GLADIATOR
by
David Franzoni
Revised by John Logan
SECOND DRAFT
October 22, 1998
"While stands the Colosseum, Rome shall stand.
When falls the Colosseum, Rome shall fall.
And when Rome falls -- the World."
Byron
FADE IN:
EXT. FOREST - DAY
Germania. The far reaches of the Roman Empire.
Winter 180 A.D.
Incongruously enough, the first sound we hear is a
beautiful tenor voice. Singing. A boy's voice.
CREDITS as we hear the haunting song float through dense
forests. We finally come to a rough, muddy road slashing
through the forest. On the road a GERMAN PEASANT FATHER
is herding along three sickly looking cows. His two SONS
are with him. His youngest son sits on one of the cows
and sings a soft, plaintive song.
They become aware of another sound behind them on the road
-- the creak of wood, the slap of metal on leather. The
Father immediately leads his cattle and his sons off the
road. They stand-still, eyes down: the familiar posture
of subjugated peoples throughout history.
A wagon train rumbles past them. Three ornate wagons
followed by a mounted cohort of fifty heavily-armed
PRAETORIAN GUARDS.
The young boy dares to glance up at the passing Romans.
His eyes burn with hatred.
INT. WAGON - DAY
Mist momentarily obscures a man's face. Frozen breath.
The man is in his 20's, imperious and handsome. He is
swathed in fur, only his face exposed. He is COMMODUS.
He glances up.
COMMODUS
Do you think he's really dying?
The woman across from him returns his gaze evenly. She is
slightly older, beautiful and patrician. A formidable
woman.
She is LUCILLA.
LUCILLA
He's been dying for ten years.
COMMODUS
I think he's really dying this time.
A beat. Their breath turns instantly to mist.
COMMODUS
He has to be bled every night now.
LUCILLA
How do you know that?
COMMODUS
I've been so informed.
She arches an eyebrow.
COMMODUS
If he weren't really dying he
wouldn't have sent for us.
LUCILLA
(a smile)
Maybe he just misses us.
COMMODUS
And the Senators. He wouldn't have
summoned them if --
LUCILLA
Peace, Commodus. After two weeks on
the road your incessant scheming is
hurting my head.
A beat.
COMMODUS
The first thing I shall do is honor
him with games worthy of his
majesty.
LUCILLA
The first thing I shall do is have a
hot bath.
The wagon rumbles to a halt. Voices are heard outside.
Commodus leaps out...
EXT. WAGON - OUTPOST - DAY
Three Roman SOLDIERS guard an outpost, a watchtower, on
the roadside.
COMMODUS
Why have we stopped?
PRAETORIAN GUARD MEMBER
We're here, sir.
COMMODUS
(to Soldier #1)
Where is my father?
SOLDIER #1
He's at the front, sir.
COMMODUS
Is the battle won?
SOLDIER #1
Don't know, sir. They've been gone
for eight days.
Commodus tosses off his furs -- beneath them he wears a
beautiful set of Lorica Segmentata -- the traditional
formed armor of Rome. He moves to a horse as:
COMMODUS
(to Soldier #1)
My sister wants a bath, take her to
the camp.
(to Soldier #2)
Take me to my father.
He leaps onto the horse and canters back to the Praetorian
Guard unit.
Soldier #2 climbs on his horse and leads them. Commodus
rides off with most of the Praetorian Guard unit.
Lucilla peeks her head from the wagon. She glances at the
remaining soldiers. Distinctly unpromising.
LUCILLA
(dry)
Civilization at last. Gods preserve
us.
EXT. HILL - TWILIGHT
The mighty catapults dwarf the humans. Soldiers from the
elite Felix Regiment -- a legion of the Roman Army -- haul
the monstrous machines up a hill.
The commanding General of the Felix Regiment, MAXIMUS,
walks between two of the catapults. He is a striking and
intense man in his 30's. Like all the soldiers who
surround him, he is caked with mud and exhausted.
He trudges up the hill with his two lieutenants, TITUS and
QUINTUS.
TITUS
You would do as well to read the
mind of a rhinoceros.
QUINTUS
These barbarians would rather drown
in blood than yield an inch. If I
didn't hate them so much I would
admire them.
They have reached the top of the hill. Stunning martial
preparations are underway. The catapults join ten others.
Archers are taking up position. Brutal "Scorpions" --
devices for firing multiple crossbow bolts -- are being
loaded. Soldiers are also loading the catapults with
enormous "Greek fire pots" -- large, round terra cotta
pots.
Maximus and his lieutenants gaze down from the hilltop.
Below them they can see a German encampment.
TITUS
They simply will not surrender.
A beat as Maximus gazes down at the German position.
MAXIMUS
(quietly)
A people should know when they are
conquered.
A beat.
MAXIMUS
At the first signal release the
catapults. We'll use the cavalry to
cut off the retreat.
QUINTUS
General, I don't recommend that.
Our cavalry might be caught in the
flames.
MAXIMUS
I hope not, because I'm going to be
leading them.
A beat as he gazes down at the enemy.
MAXIMUS
Why don't they know they're already
dead?
EXT. TREES - TWILIGHT
Maximus and Titus are on their horses, the cavalry of two
hundred Felix Regiment warriors surrounds them. Steam
flares from their horses' nostrils. They wait in a thick
stand of trees -- the German position can be seen across a
muddy plain.
A large wolf -- "The Wolf of Rome" -- waits at Maximus'
side.
Maximus nods to an archer. The archer lights the tip of
an arrow and sends it flaming into the night sky.
EXT. HILLTOP - TWILIGHT
Quintus waits. The catapults are loaded and waiting. So
too the Scorpions. So too the 200 archers of the Felix
Regiment.
He sees the flaming arrow flying up from below.
QUINTUS
Now!
The mighty catapults are released. The Greek fire pots
arc dramatically through the air. A moment later soldiers
release the Scorpions and hundreds of bolts streak through
the sky. The archers fire a murderous barrage of flaming
arrows.
EXT. TREES - TWILIGHT
The screaming is almost immediate.
Maximus and his cavalry watch as the fire pots crash down
into the German encampment.
EXT. GERMAN CAMP - TWILIGHT
The fire pots shatter -- pitch splashes everywhere --
seconds later the bolts and flaming arrows slice down and
ignite the pitch -- FLAME EXPLODES -- it is a hellish,
napalm-like vision -- the conflagration illuminating the
twilight.
The deadly rain of flaming arrows spreads terror through
the German camp --
EXT. TREES - TWILIGHT
Maximus watches the German camp.
MAXIMUS
(to his men)
Hold steady... steady...
He can see the nightmare destruction of the encampment
continuing -- fire pots and Scorpion bolts and flaming
arrows -- panic in the German encampment.
MAXIMUS
Steady...
He sees the Germans begin fleeing across the plain. He
quickly raises his sword and whispers a prayer, then turns
to his men:
MAXIMUS
Brothers -- I salute you! For Rome!
He spurs his horse and races out of the trees to the
plain...
EXT. PLAIN - BATTLEGROUND - TWILIGHT
Maximus leads the terrifying and relentless cavalry charge
-- Titus at his side -- the Felix Regiment screams out
fearsome war cries as they gallop across the muddy plain
toward the Germans --
Fire pots and flaming arrows are crashing down everywhere
around them --
The cavalry SLAMS into the Germans at full gallop --
It is carnage.
The Felix Regiment warriors slash ruthlessly with short
swords -- slicing a path of sheer destruction through the
Germans -- but the Germans fight with equal brutality --
and the Germans also fight with the desperation of a
hopeless last chance -- they pull and spear Roman soldiers
off horses whenever they can --
Maximus spins his horse and swings his sword with expert
efficiency -- a spear stabs through the neck of his horse
and it immediately collapses forward --
Maximus sails over the horse's head and crashes to the
muddy ground -- he jumps up and is in the midst of the
battle --
The flaming arrows and exploding fire pots create a
ferocious inferno everywhere around the battle -- the
flames silhouetting the fighting --
On the ground, Maximus proves his absolute worth as a
warrior -- he hacks and dodges -- ghastly images of true
ancient warfare -- Maximus' eyes burn with a zealous fire
as he fights for his life --
He finds he is momentarily at a terrible disadvantage --
Germans are surrounding him from all sides -- as he fights
he looks for an advantage -- for his soldiers -- for
anything -- he is doomed --
Then -- an almost mystical image -- Maximus' wolf leaps
through a wall of flame --
"The Wolf of Rome" savages several Germans around Maximus
-- giving him the help he needed.
The wolf and his master fight, side-by-side.
EXT. HILLTOP - TWILIGHT
We see an old man's face, staring down at the battle. The
face is weather-beaten, ailing. The roaring flames from
the battlefield below flicker in his sad eyes.
MARCUS AURELIUS, the Emperor of Rome, is on a horse. A
metal brace extends from the back of his saddle. He is
strapped to the brace with thick, leather straps.
He watches as the Felix Regiment below concludes the
battle. The cheering of the Regiment can be heard as the
final, isolated pockets of Germans are cut down.
Behind Marcus the sun is setting, painting the world blood
red.
EXT. BATTLEFIELD - SUNSET
Maximus, bloody and spent, walks through the aftermath of
the carnage. The Wolf of Rome is at his side. Dead and
dying by the hundreds are scattered everywhere. Roman
surgeons are attending to the wounded.
Marcus walks to him, embraces him warmly.
MAXIMUS
Caesar.
MARCUS
Maximus, you prove your valor again.
Let us hope for the final time here.
MAXIMUS
I don't think there's anyone left to
fight.
MARCUS
There are always people left to
fight...
Marcus takes Maximus' arm and they walk through the masses
of bodies. Maximus holds Marcus' arm firmly, quietly
supporting him as they walk.
MARCUS
But this night, at least, Germania
is at last defeated... What will you
do now, my friend?
MAXIMUS
Should Caesar permit, I'll go home.
I've been away too long. I've
forgotten my wife's face and I
barely know my son.
Suddenly, a tethered GERMAN PRISONER they are passing
calls out to them:
GERMAN PRISONER
THIS BLOOD MEANS NOTHING, CONQUEROR!
Maximus and Marcus stop. A soldier moves quickly to
silence the German Prisoner.
MARCUS
(to Soldier)
Stop...
(to Prisoner)
... You speak our language?
GERMAN PRISONER
You have been in my homeland for
twelve years. Of course I speak
your language. So did my son, who
you murdered. So did my daughter,
who you raped.
MAXIMUS
(to Marcus)
Come, Caesar...
MARCUS
No. Let him speak...
(to Prisoner)
... I am Rome, what would you say to
me?
GERMAN PRISONER
(points to sunset)
You are that sun, Rome, and your
time is over... You can slit a
thousand throats here, and you can
put a thousand babies to the sword,
but it will always be our home.
MARCUS
Now it is Rome.
GERMAN PRISONER
It will never be Rome. Not as long
as one German breathes.
The soldier moves to kill the insolent Prisoner.
MARCUS
No... Release him. Give him safe
passage. Let him go to his family.
The soldier leads the German Prisoner away.
Maximus and Marcus continue walking in silence for a beat.
Then:
MARCUS
Tell me again, Maximus, why are we
here?
MAXIMUS
For the glory of the empire, sire.
MARCUS
(quietly)
Yes. I remember.
They continue walking through the mountains of bodies...
EXT. ROAD - SUNSET
Maximus and Marcus are now walking along a road through
the dense forest. Slaves follow behind them, leading
their horses.
Both sides of the road are filled with the men of the
Felix Regiment. As Maximus and Marcus pass, the battered
and bloody soldiers drag themselves to their feet, raising
their swords, paying silent homage.
MAXIMUS
They honor you, Caesar.
MARCUS
I don't think they're standing for
me, Maximus. They honor you.
Just then Commodus canters into view with his Praetorian
Guard escort. He watches the army honor Maximus with rank
envy as he nears.
He rides up to Maximus and Marcus.
COMMODUS
Have I missed it?
He leaps from his horse.
COMMODUS
Have I missed the battle?
MARCUS
You've missed the war. We're done
here.
Commodus embraces him, awkward.
COMMODUS
Father. Congratulations. I shall
sacrifice a thousand doves to honor
your triumph.
MARCUS
Spare the doves and honor Maximus,
he won the battle.
Commodus embraces Maximus, even more awkward.
