Analyzing Evil: Commodus From Gladiator 

Hey love the channel can you do a video on Joe from You ?

Lol i wasn't finished watching it when it came down I was so confused

Stansfield from Leon: The Professional. >:3

Hey I thought of a good one! Tupac Shakur's character from the movie "juice". That would be epic

Really wish Maximus would’ve just killed this guy at the beginning and became emperor himself , why would anyone EVER waste energy caring about whether people love him or not

Watch we own the night with mark walburg . U will forgive him In that movie

It sometimes takes a better actor to make you despise a character than to love him or her. When someone portrays a character that makes you just want to hit him at every sentence they say or sit at the edge of your seat waiting for them to die or fail miserably, that's persuasive acting.

nah I loved him even being evil as all hell in this role. It's just so amazing!

I had to remind myself that it’s just a movie and Joaquin isn’t really doing this stuff.

@@virginialopez6133 I don't have a problem with Walburg. Phoenix *was* Commodus to me for years. There was no distinction between actor & role. It was "bruh you did not have to do Maximus like that"....even when I watched him in Her with Scarjo.

I don't know why, but the fact he was killed whole taking a bath, is really funny.

@@tfpradgirl9537 yeah, I can only imagine the look on his face when his favorite wrestler was crushing his windpipe, in his bath, while he was naked. I’d almost pay to see that.

Kinda like Jean-Paul Marat(of the French Revolution) except he was stabbed by a stranger claiming to have important information

I believe it was The Undertaker

@@sethiddings7293 💀💀💀💀THIS COMMENT

It vexed him... he’s terribly vexed.

AM I NOT MERCIFUL!!!

He was amazing in it

Marcus arrilios is dead maximus we mortals are but shadows and dust

I shall bathe in their blood

I haven't watched Gladiator in a while so I can't say for the movie whether it lines up, but in reality his father was actually pretty loving. Marcus Aurelius, although likely sometimes a little rough due to his mostly stoic philosophy, really did love Commodus, even to the point of refusing to see the bad in him. He wanted the best for his son, even though that best was Marcus' best and not Commodus'. Pretty typical case of a kid just not wanting what their parent wants for them, but elevated to the level of emperor (because that'll never have bad consequences lol)

Interesting take, but was it that he 'refused to see the bas in his son'? I wonder if rather than that, it was a sort of self-preservation as one could conceivably say Commodus' faults would be a reflection of Aurelius' faults as a parent? After all, he may well have been a good and loving parent, but how much time can the most powerful man in the world really spare for his child? Surely not enough for that love and affection to impront on that child, spending years away at a time can't be said to have had no ill effect on Commodus? (Not excusing Commodus' maliciousness, but monsters are not born of affection)

@Ralphie750 I mean yeah it could be that, but just from what I know of him and his philosophy I feel that were it anyone other than his family, Marcus would've just cut them out. Same sorta thing happened with his wife too I think. It's probably Stoicism's biggest fault in my opinion, just from the time I've spent studying and applying it. You struggle to work out how much is too much emotion and how little is too little. It's a slippery slope into apathy sometimes. I think Marcus may just not have cared by the time of his death. His time as emperor was trouble enough on it's own.

We really have no idea whether or not Commodus was mistreated or unloved by his father. In my opinion, I highly doubt it. He was groomed to be an emperor from a young age, I'm sure his Dad was tough on him and stoic in his teachings. However, Aurelius must have had a blind spot in regard to his son. There must have been at least an inkling that he would not be a good emperor, yet he had no hesitation in making him emperor. 22:06

Historical Aurelius did what he could, but managing whole empire, fighting rebellions or waging defensive Marcomannic war probably didn't leave too much time for him to raise his son. Then again he did take Commodus with him on campaigns and did his best to show him the ropes. Aurelius was in unique situation as previous emperors (Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian, Antoninus Pius) didn't have their own heirs, so they had to adopt. Actually Hadrian adopted Pius only if he in turn adopted Aurelius and Lucius Verus so two future co-emperors. Due to how Roman emperorship was structured, trying to set aside a biological heir for adoptive one was a sure recipe for a civil war. Commodus could be a dangerous rival to any new emperor and he would be eliminated, so I am guessing that Aurelius just didn't want his son to be murdered. Now when it comes to Commodus, he was clearly popular among lower classes of society, but pissed off influential nobility and senators. It didn't suit the rank of his office to fight as a gladiator and he did like to kill people with a club. His own family (sister) did conspire to kill him, which obviously didn't improve his mental health. Usually bad emperors died quickly, but Commodus managed to somehow survive 12 years, so he must have done something right. And he didn't start external wars, so he also got that going for him.

