Gladiator is a 2000 epic historical drama film directed by Ridley Scott, starring Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen, Ralf Moeller, MÃ¶ller Oliver (reed in his final film), Role Djimon, Hounsou Derek, Jacobi John, shrapnel And Richard. harrist's called the 'Gladiator' effect by writers and publishers. The snob in us likes to believe that it is always books that spin off movies. Yet in this case, it's the movies â most recently Gladiator two years ago â that have created the interest in the ancients.