At the core of the movie Gladiator are the family values that the main character Maximus displays throughout the film. Each character has different motives for their actions. It is obvious that Maximus is motivated by honoring his family and his ancestors. While it is easy to see how Maximus is motivated by his son and his wife, it is obvious that Commodus, the corrupt Roman Emperor, is motivated by his own personal glory and jealousy.
We see a recurring image of Maximus praying and holding two figurines which represent his wife and son. The first time we see this image is when Maximus has just won the opening battle and hopes that he will be relieved of his duties and able to go home. Maximus even remembers how long it has been since he has been home, down to the day. Even in the face of battle the only thing that is important to Maximus is his family. Maximus says that “he only lives to see them again.”
Time Stamp: 31:12 (Maximus praying for his family)
When offered the entire Roman Empire, he turns it down. Obviously his source of motivation is far different than Commodus’. Commodus is motivated by his desire for personal glorification and jealousy. Commodus will go to any length to seek his own glory. Commodus strangles his father when he learns that he will not be the next Emperor. Throughout the film, we see Commodus disregard his family in pursuit of his own glory. He manipulates his sister and other relatives in order to pursue his own power and success.
Time Stamp: 35:40 (Commodus killing his father)
Another recurring image that is seen throughout the film is Maximus dragging his hands through a wheat field. We see this image in the opening scene of the film right before the battle. While it is unknown to the audience at first, this image would eventually be used twice more as a symbol of Maximus being reunited with this family. This image appears again when Maximus is told that his wife and son were to be executed just as he would be. This imagery follows the death of Commodus’ father, the former Emperor of Rome. In the one of the final scenes of the film, following Maximus’s death in the area, this image occurs again and in the distance Maximus can see his wife and his son. This image demonstrates that Maximus achieved his final victory by being reunited with his family.
Time Stamp: 2:26:41 (Maximus is reunited with his family after he dies)
In the closing scenes of the film, Commodus realizes that Rome loves Maximus more than they love him. Commodus decides that the only way that in order to pursue his own glory he must challenge Maximus to a battle. Before doing this however, Commodus injures Maximus by stabbing him in the lungs making it almost impossible for Maximus to fight. This scene emphasizes the two very different values that motivate both of these characters. When Commodus asks Maximus why he does not fear, he responds “I knew a man who once said death smiles at us all, all a man can do is smile back.” These were the words of Commodus’ own father unknown to him.
Time Stamp 2:17:45 (Commodus stabs Maximus)
The director’s use of these contrasting virtues emphasizes the importance of family in this film. This theme and the rivalry between selfish personal glory and strong family virtue are classic devices for these types of “sandal and sword” epics.