COMMODUS
General, Rome salutes you and I
embrace you as a brother.
MAXIMUS
Highness.
They walk, Maximus still supporting Marcus, as:
COMMODUS
Your Spaniards seem invincible. May
the Gods favor the Felix Regiment
now and always...
(to his father)
Here, Father, take my arm.
MARCUS
(ignores this)
Where's your sister?
COMMODUS
She's at the camp. She had no
desire to see the gore of the
battlefield.
MARCUS
(smiles)
Lucilla would eat every corpse here
if it brought her one step closer to
the throne.
Maximus laughs.
MAXIMUS
(smiles)
Caesar, you do the lady injustice.
MARCUS
It's a foolish old cobra who doesn't
recognize his own off-spring...
(he suddenly stops,
not feeling well)
I think... I should ride now.
Maximus waves for Marcus' horse. It is brought up.
Several soldiers carefully help the old man into the
saddle. He is then tethered to the brace on his saddle.
It is a slow, graceful and embarrassing ordeal for the
Emperor of Rome.
When at last he is strapped in, he looks to Maximus.
MARCUS
So much for the glory of Rome.
Without a word to his son, Marcus nods and the horse is
slowly lead away.
Commodus and Maximus watch him go.
COMMODUS
(neutral)
He's dying.
A beat.
COMMODUS
Poor old man.
MAXIMUS
(terse)
If you'll excuse me, Highness.
He turns and stalks away.
EXT. TENT CITY - NIGHT
We see the Roman encampment, a sea of tents. Hundreds of
campfires burn before the tents.
INT. HOSPITAL TENT - NIGHT
Maximus enters a large tent and is met by a spectacle of
the dead and dying. Roman surgeons are working feverishly
to save lives. Limbs are amputated, the bloody stumps
quickly cauterized with hot irons. Leeches and bronze
cups are employed for blood-letting to balance "humours."
Anesthesia as we know it is nonexistent. Wine amphoras
are passed around and orderlies fan narcotic smoke toward
the patients. Mostly, though, they just hold down the
writhing patients.
Maximus moves through the tent, offering a word of comfort
here and there. All the wounded are delighted to see him.
He goes to an older soldier, GALLUS, who has one wooden
hand. His other hand is bandaged.
MAXIMUS
What, Gallus, losing your other
hand?
GALLUS
Aye, General, they're going to make
a bronze one for it. Long fingers
this time.
MAXIMUS
And the women of your village will
crave your touch even more.
GALLUS
Ah, then you know the women of my
village.
Maximus smiles and moves on.
He stops at a young soldier, VALERIUS, whose head has been
shaved. A hole has been bored into his skull to relieve
the pressure on his brain. The young soldier is dying.
MAXIMUS
What's your name, son?
VALERIUS
Valerius, General.
MAXIMUS
The name suits you.
VALERIUS
Why am I dying?
A beat. Maximus sits by his cot. He takes Valerius'
hand.
MAXIMUS
You're dying because you love Rome,
as I do.
VALERIUS
I've never been to Rome.
MAXIMUS
Neither have I. Rome for us lives
here...
(he touches his
heart)
... it's a thing inside us that came
from our ancestors and that we give
to our children.
VALERIUS
It must be glorious, Rome. I've
only seen pictures. Is it a
glorious place?
A beat.
MAXIMUS
Yes, it's a glorious place.
VALERIUS
It must be.
He smiles. And he is dead.
Maximus sits for a moment. He gently closes Valerius'
eyes. And Maximus finds that he is weeping.
He is not ashamed of the tears.
INT. MESS TENT - NIGHT
An immediate swirl of noise. The grand mess tent is
crowded with soldiers. They are still filthy with caked-
on mud and blood. Wounds are bandaged and tankards are
raised in celebration of the victory.
Marcus sits in a central position and receives visitors.
Currently two Senators, FALCO and GAIUS, are bowing before
him.
FALCO
Hail, Marcus Aurelius.
MARCUS
Stand up, Senators. That unfamiliar
posture doesn't suit you.
GAIUS
We live in supplication to your
glory.
MARCUS
All the while conspiring with that
fat man in Rome. How is the old
monster?
GAIUS
Senator Gracchus is hale, sire.
MARCUS
Still damning me to the four winds?
GAIUS
Still eager for your triumphant
return to Rome, Caesar.
MARCUS
I would have silenced him decades
ago -- but I just like him too much.
Meanwhile, Maximus stands with his lieutenants, Titus and
Quintus. A wound on Maximus' arm has been bound.
MAXIMUS
(to Titus)
If you want to stay on, I support
you. So do the men. I'll ask the
Emperor to appoint you in my place.
TITUS
It won't be the Felix Regiment
without you.
MAXIMUS
I'll return after a season at home.
Maybe two.
QUINTUS
That means after three or four more
babies.
TITUS
And you'll be too fat from Vibia's
cooking to get on your horse by
then.
MAXIMUS
Should the Gods so bless me. I
would be thankful.
Commodus perambulates up to them.
COMMODUS
Hail, warriors. My congratulations.
TITUS AND QUINTUS
(bowing)
Highness.
COMMODUS
(to Maximus)
My old friend, my father tells me
you're returning to Spain?
MAXIMUS
Yes.
COMMODUS
A pity. I'll need men like you in
my army...
An awkward glance between the soldiers. This sort of talk
is offensively premature.
COMMODUS
There are larger division that might
appeal to you. Even the Praetorian
Guard. You've never been to Rome.
Imagine arriving as head of the
Praetorians! They have really
splendid uniforms.
MAXIMUS
(cold)
I'm going home.
Senators Gaius and Falco join them.
GAIUS
(to Maximus)
... And why not apply for entry to
the Senate?
FALCO
A war hero with a handsome face and
a strong heart could go far.
COMMODUS
General Maximus, may I present
Senators Gaius and Falco. Beware of
this Gaius, he'll pour a honeyed
potion in your ear and you'll wake
up one day and all you'll say is
"Republic, Republic, Republic..."
Laughter.
FALCO
Have you never considered Rome?
MAXIMUS
No.
COMMODUS
You've had my ear since we were
children. You could be a valuable
ally in the Senate.
GAIUS
Are you a believer in Republicanism?
COMMODUS
(laughs)
There -- I warned you.
MAXIMUS
I'm a soldier, not a politician.
Meanwhile, a dark eye is studying the men through a hidden
slit in the tent wall. The eye is particularly drawn to
Maximus.
GAIUS
If your heart lies with the people,
I would back you for the Senate.
I'm sure Gracchus would as well.
COMMODUS
Not a word about that sodomite
bastard.
GAIUS
(smiles to Maximus)
The august Senator Gracchus has been
rather a gadfly on the flesh of the
imperial family.
FALCO
He's a damned provocateur.
GAIUS
He lives under the antiquated
assumption that the Senate should
represent the people with vigor.
COMMODUS
I won't tolerate it. His incessant
criticism exhausts me. The man can
speak for five hours without taking
a breath.
GAIUS
He serves Rome best when he serves
it with honesty.
COMMODUS
(sharply)
Enough... Maximus, I would like to
inspect the Felix Regiment at dawn.
Please arrange it.
MAXIMUS
I can't do that.
COMMODUS
Excuse me?
MAXIMUS
My men have been fighting for five
solid days. They're too busy dying
to go on dress parade.
A beat. Commodus' eyes flash fire at this public rebuke.
He very quickly gets control.
COMMODUS
(smiles)
Of course, how foolish of me. Some
other time...
He notes his father being helped out of the tent by
several body slaves.
COMMODUS
Caesar retires early tonight.
INT. TENT CORRIDOR - NIGHT
Marcus is helped out of the mess tent into a tent corridor
attached.
He sees his daughter Lucilla in the corridor, spying in
through the slit in the tent wall. He watches her,
smiles.
MARCUS
If only you had been born a man...
She turns to him. He leaves his body slaves and goes to
her.
LUCILLA
Father.
MARCUS
What a Caesar you would have made.
LUCILLA
You're right.
MARCUS
I think you would have been strong.
I wonder if you would have been
just?
LUCILLA
I would have been what you taught me
to be.
A beat. They stare at each other. He finally smiles.
MARCUS
Well, pretend to be my loving
daughter tonight and walk with me to
my chamber.
She smiles and takes his arm. They slowly walk down the
tent corridor as:
MARCUS
This is a pleasant fiction, isn't
it?
They disappear into darkness.
EXT. TENT CITY - DAWN
Maximus is slogging through the mud and snow that blankets
the Rome camp. He stops to observe an unusual sight.
Commodus is stripped almost naked, his chiseled body
covered in a fine sheen of sweat. He and his six
CENTURION BODY GUARDS are going through their daily
ritual. They defy the sub-zero temperatures and hack at
small trees with swords.
It is an eerie, zen-like workout. Commodus' intense
concentration is unnerving.
Maximus watches for a moment then moves on. He approaches
a large network of tents. He enters.
INT. MARCUS' TENT - DAY
Maximus enters Marcus' darkened tent. Flickering braziers
provide the only light in the enormous Imperial tent.
Heavy beams support the canopy and they creak like the
timbers of a ship as the tent sways slightly in the wind.
Marcus stands before a map of the Roman Empire.
MAXIMUS
(bows)
Caesar.
Marcus holds out a scroll.
MARCUS
Read this.
MAXIMUS
I never acquired the art, sir.
MARCUS
Of course. No matter. In this
letter I denote my intention to
nominate you to stand for the
Emperorship after my death.
A stunned pause. Maximus stares at him.
MARCUS
My son is not a moral man. You have
known this since you were young. He
cannot rule.
MAXIMUS
Caesar, I am honored but --
MARCUS
For twenty years I have been
spilling blood. For twenty years I
have written philosophy and
ruminated and conquered. Since I
became Caesar I have only had four
years without war. Four years of
peace in twenty. So perhaps I can
be... forgiven.
A long beat.
MARCUS
While I have been fighting, Rome has
grown mad and corpulent and
diseased. I did this. And now I
shall make it right.
MAXIMUS
Sire, you brought the light of the
Gods to barbarian darkness. You
brought civilization and justice to
the farthest --
MARCUS
(fierce)
I have brought the sword -- nothing
more! Rome is far away and we
shouldn't be here. What matter is
it to the Gods if we subdue one more
tribe of Parthians or Gauls? What
matter is it to Rome if a thousand
more barbarians bend to our lash?
A beat.
Marcus sits. He doesn't look at Maximus.
A pause.
MARCUS
Winter, Maximus. It's winter now...
A beat.
MARCUS
There was a dream that was Rome. I
can only whisper of it now.
Anything more than a whisper and the
dream vanishes. It's so... fragile.
The true glory of Rome is in a very
fragile idea. Imagine a place
devoted to the rights of the
citizen. Where every free man has a
voice. That was the dream... And I
fear it will not survive the winter.
He holds out a hand to Maximus. Maximus takes his hand,
deeply moved, kneeling.
MARCUS
Let's just whisper here, you and I.
MAXIMUS
Yes, Caesar.
MARCUS
If the dream is ever to live again
the people must have a true voice.
The voice I took from them. That
all the Caesars took from them, bit
by bit, conquest by conquest. And
now that I am dying I am going to
give them that voice again.
MAXIMUS
You're not dying.
MARCUS
I am, Maximus. It's strange... I
find as I near the end I think
little of the waning moments around
me... instead I think much of the
past... and of the future. How will
the world speak my name in years to
come? Will I be known as the
philosopher? The warrior? The
tyrant? Or will there be a more
golden sounding to my name? Will I
be the Emperor who gave Rome back
her freedom?
A beat.
MARCUS
Before I die I will give the people
this final gift. I will give them
the Senate reborn. The voice of the
people empowered again, as it was
always meant to be. It is my design
that they will elect the next
Emperor. And I would put forward
your name with my backing.
MAXIMUS
Caesar, you do me honor -- but your
son has pride of place for
succession.
MARCUS
You are the son I should have had...
Although I fear in my deepest heart
that if you had truly been my son my
blood would have polluted you as it
did Commodus. We're a cursed
bloodline. We have lived so long in
power and depravity that we no
longer remember a life without it.
We can no longer even imagine a life
without it.
A beat.
MARCUS
Look at me, son.
Maximus looks at him.
