"Without meaningful purpose, men languish and fade, simply going through whatever motions have been ordained for them" quotes like this are why I love this channel.
@master_samwise I was wondering if maybe you could cover the masculinity of Jin Sakai from Ghost of Tsushima, he'd a great character with a beautiful and tragic story filed with war loss and triumph and I'd love to hear your take on it as I have so many others 💜
"He fights not because he hates what's in front of him, but because he loves what's behind him." That is such a profound way of describing Maximus's motives. Obviously, it is intended to bring up thoughts of Faramir.
Nor fighting for the sake of glory and renown as "There will come a time for Valor without renown ... Yet the deeds will not be less valiant because they are unpraised" there is always more than one Tolkien qoute that will fit :)
You should 100% do a video on The Count of Monte Cristo. Especially the book. The final page where Edmond ask for prayer because he thought himself to be equal with God but now repents. And learns that we are to wait and hope, is so powerful.
Every time I watch this move, someone starts cutting onions at the end with "He was a solider of Rome. Honor Him." I love this movie and had the chance to show it to my wife last year. I really wish that movies like this one could be made more often today.
I have to hand it to Russell Crowe in his performance as Maximus, it is honestly one of his best performances. The only other man who I can think of who would've well-suited for the role in his place, had he been younger at the time, was Charlton Heston, as he had a very commanding presence, not to mention that iconic voice. Actually, given his background with playing historical roles, I am frankly a little surprised he wasnt offered the role of Marcus Aurelius in the film. Richard Harris, I believe that is the name of the actor who played the part did a fantastic job don't get me wrong, but sometimes I wonder how Heston would've done in the role.
I do not remain here out of immortality’s courage. I remain here because, if I am to die, I choose this death. I choose to die with my back to the last door. I choose to give my life to buy another hour, or a minute, or even a single second of grace to those who cannot be here fighting with me. I choose to die here because I do not believe I have yet given all I can. ~ Sanguinius - Echoes of Eternity
On a side note, your line here 4:45 about men coveting power are often the least deserving of it made me think of Silco from Arcane. One of the most interesting parts about Silco's character is that though he covets power and respect, he does not crave it solely for himself. He spent years in the shadows of the Undercity preparing to assert command over the criminal underground in order to make his power seem absolute. This was meant to make it seem to Piltover, when he deemed the time right, that he was a legitimate threat, and he could and would burn Piltover to the ground along with Zaun if they did not agree to give them their independence. However, none of his motivations were entirely selfish. As we see in the flashback in season 2, Silco, Vander and Vi's mom were all part of a moment to bring together the Undercity and achieve independence from their oppressors. Silco even told Vander in season 1 that everything he had been doing was to force Piltover to see the citizens of the Undercity as more than the rats that live in their gutters. Silco wanted power in order to make Zaun a reality.
First video of yours I see, great job! You earned a new subscriber. Such a great analysis of the movie, highlighting important aspects that are usually overlooked.
Love this channel - I only wish I had time to watch more of the movies and shows before a video came out on them. Still love the Halo music - Marty O'Donnell is awesome - I hope you'll do a video on Halo someday.
Sam, a book trilogy I think you'd like is Sword and Serpent by T Marshall. It's a retelling if St. George and the Dragon, set in the period of the Diocletion persecution. As I watched this I was reminded of the arc of Jurian (George) in those books, and the 2nd book even has gladiatorial games. Excellent series, plenty of heroic masculinity and femininity. I'm not a huge T. Marshall fan, but this trilogy is impeccable.
Small critique here but Commodus killing Maximum’s family isn’t just to instill fear. There is also the practical element that if you let your political opponents heir live they are likely to come back to challenge you further down the road. Happens all the time in political history. Especially when dealing with monarchies. Remember what Hannah Arendt wrote about the banality of evil. It’s important to remember that a lot of times some of the worst atrocities come out of a completely rational state of mind. It isn’t always that the bad guys are just depraved people who want to cause pain and destruction. Even Darth Vader once upon a time, loved Padame.
