this far too shocking scene was cut during editing

Gladiator ranks as one of the most iconic films of filmmaker Ridley Scott’s brilliant career (Alien). Renowned for its graphic sequences, the feature film almost offered a very disturbing scenebut the latter has not been preserved (which is perhaps not so bad).

an extolling peplum

Released in 2000, the film of more than two and a half hours is a real hit in dark rooms. The project revolves around the revenge of Maximus, commander and unwavering support of Emperor Marcus Aurelius. But when the sovereign is betrayed by his son Commodus, a power-hungry young man with a weak moral sense, everything changes for the protagonist. If Maximus manages to get rid of the men sent to kill him, his family isn’t so lucky. After the massacre of his family, the man is taken prisoner by a slave trader. He then becomes a gladiator and can only think of one thing: find and decimate those who have broken his life.

Crowned with many oh so prestigious awards, starting with the Oscar for best film, but also that of best actor for Russell Crowe, the work has met with great success with the general public. The historic feature film, carried by a five-star cast – we can note the presence of Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen, but also the late Richard Harris (Albus Dumbledore in the first two parts ofHarry Potter) or Djimon Hounsou (Quietly 2). A sequel is currently in development. Over the course of the latter, spectators will be able to discover a new hero, namely Lucius, son of Lucilla – therefore nephew of Commodus -, determined to follow the path of Maximus, who has since entered into legend. The opportunity to reconnect with Connie Nielsen, while the talented Paul Mescal slips into the skin of the main character. Joseph Quinn, actor adored by fans of Stranger Thingsis also in the game!

A scene deemed too disturbing

Our colleagues from Screenrant recall that, among the deleted scenes that can be found on the DVD of the work, one sequence is particularly disturbing. In the latter, we follow Maximus as he wanders under the Colosseum. The man walks past caged lions, which are then released into the arena… The main character’s gaze then rests on the center of the amphitheater. There, a woman, kneeling, holds two toddlers against her. As the beast approaches the trio, one of the unfortunate children turns and plunges, for a few seconds, his gaze into that of the protagonist. If Maximus turns away before the announced terrible attack, just knowing what’s to come is just awful.

Of course, it is a question here of psychological violence, since we are not witnessing carnage. Why not keep the scene in the final cut? Quite simply because Ridley Scott considered the moment too passive. To solve the problem, it would have been necessary not to interrupt the sequence before the massacre, but the prospect of such a gory vision was simply not conceivable in the mind of the filmmaker – and, honestly, we thank him. The passage of the lion was therefore not retained and Gladiator thus refrained from mentioning the persecution of Christians in ancient Rome.