Prepare for an epic journey through the arena as we count down the most intense and brutal battles from the "Gladiator" saga. From legendary duels to chaotic melees, these fights showcase the raw power and emotion that made this franchise unforgettable. Are you not entertained? You will be!
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00:00Whatever comes out of these gates, we've got a better chance of survival if we work together.
00:07Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the most ferocious or wildest fights or battles in Gladiator.
00:14Beware of spoilers.
00:26In a desperate bid to regain the people's approval,
00:29Commodus challenges Maximus to a duel,
00:31a reckless move considering he's no match for the seasoned gladiator.
00:35You would fight me?
00:37Why not?
00:39Do you think I'm afraid?
00:42I think you've been afraid all your life.
00:44To tip the odds in his favor, the cowardly emperor rigs this fight by stabbing Maximus beforehand.
00:50But even on the brink of death, our hero fights with raw determination,
00:54disarming his foe with just one hand and a hazy vision.
00:57When Commodus' men refuse to hand him a sword, he resorts to another dirty trick, a hidden knife.
01:08Big mistake.
01:09Maximus counters with a flurry of punches before turning Commodus' own blade against him.
01:13Now that is poetic justice.
01:15The fight may be brief, but it's incredibly intense due to the emotional stakes at play.
01:21There was a dream that was wrong.
01:24It shall be realized.
01:27These are the wishes of Marcus Aurelius.
01:32With the help of Lucilla and Gracchus, Maximus plans to escape Rome and reunite with his loyal legions.
01:38Marcus Aurelius trusted you.
01:42His daughter trusts you.
01:48I will trust you.
01:50But we have little time.
01:53Give me two days, and I will buy your freedom.
01:57But not on Commodus' watch.
01:59Catching wind of this plan, Commodus sends his men to storm the gladiators' barracks,
02:03sparking a brutal all-out brawl.
02:06Despite being outnumbered, the gladiators fight with everything they've got,
02:10hacking down soldiers and giving Maximus the chance to escape.
02:14Tough warriors like Hagen and Juba fight fiercely, but the odds are stacked against them.
02:19The clash ends tragically with Hagen shot down and Proximo killed,
02:23while Juba and other fighters are arrested.
02:25Maximus himself is later recaptured.
02:28In the end, it seems the sacrifices were for nothing,
02:31but at least they went down swinging in a battle to remember.
02:35It's done.
02:37Decades after the Oscar-winning original wowed us,
02:40Gladiator 2 steps in to recreate its epic greatness.
02:43This time, the story follows Lucius, also known as Hanno,
02:47a man living peacefully with his wife in a North African kingdom.
02:50But this peace is shattered when the Roman army invades and Lucius' wife is killed.
02:54Forced into slavery, his journey of vengeance is cut short,
02:58and Lucius' wife is killed.
03:00Lucius' wife is killed.
03:02Lucius' wife is killed.
03:05Forced into slavery, his journey of vengeance begins.
03:08After defeating a baboon, Lucius quickly earns a name for himself.
03:12Then, at a lavish party, he's made to fight as entertainment for Emperors Gaeta and Caracalla.
03:17In this indoor duel, Lucius proves he's every bit the fierce warrior as Maximus.
03:22With blades clashing and blood spilling,
03:24it is one gritty clash that mirrors the grandeur of arena fights we loved.
03:30Number 7. Opening Battle. Gladiator.
03:32Before Maximus lost everything and became a slave,
03:35he was the great commander of Roman legions.
03:38At my signal, unleash hell.
03:41The beginning of Gladiator sets the tone for the film's intensity
03:45and offers us a sneak peek into a time Maximus was at his peak.
03:48Taking place in the woods of Germania,
03:50the battle is a brutal clash between disciplined Roman soldiers and ferocious barbarian tribesmen.
04:00Even though it lacks the arena's thrilling backdrop,
04:03it is one visually stunning, high-stakes battle.
04:06With flaming arrows lighting up the forest, cavalry charges, javelin throws and a chaotic melee,
04:12it feels raw and visceral.
04:14Though there are some historical inaccuracies,
04:17still, with this, you could almost envision the might and glory of Rome at its prime.
04:22Number 6. Acacius vs. Lucius. Gladiator 2.
04:26After learning of Acacius' plan to overthrow the emperors,
04:29Macrinus orchestrates a fight between Lucius and Acacius to eliminate him.
04:33In the Coliseum, Lucius finally manages to escape the attack
04:36and is able to take the throne.
04:38The battle is a close one, though.
04:40The battle is a close one, though.
04:42The battle is a close one, though.
04:44The battle is a close one, though.
04:46The battle is a close one, though.
04:49In the Coliseum, Lucius finally confronts the man he believes is responsible for his wife's death.