MARCUS
Son... I know that one grove of your
vineyard is worth more to you than
all the treasures of Rome. I know
one loving word from your wife is
worth more than the accolades of an
Empire. But... a fond old man, who
loves you more than he can say, begs
you to at least think about what he
has said tonight.
MAXIMUS
I shall, Caesar.
A beat.
MARCUS
I'll keep this letter to myself. I
hope that with the sunrise you will
agree. And embrace me as a father.
Maximus nods and rises. He begins to go. Stops.
MAXIMUS
You have always been my father.
He goes.
INT. TENT CORRIDOR - DAY
Maximus emerges from Marcus' tent into a long tent
corridor, deep in thought.
LUCILLA'S VOICE
He always favored you...
He turns. Lucilla is waiting. She glides to him.
LUCILLA
Even over his son.
MAXIMUS
(turning away)
That's not true.
LUCILLA
Maximus, stop...
(he stops)
Let me see your face.
He turns to her.
LUCILLA
You've been crying.
MAXIMUS
I lost too many men.
LUCILLA
What does my father intend?
He turns and walks. She walks with him.
MAXIMUS
I don't know.
LUCILLA
You're lying. I could tell when you
were lying even when we were
children. You hate it.
MAXIMUS
I never acquired your comfort with
it.
LUCILLA
True. But then you never had to.
Maximus, stop...
(he stops again)
... Is it really so terrible seeing
me again?
MAXIMUS
No. I'm sorry. I'm tired from the
battle.
LUCILLA
And you are hurt to see my father
dying.
A beat.
LUCILLA
He will announce Commodus'
succession. That's why he summoned
us. Will you serve my brother as
you served his father?
MAXIMUS
I will always serve the ideals of
Rome.
A beat.
LUCILLA
Do you know I still remember you in
my prayers...? Oh yes, I pray...
Ever since that day you saved me
from drowning off Capri. Do you
remember?
MAXIMUS
Yes.
LUCILLA
Commodus was so angry that a mere
peasant -- a Spaniard no less --
touched the royal person, do you
remember his anger?
MAXIMUS
Yes.
LUCILLA
Mark this, Maximus: that is the man
who will be Emperor.
A beat.
MAXIMUS
May I be permitted to go, Highness?
She smiles sadly.
LUCILLA
There was a time when you didn't
call me "Highness."
MAXIMUS
And there was a time when you were
just a little girl drowning in the
sea. All that was a different life.
LUCILLA
(quietly)
Very different... I wonder if it was
better?
MAXIMUS
It was more honest.
A moment between them. We sense there is much to be said,
much that could be said.
Finally:
MAXIMUS
I thank you for your prayers.
He goes. She watches him walk away.
INT. MAXIMUS' TENT - NIGHT
Maximus kneels before a small altar in his tent. He faces
six small figures that represent his dead ancestors.
MAXIMUS
Ancestors, true bloodline, I ask you
for your guidance. Bring me your
solace and your wisdom. Blessed
Mother, come to me in my dreams with
the Gods' desire for my future.
Blessed Father, watch over my wife
and my son with a ready sword. Keep
them safe until my return. Whisper
to them in their sleep that I live
only to hold them again and all else
is dust and air. Ancestors, true
bloodline, I honor you and will try
to live with the dignity you have
taught me.
He looks at his "ancestors" for a moment and then blows
out the candles around them.
INT. MARCUS' TENT - NIGHT
Commodus' eyes are red with weeping. He sits, head down,
at the foot of Marcus' bed and speaks to his father.
COMMODUS
(quietly)
I search the faces of the Gods for
ways to please you... to make you
proud... and I can never do it. One
kind word -- one full hug where you
pressed me to your chest and held me
tight -- would have been like the
sun on my heart for a thousand
years... What is it in me you hate
so much? My eyes are your eyes. My
hands are your hands. All I have
ever wanted was to live up to you.
Caesar. Father.
He stands. We see that he is holding the scroll denoting
Marcus' intention to nominate Maximus as Emperor to the
Senate. Commodus cannot control his tears.
COMMODUS
Why does Maximus deserve what I
could never have? -- Why do you love
his eyes over mine? -- I would
butcher the whole world -- if you
would only love me...
Commodus weeps.
INT. MAXIMUS' TENT - NIGHT
Quintus is waking Maximus --
QUINTUS
General -- Maximus --
MAXIMUS
Quintus -- ?
QUINTUS
The Emperor needs you. It's urgent.
Maximus leaps up and throws on a cloak, strides out with
Quintus...
EXT. TENT CITY - NIGHT
Dead of night. Maximus and Quintus stride quickly through
the sleeping camp toward Marcus' tent.
MAXIMUS
What is it? Is he ill?
QUINTUS
I don't know...
They continue on toward Marcus' tent.
INT. MARCUS' TENT - NIGHT
Maximus and Quintus stride into the tent -- Maximus slams
to a halt. Stunned.
Commodus stands before him. Lucilla stands in a corner of
the tent, head down.
And Marcus Aurelius dead, lying on his bed.
Maximus stares at Marcus.
COMMODUS
Lament with me, brother, our great
father is dead. I want --
Maximus, not even hearing, steps past him to Marcus.
He stands for a moment and then slowly kneels before
Marcus and gently kisses the old man's forehead. A ritual
farewell.
A moment of silent mourning and then Maximus stands. He
turns very, very slowly to Commodus.
COMMODUS
General, the Gods' have taken the
great man and left me alone. My
first desire as Emperor is that you
take my hand in friendship. I need
you at my side, Maximus, at this
moment above all others. Stand with
me.
Maximus glares at him:
MAXIMUS
How did he die?
Commodus does not respond.
MAXIMUS
How did he die?
COMMODUS
The surgeons say it was his breath
that gave out.
Maximus glances to Lucilla, she avoids his eyes.
COMMODUS
Take my hand, Maximus. I only offer
it once.
A beat.
Maximus turns back to Marcus.
MAXIMUS
How will the world speak your name
now, old man?
Without a glance to Commodus, he stalks out.
A silent beat. Then Commodus nods to Quintus. Quintus
goes.
Lucilla looks at Commodus for a long moment, her face an
enigmatic tornado of complex emotions.
Then:
LUCILLA
Hail, Caesar.
INT. MAXIMUS' TENT - NIGHT
Maximus is kneeling before his ancestors, head down, his
fists clenched, praying.
Quintus and four Praetorian ASSASSINS suddenly burst in --
the assassins move immediately to bind Maximus -- swords
at his throat --
MAXIMUS
What -- ?!
QUINTUS
(ashamed)
Please don't fight, Maximus --
MAXIMUS
Quintus --
Quintus goes to Maximus' armor, which hangs nearby, and
slowly removes his seal of office.
QUINTUS
I'm sorry, General, Caesar has
spoken.
They pull Maximus out --
EXT. MAXIMUS' TENT - TENT CITY - NIGHT
Five horses are waiting.
MAXIMUS
Quintus, what -- ?
QUINTUS
(anguish)
I have no choice --
They are almost run over by a stern cohort of twenty
Praetorians who gallop past. Maximus knows immediately
what this means.
MAXIMUS
(suddenly)
My family?!
A beat.
MAXIMUS
What about my family, Quintus?
QUINTUS
(quietly)
They will greet you in the
afterlife.
Maximus lunges at him -- the Praetorians subdue him --
slamming him with a sword hilt -- knocking him
unconscious.
QUINTUS
(quietly, to
assassins)
Take him as far as the sunrise and
then kill him.
EXT. FOREST ROAD - DAWN
The four Praetorian assassins lead Maximus along a road.
He sits slumped in his saddle, drained.
ASSASSIN #1
All right, this is far enough.
The three other assassins climb from their horses.
Assassin #2 pushes Maximus from his horse. He falls to
the ground hard.
ASSASSIN #1
You two take him down there where no
one will find him.
ASSASSIN #3
Come on, General...
Assassin #3 and Assassin #4 drag Maximus down a densely
forested hill along the road. Maximus' hands are still
bound in front of him. He seems totally lacking in any
resistance.
EXT. FOREST - BELOW THE ROAD - DAWN
Maximus eyes the two assassins as they troop down the
hill away from the road, he notes their sparkling armor.
The armor of men who have never seen real battle.
MAXIMUS
Have you ever done this before?
ASSASSIN #3
What?
MAXIMUS
Killed a man with a sword?
ASSASSIN #3
Not like this, exactly... this is
good, you can stop.
They stop. They are far down the hill, out of sight of
the road.
MAXIMUS
It can be very messy -- you could
get blood all over your armor. You
don't want to hack me up now. You
want one clean stroke.
ASSASSIN #3
Would you kneel, General?
Maximus kneels, his whole body secretly coiling. Assassin
#3 stands over him as:
MAXIMUS
One good stroke -- you do know
where, don't you?
ASSASSIN #4
Be quiet.
MAXIMUS
If you miss the spot there'll be
blood everywhere. Quite a spray.
ASSASSINS #3
All right, where?
MAXIMUS
Here -- you don't want to hit the
vein on the neck --
Maximus points his bound hands at a spot on the back of
his neck.
MAXIMUS
Put the point of your sword here...
you want one, good blow right at
this spot --
Assassin #3 dutifully puts the point of his sword on the
spot on Maximus' neck.
A grave mistake.
Maximus instantly grabs the blade of the sword with his
hands and yanks it from Assassin #3 -- EXPLODING up -- his
hands are bleeding but he tosses the sword into the air
and catches it -- swings the sword with brutal efficiency
-- decapitating both assassins --
EXT. FOREST ROAD - DAWN
On the road above, the other two Assassins are on their
horses, waiting.
They hear a quick yelp from below. And then nothing.
Assassin #1 nods for Assassin #2 to check on the
execution. Assassin #2 canters off the road and down the
hill...
EXT. FOREST - BELOW THE ROAD - DAWN
Assassin #2 canters down the hillside.
He senses movement behind him -- spins around, drawing his
sword -- too late --
Maximus throws a sword -- it flashes through the air --
and into Assassin #2.
EXT. FOREST ROAD - DAWN
Assassin #1 waits on his horse. He hears the commotion
below -- spins his horse around just as Maximus bursts to
the road. He stands with a sword.
Assassin #1 spurs his horse and gallops toward Maximus at
full speed -- Maximus crouches and prepares --
Assassin #1 and Maximus swirl together for an instant --
both slashing brutally --
Assassin #1 continues to gallop past Maximus. He stops.
He looks down. A wound in his stomach. He falls off his
horse. Dead.
Maximus has also been wounded -- a deep gash on his side.
He fights the pain as he moves toward the horses...
EXT. FOREST ROAD - DAY
Maximus is galloping through the forest at lightning
speed, leading four horses behind him. The gash in his
side bleeding.
EXT. TENT CITY - DAY
A gloomy day. Emperor Commodus stands before the
assembled Felix Regiment.
The soldiers are already uneasy. They note Quintus
standing by Commodus, wearing Maximus' seal of office.
Where is Maximus?
COMMODUS
Even as the Gods curse this dark day
with clouds, so too does the sun
begin to shine forth on a promised
tomorrow. Even as we mourn the
passing of our father, so too do we
celebrate the coming of a bright,
new age for Rome. At my side,
brothers, you shall pull fresh
glories from the heavens. At my
side, brothers, you shall know the
adoration of the Gods. Doubly-dark
is this day because my friend, your
noble commander Maximus Meridas, has
been called to Rome to deal with
urgent matters of state...
Titus glances quickly to Gallus, whose hand is bandaged
from surgery. They know this cannot be true.
COMMODUS
Until his promised return I
appointed Quintus Domitian to serve
in his stead. I salute you,
Legionnaires!
QUINTUS
(raising his sword)
Hail, Caesar!
The Felix Regiment responds, many unsure.
FELIX REGIMENT
Hail, Caesar!
Commodus strides off and the Felix Regiment slowly
disbands, muttering to one another in confusion.
Titus and Gallus go to Quintus.
TITUS
Quintus, what is -- ?
QUINTUS
(firmly)
Don't speak of it. Never speak of
it.
He stalks off. Titus and Gallus, concerned, watch him
follow after Commodus.
INT. MAXIMUS' TENT - DAY
Lucilla stands in Maximus' tent. She looks around. She
gently touches his Lorica Segmentata. Her fingertips move
along the contours of his armor. She tries to retain her
neutral demeanor.