Couldn't agree more, definitely one of my favorite actors.

the true artist in the joker was the director but only because of phoenix's performance. when he goes to robert deniros show, we all subconciously want him to kill robert deniro... we would be angry if that scene ended and he had not. most of us dont realize it or wont admit it when we do. because in that moment we are subversed in the mind of the joker because of the directors use of forced perspective and story telling, yet robert deniro isnt a "bad guy" in the movie, but we all want him dead. if you dont believe me, take it from Quentin tarantino

I thought he did excellent in the film "We Own the Night" as well as this one

@ROFOLOFLOLO your welcome

This is the role that made me take notice of Joaquin Phoenix! He was born to play Commodus

Connie Nielsen

@@NikoBellic04 gesundheit

Bruh how many comments are people going to make like this? 😂 Oh yeah and in that one scene he ACTUALLY killed that guy so everyone's reaction to that scene was actually genuine 🙄

@@kyesanders3209it really is impossible to believe that actors can actually act out human emotions 😢

I thought I knew everything about this movie cuz I bought the DVD set & watched all material I could find about it. I didn’t know this, thank u.

Damn thats a perfect role for him too

Great actor

No way !!

I'm looking forward to Kitbag. This comment is actually the first I heard of it and I just looked it up. I love these inspired by history stories, though they get a lot of hate by history buffs. These multimillion dollar projects entertain and generate revenue, not educate. They have led many to learn about history if I had to guess, though.

He didn't want to do this movie at 1st

If anything was a death sentence as a profession in Rome, it wasn't being a gladiator, it was working the mines. A gladius through the gut would have been a painful death, but a faster one than years of hard labor, unsafe working conditions, cruel masters and no hope of manumission. Even gladiators could potentially earn their freedom.

I was about to post this same thing about gladiators. Thank you much for doing so my fellow history buff!

The series Spartacus gives a better understanding in to the lives of gladiators

True, but what made Commodus infamous was that during his reign, gladiators were indeed butchered, just because he deemed it fun. He also set up one to one combats with gladiators where the fighter had been drugged so Commodus would always win. Quite ironic that it was his lover the one who strangled him while Commodus took a bath.

@@nalublackwater9729 It wasn't a coincidence at all.

No where near the level of HBO Rome though

@@MyHentaiGirl Hmmm. It's been a long time. I'll have to go back and check it out. If nothing else it will be nice to see more use of miniatures and mat paintings and other more traditional methods of making a huge world come alive on screen.

@@hideousruin it look gritty and real, like a real city Gladiator ones just look a bit too grand if you get what i mean, it look dark but still too marble-ish

@@MyHentaiGirl Fair point. It was so good, that it apparently cost them a fortune. Pre GOT, of course. I miss that show, it was sooo good.

I love the music as well. "Now We Are Free" hits me emotionally every time I hear it.

I agree with you that would be awesome

Absolutely 💯

for sure! What a horrible character! That's one I have a hard time separating from the actor -- brilliantly written and performed.

Yeah but unlike Joaquin, the real life actor is a giant piece of shit.

Good call

I makes that line from Maximus so much more powerful. ‘I think you have been afraid all your life.’

@@Ivy94F got him so angry he stabbed him

Ultimately, Commodus was an unstable coward, willing to stoop to any low to preserve his power.

serpents strike when one least expects it?

@@VonJay yeah cause they’re usually hidden

@@publiopaolacci495"easily hidden." a Serpent is a very large snake. And I don't think people would least expect a strike from a snake in general.

@@VonJay i said usually as in they usually hide in tall grass. I assume a lot of people in less civilized/urban countries are quite worried about snake attacks?

@@publiopaolacci495 I mean you're correct, they tend to hide in tall grass and strike fast and efficiently before they prey would even know

And those features definitely look like they'd be at home on ancient currency.

He was basically King Claudius throughout the film. Gladiator is basically the new take on Hamlet.

Not to mention his incestuous nature and treatment of his sister and nephew. Some villains can be charismatic and be admired a bit, Tony Soprano or even Darth Vader, but guys like Gladiator version of Commodus have no redeeming features, they just utterly make your skin crawl whenever they are on screen.

I have wondered if King Joffery in "Game of Thrones" was modeled after Phoenix's Commodus?

@@arrow1414 Joffrey debuted in the books in 1996, Gladiator game out in 2000.

Yup.... he should've won.

Os true

Hey man, he had courage! Perhaps..not on the battlefield. But there are many forms of courage!

Catholic theology also got those 4 cardinal virtues in the "7 capital virtues" (the 3 remaining virtues are called theological virtues). Pretty cool to see Aurelius influence there

I know what you mean. I finally took notice of Joaquin after "Gladiator."

I completely agree

For me too, gen Z knows him from Joker, but I watch him since I was 10. His pircing, ominous dangerous eyes with dark circles gave me nightmare in this movie.