04:54Fueled by a thirst for vengeance,
04:56he fights like a man possessed while Acacius defends fiercely,
05:00trying to convince him they're on the same side.
05:02Refusing to fatally fight Lucius, this war hero is ultimately defeated.
05:06But the gripping fight takes an unexpected turn
05:09when Lucius refuses to execute him to the emperor's dismay.
05:12It's too late, though, as Acacius is shot down anyway.
05:15Sadly, Pedro Pascal doesn't get nearly enough time to dazzle us with his combat skills
05:20like he did in Game of Thrones.
05:26From the start, we knew it would all lead to this epic showdown
05:29between Puppet Master and Gladiator.
05:31To prevent any bloodshed between Roman factions,
05:34Lucius and Macronus face off in a savage duel to the death.
05:37A former gladiator, Macronus fights like a cornered beast,
05:41while Lucius matches his ferocity blow for blow.
05:44The battle spills into a river, where Macronus submerges Lucius in water,
05:48stabbing him relentlessly.
05:50Thanks to Lucius' father's breastplate,
05:52these fatal strikes couldn't penetrate.
05:54Inspired by an inner voice,
05:56this young-blooded fighter surges from the water,
05:59slices off Macronus' hand, and ends him with one swing.
06:02Was there ever any doubt it would end this way?
06:04Macronus may be a master manipulator,
06:07but this is Lucius' story.
06:10Are you not entertained? Gladiator.
06:12This has to be everyone's favorite moment,
06:14which explains why this quotable line has remained memorable for years,
06:18perhaps more than the fight itself.
06:28After his life is flipped upside down,
06:30Maximus has to fight for entertainment,
06:32and in doing so, he must win the crowd.
06:35During this particularly electrifying fight,
06:37Maximus swiftly destroys multiple gladiators,
06:40stunning the audience into silence.
06:50His speed and skill are an absolute delight to watch.
06:53In a bold move, he sends his sword flying into the crowd
06:57and roars this iconic line.
06:59Are you not entertained?
07:01Are you not entertained?
07:04The crowd's thunderous cheers prove that whether slave or commander,
07:07Maximus was destined to be loved.
07:10And yes, we are absolutely entertained.
07:16Chained in pairs, the gladiators step into the arena,
07:19visibly agitated as they face trained opponents eager to cut them down.
07:33We can decide how we meet that end
07:36in order that we are remembered
07:41as men.
07:42When the door bursts open, it's clear this is no fair fight.
07:46Maximus and the others are armed only with swords and no armor,
07:50and forced to drag their partners while fending off burly gladiators
07:53wielding sophisticated weapons.
07:55The result? A tough, edge-of-your-seat battle.
08:03Maximus and Juba fight with grit,
08:05their teamwork shining as they strategically take down their opponents one by one.
08:09Then there's Hagen, whose quick thinking and fierce combat skills also steal the show.
08:14Together, it is one spectacular, unforgettable battle with no dull moment.
08:30Having fought valiantly in local tournaments,
08:32Maximus and other gladiators find themselves in Rome's Colosseum.
08:41For their first outing,
08:43they must reenact the legendary Roman victory over the Carthaginians.
08:46With Maximus leading the charge,
08:48this staged battle, however, takes a different turn.
08:51Clad in war regalia and masked with helmets,
08:53the gladiators follow Maximus' commands as Roman soldiers in chariots surround them.
09:03We get the heart-pounding mix of dangerous chariot races and metal combats
09:07as gladiators are picked off one by one.
09:09But the tide turns, and the battle becomes more exciting when the gladiators counterattack,
09:14showing off their ferocious might, sharp tactics, and brutal precision.
09:18It's a blood-soaked spectacle that leaves us in awe of Maximus and his crew.
09:32Yes, sir.
09:33Um, forgive me, sir.
09:36No, I rather enjoy surprises.
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09:59To finally put an end to Maximus,
10:01Commodus arranges a match between him and the undefeated gladiator Tigris of Gaul.
10:06Caesar is pleased to bring you the only undefeated champion in Roman history,
10:15the legendary Tigris of Gaul!
10:22What follows is an intense showdown between two skilled warriors.
10:26Except Maximus isn't just up against this giant of a fighter.
10:29Tigers are unleashed from different angles, slashing at his already thin chance of survival.
10:42Armed with both axe and sword, Tigris looks every bit formidable.
10:46But then Maximus is no ordinary warrior.
10:49Against all odds, he takes on both man and beast, even managing to kill a tiger.
10:54Then, in a stunning moment, he defeats Tigris with a quick combo.
10:58With Tigris knocked down, Maximus defies Commodus by sparing his life, proving he's a true champion.
11:11What other movie has been able to match the grit and brutality of the battles in Gladiator?
11:16Let us know in the comments.
11:29And it is done.
11:30Take it now.
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