She notes his "ancestors" on the small alter.
EXT. HILLSIDE - NIGHT
Maximus continues to gallop, he is on a different horse.
He leads only two horses now.
EXT. VINEYARD - DAY
Maximus' home in Spain is beautiful beyond measure.
We see verdant farmlands and vineyards and a spacious
house nestled amid gently rolling hills.
Maximus' eight-year-old SON is in a paddock playing with
his pony. He stops, sees something. Over a hill, he can
just glimpse a battle flag, approaching.
He screams with joy and runs toward the flag as he calls:
MAXIMUS' SON
MOTHER! MOTHER! FATHER'S HOME!
Maximus' WIFE emerges from the house, drying her hands on
a cloth and smiles.
Maximus' Son races toward the flag. He can just see the
soldiers beginning to appear over the hill. Not a Roman
Legion at all. Twenty Praetorians canter over the hill.
Maximus' Son stops, confused.
EXT. OLIVE GROVE - DAY
Maximus is galloping up a hill, leading only one horse
now. The horse he is on is exhausted, spent, foam coats
its neck. It can't make it.
The horse collapses and Maximus falls. He immediately
leaps onto the remaining horse and continues riding up the
hill.
EXT. HILLS AROUND VINEYARD - SUNSET
Maximus is racing over the countryside, galloping in a
frenzy. His wound is bleeding profusely, coating the side
of his horse.
He rears the horse to a stop for a moment. Over a hill he
can see thick black smoke rising. He spurs the horse and
gallops over the hill...
EXT. VINEYARD - SUNSET
And his worst nightmares are realized.
His home and his vineyards have been destroyed. The earth
has been scorched and his house is still smoldering. He
rides up to the house and practically falls off the horse.
He pulls himself up and walks past the smoldering debris
of his house, fearing what he knows he will find.
He sees the bodies of servants scattered about in the
ruins. He sees a Praetorian battle flag.
He continues on, his wound bleeding more with every
tortured step. He finally stops. He stares up.
His wife and his son have been crucified and burnt. They
are nothing more than grotesquely twisted, charred shapes.
Maximus instantly collapses to his knees -- he howls out
his torment in a heartrending keen of despair as he coats
his face in the ashes of his dead world. He sinks into
unconsciousness, praying for death.
EXT. VINEYARD - DAY
An unusual jingling sound is heard. Maximus appears to be
dead, his gaping wound beginning to fester.
The source of the jingling becomes clear when we see the
feet of Bedouin brigands, with delicate anklets, shuffling
around him. A hand touches his sandals. Rich sandals.
Another touches his tunic. Good cloth.
Suddenly Maximus groans. The hands stop. He's alive. A
bit of quick language in an unknown tongue.
Then the hands grab Maximus and drag him away.
EXT. SLAVE WAGON TRAIN - DAY
Maximus' eyes slowly open --
Inches away from his face -- a lion roars --
Maximus lurches back.
He looks around to realize he is in a filthy slave wagon.
Three other wagons slowly move over the desert landscape.
Exotic animals are caged in pens or led alongside the
wagons: lions, panthers, zebras, a giraffe. A dozen
slaves are chained together alongside sacks of spices and
other cargo. Bedouin slave traders jabber in a surreal
babel of foreign tongues.
And someone is looking at him. JUBA, a striking African,
is gazing at him impassively as he chews something. Juba
is also chained.
MAXIMUS
(weakly)
Am I in Hades?
JUBA
Yes.
Juba spits what he has been chewing into his hands and
moves to Maximus.
JUBA
For your wound...
Maximus stares at him.
JUBA
(nods)
For your wound.
Maximus looks down -- the bloody wound at his side.
Juba carefully places his poultice over the wound --
Maximus hisses in pain -- Juba massages the poultice into
the wound gently as:
JUBA
If you die in the wagons they feed
you to the lions... The lions are
worth more than we are. I think we
are worth more than the zebras
though. So they don't feed us to
them.
Maximus stares at him. Juba looks down at him with the
barest hint of a smile.
JUBA
I'm not sure about the giraffe.
EXT. SLAVE MARKET - DAY
The heat of Morocco is unlike anything Maximus has ever
known. Shimmering heat waves undulate over the sand.
The provincial market is bustling like the proverbial
anthill. Slave traders and dealers and merchants move
around, all talking very quickly and very emphatically.
Maximus, Juba and a number of other slaves are on display,
poked and prodded and fondled. Their BEDOUIN SLAVE TRADER
sings out their praises to any passers.
The crowd parts almost magically for the dramatic arrival
of PROXIMO. Proximo is a large man of immense appetites.
He has the ferocious appearance of a true pirate. Two
slaves follow behind him and impotently swat at flies with
switches.
SLAVE TRADER
Proximo, my old friend, see what I
have for you today -- !
Proximo SLAMS a fist into the Slave Trader's face. The
Slave Trader sails back.
PROXIMO
Those giraffes you sold me won't
mate! All they do is run around not
mating! YOU SOLD ME EUNUCH
GIRAFFES!!
The Slave Trader pulls himself up, hugely obsequious.
SLAVE TRADER
I will make it up to you, Master.
It's bargain day for you! Look,
look, look -- I have two lions and a
panther -- hear how they roar for
you! "Bring me home, Proximo!"
Proximo examines the animals.
PROXIMO
How much for the lot?
SLAVE TRADER
For you -- 8,000 sesterces.
PROXIMO
For me -- 6,000 sesterces and I want
to see their balls first. And you
throw in those two slaves.
SLAVE TRADER
(moves to Maximus)
What about this one? Look at the
arms!
Proximo moves to Maximus. The Slave Trader forces open
Maximus' mouth.
PROXIMO
Good teeth --
Proximo notes the many old battle scars on Maximus' body.
PROXIMO
Where did you get those scars?
Maximus doesn't respond.
PROXIMO
Are you a soldier?
Maximus doesn't respond.
PROXIMO
Do you speak? --
(he roars back to a
slave)
KEEP THOSE DAMN FLIES OFF ME!
(back to Maximus)
He's dying.
SLAVE TRADER
1,000 sesterces.
PROXIMO
My ass...
(moves to Juba)
You throw in this one and we'll make
it 7,000 sesterces for the whole
lot.
SLAVE TRADER
I have to eat, Master! He's my
finest, I couldn't let him go as
part of the lot for less than 9,000
total...
(back to Maximus)
I tell you this one is prime. He's
a Spaniard and killed fourteen of my
men before he could be subdued!
Proximo looks at Maximus, notes the many battle scars
again. The scars, and something he senses in Maximus'
eyes, is enough for Proximo to consider it.
PROXIMO
(to trader)
All right, let's see.
The Slave Trader and his colleagues grab Maximus and
bustle him across the market, unlocking his chains.
Maximus has no idea what's going on.
In the center of the market place, a veritable GIANT of a
man sits on a small stool, a wooden sword in his hand. He
is hunched over and chained to the ground by a ten foot
chain shackled to his ankle. A think metal helmet is
riveted around his entire head, only long turfs of hair
emerging. His dim eyes stare listlessly through a slot in
the helmet.
The Slave Trader puts a wooden sword in Maximus' hand and
shoves him toward the Giant. The Giant stands. He towers
over Maximus.
The Giant suddenly swings his sword -- he moves with
remarkable quickness -- Maximus makes no attempt to block
the blow -- it sends him flying to the ground.
Maximus pulls himself up.
The Giant moves in and hits him again -- Maximus recoils
-- the Giant hits him again -- Maximus falls.
Maximus pulls himself up.
The Giant moves in again -- he slams him a few more times
-- Maximus makes no attempt to protect himself -- he
falls.
Maximus pulls himself up.
The Giant is about to attack again --
PROXIMO
(to Slave Trader)
That's enough.
SLAVE TRADER
STOP! STOP!
His colleagues race into the ring and haul the Giant away
from Maximus. The Giant quietly sits back on his stool.
Proximo studies Maximus for a moment and then glances to
the Slave Trader.
PROXIMO
I'll give you 500 sesterces.
SLAVE TRADER
No -- no -- 1,000!
PROXIMO
(laughs)
Come, don't quibble with your old
friend. I'll take the lions, the
panther, the Numidian and this one
for 7,000. And I'll buy you the
best whore in the town for two
nights. She's an enormous mountain
of flesh who craves a stern hand.
SLAVE TRADER
How could I say no to my old friend
Proximo?
EXT. PROXIMO'S SCHOOL - DAY
Maximus and Juba are crammed into a wagon with about ten
other slaves, including a very scared and reedy SCRIBE.
Other wagons are filled with exotic animals, including
several lions.
The wagons move through a crowded casbah and are taken
through an imposing set of gates to...
EXT. PROXIMO'S SCHOOL - COMPOUND - DAY
An open compound in Proximo's school. On one side of the
compound is a series of cages filled with wild animals of
every description -- including Proximo's two hapless
giraffes.
Proximo's house slaves begin unloading the newly purchased
exotic animals into cages as Maximus and the new slaves
are unloaded. Heavily armed guards supervise everything.
But Proximo's slaves are having a bit of a problem with
one of the new lions -- it growls and resists them.
Without the slightest hesitation, Proximo thunders to the
lion and grabs it by the mane -- manhandling it into a
cage.
PROXIMO
COME ON, YOU FILTHY BEAST!
He kicks the lion in the rear as he shoves it into the
cage.
Proximo's provincial school resembles nothing so much as a
seedy prison. The fading grandeur of the decaying
battlements and the sweeping North African architecture
only slightly mitigate the brutal feel of the place.
And if Maximus had any doubts as to Proximo's profession
-- all doubts are washed away when he sees the compound.
Twenty GLADIATORS are working out in the compound --
hacking at practice dummies and sparring. The many
heavily armed guards oversee everything. The gladiators
stop working out as they see the new slaves enter. They
eye their potential new opponents warily.
One huge, glowering gladiator -- VIBIUS -- watches with
particular interest. His eye is quickly drawn to the most
obvious athlete: Juba.
The new slaves are herded to the middle of the compound
and house slaves immediately begin throwing buckets of
water on them, cleaning them.
Meanwhile, Proximo shrugs off his cloak. A slave brings
him wine as he give his "welcoming speech" to the new
slaves:
PROXIMO
Slaves. I am Proximo, trainer of
gladiators. You live and die at my
pleasure. Fight well and you will
live. Fight poorly and you will
die. It is better to live.
Slaves now toss thick handfuls of powdered lime on the new
slaves -- they cough and clench their eyes shut, the lime
coats and stings their wet bodies.
PROXIMO
Here you will be trained in the art
of combat. Here you will be given
the tools to survive. Please my
patrons in the arena and all the
gifts of the world will be showered
upon you. Imagine riches beyond
your paltry dreams of riches!
Imagine fame beyond your rude
understanding of the word! All this
can belong to the select few who
prove their worth in the arena.
Slaves throw more water on the new slaves -- washing off
the lime.
PROXIMO
If... on the other hand... you
disappoint me... you will be
dismembered and fed to my jackals
limb by limb.
He gazes evenly at his new acquisitions.
PROXIMO
And my jackals are always hungry.
He strides off and the guards shove the new gladiators
toward their cells.
INT. PROXIMO'S SCHOOL - MAXIMUS' CELL - NIGHT
Maximus and Juba share a small, filthy cell. The cell
door faces the open compound. Across the compound they
can see the much more comfortable cells of the "star"
gladiators such as Vibius.
They both sit on the floor, leaning against the wall.
Juba is eating a bowl of food with a wooden spoon.
Maximus' bowl and spoon are at his side, he has not
touched them.
JUBA
Have you killed a man before?
Maximus does not respond.
JUBA
You should eat. You'll need your
strength tomorrow.
Maximus does not respond.
JUBA
I've never killed a man. But I
think you have.
Maximus does not respond.
JUBA
I almost killed once. The Romans
destroyed my village. I was with a
hunting party and when we
returned... I would have killed
every Roman in the world.
A long beat.
JUBA
If you don't eat you will die.
Maximus does not respond.
A beat.
JUBA
In the village I come from there was
a man once. He went fishing one day
and his boat was attacked by
crocodiles. One of them ate his
leg. He pulled himself to the shore
and a lion attacked him. It ate one
of his arms. He dragged himself
through the desert on the way home
and a scorpion stung his eye. So he
only had one eye. When he reached
the village I sat with him. I said,
"You have lost a leg, an arm and one
eye. You must have a mighty will to
live." He said, "No, Lord, it's
just better than the alternative."
