Gladiator (2000 film) Gladiator (2000 film) Gladiator is a 2000 epic historical drama film directed by Ridley Scott and written by David Franzoni, John Logan, and William Nicholson. The film was jointly produced and released by DreamWorks Pictures and Universal Pictures. It stars Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen, Ralf Möller, Oliver Reed (in his final role), Djimon Hounsou, Derek Jacobi, John Shrapnel, and Richard Harris. Crowe portrays Hispano-Roman general Maximus Decimus Meridius, who is betrayed when Commodus, the ambitious son of Emperor Marcus Aurelius, murders his father and seizes the throne. Reduced to slavery, Maximus rises through the ranks of the gladiatorial
David Parker (director) David Parker (director) David Parker (born 1947 in Brisbane, Queensland) is an Australian cinematographer, film producer, screenwriter and film director. Films written by Parker include "Malcolm", "Rikky and Pete", "The Big Steal", and "Amy", Matching Jack (2013 film) (With Lynne Renew). Parker won AFI Best Screenplay for Malcolm and The Big Steal. Films produced by Parker include Malcolm, The Big Steal, Rikky and Pete, Hotel de Love, Irresistible, Amy, Matching Jack, The Gates of Hell. He also produced Stark - a BBC mini-series written by Ben Elton. Parker co-produced Kath and Kimderella. He has directed three films, "Hercules Returns", "Diana