It was a beautiful video indeed again, thank you. As for the sequel, there is so many reason why it should not exist: One the first is a complete experience no need to add anything to it. Second Hollywood really start to other episodes in roman history especially the eastern roman empire.
This video is so good. You are so good at what you do. I hope you can have members in the future (I’m not a fan of Patreon) so you can be the first channel I become a member to. The quality and the analysis is top notch. Thank you for your work ❤️
"Carry out the... dream of the man whom he loved" And that man, in all ways except for blood, was his father, the emperor. This gnawed at Commodus to no end because he could never be the son that Marcus Aurelius wanted
When people critique that making heroes paragons make them uninteresting and lacking in character they ignore the depth of character in the fortitude needed to choose good. Virture may not be it's own reward as Maximus starts his mission on a quest of personal vengeance, but his story echo through may other stories; weather its Balian from Kingdom of Heaven being advised "what you decide to do everyday will make you a good man or not" and Dr. Erskine extracting the promise from Steve Rogers "That you will stay who you are, not a perfect soldier, but a good man." A hero must have something to fight for lest he loose the fortitude to be a good man.
Justice at its most primitive, its most instinctual, at its core, is born of the rage that bubbles in our hearts when we see something wrong with the world, I believe. And it grows into the desire to rectify that wrong. To heal that wound, to fix that broken thing, to mend that relationship, to bring peace to that turmoil. It is not about law and order, it's about right and wrong. So justice, at is core, is a creative impulse. And vengeance is its sister. Vengeance, at its core, is a desire to punish. To take out your pain on the one who inflicted it, to inflict pain, and terror, and regret on them. To vest upon them such ruin that they would never dare to hurt you again, if they survive, which if they don't then you're assured that they will not hurt you again. Or anyone else. Vengeance, at its core, is a destructive impulse. And sometimes they meet. Sometimes what's wrong with the world is that an unrepentant, remorseless degenerate is out wreaking havoc in some way or another and will not stop until they're either dead or behind bars in a life sentence. But many times they do not. So always remember: vengeance we seek the harm of others, while in justice we seek the good of others. In both cases we will end up where we're headed.
Your point about Lucius compared to his own son is exactly why nobody should adhere to the awful sequel retcon of Maximus really being the father of Maximus.
I think that's what made Kill Bill so good; because it was more than revenge for her; it was justice for her child and not wanting anyone else to be fooled by Bill like she was.
I was wondering if maybe you could cover the masculinity of Jin Sakai from Ghost of Tsushima, he's a great character with a beautiful and tragic story filed with war loss and triumph and I'd love to hear your take on it as I have so many others 💜
Have you ever considered doing a video on Stannis Baratheon because he has to be the most misunderstood character in fiction, both by audiences and characters in the sroty.
@@master_samwiseOhhh noo!! Allow yourself to at least watch the first 4 seasons of GoT. Don’t let the “ending” cheat you out of the beginning! For myself, the hype around Gladiator 2 made me watch Gladiator 1. Seems to me Glad2 is mainly a Hollywood rehash/ rewind/ recycle of Glad1 BUT … if they hadn’t made the sequel, I nigh have never watched my (Now FAVORITE) movie of all time. Same thing in GoT, by the end, it was more about making a commercial “crowd pleaser” … but the beginning?!?!? Worth every minute
I disagree that justice is simply above keeping order because that makes it less about morality and more about control. Pretty sure justice is about some innate sense of the scales being balanced.
Honestly, wasn't a fan of this movie. One of the big issues I had was how much it took me out of the film when the other gladiators and the guy managing the gladiators all fought for him near the end. Up to that point, Maximus had been doing nothing I could see but fighting well. We're told he's charismatic, but I never saw it.
I mean two of the videos I put out in October currently have 200k+ views. One of them has 300k. My videos tend to start slow, and some pick up and do well later on, while others don't. It's just the way of things.
Listen, I know it's well written. However, those stupid leather wrost cuffs activate my flight or fight response l, they look terrible, serve no purpose, and don't exist historically.
ok my dude with all due respect but u just spent 8 minutes yapping about stuff everyone knows/ nobody cares about im sry but im getting aggressive listening to u wasting my time im out
Yes, that's why many of us dislike him, and would dislike him regardless of his actual politics. That is a bit too much nuance for many others to understand.