Maximus finally looks at him.
JUBA
Life is a gift from our fathers to
us. Who are you to give it up for
lack of lifting a spoon?
Maximus does not respond.
EXT. PROXIMO'S SCHOOL - COMPOUND - NIGHT
Maximus and Juba are being observed. Proximo stands in
the shadows of the compound and watches intently.
EXT. SLAVE WAGON - PROVINCIAL STREETS - DAY
Blood appears to be flowing across an oxen's back. But
the blood is too rich, too red.
The oxen are pulling an open slave wagon through the
crowded streets of the town. Hanging above the street is
dyed wool drying in the sun. Vermilion and crimson dyes
drip down and splash across the oxen -- and splash across
the gladiators.
Maximus, Juba, the formidable Vibius are chained in the
back of the wagon. Also the frightened Scribe.
Proximo and a few of his guards drive the wagon. Proximo
has an umbrella over him, colored with years of dripping
dyes.
They pass a banner honoring Vibius, the star of Proximo's
stable.
Meanwhile, the terrified Scribe is almost weeping,
chattering nervously to Vibius, chained next to him:
SCRIBE
I know nothing of armaments and
warfare! I'm a scribe -- I write
down words! I can write down seven
languages --
VIBIUS
Be still.
SCRIBE
I don't -- how do you hold the
sword?! I've never held a sword!
VIBIUS
You point the sharp end at your
opponent and you shove it in his
guts.
SCRIBE
I can't -- I --
He suddenly vomits.
VIBIUS
(calling to Proximo)
Proximo! You insult me with this
carrion! Chain him to someone else!
PROXIMO
(calling back)
Don't worry, noble Vibius, he won't
be bothering you for long.
The Scribe begins to weep.
The crowds in the street jeer at the passing gladiators.
Occasionally throwing trash at them. A pack of children
run alongside the wagon, chanting:
CHILDREN
Dead guts! Dead guts! Dead guts!
Maximus watches the children for a moment and then another
sight draws his attention. Over some buildings he can see
vultures circling in the distance.
EXT. PROVINCIAL ARENA - DUGOUT - DAY
In the cramped holding area of the arena, a dugout beneath
the stands, Maximus and the other gladiators are waiting.
Proximo walks before them, giving a final "pep talk." He
gazes at them evenly, his eyes going from face to face.
PROXIMO
Some of you say you can't fight, you
won't fight... They all say that...
But one day you will pick up a sword
and thrust it into another man. And
the crowd will cheer you and love
you. And you will love them for it.
On that day... you will be a
gladiator.
He stops at Maximus.
PROXIMO
In this life, we all die. All we
can choose is how we die. And how
we are remembered. Be remembered
proudly.
Drums are heard from the arena. Proximo nods to a waiting
blacksmith.
The blacksmith begins slamming shackles on the gladiator's
wrists -- chaining them together in teams of two by a
chain about four feet long.
The blacksmith is about to chain Maximus to the Scribe.
PROXIMO
No...
(he points to Juba)
... give the Spaniard to him. Give
the Scribe to Vibius.
Proximo nods to Vibius, who, for reasons we shall soon
see, makes no protest to being chained to the whimpering
Scribe.
Proximo watches the blacksmith shackle Maximus and Juba
together and then strides off.
JUBA
(to Maximus)
Are we going to fight each other?
EXT. PROVINCIAL ARENA - DAY
Proximo sits in a box with several other GLADIATOR
TRAINERS. They drink wine and eat constantly. A
perpetual chatter of wagers and odds and side bets.
The arena is only sparsely attended this day.
PROXIMO
Make it 600 sesterces for each
decapitation.
TRAINER #1
How many strokes?
PROXIMO
Two.
TRAINER #1
For the great Vibius, one stroke.
PROXIMO
Done. 400 sesterces for two
strokes.
In the arena:
Proximo's chained teams enter the arena, five teams.
Maximus and Juba are chained together. Some of the small
crowd cheers for Vibius. He acknowledges the cheers. He
is chained to the weeping Scribe.
In the box:
Trainer #1 laughs.
TRAINER #1
(re: Vibius)
Who's he with?
PROXIMO
A Greek Scribe.
TRAINER #1
I'll raise the wager.
PROXIMO
(smiles)
Give me odds, friend.
In the arena:
From the opposite end of the arena a dozen armored, very
scary Andabatae thunder into the arena. Some of the crowd
cheers.
The Andabatae immediately race for the chained teams and
the battle is on.
Vibius spins into action -- dragging the weeping Scribe
after him as he circles opponents and fights -- the Scribe
is almost instantly killed -- Vibius immediately hacks
through the Scribe's wrist and frees himself, as Proximo
surely intended. Vibius is now free to fight alone,
swinging the chain as an additional weapon.
Juba's eyes dart everywhere as he tries to move with
Maximus -- Maximus neither helps nor hinders -- allowing
Juba to pull him along --
Proximo, now that his star Vibius is safe, watched Maximus
and Juba closely.
Juba fights well, with a strange elegance, his body
flowing like liquid -- but he is inexperienced. He
strikes a few blows and then tries to move away -- finally
he is in trouble -- cornered -- a huge Andabata is slicing
at him -- it is a desperate battle -- Juba is losing --
his sword is slammed away -- the Andabata raises his sword
for the kill --
And Maximus strikes.
With a sudden roar he EXPLODES into action -- he swings
past Juba and blocks the blow meant for Juba -- then he
slashes the Andabata -- killing him -- he pulls Juba after
him as he fights --
It is a dazzling display of Maximus' skill -- he moves
through the Andabatae at amazing speed -- spinning around
Juba and protecting him -- slashing ruthlessly -- pulling
Juba after him and commanding the battle -- Juba recovers
a sword and they fight together.
In the box:
Proximo watches, smiles. A gladiator is born.
EXT. ROME - WAGON - DAY
SENATOR GRACCHUS, an imposing, moral and corpulent man in
his 60's, is riding in a luxurious wagon with Senator
Gaius.
And CAPTAIN MARCELLUS, the handsome Head of the Roman City
Guard.
Their wagon slowly maneuvers through the crowded streets
of Rome. The cosmopolitan bustle of the great urban
center is everywhere around them.
GRACCHUS
We have plague in the Hebrew Quarter
and it is spreading... we have
looting at the granaries... we have
so much filth in the Tiber that the
water is undrinkable... we have
Praetorian Guard units that are
demanding protection payments from
the merchants at the exchange --
MARCELLUS
My City Guard units have tried to
curtail these excesses but no
constabulary can police the entire
city. And the Praetorians outnumber
us two to one.
GRACCHUS
Rome dies as the Emperor plays at
beneficence. At least Nero gave us
music!
GAIUS
Do you think he'll listen to us?
GRACCHUS
It is his duty to hear the will of
the Senate.
Their wagon stops -- hopelessly stuck in a massive traffic
jam of chariots, wagons and sedan chairs.
GRACCHUS
Not to mention the damn traffic!
INT. PALACE - THRONE ROOM - DAY
Emperor Commodus is standing before a group of male
children and their tutors in his throne room.
The throne room is still very much the province of his
father. Manuscripts and astronomical charts and papyrus
scrolls and wax tablets litter the heavy desk. A large
bust of Marcus Aurelius is in one corner.
Lucilla and Senator Falco are present. So too Senators
Gracchus and Gaius and Captain Marcellus.
A well-rehearsed child presents Commodus with a laurel
wreath.
CHILD
We honor Caesar with the laurel to
show our love and appreciation for
his benevolence.
COMMODUS
Caesar is honored to accept your
tribute, Citizen Scholar.
The child smiles and moves back to his fellows.
COMMODUS
(to all)
It is the most sacred duty of the
Emperor to oversee the education of
the young. If I could leave no
other legacy than the scholarship of
all children my life would be
blessed. Tutors, you hold the
future of Rome in your hands. Teach
them well so that they will bring
honor to the Empire. I salute you.
Commodus actually bows before them, an unimaginable honor.
The tutors bow in response and herd the children out.
COMMODUS
Look at them, Senators... my truest
gift to Rome.
GRACCHUS
Darling children, to be sure, now if
I may proceed?
COMMODUS
(sighs)
Very well...
Commodus moves to the desk, standing over it and gazing at
Marcus' scrolls as:
GRACCHUS
Caesar, your presence in Rome is an
invaluable opportunity to begin
correcting some of the ills that
have beset the city since your
father went to the wars. We would
like to --
COMMODUS
Peace, good Gracchus, peace...
Commodus slowly begins pushing Marcus' papyrus scrolls off
the desk to the floor, one by one, as:
COMMODUS
My beloved father was a careless
shepherd to his flock. I shall be a
good father to my children. I shall
remain in Rome and show them how
they are loved.
GRACCHUS
With respect, sire, the people don't
need love -- they need law. The
Senate has prepared a series of
protocols to begin addressing the
corruption in the city --
(Gaius hands him a
scroll)
-- starting with basic sanitation in
the Hebrew Quarter. If Caesar could
study this and --
COMMODUS
You see that's the very problem,
isn't it, my old, old friend? My
father spent all his time at study.
At books and learning and
philosophy...
As Commodus speaks he moves to the chair behind the desk,
tries it, doesn't like it, nods to a slave. The chair is
whisked away.
COMMODUS
He spent his twilight hours reading
scrolls from the Senate. All the
while, the people were forgotten.
GRACCHUS
The Senate is the people.
COMMODUS
I doubt many of the people eat so
well as you do, Senator Gracchus...
As Commodus speaks he moves to the bust of Marcus, studies
it, doesn't like it, nods to a slave and the bust is
whisked away. Lucilla watches this closely.
COMMODUS
I doubt many of the people have such
splendid armor, Captain Marcellus.
Or such fine mistresses, Senator
Gaius. No... only their true father
knows what the people need. I shall
show them they are loved. I shall
hold them to my bosom and embrace
them tightly --
GRACCHUS
Have you ever embraced someone dying
of plague, sire?
Commodus stops. Looks at him. A lethal moment.
COMMODUS
No. But if you interrupt me one
more time I assure you that you
shall. I will emulate the immortal
Caesars of the past. I will give
the people what they truly want.
Starting this day I will draw all of
Rome to the Colosseum. I will give
them bread. And they will want
nothing more.
Startled looks between Gracchus, Gaius and Marcellus.
GRACCHUS
You want to hold games?
COMMODUS
Not just any games, Senator! A
series of games that will make the
Gods envious and leave my children
happy! I will subsidize the arena
from this day forth -- and I will
culminate this celebration in a
great spectacle the likes of which
the world has never seen! A great
spectacle to honor my father!
Magnificent, unending weeks of
festivity all in the name of Marcus
Aurelius!
A beat.
GRACCHUS
If I may, Caesar... how are you
going to pay for this?
COMMODUS
That is not your concern.
Gracchus ignores a warning look from Gaius.
GRACCHUS
Respectfully, sire, taxation and
import duties are the exclusive
province of the Senate --
Commodus spins on him so quickly and with such feral
violence that everyone is shocked --
COMMODUS
MY FATHER DESERVES TO BE HONORED AND
I WILL HONOR HIM! -- AND THE PEOPLE
WILL LOVE ME! -- AND THE SENATE WILL
OBEY ME OR EVERY ONE OF YOU WILL
BURN! BURN! BURN! -- I WILL HAVE
ORDER!
He snarls like a great jungle cat and he stalks away.
Senator Falco quickly follows.
A dreadful silence.
Then:
LUCILLA
Gentlemen, in the future do not
concern my brother with these
matters. Come to me.
She sweeps out.
A beat.
MARCELLUS
Games? He wants to hold games?
GAIUS
It's madness.
GRACCHUS
No... it's not...
A beat.
GRACCHUS
He knows who Rome is. Rome is the
mob. He will conjure magic for them
and they will be distracted. And he
will takes their lives. And he will
take their freedom. And still they
will roar. The beating heart of
Rome isn't the marble of the Senate.
It's the sand of the Colosseum. He
will give them death. And they will
love him for it.
INT. PROVINCIAL ARENA - DUGOUT - TUNNELS - DAY
Maximus is marching relentlessly through the dugout and
cramped, serpentine trench-like tunnels that lead to the
arena.
