Film fans are only just realising part of an iconic scene in 2000’s Gladiator was in fact, “unplanned”, and even more surprisingly features the double of lead actor, Russell Crowe, rather than the New Zealander himself.
Movie buff Emir Han alerted viewers to the moment in Ridley Scott’s Roman blockbuster – sharing a video to X of the 26-second sequence, which was shot in Italy. The clip simply sees the hand of what is believed to belong to Crowe’s Maximus Decimus Meridius rubbing against wheat as he walks through a field.
However, Han sourced a quote from Scott, writing: “Ridley Scott said opening shot of Gladiator wasn’t planned and it wasn’t Russell Crowe’s hand.
“Russell didn’t come to Italy, it was his double. The guy was standing in field, smoking. says, ‘Oh, sorry man.’ I said ‘Stop right there. Get the Steadicam’.”
With a budget of $110 million, Gladiator would be come a Box Office smash, netting $465 million in return. Last year finally saw the sequel hit the big screen, meanwhile, starring Paul Mescal as Lucius Verus – Maximus’ long-lost son.
“And it turned out to be the most beautiful scene in Gladiator… Ridley Scott is a cinematic genius,” one X user declared in response.
A second X user added: “Thanks. I enjoy learning the behind the scenes stuff. Wonderful iconic scene and music.” A third person pointed out: “Some of the best creative moments feel like they come from somewhere else – just pure instinct taking over.”
A fourth admitted: “Interesting. An easily identifiable and iconic shot.” However, a fifth person was clearly uninterested, hitting out at the trivia: “Why do we need to know this? These behind the scene nonsense only takes people away from being engrossed in the story – these people need to make the movie and be quiet. Like we can tell if it’s not Russell Crowe’s hand nor do we care.”
Scott added of the wheat field moment: “We followed the hand, no kidding. It became the catalyst for immortality, or heaven if you like, right there. It was discovered the last day, spontaneously. I consider spontaneity to be essential to what I do, you’ve always got to be watching. That’s not on paper. And so suddenly that becomes the editing room and then the theme happens. The theme is magic, and the hand is magic.”
And he reiterated: “Russell didn’t come to Italy, that’s his double. He said, you’ll never use that. I said, I will. When he saw the scene, he groaned. I said, too late, It’s shot. I got it, mate. It was, put out that cigarette and get the Steadicam. And don’t walk on the wheat.”
The scene is shown at various points throughout Gladiator, yet it’s true meaning isn’t apparent until the film’s emotional ending. After facing off against and defeating Commodus – played by Joaquin Phoenix – Maximus succumbs to his wounds in the in the Colosseum .
Despite his death, the wheat field scene suggests he is finally at peace.
