and moral issues to draw attention to themselves.


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