Gladiator (2000): Augmented Reality Edition (2 Discs) (Blu-ray)

With the release and subsequent success of Gladiator we were guaranteed a plethora of Roman style epics and none of them lived up to this.

Russell Crowe was a superstar of gargantuan proportions when this was made and anyone else playing Maximus would of been unthinkable. He alone carries this movie and raises it from standard fare to revered epic.

This obviously draws comparison to Spartacus, not least because of the setting, but you are spurred on by the quest of our hero and would willingly stand side by side with him no matter the situation, "I'm Spartacus". Such is the brilliance of Crowe's performance and stature on screen, you can't take your eyes off him.

The scenes set within the coliseum appear every bit as epic as Ben-Hur despite the CGI effects. Ridley Scott has come up trumps yet again and I for one am a fan.

Bravo.

The transfer.........................

Universal have granted this movie with an MPEG-4 AVC encoded, 2.35:1 framed, 1080p transfer onto a 50GB Blu-ray disc of reference quality.

If you we're to compare this side by side with the original Blu-ray release you would be shocked that you were watching the same movie, such is the difference in picture quality. The original is a great example of how digital enhancement can ruin a transfer. Edge enhancement and grain removing DNR rendered us with a picture so lacking in quality you'd rather watch the DVD. Arrows would disappear mid-flight.

This release gives us both the theatrical and extended versions and both have a picture to die for. The colour contrast has been re-worked and we now have a very warm and inviting image with great vibrancy and saturation. Due to the filmic grain, which is never obtrusive, we have amazing detail and clarity with every pore of characters skin clearly evident. You can detect the slightest scratch or dent on soldiers body armour. Skin tones are always accurate and object detail is staggering.

The darks are an absolute marvel, with many scenes held within dimly lit interiors we are provided with fantastic shadow detail. Rich inky blacks which never crush. This is one of those discs which will show off your HD set-up wonderfully.

No more edge enhancement, none, and without it we have no more haloing of people or objects. No compression issues, banding or any other digital artifacting.

This is one of the best, most filmic transfers on the Blu-ray market and is most definitely worth the upgrade, it's a no brainer really, plus you know the missus will watch it!

THIS DISC IS THE EPITOME OF REFERENCE QUALITY

Film 5/5 Transfer 5/5

With the release and subsequent success of Gladiator we were guaranteed a plethora of Roman style epics and none of them lived up to this.

Russell Crowe was a superstar of gargantuan proportions when this was made and anyone else playing Maximus would of been unthinkable. He alone carries this movie and raises it from standard fare to revered epic.

This obviously draws comparison to Spartacus, not least because of the setting, but you are spurred on by the quest of our hero and would willingly stand side by side with him no matter the situation, "I'm Spartacus". Such is the brilliance of Crowe's performance and stature on screen, you can't take your eyes off him.

The scenes set within the coliseum appear every bit as epic as Ben-Hur despite the CGI effects. Ridley Scott has come up trumps yet again and I for one am a fan.

Bravo.

The transfer.........................

Universal have granted this movie with an MPEG-4 AVC encoded, 2.35:1 framed, 1080p transfer onto a 50GB Blu-ray disc of reference quality.

If you we're to compare this side by side with the original Blu-ray release you would be shocked that you were watching the same movie, such is the difference in picture quality. The original is a great example of how digital enhancement can ruin a transfer. Edge enhancement and grain removing DNR rendered us with a picture so lacking in quality you'd rather watch the DVD. Arrows would disappear mid-flight.

This release gives us both the theatrical and extended versions and both have a picture to die for. The colour contrast has been re-worked and we now have a very warm and inviting image with great vibrancy and saturation. Due to the filmic grain, which is never obtrusive, we have amazing detail and clarity with every pore of characters skin clearly evident. You can detect the slightest scratch or dent on soldiers body armour. Skin tones are always accurate and object detail is staggering.

The darks are an absolute marvel, with many scenes held within dimly lit interiors we are provided with fantastic shadow detail. Rich inky blacks which never crush. This is one of those discs which will show off your HD set-up wonderfully.

No more edge enhancement, none, and without it we have no more haloing of people or objects. No compression issues, banding or any other digital artifacting.

This is one of the best, most filmic transfers on the Blu-ray market and is most definitely worth the upgrade, it's a no brainer really, plus you know the missus will watch it!

THIS DISC IS THE EPITOME OF REFERENCE QUALITY

Film 5/5 Transfer 5/5

Blu Ray all zone (not confirmed)

Ratio of the feature film:
2.35:1

Length of the Theatrical Cut: 155 min
Length of the Extended Cut: 171 min

Languages of the feature film:
DTS Master Audio 5.1: English
DTS 5.1: French, Italian, German, Castilian Spanish, Latin Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese
Dolby 2.0: 2 commentaries by the director Ridley Scott and some crew's members (1 commentary for each cut)

Subtitles for the feature film and the bonuses (Disc II):
French, Italian, German, Castilian Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, Latin Spanish, Dutch, Danish, Finnish, Norwegian, Portuguese, Swedish, Traditional Mandarin and English for the hard of hearings.

Extra subtitles only available on Disc II:
Japanese, Russian, Greek and Polish

Verdict:
This film on Blu Ray is nearly perfect, a good picture with an outstanding soundtrack. The soundtrack is perfect with a fantastic music. The picture has a natural but discrete noise.
Thanks to its excellent picture, we can see much more details about the battle, the fights, Rome and its magnificent buildings, monuments and of course the coliseum which looks very massive, imposing in this ancient and highly detailed city.
High Definition picture means details we are not supposed to see !!
- We can clearly during the first battle against the Prussians, 1 guy seen not fighting but smiling and walking in the wrong direction !! (9 min 44 sec), a funny take !!
- The stunt double of Russel Crowe falling from his horse during this same battle (10 min, 25 sec).
- The following day, Maximus goes to see his horse, a crew man wearing jeans standing in the background behind the horse can be seen hiding.
- For his first fight alone in the arena, at the end, when Maximus says "Are you not entertained", on the left side of the screen among the audience the cameraman and the camera are clearly visible.
- The last scenes of Proximo, as Oliver Reed passed away before the end of the shooting, a double was used for several shots and can be seen standing for Mr. Reed.

More mistakes can be seen but nevertheless, the script remains truly remarkable making this film a real pleasure to watch over and over again especially with this unforgettable score which matches every moment of the film.
You will not be disappointed, enjoy.

We all know that this is an epic film.
What im sure you would like to know is that this does contain the theatrical and extended editions of the film.
It comes with a slip cover and the case cover is the same as the slip cover.

Excellent picture transfer. Beautiful sound. I'm very satisfied with this edition! A really must have!