Indeed as his emotional dialogue with his father before he killed him, tells his narrative perfectly

"I know! How 'bout another game, Senator?"

Is it me, or is it getting crazier out there?

I did, and I'm tired of pretending I didn't.

Àwwá22àáà

"How bout another joke, Commadus?"

Joaquin Phoenix improves often. He completely disappears into each character.

Weird. That was also a line repeatedly said from Pharaoh to his son in the film Exodus. Wonder if it was lifted from Gladiator.

@@LibraryofSofiyah Possibly. Same director.

​@@LibraryofSofiyah I wondered where I'd heard it before! Thanks!

Evil is a word we invented, and it's within humanity

I feel exactly the same way

That's an interesting observation

Here's one, Trajan, the proper warrior despot. Hadrian by extension.

I 100% agree… I can’t think of a single role that would make me go “Nah, Joaquin Phoenix won’t fit the part here.” Like a Swiss Army Actor that fills any role he is given like he trained his life just for that role. Big fan 👍

@StuntmanGoat not every actor/actress

I don’t think so. The crowd forgets this « episode» like a show on netflix and is never satisfied. The senators hates him, and he knows nothing of the world or wars. Most likely all the games+ corruption and narcissism would ruin the state, the same way it did to Nero and Calligula. Narcissism always ends en failure and ruin

The historical Commodus believed he was the reincarnation of Hercules. He would involve himself in rigged gladiatorial games, dressed in secutor regalia. His opponents always submitted to him though, so it wasn't really a risk like in the film. But yeah, historically it was less courage and more delusion/arrogance.

Here are 2 possibilities where Scott could have made during filming it, which would also establish something about Commodus I read somewhere that REAL LIFE Commodus was a man, who engaged in Arena fights, but against old and crippled veterans. Kinda wasted potential here, like imagine scene where Gladiators are watching Commodus beat another one to death with sword, and when Maximus has chance of talking to him, he pulls off the helmet of dead cripple and says something like "This poor fellow's name was Evidius, veteran from Parthian war, father to Cicero, a hero from Germanic wars! Is this how you honor the people who fought and died in these wars? Marcus Aurelius wouldnt do this to his loyal subjects, but you do?!" And Commodus being like "I am the emperor! I am the Roman law! I can do whatever i want!". Like this would also show us things about Commodus: 1. Commodus is a coward, who rather cheats than engages in actual fight 2. People learn how terrible the Commodus actually is 3. It would give us another major reason why Maximus despises Commodus Or another thing i would say was missed opportunity, IRL, When Rome was in Flames, Commodus was busy renaming Rome as "Comodia" and Romans as "Comodians", and rename 12 months after his self given titles(Cant name all of them). I imagine the scene being like this: After Maximus wins against Tiger of Gaul, Rome is in fire, people are screaming, Lucilla searching for her son Verus, Gracchus sending his slaves to save Romans and to extinguish flames. When Lucilla returns, Commodus is like "What should be the name for January? Id say Commodus, because its the first in the year, what do you think Lucilla?" And Lucila is like "Commodus? Dont you see outside world? Rome is in flames! My son almost died from breathing smoke!" And Commodus Answers "This is Commodia now! Romans are past, Commodians are future!", meanwhile Proximo is saved by Maximus from flames, and gladiators along with Maximus volunteerly help the firefighters This would also be fit with establishing something about Commodus and surrounding 1. Commodus is neglectful ruler, who is there for his ego. 2. People dislike him even more considering Praetorians werent even sent to help(Forgot to mention his Praetorians dont do anything) 3. Maximus helps Rome more than Commodus does in his palace

​@@AxenfonKlatismrek I like this a lot but the ending would have to be completely different. It'd be too obvious that commodus and maximus would eventually duke it in a coliseum. I mean it already is, but this just spits it right in your mouth In addition, commodus is an intelligent character who desired admiration. Someone with his intelligence would notice the immediate contradiction. Combatting cripples and elderly will only bring disapproval as it shows fear to combat a prime warrior

Maximus had been waiting to kill Commodus and felt he gods/his ancestors were giving him the chance. So even thought commodus had the upperhand with the injury, maximus was determined

If you haven't already, check out all Joaquin Phoenix's movies. He completely disappears into every single character.

He's definitely worth exploring. That portrayal managed to be hilarious, pitiable but also horrifyingly dangerous. That is a combination that is extremely difficult to pull off.

YES.

Heck yeah! Bump!

He did redeem himself in that series somewhat.

​@@joevenespineli6389 I think Niel's version is unfair in this regard, as while Jim Carrey's version only did the first 3 books, Netflix did all 13 books.

He really did. Joker should've been his fourth Oscar. He was absolutely brilliant in so many movies. He completely disappears into every character he plays.