We don't really see Maximus well in the dark tunnels.
Proximo scurries to keep up with him -- they brush past
gladiators who line the walls. Some are wounded, some are
being attended to by surgeons, some are shell-shocked,
some are nervously waiting to go on, whispering prayers.
We twist and turn in the tunnels with Proximo and Maximus
as:
PROXIMO
(quickly)
I've wagered on you against the
Celts -- ignore the others and go
for them -- there are two axe-and-
net and two long spear. Now the
Celts aren't used to the sun so you
have the advantage there...
The roar of the crowd is growing, they are nearing the
arena...
PROXIMO
And keep them moving, their lungs
aren't strong, ground the spears as
soon as you can and then go for the
ax-men. If you get all four there's
an extra bonus so don't be
distracted by the Spartans...
Without a word to Proximo, or a moment's hesitation,
Maximus strides into the arena.
EXT. PROVINCIAL ARENA - DAY
We continue with Maximus as he strides into the roaring
arena.
We finally see him in the blazing sunlight -- he wears
traditional gladiator armor and now has longer hair and a
beard --
A battle is already in progress, fighting and dead and
dying gladiators crowd the arena --
We stay with Maximus as he wades through his opponents,
fighting them heroically, slashing through them without
stopping --
The large crowd cheers mightily -- chants of "Spaniard!
Spaniard! Spaniard!"
We stay with Maximus as he cuts through the four Celts
like a scythe through wheat and then we dramatically pull
up and away --
Taking in the roaring arena and the hero.
EXT. PROXIMO'S SCHOOL - COMPOUND - NIGHT
A large mess area has been set up. The tables around the
compound are crowded with gladiators. Guards everywhere.
Maximus and Juba enter. Move to get food. All
conversation gradually drains away as the other gladiators
watch them. Silence.
Maximus and Juba note the strange silence as they move to
a large table.
Vibius is at the table with a number of other gladiators.
There are no places for Maximus and Juba.
Vibius stands and kicks two other gladiators off their
bench.
VIBIUS
MOVE ASIDE! THIS IS A TABLE FOR
MEN!
Maximus and Juba sit.
Vibius remains standing. He begins to pound on the table
with his fist. Soon all the gladiators are pounding on
their tables. It is a cacophonous din honoring Maximus.
INT. PROXIMO'S SCHOOL - PROXIMO'S CHAMBER - NIGHT
Proximo sits on a terrace overlooking his compound,
sipping wine. Various gladiators can be seen working out
below.
A guard brings Maximus. Proximo nods for the guard to
leave.
PROXIMO
(holding up a plate)
Butterfly?
The plate is filled with honeyed butterflies, their wings
still moving slightly.
Maximus shakes his head. Proximo pops one into his mouth.
He chews as he looks at Maximus.
PROXIMO
Perhaps you'd like a woman?
Maximus shakes his head.
PROXIMO
Boy?
Maximus shakes his head.
A beat.
PROXIMO
Gold?
Maximus shakes his head.
PROXIMO
Well, I have nothing left to offer
you! A man who turns down a
butterfly, a woman, a boy and gold
confuses me. Personally, I'd grab
them all and then grab some more
because the Gods are fanciful and
take us at their whim. Does the
Spaniard have any needs?
Maximus shakes his head.
A beat. Proximo studies him.
PROXIMO
You fight like a soldier. You have
wounds like a soldier who has been
on long campaigns. You eye the
world around you like an enemy.
What is your name, Roman soldier?
MAXIMUS
Gladiator.
A beat.
PROXIMO
And nothing more?
MAXIMUS
Nothing more.
A beat.
Proximo watches Maximus very closely for the following:
PROXIMO
In two days we leave for Rome.
Maximus' eyes suddenly flash to Proximo. He is
transfixed, his eyes burning.
PROXIMO
Ah... so it's Rome you want. Well
you shall have her, Gladiator. The
new Emperor has ordered a series of
matches to culminate in a grand
spectacle. If you do well I shall
become very, very rich. If you do
well enough I shall set you free.
Is it freedom you want?
A beat.
Maximus shakes his head.
PROXIMO
(quietly)
Not even that.
MAXIMUS
(barely controlled)
The Emperor -- will he be there?
PROXIMO
Oh yes. He's apparently quite mad
about the games. Spending a
fortune, which is, needless to say,
good for me again. But what is good
for you, Gladiator?
MAXIMUS
Have you -- how does one meet the
Emperor?
PROXIMO
As a gladiator?
MAXIMUS
Yes.
PROXIMO
One doesn't.
A beat. Proximo sees that Maximus' mind is racing.
PROXIMO
Except... If one has proven oneself
in battle. If at the end of the
games you are the final man standing
-- the Emperor will present you with
a small wooden sword. The sword is
your freedom.
MAXIMUS
He give it personally?
PROXIMO
He did to me...
(Maximus is surprised
at this)
Our great father Marcus Aurelius
looked into my eyes and touched me
on the shoulder.
MAXIMUS
You knew Marcus?
PROXIMO
I didn't know him. He touched me on
the shoulder. Just once. But that
was enough.
A beat.
PROXIMO
All right, Gladiator. We shall go
to Rome together and have bloody
adventures. The Great Whore will
suckle us until we are fat and happy
and can't suck another drop. That
is Rome.
INT./ EXT. SLAVE WAGON - OUTSIDE ROME - EVENING
Maximus is crouched in the back of an enclosed slave wagon
with Vibius, Juba and a few other gladiators.
In the distance, Rome.
INT. PALACE - COMMODUS' BEDROOM - NIGHT
Commodus sits on his bed, rubbing his aching head.
Lucilla is preparing a drink for him, a medicinal tonic.
COMMODUS
All my desires are splitting my head
to pieces -- there's so much I want
to do -- but all my efforts to show
my children they are loved go
unappreciated by those dragons in
the Senate --
LUCILLA
(mixing tonic)
Quiet, brother...
Unseen by him, she adds a little special powder to the
drink from a vial secreted in her robe.
LUCILLA
Leave the Senate to me. Don't
trouble yourself.
COMMODUS
All I want is to be a good father to
my people. Why don't they
understand that?
She goes to him.
LUCILLA
Shhh. The tonic will help...
She takes a sip and then hands it to him.
LUCILLA
Yes, just drink this down.
She sits on the edge of the bed. He drinks as:
COMMODUS
I must take a firmer hand with them.
They must know their father can be
firm. As our father was firm with
us.
LUCILLA
Our father lost his way. His
mistake was believing the old songs
of the "Republic." We know better.
So let the Senate talk. They have
no real power.
COMMODUS
Yes... yes... you always know the
way. You were always so wise in
these matters...
(he takes her hand)
You know if I didn't have my duty to
Rome I think I should be an artist.
I should go away and paint pictures
of the sea and leave all the
politics to you...
A beat. He is sleepy, he lies back on his bed.
COMMODUS
Will you stay with me?
LUCILLA
(smiles gently)
Still afraid of the dark, brother?
COMMODUS
Still. Always.
A beat.
COMMODUS
My dreams would terrify the world.
A beat.
LUCILLA
I'll stay with you until you are
asleep.
COMMODUS
(falling asleep)
And after... just sit with me. Keep
me safe...
He is asleep.
She watches him for a moment and then rises.
She goes.
INT. PALACE - HALLWAY - NIGHT
Lucilla moves down a long corridor in the palace and blows
out candles as she goes.
She finally arrives at her own chamber and enters...
INT. PALACE - LUCILLA'S CHAMBERS - NIGHT
Senators Gracchus and Gaius and Captain Marcellus are
waiting.
LUCILLA
He's asleep. Be quick.
GRACCHUS
We've taking a sounding, the Senate
is with us.
LUCILLA
Good.
GRACCHUS
But we are only words. We are air.
We need steel.
MARCELLUS
The City Guard is faithful to the
Republic. But we don't stand a
chance against the Praetorians.
LUCILLA
Can they be bought?
MARCELLUS
They are zealots -- totally
committed to your brother.
GRACCHUS
Well, can they at least be rented
for a day?
MARCELLUS
I doubt it. He pays them exorbitant
salaries and lets them loot and
extort as they see fit. The city
belongs to them.
LUCILLA
And they've started arresting
scholars now. Anyone who dares
speak out -- even satirists and
chroniclers.
MARCELLUS
And mathematicians and Christians.
All to fill the arena.
GAIUS
And what pays for it? These games
are costing a fortune and yet we
have no new taxes.
LUCILLA
The future. The future pays for
it...
A beat. She looks at them.
LUCILLA
He's started selling the grain
reserves.
GAIUS
No.
MARCELLUS
That can't be true...
LUCILLA
He's selling Rome's reserves of
grain. The people will be starving
in two years. I hope they are
enjoying the spectacles because soon
enough they will be dead because of
them.
MARCELLUS
Rome must know this.
LUCILLA
And who will tell them?! You,
Marcellus? You, Senator Gaius?
Will you make a speech on the Senate
floor denouncing my brother? And
then see your family in the
Colosseum? What town-crier would
dare?
A long beat.
LUCILLA
He must die.
A beat as her words sink in.
GAIUS
The Praetorians would only seize
control themselves.
LUCILLA
No -- cut off the head and the snake
cannot strike.
GRACCHUS
Lucilla, Gaius is right. Until the
City Guard can neutralize the
Praetorians we can accomplish
nothing.
MARCELLUS
And I haven't enough men.
LUCILLA
What about the army?
GAIUS
No Roman army has entered the
capital in a hundred years.
LUCILLA
So we do nothing?!
A door opens, a voice...
LUCIUS' VOICE
Mother...
An eight-year-old boy stands in a doorway, sleepy. He is
LUCIUS, Lucilla's son.
LUCIUS
I heard voices...
LUCILLA
(going to him)
It's all right, darling, you --
Lucius suddenly notices Senator Gracchus:
LUCIUS
(running to Gracchus)
Senator! What did you bring me?!
He leaps onto Gracchus -- Gracchus laughs and pulls
something from his robe.
GRACCHUS
For you prince Lucius... a sea
monster!
Gracchus gives Lucius a beautifully painted toy of a sea
serpent.
GRACCHUS
Off the coast of Achaea they grow
twenty times this size, with
snapping teeth to devour any nasty
Praetorians they come across... now,
where is Achaea?
LUCIUS
Below Macedonia!
GRACCHUS
Show me on the map.
Lucius runs to a map and stabs his finger at Achaea. We
sense this is an old game between them.
LUCILLA
Lucius, you go in now, I'll be in
shortly.
LUCIUS
(to Gracchus)
Thank you, Senator Mountain!
GRACCHUS
You're welcome, Prince Anthill!
Lucius goes. Lucilla shuts the door after him. A moment.
She turns to the others, a deep anguish in her eyes.
LUCILLA
What are you going to do?
Gracchus goes to her, holds her.
GRACCHUS
Peace child... One dark night the
Gods will light our path. They will
give us the voice we need. Have
faith in that. Have faith.
INT./ EXT. ROMAN STREETS - SLAVE WAGON - NIGHT
Maximus cranes for a sight of the Eternal City through a
hole in the wooden slats that cover the slave cart.
He can see only glimpses of Rome as they pass. But the
images are not what he expected. Alongside the undeniable
glory of the city, the madness and disease Marcus Aurelius
spoke of are readily apparent.
Maximus sees flashes of plague victims being tossed on
carts heaped with bodies -- he sees getting and spending
and commerce everywhere -- he sees fascist Praetorian
Guard units trooping past -- he sees the magnificent
architecture of the city -- he sees starving children
begging from filthy gutters -- he sees rich citizens out
for a stroll -- he sees a swirling combination of
sophistication and depravity, of civilization and
corruption.
He sits back in the cart, deep in thought. Vibius looks
at him.
VIBIUS
Not what you expected?
MAXIMUS
No.
VIBIUS
Rome is nothing but a slaughter
house. And we are the meat.
EXT. PROXIMO'S COMPOUND - NIGHT
The slave wagon pulls up to Proximo's rather grand Roman
compound. Guards unlock imposing gates and the wagon
drives in...
EXT. PROXIMO'S COMPOUND - COURTYARD - NIGHT
Inside the gates is a large courtyard, much like Proximo's
Moroccan school but much more impressive. A fountain with
an enormous statue of the war god Mars is central in the
courtyard.