"Without meaningful purpose, men languish and fade, simply going through whatever motions have been ordained for them" quotes like this are why I love this channel.
Facing actuality and the hard truth of life is a difficult thing to do. Most people will ignore it their entire lives until it's too late.
@TheSmark666 so true!
My local cinema re-released Gladiator back in October. Whilst being in awe watching. I often said to myself, "Why make a sequel to this masterpiece?"
Should have just re-released this everywhere and not bothered with II. Would have saved a LOT of money.
@master_samwise I was wondering if maybe you could cover the masculinity of Jin Sakai from Ghost of Tsushima, he'd a great character with a beautiful and tragic story filed with war loss and triumph and I'd love to hear your take on it as I have so many others 💜
Money
Easy, money
Thank you! 🙏 I asked myself the same thing. I’m watching Gladiator in protest of the second part.
To me it having a sequel is as absurd as Titanic 2 😂
"He fights not because he hates what's in front of him, but because he loves what's behind him." That is such a profound way of describing Maximus's motives. Obviously, it is intended to bring up thoughts of Faramir.
Nor fighting for the sake of glory and renown as "There will come a time for Valor without renown ... Yet the deeds will not be less valiant because they are unpraised" there is always more than one Tolkien qoute that will fit :)
I love how his version of Heaven is going home to his wife and son.
The most simplest desires are often the most important to a man. His family was his treasure, his life, and he came home to them again.
You should 100% do a video on The Count of Monte Cristo. Especially the book. The final page where Edmond ask for prayer because he thought himself to be equal with God but now repents. And learns that we are to wait and hope, is so powerful.
Planning on it eventually!
Excellent recommendation!!!!!
@@master_samwiseplease read the unabridged Robin Buss translation (Penguin Classics). COMC and LOTR are my favorite books. Both fantastic and epic.
Every time I watch this move, someone starts cutting onions at the end with "He was a solider of Rome. Honor Him." I love this movie and had the chance to show it to my wife last year. I really wish that movies like this one could be made more often today.
A deep dive into how healthy Maximus's masculinity is from one of my favorite videos essayists? HELL YEA
I am, in fact, entertained.
Gladiator is a Stoic masterpiece.
God of War, Halo, and Jupiter from The Planets all as background music were a surprising combination yet fabulous!
Fantastic video as always. Since discovering your channel, it's because one of my favorites. You never fail to inspire!
Thank you!
No wonder why is my dad favorite movie
I love the first Gladiator it was deep and amazing
We don't talk about the 2nd.
@@VTdarkangel 2nd is alright too. Just doesn't do anything new.
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13
Pregnancy with a son makes me love these videos all the more.
This made me desperately want to re-watch this. It's been a while.
I have to hand it to Russell Crowe in his performance as Maximus, it is honestly one of his best performances. The only other man who I can think of who would've well-suited for the role in his place, had he been younger at the time, was Charlton Heston, as he had a very commanding presence, not to mention that iconic voice.
Actually, given his background with playing historical roles, I am frankly a little surprised he wasnt offered the role of Marcus Aurelius in the film. Richard Harris, I believe that is the name of the actor who played the part did a fantastic job don't get me wrong, but sometimes I wonder how Heston would've done in the role.
Your use of OG Halo music as a background throughout this video worked masterfully BTW.
Halo and "I Vow To Thee My Country" in the background of a good video essay, excellent taste!
I do not remain here out of immortality’s courage. I remain here because, if I am to die, I choose this death. I choose to die with my back to the last door. I choose to give my life to buy another hour, or a minute, or even a single second of grace to those who cannot be here fighting with me. I choose to die here because I do not believe I have yet given all I can.
~ Sanguinius - Echoes of Eternity
Rare Ytber who can actually talk about politics & masculinity in his videos the smart way.
In answer to your question yes. Yes I am entertained. As always playing "Spot the Halo music" was satisfying.
"Ideas are bulletproof"
On a side note, your line here 4:45 about men coveting power are often the least deserving of it made me think of Silco from Arcane.
