Gladiator
Gladiator
Label: Decca
Film Release Year: 2000
Soundtrack Release Year: 2005
Barcode: 028947652236
Country: United Kingdom
Product Type: CD (Pre-owned)
Score or Soundtrack: Score
Composer: Hans Zimmer
Edition: Special Anniversary Edition
Gladiator," directed by Ridley Scott, premiered in 2000 and quickly became a classic, celebrated for its epic storytelling and visual grandeur. The film is set in Roman times and follows Maximus Decimus Meridius, a Roman General who is betrayed and reduced to slavery as a gladiator. It won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Russell Crowe.
One of the most iconic aspects of "Gladiator" is its soundtrack, composed by Hans Zimmer in collaboration with Lisa Gerrard. The music blends orchestral and electronic elements with traditional folk sounds, helping to enhance the emotional depth and historical setting of the film.
The film's opening battle scene in Germania was one of the largest sets built for the movie, involving thousands of extras. This scene set the tone for the film's grand scale and was noted for its intense and realistic depiction of combat during Roman times.
To achieve a high level of authenticity, the production employed several historians and experts on Roman history. Despite this, "Gladiator" contains numerous historical inaccuracies, which were intentionally included to increase the film's dramatic appeal.
The character of Commodus, played by Joaquin Phoenix, is loosely based on the actual Roman Emperor Commodus who ruled from 180 to 192 AD. Unlike his portrayal in the film as a patricidal megalomaniac, the real Commodus was known for his eccentric behavior, including fighting as a gladiator.
"Gladiator" revitalized interest in films set in ancient times, leading to a resurgence of similar epics such as "Troy" and "Alexander." Its success demonstrated the audience's appetite for historical and epic films in the early 2000s.
In preparation for his role, Russell Crowe underwent extensive training to convincingly portray a Roman general turned gladiator. This included lessons in sword fighting, which contributed to the authenticity of the combat scenes.
The special 2-disc anniversary edition of the soundtrack includes an extended score with additional music that was not included in the original release. This edition provides fans with a deeper experience of the film’s musical landscape.
The release of the special edition soundtrack was well-received by fans of the film and music critics alike, praised for its enhanced audio quality and the inclusion of previously unreleased tracks. This edition has since become a must-have for collectors and enthusiasts of film music.
Track Listing:
Disc 1
Progeny
Hans Zimmer and Lisa Gerrard
The Wheat
Hans Zimmer and Lisa Gerrard
The Battle
Hans Zimmer
Earth
Hans Zimmer
Sorrow
Hans Zimmer and Lisa Gerrard
To Zucchabar
Hans Zimmer and Gavin Greenaway
Patricide
Hans Zimmer
The Emperor is Dead
Hans Zimmer
The Might Of Rome
Hans Zimmer and Gavin Greenaway
Strength and Honour
Hans Zimmer and Lisa Gerrard
Reunion
Hans Zimmer
Slaves To Rome
Hans Zimmer
Barbarian Horde
Hans Zimmer
Am I Not Merciful?
Hans Zimmer
Elysium
Lisa Gerrard
Honor Him
Hans Zimmer and Lisa Gerrard
Now We Are Free
Hans Zimmer and Lisa Gerrard
Disc 2
Duduk Of The North
Hans Zimmer
Now We Are Free
Hans Zimmer and Lisa Gerrard
The Protector Of Rome
Hans Zimmer
Homecoming
Hans Zimmer
The General Who Became A Slave
Hans Zimmer
The Slave Who Became A Gladiator
Hans Zimmer
Secrets
Hans Zimmer and Lisa Gerrard
Rome Is The Light
Hans Zimmer
All That Remains
Hans Zimmer
Maximus
Hans Zimmer
Marikesh Marketplace
Hans Zimmer
The Gladiator Waltz
Hans Zimmer
Figurines
Hans Zimmer
The Mob
Hans Zimmer
Busy Little Bee
Hans Zimmer
Death Smiles At Us All
Hans Zimmer
Not Yet
Hans Zimmer
Now We Are Free (Maximus Mix)
Hans Zimmer and Lisa Gerrard
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