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It is a good one.

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In Reply to: Gladiator-Getting good reviews? posted by Ears on May 05, 2000 at 13:12:16:

I saw it Saturday night and loved it. There is one really fascinating aspect to the movie that makes seeing it in the theatre worthwhile. And that's the audience's reaction to the contests. The 20th century audiences react in exactly the same way as do the 2nd century audiences depicted in the film. This works as a fascinating social commentary, since we tend to look at the Romans and their bloodsports as being so barbaric, nasty and "unenlightened". In our oh so much more enlightened culture we read accounts of the brutality of the Romans and ask how could any culture condone so brutual and violent contests just for entertainment? And then we lust for the same blood and violence and then react with the same emotions as did the Romans 1800 years before us. And then we justify it with, "Well, no one is really hurt in the making of movies." (The reviewers who pick up on this aspect of the movie give it much better reviews than the others.) If you see it at home, this effect may be lost somewhat due to the lack of a crowd effect.

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A piece of gladiator trivia Victor Khomenko 08:02:11 05/12/00 (11)
***And then we lust for the same blood and violence and then react with the same emotions as did the Romans 1800 years before us. And then we justify it with, "Well, no one is really hurt in the making of movies."
Are you then suggesting that this is a rather minor and insignificant distinction?
Who was that emperor that was so sure and proud of his fighting skills that he would routinely enter the arena and always come out a winner?
Kicker: his armor and sword were made of iron. All his opponents fought with lead and tin swords.
- thought the Legion used brass swords, 30lbs of it, late 13:11:53 05/12/00 (9)
  iron huh? I guess hi tech is relative to what you're holding onto.
  - Re: thought the Legion used brass swords, 30lbs of it, Victor Khomenko 13:54:03 05/12/00 (8)
    ***iron huh? I guess hi tech is relative to what you're holding onto.
    Did I goof? I thought it WAS iron. But it has been several month since I read this story. Too bad I don't have that book any more.
    As far as the most popular sword, that was the Gladius, of which the French in 1831 made copies to equip their Artillery troops - I have it and it is a *very* impressive piece. Not 30lb, of course...
    - Re: thought the Legion used brass swords, 30lbs of it, late 14:45:44 05/12/00 (7)
      hi Victor,
      i am pretty sure the Legion used brass swords. However, it is quite possible the Emperor had iron,but my knowledge of military history is much too limited for that.
      - Legionary Sword was made of Steel Tom Brennan 17:32:51 05/12/00 (5)
        
        In Reply to: Re: thought the Legion used brass swords, 30lbs of it, posted by late on May 12, 2000 at 14:45:44:
        
        The legionary used a short stabbing sword called the gladius, it was made of steel, yes, the Romans had steel.
        
        it would not surprise me if... late 20:15:44 05/12/00 (3)
        
        In Reply to: Legionary Sword was made of Steel posted by Tom Brennan on May 12, 2000 at 17:32:51:
        
        late in the Empire, newer gear came out. But i would have sworn that they used this bloody 30lb bludgeon that for some reason was called a sword.
        It would really surprise me if they had steel 2 or 3 centuries BC. Got any sources
        that would clarify this?
        
        According to the Encyclopedia of Swords... Victor Khomenko 06:55:46 05/13/00 (1)
        
        In Reply to: it would not surprise me if... posted by late on May 12, 2000 at 20:15:44:
        
        ...the early versions of the Gladius were bronze, but the later ones were indeed made of steel.
        BTW, its design reflects the revolutionary, by that time, discovery that "cuts heal and thrusts kill", so its primary duty was for thrusts, although it was still pretty effective at cuts too. That idea was later lost many times, and then again "rediscovered", so some cavalry weapons, for example, went straight, curved, straight, curved again, then "almost straight".
        That alone makes me want to see that move, although the director's name doesn't exactly fill me with great anticipation.
        
        Straight vs. Curved KirkM 17:57:31 05/28/00 (0)
        
        In Reply to: According to the Encyclopedia of Swords... posted by Victor Khomenko on May 13, 2000 at 06:55:46:
        
        In US Navy, the sailors in boarding parties were issued curved sabers. It takes less training to hack and slash than to fence. Also, sabers are better for cutting rigging to disable the boarded ship. The officers, however, have straight swords to this day. Mine is still lying about somewhere.
        
        Richard Burton Victor Khomenko 06:33:45 05/13/00 (0)
        
        In Reply to: it would not surprise me if... posted by late on May 12, 2000 at 20:15:44:
        
        No, not the actor. His "The Book of the Sword" contains all the answers. Available from the Amazon for $8 or so. Perhaps a bit too dry.
        
        Behold the Gladius Victor Khomenko 19:01:32 05/12/00 (0)
        
        In Reply to: Legionary Sword was made of Steel posted by Tom Brennan on May 12, 2000 at 17:32:51:
        
        This is the 1831 French version
      - btw, there is a new 'Inbox' in the Outside Asylum ***nt*** late 14:50:29 05/12/00 (0)
        
        In Reply to: Re: thought the Legion used brass swords, 30lbs of it, posted by late on May 12, 2000 at 14:45:44:
        
        and it's verrry good :)
- Not sure really. Shane 12:55:59 05/12/00 (0)
  I can't decide if it's a minor or a major distinction. I want to justify myself by saying it's a minor distinction, but then when I try and analyze my reation to scenes in the movie I'm not so sure. (And yes I do realize the problem analyzing emotions) :-) As per your trivia question, I don't know which emperor that was. (but he must have been one tough dude.)

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