TMT: “Good!”
This is the next entry in a Theatre… a Movie… and a Time, a series that was begun here. I’d been holding this one back for a while, waiting for something to somehow usher it in. And that came byway of Paula’s Future Classic Movies blogathon and the leading, highlighted film from Ruth’s associated FCM post of last week. With that, and since this particular film remains in my all-time Top Ten for Epics, I can’t think of a better time for me to,
“At my signal, unleash Hell.”
Theatre
The Beverly Connection 6:
Movie
Time
May 5, 2000: almost six months after the birth of my daughter (and five into a new year, and/or decade-millennium, depending how you count) a semblance of normalcy seemed to return to our compact household. Baby feedings at o’dark-thirty and lack of sleep were finally dissipating. Of course, it included the new normal we now lived under: that of children, baby daycare arrangements while we were at work, pre-school for my oldest, and the latest level of domesticity that threaten an 11 on the This is Spinal Tap volume dial.
The mother of those youngsters, and the one I still consider my bride, in her love and understanding for me, would still allow her pitiful husband his li’l latitudes.
Which meant, I could still take in a movie from time-to-time. So, on this particular Friday, with the opening of Ridley Scott’s Gladiator, I (shh) left work a little early to head to the nearby (and now demolished) Beverly Connection 6. I wasn’t alone. Others had the same idea, too, for the mid-afternoon screening, which began my summer movie season that weekend, was bursting. Inside it was just electric. And you could feel the hairs not only pop up on the back of your neck, but the others there, as well, when you-know-who spoke this immortal bit of dialogue:
“My name is Maximus Decimus Meridius, commander of the Armies of the North, General of the Felix Legions, loyal servant to the true emperor, Marcus Aurelius. Father to a murdered son, husband to a murdered wife. And I will have my vengeance, in this life or the next.”
So, you might be asking, “How did you come up with that one-word title for this TMT?” The reason behind it is as simple as it was memorable. It’s the emotional action sequence near the of the film. Hover here to view spoiler text. It was at that point in the crowded movie theater, one woman (a fellow moviegoer) clearly and with utter satisfaction with the scene, verbalized the word that everyone there felt. A few of us even clapped in acknowledgment, afterward.
“What we do in life echoes in eternity.”
The entire TMT series can be found here. If you’re interested how it’s put together, click here.
It Rains... You Get Wet 
24 Responses to “TMT: “Good!””
I think Gladiator is a seminal (in a weird kind of way) as it spawned a whole host of blood and dust epics (Kingdom of Heaven – Scott agin – and Robin Hood – and again) but I think Scott is suited best to sci-fi. Gladiator is a fantastic one off, a freak of cinema where acting, spectacle, substance and drama combine to give us another genre denfining effort from Scott. We most certainly are entertained!
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I’d agree that Ridley Scott found something quite remarkable when he made ‘Gladiator’. So many things lined up to make this one the seminal film you refer to. It’s a retelling of the same tale used by Anthony Mann in his earlier epic, ‘Fall of the Roman Empire’. And one I by far give preference to given the “acting, spectacle, substance and drama” you point out. Thanks so much for the comment, Ronan.
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LOL.
In a similar way, one of my friends… didnt shout, per se, but said out very loudly “Didn’t see THAT comin'” during the Departed when the shooting in the elevator happened. LOL
Normally, I would be pissed if a stranger did that, and if a friend did that during a movie they would get punched (literally). But that time? I was in such shock that I laughed (along with a bunch of other people) and had to mutter… no kidding. 😀
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Yeah, there are certainly moments (rare ones) in the movie theater where you can’t help yourself. That one you shared did qualify ;-). Thanks, Fogs.
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Very satisfying read! And perfect timing with Prometheus almost upon us! Let’s hope it has some moments to match Gladiator’s high points!
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Thank you very kindly, Pete. You’re so right, too, about the Prometheus timing (I reserved my IMAX tickets over the weekend).
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Gladiator & Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World have been getting quite a bit of play on the movie channels. I’m a happy viewer. 😉 Two of my favorite films!
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Ooh, and I just picked up ‘Master and Commander’ on Blu-ray, too ($5 so I couldn’t help myself ;-)). Thanks very much, Christine. Hope you and hubby are doing well in the new digs.
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Awesome. I was many years late in seeing Gladiator, and I really wish I had the chance to catch it in the theater. Great story, Michael.
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Thank so much reading and adding a comment, Eric.
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Leaving work early to watch ‘Gladiator,’ how awesome! 🙂 Thanks for the link love Michael, I just adore this film, and I so love the two quotes you mentioned here amongst so many great ones. One of my faves is actually the one uttered by Senator Gracchus, as I mentioned here: http://wp.me/pxXPC-1Z6
Oh and that final duel scene is certainly one of the most memorable movie duels of ALL TIME. Great post, man!
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It’s easily one of my favorites, alright. That is a great one, too, by Senator Gracchus. This film certainly had its share of quotes. Always happy to share the links, my friend. Many thanks for serving as the inspiration for getting it the post out.
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I just love Derek Jacobi, his delivery makes the line even more golden IMO.
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As a Derek Jacobi fan, did you see ‘I, Claudius’ was recently re-released to disc? They’ve been replaying it on PBS, too. Thanks, Ruth.
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What a cool memory Michael! This is for sure one my fave movies ever and I remember where and when I saw it as well. I think it was also the first time that I remember that “summer movie gotta see it at midnight” urgency happening. Nice post 🙂
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Thank you very kind, Paula. Like Ruth, I have you to thank for getting this one finally out there byway of your blogathon.
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You know what? I monthly if not more regularly spit out that monologue to my family….. I am a freak I know!!
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One can’t go wrong with that ;-). Thanks, Scott.
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Another great movie that I wish I had seen on the big screen. And I had pretty much the same reaction when Maximus waxed Commodus.
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Loved the way you put that, John ;-). Yes, watching this in a full house and on a big screen was the way to catch this one. Thanks very much, my friend.
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…this is one of my favourite reoccurring features as you know Michael.
I vaguely remember seeing Gladiator in the local multiplex. It is certainly a film that sticks in the memory and remains one of my fave Ridley Scott films. I miss those plastic letters naming the films outside – we don’t get that anymore around here. 😦
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Thank you so much for the kind words and encouragement, Dan. I don’t know any Ridley fan that doesn’t regard this film well. I think its reputation is only gaining in the years since its debut.
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A FANTASTIC edition of TMT here, Michael. Love Gladiator. What a fun story of the fellow moviegoer saying out loud what everyone was thinking. I laughed reading that.
Man. Gladiator! One of the greatest films ever! Thanks for sharing
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So many movie fans seem remember when and where they were when they caught ‘Gladiator’. So glad to see many relate with it. Thanks so much, T.
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