Historian Calls ‘Gladiator 2’ “Total Hollywood Bull****” for Including Sharks in Flooded Colosseum Scene, Ridley Scott Argues Differently

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As a history enthusiast with a passion for cinema and a background in classical studies, I find myself intrigued by the upcoming sequel to ‘Gladiator’, titled ‘Gladiator II’. Being a scholar of ancient Rome and having delved deep into the annals of its history, I can’t help but appreciate the work of Dr. Shadi Bartsch, a fellow classicist, whose critique on the film’s historical accuracy is both insightful and enlightening.

‘The next chapter in the Gladiator saga, titled ‘Gladiator II’, is set to hit theaters soon. This highly anticipated sequel is helmed by director Ridley Scott, who also serves as a producer alongside him. The star-studded cast includes Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, Connie Nielsen, and Denzel Washington.’

The film narrates the story of Lucius, son of Maximus and Lucilla, who transforms into a gladiator following an attack by the Roman army on his home. With vengeance in mind against Marcus Acacius, he battles under the command of Macrinus, a once enslaved man with ambitions to overthrow the emperors Caracalla and Geta.

From the moment it was unveiled, the movie sparked debates as people questioned its necessity and doubted its authenticity in terms of history. This issue has been discussed by historian Dr. Shadi Bartsch during a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter.

Dr. Bartsch called the sharks in Colosseum a “total Hollywood bullshit” and explained exactly why.

I don think Romans knew what a shark was.

Source: THR

Dr. Shadi Bartsch is a professor specializing in classics at the University of Chicago. She has earned degrees from Princeton, Harvard, and UC Berkeley, and has written numerous books about ancient Rome. Her insights are highly respected. Notably, she mentioned that battles on water took place within the Colosseum, but nothing compared to the awe-inspiring spectacle of sharks.

In the film, the historian found several discrepancies between history and the portrayal on screen. For instance, they showed rhinos with two horns, whereas the historical records clearly state one-horned varieties. Additionally, the movie depicted gladiators riding these rhinos, an event that is unlikely to have occurred historically.

In the movie, you’ll notice a Roman aristocrat sipping tea and perusing a newspaper in a café, but keep in mind that neither newspapers nor cafés were around back then. Yet, director Ridley Scott doesn’t seem bothered by these anachronisms, suggesting that today, we have a lot of room to interpret ancient history.

I found it intriguing when I heard that someone had questioned that particular game scene. Remarkably, the director stood firmly behind it in a rather firm manner.

As a gamer, one thing that really grabbed my attention in this film was a scene where they had sharks swimming around in what looked like the Colosseum. Now, I know for a fact those sharks weren’t actually there during real-life events, but let me tell you, it was an absolutely thrilling touch! It’s fascinating to think about how they managed to create such a scene, balancing the need for authenticity with the fact that it’s just a movie. I mean, who wouldn’t love seeing sharks in the Colosseum, right? It’s a perfect blend of reality and fantasy!

SCOTT: You’re dead wrong. The Colosseum did flood with water, and there were sea battles.

Did they have sharks back then?

JOHN: Hey buddy, if you’re capable of constructing a Colosseum, then filling it with water shouldn’t be a problem, right? Is that a joke? And as for catching a couple of sharks in a net from the ocean, you must be joking, but in reality, they can definitely do it.

MESCAL: There ya go.

Source: Collider

Comparing these two contrasting historical viewpoints is undeniably intriguing, and ultimately what truly matters is that the audience enjoys themselves. If the movie doesn’t aim to replicate a documentary, then incorporating elements like sharks or even aliens could be perfectly acceptable – and frankly, I wouldn’t have any issue with it myself.

Initial feedback from the October 18, 2024 showing of ‘Gladiator II’ at Paramount Studios was favorable. Critics applauded Ridley Scott’s direction, the dynamic action sequences, and the acting talents of Paul Mescal and Denzel Washington, with a few speculating that they might be in contention for Oscar nominations.

Although some people thought it didn’t have the emotional intensity of the original, critic Scott Menzel considered it to be his best work since ‘The Martian’, labeling it as an “epic, violent, and cool action movie” that pays tribute to the original.

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2024-11-05 15:14