CHILLS!

Just make sure you return those video tapes.

Huey Lewis sucks!!

@@dasteezyust4717 You like Vile Eye and the Analyzing Evil series?

@@drew9597 absolutely

@@dasteezyust4717 oh...uhm.... I gotta return some video tapes...

this one was so well done lmao

That speech made me feel so bad for him. You could feel how absolutely hurt and broken he was when he said it..

@@valmacclinchy Jaoquins acting was FANTASTIC in that scene

@@chasehedges6775 Absolutely 💯

I think Syndrome has the highest body count in all of Pixar movies lol.

villains with an internal conflict is always interesting

I find Syndrome a bit hard to believe at times, how he carried that grudge against Supers literally through all his childhood, teen years, and young adulthood, to the point of going into weapons industry just to get rich enough to get back at a group of people who were already forced underground. Like, what else was his life like that he was never able to get over that grudge? To the point of it becoming murderous at that. Still love the character though. Absolute bastard

that's probably canon actually

Wait. So is Blade Runner before or after Alien? And where does the Predator franchise fit in the timeline?

@@skoomaaddict1010 Blade Runner takes place in 2019, Alien in 2122.

@@samrizzardi2213 well if the Roman Republic was restored in this timeline, then wouldn't it be reasonable to say they go with a different calendar from the Gregorian?

@@skoomaaddict1010 Maybe.

Same here!

Ramsay Bolton is even more disgusting.

I know.

🤦🏾‍♂️

Don’t forget his role in the romantic comedy "Her"............

Well put and well said.

“Today I saw a slave become more powerful than the Emperor of Rome.” - Lucilla.

That was completely improvised. Joaquin is absolutely brilliant.

Meditations is one of my all time favorite books. What amazed me was that this was coming from a conqueror.

Was the title of 'Aurelius' ascribed to him after his death? I'm sure he wouldn't call himself that.

@@Firguy I don't know. Does it really matter?

@@joeboyko8013 Sure. If he was calling himself "Marcus Aurelius", the golden king, that would impart a lack of humility on his part so I would guess that name was given to him centuries after his death.

@@Firguy Okay... And?

💯💯💯💯. Best and most humiliating and satisfying death ever

I can testify to this, at least dark circles are kinda in style now. Back to Commodus though, I think it’s just character design. You can take it as him having insomnia because of paranoia, or you can take it as the director trying to make him look creepier and more insane.

I hate people with such features.

@@k.i.a6433 wtf why?

@@jayleno1222 i can't hate people cause of their looks now???

@@k.i.a6433 Dude… Even if you did, why hate somebody for something as minimal as dark circles. Did you have a “sneaky” uncle who always looked tired or something?

While we're on the subject of Michael Fassbender, I'd love to see an analysis of Azazeal from BBC's "Hex."

I like the way you think

David is literally the only good thing about those films

@@in4mus85 I always thought he was the main character. Besides having the best scenes (some of my favorite in film history, him watching LOA, dying his hair and playing basketball on a bike) He had the most screen time so even before covenant came out I had a feeling he'd be the catalyst to the ideas presented in Prometheus. In Prometheus God, his creation man, and an android walk the same plain. But for some reason God doesn't like Man's creation. In covenant, Man, Android walk the same plain, and what does the Android choose to create? A monster. Scott's arguments seems to be that Man is creating (Robots) something as grotesque as the facehugger. I thought it was a masterpiece, yet, I can't revisit those films.

Hell yes. He's basically a super strong genius who struggles to hold back his utter contempt for those around him. No wonder he totally snapped.

His name actually comes from Marcus Aurelius' first co-emperor Lucius Verus. IRL he wasn't Commodus' nephew, he was Lucilla's first husband who ended up dying from the plague.

You're not the only one. It's a perfect combination of spoiled brat and little boy bereft of affection.

Basically he's a combination of Scar and Joffrey (GOT).

Donald Trump.

This is why his father took fault for his shortcomings in character.

Yeah he should I love that movie, even though I know it’s historically inaccurate. But I love to see an analysis of Salieri (specifically the movie version).

Yeah I love this movie and Amadeus both historically inaccurate movies. But they don’t need to be historically correct in order for it to be good it’s just ridiculous in my opinion.

@@karenstrong6734👍👍👍

i was named max after this film and to this day i love it and i love roman history

"Sopranos" not "Supranos"

@@d0nKsTaH ask me if i care

It is spelled "sopranos"

@@NoName-xc6cg ask me if i give a fuck

@@x2poles Sooooopraaaanos "Sopranos" S O P R A N O S

Absolutely phenomenal. One of the greatest ever.

Only saW 2 roles from him so I can’t just come out with this statement but he was phenomenal in both