The gladiators climb from the wagon, stretching after the
long journey. Vibius leads Maximus and Juba to the
statue. He wades through the fountain and kisses the toe
of Mars.
VIBIUS
Tradition. He watches over us.
Juba steps up and kisses the toe.
VIBIUS
(to Maximus)
Oh go on, it won't kill you.
Maximus kisses the toe as well.
PROXIMO
(calling to them)
Stop that! You'll get some
monstrous disease and then you'll be
worth nothing to me!
Guards come and lead them to their cells, which line one
side of the courtyard.
INT. PROXIMO'S COMPOUND - CELL - NIGHT
Later. Maximus and Juba again share a cell. It is more
comfortable than their cell in Morocco, befitting Maximus'
new status as one of the "stars." A high, barred window
on one wall opens to the city. Another barred window is
directly over them, twenty feet above.
Maximus pulls himself up to the side window, he looks out.
And sees at last... The Colosseum.
It is a breathtaking sight. Monolithic Albert Speer-like
columns of light shine up from the Colosseum. It seems to
illuminate the whole city and the heavens above.
Maximus drops back to the floor.
JUBA
Do you think it will be much
different? Here in Rome?
MAXIMUS
Bigger arena. Same killing.
A beat.
JUBA
Are you scared for tomorrow?
MAXIMUS
No.
A beat.
JUBA
Me too.
A beat.
JUBA
I never though it would be so easy
to kill.
A beat.
JUBA
So you're finally home.
MAXIMUS
This isn't my home.
JUBA
For all Romans... this is home.
A beat.
JUBA
(quietly)
Among my people we honor the soil of
our home. Our ancestors are in that
soil. All their dreams live there.
I will never see my home again. The
soil is dead and no one honors them,
so the dreams die.
A beat.
MAXIMUS
Perhaps one day you'll return.
Juba looks at him.
JUBA
How can I go back? I am not what I
was. When a man kills for no
reason, he has lost himself.
A long beat.
Juba leans his head back and quietly begins to sing. A
haunting lament in his native tongue.
EXT. COLOSSEUM - DAY
A flurry of images from around the Colosseum, the energy
mounting. At this point we see practically nothing of the
inside of the Colosseum:
Slaves are balancing high above the empty arena. They are
on ropes unrolling huge rolls of muslin; sun tarps that
provide shade below...
Merchants open stalls in the curved arcade around outside
of the Colosseum. They sell everything from food to magic
elixirs, from toys to aphrodisiacs. They immediately
start declaiming and demonstrating the virtues of their
products...
Gangs of whores of both sexes trawl the streets. They
have bizarrely-colored hair and elaborate makeup...
Citizens begin arriving, pushing past the vendors and the
pickpockets. We see whole families with picnic lunches...
Ferocious animals are brought into the Colosseum in barred
cages...
In the busy arcade, barbers and blood-letters practice
their craft alongside exotic alchemists, fire eaters and
contortionists...
Richer citizens arrive in sedan chairs and chariots, they
feign indifference to the hooting mob...
Mounted City Guard police units try to retain some
order...
Gamblers crowd betting booths and haggle mercilessly...
Finally, we see Maximus and the other gladiators in a
slave cart. Maximus watches everything as the slave cart
disappears into the Colosseum...
INT. COLOSSEUM - ROUTE TO HOLDING CELLS - DAY
The interior of the Colosseum is a busy world unto itself.
Maximus and the others are lead by Proximo's guards down a
long ramp and past countless animal cages. Gamblers
circulate everywhere and observe the warriors, angling for
the best odds and the best matches.
Maximus and the others are led even deeper into the bowels
of the Colosseum to a new whole subterranean realm.
Numerous cells line the walls. Racks and racks of
weaponry and armor.
And, most striking, everywhere around them is the heavy
machinery of the spectacles above. Huge "elevator"
platforms and ramps and pulleys and counterweights are
manned by teams of sweating slaves.
INT. COLOSSEUM - HOLDING CELLS - DAY
Finally, Proximo's guards lead the gladiators to their
holding cells. These cells are right at the edge of the
arena. Barred windows offer a sand-level view of the
action.
Maximus immediately goes to a window and looks out.
He cannot see much of the entire arena, but what he does
see transfixes him.
A band of Christians are huddled together. An eerie
silence from the Colosseum but for the prayers of the
Christians.
Maximus watches them. One little girl peels past her
mother's arm. She sees Maximus. She smiles.
Suddenly a dozen ferocious lions race up a ramp by Maximus
-- they roar into the arena --
We do not see the carnage. We watch Maximus' face as we
hear the sounds of the slaughter.
And the sound of the roaring crowd.
Maximus finally cannot watch. He drops his head.
INT. COLOSSEUM - TRAINER'S LAIR - DAY
Proximo is with a dozen other gladiator trainers and the
Colosseum's orator and majordomo, CASSIUS. They are
haggling in an secluded area not far from the arena
itself. Huge chalkboards chart the day's matches and
wagers and odds.
Colosseum touts continually erase and mark new figures on
the chalkboards to keep up with the swiftly changing
bouts.
The roar of the lions and the unnerving screams of the
Christians can clearly be heard.
CASSIUS
... and the Emperor will have no
more animal battles today --
Upset roars from some of the trainers.
TRAINER #1
You promised me a bear match,
Cassius!
TRAINER #2
I have ten damned gorillas! You
said gorillas yesterday!
CASSIUS
Talk to the man in the imperial box.
Who has the next slot...?
(he checks the
boards)
-- Lentulus, Gideon, Trebonius and
Proximo --
(to Proximo)
-- Nice to have you back, you
piratical bastard -- now listen, the
Emperor wants the Carthage
spectacle.
The four trainers explode in a flurry of resistance --
PROXIMO
No -- have pity, Cassius -- !
TRAINER #3
My men are too good for -- !
CASSIUS
You give us the Carthage match or
lose your spot on the rotation --
but don't worry -- gold is flowing
from the Emperor's fingers.
TRAINER #3
It'll cost you --
PROXIMO
I won't do it for less than 100,000
sesterces -- !
TRAINER #4
120,000! All I have is my best
Thracians!
CASSIUS
(to Proximo)
And I want to see this famous
Spaniard of yours -- his reputation
soars from the provinces. The
people are eager for him --
PROXIMO
I won't throw my Spaniard into a
spectacle! Damn you and damn the
rotation!
CASSIUS
You will and the price will be
90,000 sesterces each --
(to all)
-- which you all know is exorbitant
-- AND IF YOU EXTORTING BLOOD-WHORES
TRY TO PAWN OFF LESSER FIGHTERS ON
ME I WILL SEE YOU DEAD IN THE ARENA
TOMORROW!
TRAINER #4
My Thracians are worth -- !
CASSIUS
Give me your best, brothers. They
die before Caesar.
He strides back to the arena. The touts instantly begin
making new marks on the boards to represent the mysterious
"Carthage Spectacle" as some of the trainers hurry out.
Proximo walks with Trainer #4:
PROXIMO
I give you 30,000 my Spaniard will
kill at least one of your Thracians.
TRAINER #4
30,000?! On a Spaniard?! That
provincial sun has curdled your
brain!
PROXIMO
Then make the wager, you smug
bastard!
They disappear down a dark corridor, negotiating all the
while.
INT. COLOSSEUM - HOLDING CELLS - DAY
Maximus, Juba, Vibius and another of Proximo's gladiators
are being armed. They all wear mask-like helmets.
Proximo hurries to them.
PROXIMO
All right -- there are three other
teams, four men each --
(to Maximus)
You know what a Thracian looks like?
MAXIMUS
Yes, but --
PROXIMO
Ignore the others -- go for the
Thracians. The sun is to the east
-- over the gate -- keep your back
to the gate and you won't have the
sun.
MAXIMUS
What -- ?
Trumpets begin sounding from the arena.
PROXIMO
Hurry -- !
The guards quickly bustle the four toward a gate leading
to a dark tunnel to the arena.
PROXIMO
Die well and we'll sing songs about
you for a generation.
Short swords are shoved into their hands and the gate
rises. They are pushed into the dark tunnel leading to
the arena. The gate closes behind them.
The four gladiators stand for a moment and then slowly
walk down the tunnel to...
EXT. COLOSSEUM - ARENA - DAY
At last we see it.
The mighty Colosseum Arena.
Nothing we could have possibly imagined could have
prepared us for the sight of the thousands and thousands
of screaming spectators, the row after row of cheering
faces.
It is staggering.
But for Maximus none of this exists. His full attention
is focused on one spot alone. The Imperial Box.
He can see Commodus and Lucilla sitting in the box. The
box is elevated fifteen feet above the arena floor at the
top of a sheer black marble wall. A cohort of fifty
imposing Praetorian Guard Archers surround the box.
Commodus' personal Body Guard of six Centurions actually
stand in the box itself, eyes constantly watching like
modern Secret Service agents.
Commodus is untouchable.
Meanwhile, three teams move from different entrances to
the arena.
As Cassius orates to the crowd:
CASSIUS
This day we reach back to hallowed
antiquity to bring you... THE FALL
OF MIGHTY CARTHAGE...!
(the crowd cheers)
... On the barren armies of the
barbarian Hannibal! Ferocious
mercenaries and warriors of all
brute nations bent on merciless
conquest! Your Emperor is pleased
to give you... THE BARBARIAN HORDE!
He gestures to the gladiators in the arena. The crowd
laughs, jeering the "barbarians."
The drummers begin pounding out a more insistent, heroic
beat.
CASSIUS
But on that illustrious day the Gods
sent against them Rome's greatest
warriors...! The very life-image of
nobility and glorious valor... who
would on this day, and on these same
arid Numidian deserts, decide THE
FATE OF THE EMPIRE... Your Emperor
is pleased to give you... THE
LEGIONNAIRES OF SCIPIO AFRICANUS!!
The crowd EXPLODES in cheers as the huge doors at one end
of the arena suddenly burst open and ten chariots thunder
in --
Each chariot has a driver and an archer, both dressed in
theatrical versions of the familiar Roman Lorica
Segmentata.
A chaos of dust -- and the battle is on --
The chariots zoom around the arena -- the archers keeping
up a deadly hail of arrows.
Maximus immediately dives onto a passing chariot and kills
the charioteer and archer -- he dramatically leaps from
the front of the chariot to a lead horse and cuts it free.
And Maximus takes control, we see the General of the Felix
Regiment gloriously alive again as he barks out orders and
leads his gladiators in battle. They follow him
faithfully, his stern commands unquestioned.
His strategies are quick and smart, he makes the
gladiators work together.
This kind of slaughter could last for hours...
We see flashes of the endless battle... Maximus races on
his horse past another chariot, kills the driver, the
chariot smashes into a wall... the sun sinks lower, the
shadows on the sand lengthen... areas of the sand are
swamps of blood, Juba slips, pulls himself up fighting...
Maximus uses Vibius to create a diversion, two chariots
collide... the crowd roars... a gladiator is dragged
between a chariot and the side wall of the arena... the
drummers pound out their relentless tattoo...
Finally...
Maximus is on his horse across from the final chariot.
We can see that Juba and Vibius and a few other gladiators
are still alive. The rest of the arena is polluted with
the dead and injured.
Maximus spurs his horse and gallops toward the final
chariot -- the charioteer whips his horses and zooms
toward Maximus --
The crowd is breathless -- watching the final battle --
Maximus and the chariot speed toward each other -- like
Medieval jousters --
And collide in a flashing explosion of steel --
Maximus sails from his horse -- as the charioteer sails
from his chariot --
Maximus lands hard but quickly pulls himself up, he races
to the final charioteer. The charioteer is defeated but
not dead.
Maximus glances around, all his opponents are defeated.
He stands over the final charioteer. Then he simply
tosses down his sword.
The crowd is stunned by this strange act of mercy. But
then an enormous roar grows from the crowd -- wave after
wave of adulation for the hero of the day.
Maximus looks around, taking it all in.
Then he turns to the Imperial Box.
Maximus slowly walks to before the the Imperial Box. The
Praetorian Archers immediately raise their bows, pointing
down at him.
Maximus glares up at Commodus through his helmet mask.
Commodus returns his gaze, curious.
The crowd is intrigued, growing quiet. What is going on?
Then Maximus simply turns and begins walking away.