One of the most interesting parts about Silco's character is that though he covets power and respect, he does not crave it solely for himself. He spent years in the shadows of the Undercity preparing to assert command over the criminal underground in order to make his power seem absolute. This was meant to make it seem to Piltover, when he deemed the time right, that he was a legitimate threat, and he could and would burn Piltover to the ground along with Zaun if they did not agree to give them their independence.
However, none of his motivations were entirely selfish. As we see in the flashback in season 2, Silco, Vander and Vi's mom were all part of a moment to bring together the Undercity and achieve independence from their oppressors. Silco even told Vander in season 1 that everything he had been doing was to force Piltover to see the citizens of the Undercity as more than the rats that live in their gutters. Silco wanted power in order to make Zaun a reality.
We are entertained, Samwise. And edified.
First video of yours I see, great job! You earned a new subscriber. Such a great analysis of the movie, highlighting important aspects that are usually overlooked.
Maximus is the best!! A soldier of Rome!
Love this channel - I only wish I had time to watch more of the movies and shows before a video came out on them.
Still love the Halo music - Marty O'Donnell is awesome - I hope you'll do a video on Halo someday.
One day!
Beautiful video as always
Thank you!
Sam, a book trilogy I think you'd like is Sword and Serpent by T Marshall. It's a retelling if St. George and the Dragon, set in the period of the Diocletion persecution. As I watched this I was reminded of the arc of Jurian (George) in those books, and the 2nd book even has gladiatorial games. Excellent series, plenty of heroic masculinity and femininity. I'm not a huge T. Marshall fan, but this trilogy is impeccable.
I'll check it out!
Small critique here but Commodus killing Maximum’s family isn’t just to instill fear. There is also the practical element that if you let your political opponents heir live they are likely to come back to challenge you further down the road. Happens all the time in political history. Especially when dealing with monarchies. Remember what Hannah Arendt wrote about the banality of evil. It’s important to remember that a lot of times some of the worst atrocities come out of a completely rational state of mind. It isn’t always that the bad guys are just depraved people who want to cause pain and destruction. Even Darth Vader once upon a time, loved Padame.
Good point. Commodus is pretty depraved though
Yeah he was. All I’m trying to say is that you can have good reasons to do harsh brutal things. It doesn’t justify it tho
@ completely agree!
Been waiting for this one!!!
Heroism is not only in the man, but in the occasion.
It was a beautiful video indeed again, thank you. As for the sequel, there is so many reason why it should not exist: One the first is a complete experience no need to add anything to it. Second Hollywood really start to other episodes in roman history especially the eastern roman empire.
This video is so good. You are so good at what you do. I hope you can have members in the future (I’m not a fan of Patreon) so you can be the first channel I become a member to. The quality and the analysis is top notch. Thank you for your work ❤️
There is only ONE Gladiator movie.
1:46 yeah, you know who else is like that, Arthur morgan. Looking forward to see your video about it sam .
Gladiator is a fantastic movie, one of Russell Crowe’s best. 👍
P.S. Have you seen the Karate Kid and Cobra Kai?
"Carry out the... dream of the man whom he loved"
And that man, in all ways except for blood, was his father, the emperor. This gnawed at Commodus to no end because he could never be the son that Marcus Aurelius wanted
When people critique that making heroes paragons make them uninteresting and lacking in character they ignore the depth of character in the fortitude needed to choose good. Virture may not be it's own reward as Maximus starts his mission on a quest of personal vengeance, but his story echo through may other stories; weather its Balian from Kingdom of Heaven being advised "what you decide to do everyday will make you a good man or not" and Dr. Erskine extracting the promise from Steve Rogers "That you will stay who you are, not a perfect soldier, but a good man." A hero must have something to fight for lest he loose the fortitude to be a good man.
Great videos mate keep it up
Justice at its most primitive, its most instinctual, at its core, is born of the rage that bubbles in our hearts when we see something wrong with the world, I believe. And it grows into the desire to rectify that wrong. To heal that wound, to fix that broken thing, to mend that relationship, to bring peace to that turmoil. It is not about law and order, it's about right and wrong. So justice, at is core, is a creative impulse. And vengeance is its sister.
