The Lighting of Maximus
Many cinematographic effects were used to distinguish Maximus’ character. The viewer is first introduced to Maximus on the front lines of battle in Germania. Maximus starts the film with a well-lit face and a grim expression. This shows that Maximus is the main subject. The camera placement has the viewers walk in Maximus’ shoes during Maximus’ arrival to the front lines. There are quick cuts back and forth between Maximus and his point of view, further aligning the audience with Maximus. The viewers see the respect and admiration that Maximus receives. This is shown by the smiles, quick stands to attention, and constant greetings to the general. Contrasting the light on Maximus, the colors of Germania are cold and dark. The camera shows us a very clear story of the “strength and honor” values that Maximus holds within a short period.
The use of light played a key role in displaying Maximus’ character. Light is commonly symbolic of God, good, or of the afterlife. During the beginning of the film, Maximus stands amongst the front lines of Germania. He speaks with Quintus and surveys the scene of impending battle. A long shot of Maximus standing among the troops makes it seem that Maximus is a beacon of light. Maximus is a beacon of light because he is the only person that does not fade into the gray background of Germania. Standing slightly off center, Maximus is the only person to face the camera. The General stands out and becomes the focus of the scene. Maximus is again followed by the light in his horseback speech to the troops. This takes place right before Maximus and his soldiers ride into battle in Germania. In this scene, the light is shining down through the trees in the upper right hand corner landing squarely on Maximus’ shoulders.
Once Maximus is deemed an enemy of Rome, the lighting of his character becomes darker. Commodus commands his Praetorian guards to take Maximus out into the wilderness and execute him. Maximus manages to outsmart the guards and uses his superior battle knowledge to escape. While fighting the last guard, Maximus swings his sword and is shown to be lit from behind. This lighting makes Maximus’ figure completely black. It is in this scene that the audience sees Maximus’ fall to his lowest point. Later in the film, Maximus is shown with the same lighting. He is in an entire shadow when he finds his family murdered and his home scorched. He is backlit and in the dark. The black color represents his anguish for the death of his family. Part of Maximus dies with his family as he kneels in the shadows before the feet of his wife and child. When he has made the transition to gladiator we also find him submerged in darkness. This is shown in the chambers below the arena before Maximus’ first gladiator match in the Roman province Zucchabar. Maximus’ face is almost entirely covered in shadow before he enters the arena. Only small portions of light flicker across his face as he moves in line. The light from the arena illuminates him. This could show how the arena is his way of returning to the top and getting his revenge. He is out of the light until he fights Commodus to the death. This happens at the end of the movie. The fight takes place in the Colosseum after Commodus poisons Maximus. Maximus dies in the light once he has defeated Commodus and heads to Elysium to join his family.
Lighting of Commodus
Compared to Maximus, Commodus is normally shown in the shadows throughout the film. He is first shown hiding in the corner shadows of a carriage, almost making his face indistinct. This is in the scene of Commodus’ arrival to the war in Germania. As he hides in the dark spaces of the carriage he schemes about the death of his father, Marcus Aurelius. This gives an unsettling first impression to the audience. We see his true character later in the film. During the scene in Marcus Aurelius chamber at Germania. Commodus smothers his father in a hug, killing Marcus intimately. It shows his sadistic and insane nature, giving reason for the shadows. Commodus remains partially shadowed during the rest of the film until he is ultimately defeated in the light during his fight with Maximus.
There is another non-traditional camera angle and interesting effect that happens in the scene when Maximus reveals his identity to Commodus in the arena. The two men stand in the middle of the Colosseum with their fates being decided by the shouts of the mob of Roman people in the stands. During the scene Commodus is forced to spare Maximus’ life to appease the public. When showing Commodus’ signal, a thumbs up, the camera moves beside Maximus. Maximus’ side fills up the right side of the screen. Commodus is staring at eye level with the camera. This plane puts us at an equal level with Commodus. While Maximus is indirectly above the camera. The camera doesn’t quite see over the top of his shoulder. This untraditional shot places Maximus in the seat of power in the arena. Normally the camera would be tilted up at Maximus to show his power. Or it would be looking down at Commodus to show that he is powerless.
There is another non-traditional camera angle and interesting effect that happens in the scene when Maximus reveals his identity to Commodus in the arena. The two men stand in the middle of the Colosseum with their fates being decided by the shouts of the mob of Roman people in the stands. During the scene Commodus is forced to spare Maximus’ life to appease the public. When showing Commodus’ signal, a thumbs up, the camera moves beside Maximus. Maximus’ side fills up the right side of the screen. Commodus is staring at eye level with the camera. This plane puts us at an equal level with Commodus. While Maximus is indirectly above the camera. The camera doesn’t quite see over the top of his shoulder. This untraditional shot places Maximus in the seat of power in the arena. Normally the camera would be tilted up at Maximus to show his power. Or it would be looking down at Commodus to show that he is powerless.
Comparisons
Using light to convey messages was not new for Gladiator. In the 1959 Ben-Hur used many lighting techniques to send messages about scenes. For example, Judah’s mother and sister, Miriam and Tirzah walk out of the shadows in the valley of the lepers to grab the food Esther leaves for them. The deep dark shadow of the cave tells the audience many things. First, Miriam and Tirzah live in the dark gross interior of a cave. Second, it provides a more dramatic reveal of their sickness. Third, it associates them with a deep dark depression and lack of life. It further associates them with death.
The difference between the lighting use in Ben-Hur and Gladiator is that in Ben-Hur lighting is used in separate scenes to help make a more dramatic effect. In Gladiator, lighting is used to better express the emotional journey of Maximus. It begins with the light following him, then with him being in the dark, and finally it shows him coming back into light and dying in the bright arena.
The difference between the lighting use in Ben-Hur and Gladiator is that in Ben-Hur lighting is used in separate scenes to help make a more dramatic effect. In Gladiator, lighting is used to better express the emotional journey of Maximus. It begins with the light following him, then with him being in the dark, and finally it shows him coming back into light and dying in the bright arena.