COMMODUS
Slave! Who are you?
The Colosseum is suddenly silent. The Emperor is speaking
to a gladiator.
Maximus keeps walking.
COMMODUS
SLAVE! WHO ARE YOU?
Maximus keeps walking, his fists clenched now.
Commodus suddenly grabs a spear from a nearby Praetorian
and hurls it with perfect aim -- the crowd gasps -- the
spear sails past Maximus -- actually nicking his shoulder
-- it slices into the sand ahead of Maximus.
Maximus stops.
COMMODUS
SLAVE! WHO ARE YOU?!
Maximus can hold it no longer. He spins to Commodus --
ripping off his helmet mask -- and THUNDERING:
MAXIMUS
I AM MAXIMUS MERIDAS, GENERAL OF THE
FELIX REGIMENT OF THE ROMAN ARMY AND
SERVANT TO THE EMPEROR MARCUS
AURELIUS!
Commodus eyes shoot wide -- Lucilla bolts up -- Gracchus
leans forward -- Proximo is stunned -- the crowd is
mystified --
MAXIMUS
I AM FATHER TO A MURDERED SON AND
HUSBAND TO A MURDERED WIFE AND
LANDLORD TO A MURDERED WORLD -- AND
I WILL HAVE VENGEANCE!
The Praetorian Archers tense their bows -- ready to kill
the defiant slave --
But something extraordinary stops them. Almost as one
being the crowd roars -- they leaps to their feet and
thrust their thumbs up! They cheer and stomp their
approval of Maximus.
Commodus looks around at the people of Rome, amazed.
He finally plasters on a benevolent smile and thrusts his
thumb up! The Praetorians lower their bows.
And the crowd cheers. Never in the long, long history of
the Colosseum have they ever seen such a thing.
Maximus leads his gladiators out of the arena.
INT. PALACE - THRONE ROOM - NIGHT
To our great surprise, Commodus is not raging. He sits
quietly on the polished marble floor in front of a model
of the Colosseum. He moves model pieces around in the
Colosseum, planning his festival.
Lucilla stands, tense.
COMMODUS
Why is he still alive?
LUCILLA
I don't know.
COMMODUS
He shouldn't be alive. That vexes
me. I am terribly vexed...
Lucilla watches her brother cautiously, expecting the
explosion. He carefully moves some model pieces in the
arena.
COMMODUS
There, that's better. Do you like
the platform here?
LUCILLA
Mmm.
COMMODUS
I do too. Simple, elegant...
Lucilla is growing more and more unnerved at Commodus'
unusual serenity.
COMMODUS
Father would have wanted something
more ornate but he's dead now.
A beat. Commodus laughs. A beat.
COMMODUS
Maximus Meridas haunts me. I see
Father turning away from me and
gazing at him. How many times did I
suffer that indignity, I wonder?
LUCILLA
What are you going to do?
COMMODUS
I'm going to kill him.
LUCILLA
Good.
COMMODUS
(glances at her)
Oh, you're too clever, Sister.
Don't tell me part of you won't weep
for him.
LUCILLA
When he defies my brother the
Emperor, he defies me. But you
shouldn't send assassins.
COMMODUS
No?
LUCILLA
The people embraced him today. They
will be expecting his next match...
(she kneels next to
him)
... let him die in the arena like
the slave he is. Let the people see
what comes of defying Caesar.
A beat as he looks at her.
COMMODUS
He wounded you deeply, didn't he?
Long ago.
She does not answer.
COMMODUS
Nonetheless, your political acumen
is, as always, unerring.
He picks up a model tiger and puts it in the arena. He
looks at the model tiger and smiles.
INT. PROXIMO'S COMPOUND - CELL - NIGHT
Maximus silently awaits Commodus' assassins with Juba.
They hear footsteps outside the cell. Maximus stands,
preparing for death.
JUBA
(also standing)
I will fight with you.
MAXIMUS
This isn't your battle.
JUBA
Better to die for a friend than to
die for gold.
The door swings open and they are surprised to see Proximo
sweeping in with a cloaked woman. The woman gives Proximo
a bag of money.
PROXIMO
Enjoy yourself, Madame...
(he glances to
Maximus)
General, perform well and there will
be riches for you.
He beckons to Juba, they go, shutting the door behind
them. The woman pulls off her cloak, it is Lucilla.
Maximus glares at her, his muscles tensing.
LUCILLA
Rich matrons pay well to be
pleasured by the bravest champions.
Maximus backs up, fighting the urge to strangle her on the
spot. He finally bumps into a wall of the cell.
MAXIMUS
I knew your brother would send
assassins. I didn't think he would
send his best.
LUCILLA
Maximus, listen to me --
MAXIMUS
My family were crucified and burnt
while they were still alive.
LUCILLA
I knew nothing of that.
MAXIMUS
(low)
Don't lie to me.
LUCILLA
I wept for them.
MAXIMUS
Don't.
A long, tense moment.
She does not look at him.
LUCILLA
Do you know what it is to be the
daughter of the Emperor? I learned
on the night my father had my
husband killed. I loved my husband
very much. Very... simply. He was
a man who believed in the Republic.
He was a man who thought Marcus
should be tending to Rome and not
conquering the world. One night my
father had him strangled for
conspiring with the Senate. My
father never spoke of it. I never
spoke of it. That is what it is to
be the daughter of Rome.
She finally looks up at Maximus.
LUCILLA
My son will live. He will survive
this cursed bloodline. Rome will
die and the jackals will pick her
clean -- but my son will survive.
Empires come and go. Cities crumble
to dust. Only family matters.
A beat. Despite himself, Maximus is moved.
MAXIMUS
My son was innocent.
LUCILLA
So is mine.
A beat.
MAXIMUS
I want your brother dead.
LUCILLA
So do I.
A beat. Maximus is surprised at her direct answer.
LUCILLA
My son will never be safe while he
lives.
A beat.
MAXIMUS
How do you plan it?
LUCILLA
The Senate is with us, and the City
Guard. We have growing power in the
streets. But we need a leader.
Someone the people can --
MAXIMUS
So the crown passes to your son.
LUCILLA
No. So that my son will be safe.
So that we may leave this charnel
house forever and never look back.
Look into my eyes, Maximus, and
believe what I say to you...
She rivets him intensely with her eyes.
LUCILLA
By all the Gods, and in the name of
my father who loved you, and in the
name of the husband I loved... I
swear to stand by your side in this
now and always.
A beat.
MAXIMUS
What is your son's name?
LUCILLA
Lucius Verus. Like his father.
MAXIMUS
I weep for him.
A long beat. Maximus' cold eyes give away nothing.
Lucilla turns and starts to go. She stops, not looking
back.
LUCILLA
Commodus plans to kill you in your
next match in the arena. He's
planning something. I will pray for
you. As I have always done.
She then pulls something from her robes and sets it down,
a little bundle wrapped in cloth. She sweeps out. The
sound of the door being bolted shut on the other side.
Maximus stands for a moment and then goes to what she has
left. He opens the cloth. Inside are his six "ancestor"
figures.
He picks up one of the figures. He looks at it deeply,
gently feeling along the contours with a finger.
EXT. COLOSSEUM - ARENA - DAY
The Colosseum is again packed. Commodus, Lucilla and her
son Lucius are in the Imperial Box.
It is late in the day and teams of slaves are cleaning the
arena after a bout. They haul off carcasses and toss down
fresh sand.
Meanwhile, Cassius is orating to the crowd:
CASSIUS
... in his majestic charity the
Emperor has deigned to this day
favor the people of Rome with an
historical final match. Returning
to the Colosseum today... after five
years in retirement... Caesar is
pleased to bring you... THE ONLY
UNDEFEATED CHAMPION IN ROMAN
HISTORY...
(the crowd is going
mad)
... THE LEGENDARY... TIGER OF GAUL!!
The crowd erupts in paroxysms of joy as TIGER explodes
into the arena in an ornate chariot. Tiger is a fierce
man in his 40's, his brutal, scarred face and hugely
muscled body a testament to his many years in the arena.
Tiger speeds around the rim of the arena in his chariot,
raising an arm in triumph. The crowd roars.
INT. COLOSSEUM - HOLDING CELLS - DAY
Proximo stands with Maximus, who is busy strapping on
armor.
PROXIMO
Gods! That old Homicide! The
Emperor must truly hate you.
MAXIMUS
What can you tell me?
PROXIMO
He cheats.
INT. COLOSSEUM - ARENA - DAY
Tiger waits. He stands in the center of the arena. He
has only a traditional short sword. The crowd is
breathless with anticipation. As:
CASSIUS
(orating)
And from the rocky promontories and
martial bloodlines of Spain...
representing the training lyceum of
Proximo Antoninus... I give you...
THE WARRIOR MAXIMUS!
The crowd cheers. Maximus appears from his gate. His
fans have increased in number considerably. They eagerly
crane forward and celebrate him.
Meanwhile, Maximus looks at Tiger. Only one man with a
sword? Maximus approaches, cautious but confident.
He stops a few feet from Tiger. They lock eyes, salute
each other and then turn to the Imperial Box, raising
their swords.
The crowd waits eagerly for the immortal words...
MAXIMUS AND TIGER
We who are about to die salute you.
The crowd cheers and Maximus immediately turns and starts
slashing -- Tiger easily blocks and strikes back --
The sword play is very fast -- they block and parry and
hack like lightning -- constantly attacking -- they are
perfectly matched --
As he fights Maximus becomes aware of a strange sound over
the roar of the crowd -- a low rumbling -- then he feels
something -- a vibration in the ground --
Suddenly traps doors swing open and four enormous
platforms rise into view. On each platform is a snarling
Bengal tiger restrained by a chain. Tiger's teams of
"cornermen" hold the chains through a pulley system. The
cornermen are safely inside cages. The platforms stop at
ground level.
The four ferocious tigers now mark the four corners of the
battleground.
Tiger takes advantage of Maximus' momentary confusion and
assaults brutally -- forcing him back toward one of the
tigers -- the tiger claws for Maximus -- Maximus just
evades it claws -- rolls for a new position -- another
tiger snaps at him --
Tiger attacks -- Maximus is on the defensive -- fighting
off Tiger and evading the four snarling beasts --
And then all four tigers are suddenly closer. The teams
of cornermen are letting the chains play out, bit by bit,
gradually reducing the size of the battle ground. The
crowd roars.
But the fight is hardly fair.
Whenever Tiger is near one of the tigers the cornermen
pull back the tiger slightly -- when Maximus is near a
tiger they let it out a bit.
Maximus and Tiger fight -- swirling action -- finally,
Maximus has the edge -- he circles so that the sun stabs
into Tiger's eyes -- then Maximus lunges forward under
Tiger's swinging sword and SLAMS into him -- they fall --
a tiger swats at Maximus' face -- he jerks his head back
-- he shoots out a leg and kicks Tiger's sword toward one
of the tigers -- it is out of reach -- Maximus leaps up
and stands over the winded Tiger, sword to his throat.
Tiger is gasping for breath, crushed.
Then one of Tiger's corners suddenly cheats -- they
completely release a tiger -- it leaps for Maximus --
Maximus barely has time to turn -- the tiger crashes into
him -- its claws slashing into his back, cutting through
his leather armor -- Maximus shoves an armored forearm
into the tiger's jaws and stabs with his sword --
Tiger takes this chance to pull himself up -- one of his
corners throws him another sword -- the crowd boos --
Maximus wrestles with the tiger -- spinning it around with
superhuman effort so it is always between himself and
Tiger -- so that Tiger can't get at him --
Maximus finally kills the tiger and leaps for Tiger -- he
quickly disarms him and tosses him to the ground --
Maximus stands over him -- ready to administer the coup de
grace.
All eyes turn to the Emperor.
Commodus slowly stands and steps to the edge of the
Imperial Box. He raises his arm and gives the fatal
thumbs down.
Maximus looks up at him.
And then defiantly tosses the sword to the ground,
refusing to kill Tiger.
Commodus is stunned.
The crowd gasps -- a collective intake of breath -- and
then an enormous roar building. It cascades around the
Colosseum. It is a roaring celebration of the unexpected
act of mercy. And the delicious act of defiance of the
Emperor.
Commodus slowly sits.
Maximus walks across the arena -- the people stand and
cheer for him. Cries of "Maximus the Merciful" can be
heard.
It is the b