Vengeance, at its core, is a desire to punish. To take out your pain on the one who inflicted it, to inflict pain, and terror, and regret on them. To vest upon them such ruin that they would never dare to hurt you again, if they survive, which if they don't then you're assured that they will not hurt you again. Or anyone else. Vengeance, at its core, is a destructive impulse.
And sometimes they meet. Sometimes what's wrong with the world is that an unrepentant, remorseless degenerate is out wreaking havoc in some way or another and will not stop until they're either dead or behind bars in a life sentence. But many times they do not. So always remember: vengeance we seek the harm of others, while in justice we seek the good of others. In both cases we will end up where we're headed.
Only the courts can provide justice....I am fairly confident on this.
Your point about Lucius compared to his own son is exactly why nobody should adhere to the awful sequel retcon of Maximus really being the father of Maximus.
I think that's what made Kill Bill so good; because it was more than revenge for her; it was justice for her child and not wanting anyone else to be fooled by Bill like she was.
I was wondering if maybe you could cover the masculinity of Jin Sakai from Ghost of Tsushima, he's a great character with a beautiful and tragic story filed with war loss and triumph and I'd love to hear your take on it as I have so many others 💜
I am just now realizing how similar of a character arc this is to Kaladin from Stormlight.
Shadows and Dust!
On the flip side though, a man who does NOT desire power, shouldn’t necessarily be given power.
Have you ever considered doing a video on Stannis Baratheon because he has to be the most misunderstood character in fiction, both by audiences and characters in the sroty.
I have not, but that is because I have yet to watch Game of Thrones. I find it hard to work up the will to do so, knowing it ends so poorly.
@@master_samwiseOhhh noo!! Allow yourself to at least watch the first 4 seasons of GoT.
Don’t let the “ending” cheat you out of the beginning!
For myself, the hype around Gladiator 2 made me watch Gladiator 1.
Seems to me Glad2 is mainly a Hollywood rehash/ rewind/ recycle of Glad1
BUT … if they hadn’t made the sequel, I nigh have never watched my (Now FAVORITE) movie of all time.
Same thing in GoT, by the end, it was more about making a commercial “crowd pleaser” … but the beginning?!?!?
Worth every minute
I disagree that justice is simply above keeping order because that makes it less about morality and more about control.
Pretty sure justice is about some innate sense of the scales being balanced.
Agreed. I was thinking more of a justice system than justice as a virtue when I wrote those lines.
If Commidus had left Maximus family alone, the movie would have been much shorter.
Honestly, wasn't a fan of this movie. One of the big issues I had was how much it took me out of the film when the other gladiators and the guy managing the gladiators all fought for him near the end. Up to that point, Maximus had been doing nothing I could see but fighting well. We're told he's charismatic, but I never saw it.
What's your opinion on the second movie?
I would think that maximus found his glory in the continuing of Rome
Ave veritas. Hail truth
I agree but I like the spartacus show better
Why haven't your recent videos gotten as many views?
People like senseless content more than content that actually gives them something to feel/think about
I mean two of the videos I put out in October currently have 200k+ views. One of them has 300k. My videos tend to start slow, and some pick up and do well later on, while others don't. It's just the way of things.
God of war Valhalla coming soon?
Then you have Mescal *face palm*
lol “Wuss Wagon”
This new neww
Listen, I know it's well written. However, those stupid leather wrost cuffs activate my flight or fight response l, they look terrible, serve no purpose, and don't exist historically.
Wrist cuffs and the classic fantasy gauntlets are forever a thorn in the side of armor in historical media.
ok my dude with all due respect but u just spent 8 minutes yapping about stuff everyone knows/ nobody cares about im sry but im getting aggressive listening to u wasting my time im out
Americas new president elect really more and more like commodus
Yes, that's why many of us dislike him, and would dislike him regardless of his actual politics.
That is a bit too much nuance for many others to understand.
Not going to disagree, but all current politicians are more like Commodus.
@@Eilonwy95 also extremely true!