With the advent of 4K televisions with HFR, the possibility of upgrading older films to a more pristine home viewing experience has arisen. However, not every 4K transfer is made alike, and considering the higher cost of 4K Blu-rays, you want to make sure you’re getting your money’s worth. So we here at Collider plan to review a select number of 4K new releases to tell you whether the 4K transfer is worth the upgrade, what bonus features you can expect, and if the film itself holds up.

First on the list is Gladiator. So let’s get started.

Does the Film Hold Up?

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Image via DreamWorks Pictures

Released in 2000, Ridley Scott’s historical epic Gladiator came on the heels of a boon in male-driven historical films like Braveheart, The Patriot, and The Last of the Mohicans. Still, the “sword and sandals” trend had died out decades ago, so no one was quite sure how Gladiator would be received. As it turns out, warmly enough to win the Oscar for Best Picture.

The story begins in AD 180 and stars Russell Crowe as General Maximus Decimus Meridius, leader of the Roman army. But after Emperor Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris) dies and tells only a select few people that he intends for Maximus to succeed him on the throne and save the empire from corruption, Aurelius’ troubled and morally bankrupt son Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix) pins Aurelius’ death on Maximus and has the General exiled to be murdered, along with his wife and child.

Maximus escapes death, but his family does not, and his starving body is picked up by slavers who turn him into a gladiatorial fighter, which puts him on a path that leads him back to Rome where his victories earn him a presence with the new Emperor Commodus, at which point he reveals his plan to seek vengeance (in this life or the next).

The 4K Blu-ray disc contains both the theatrical and extended cuts of the film, the latter of which runs nearly three full hours. I checked out the theatrical cut for this review, and the film holds up tremendously well. Especially in the wake of Game of Thrones, the story remains a compelling tale of corruption, greed, and family, and Crowe’s Oscar-winning performance is spot-on. While the movie is long, the running time breezed by, and Scott's handle on the script's themes and characters solidifies this one's place in history.

There's also Hans Zimmer's score, which may or may not have been pilfered for Pirates of the Caribbean, but remains wonderfully effective and at times even haunting. And then there are the gladiatorial matches themselves. Scott's handle on the geography of the action is magnificent, and while the film is indeed violence, the extremely graphic moments are chosen carefully for maximum impact. Although it's a historical epic with gorgeous scenery, this is at heart a character piece, and the sharp focus on Maximus' arc is the beating heart of the film.

Time has been very, very good to this Oscar winner.

Is the 4K Upgrade Worth It?

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Image via DreamWorks Pictures

Absolutely. We’ve established that the film itself still works incredibly well, and this 4K transfer is positively stunning. John Mathieson’s sharp and epic cinematography translates beautifully to 4K, as does the dynamic color palette that Scott settled on for the film. The opening action sequence in particular is terrific, as 4K allows for the darker colors to really add depth to the image. And the crispness of Mathieson’s cinematography is tactile and rich.

The 4K Blu-ray disc is also fully stacked. You get the theatrical and extended editions of the film, as well as audio commentaries for both that track along with the 4K versions of the film. Scott and Crowe are on the extended edition commentary, while the theatrical commentary is Scott, editor Pietro Scalia, and cinematographer John Mathieson.

On the standard Blu-ray disc you get the commentaries again, as well as behind-the-scenes featurettes, deleted scenes with optional commentary from Scott, abandoned sequences, and more.

The Final Word

If you already own Gladiator on Blu-ray and it’s not something you plan to revisit often, you’re probably good—there are no new bonus features to be found. But if you don’t already own it, or will watch it at least once a year, the 4K upgrade is absolutely worth it. The image is phenomenal, and the film holds up remarkably.

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