Blacks in the Gladiator movie

[Octavivs]

Someone can say to me why there are so many Blacks in the movie Gladiator? I always thought Black people were something very rare that times... Most gladiators were Northern or East Europeans or other mediterranans.. and Maximus Black friend is supposed to be Numidian... But the Numidians weren´t Black! I feel a afrocentrist finger there....

[berschneider]

Why do you think that's the case?


It cannot be because the movie is American and Amerians are always extra truthful with history, right?

[Octavivs]

yes, now is coming "Troy", with scandinavian greeks... They always shows greek heroes as a beautiful Nordic men, example of perfection.... not to say that scandinavian greek princesses... pfff

In Gladiator, I think they putted so many Blacks to please the American afro-assholes-centrists...

[Melnorme]

Octavivs said:

Someone can say to me why there are so many Blacks in the movie Gladiator? I always thought Black people were something very rare that times... Most gladiators were Northern or East Europeans or other mediterranans.. and Maximus Black friend is supposed to be Numidian... But the Numidians weren´t Black! I feel a afrocentrist finger there....

I don't recall there being that many blacks in that movie. Perhaps they confused Numidian with Nubian?
Anyway, it probably wasn't Afrocentrism, they just wanted to 'spice up' the cast.

[Octavivs]

Melnorme said:

I don't recall there being that many blacks in that movie. Perhaps they confused Numidian with Nubian?
Anyway, it probably wasn't Afrocentrism, they just wanted to 'spice up' the cast.

Yes, but remember in the Coliseum? There are a lot of Blacks beating drums and then Black in the cars...I think it would be more realistic if they putted some blond people beating drums... But that would affect their pride... (Americans are most germanic)

[Melnorme]

Octavivs said:

Yes, but remember in the Coliseum? There are a lot of Blacks beating drums and then Black in the cars...I think it would be more realistic if they putted some blond people beating drums... But that would affect their pride... (Americans are most germanic)

Well, don't forget whole opening scene depicting a slaughter of Germanic barbarians.

Anyway, of course Gladiator is full of silliness, it's just a straight-up action movie under a thin historical dramatic veneer.

[Octavivs]

Melnorme said:

Well, don't forget whole opening scene depicting a slaughter of Germanic barbarians.

Anyway, of course Gladiator is full of silliness, it's just a straight-up action movie under a thin historical dramatic veneer.

Hum... you´re right. I am pissed of about this things becouse I got angry with this story that is gona be 2 movies about Hannibal Barca, one with Vin Diesel and other with Denzel Washington that will show the Carthagineans and Hannibal as Blacks...

[Artemidoros]

Many years ago I read somewhere that the Dalmatians were thought to make the best gladiators in the Roman world. Unfortunately I can not remember where I read it and an internet search proved futile. Does anyone know anything on this?

[Graeme]

Movies are made to attract the maximum audience of mostly Americans, hence the excessive use of negroes and NW European types in movies set in locales where NW Europeans are non existent or negroes minimal. It is annoying, but films are a business and there to make money. Glad I did not see gladiator, can't stand Russell Crowe. And I will not watch any movie that is historically or way off like using a negro to portray a Carthagenian.

[Octavivs]

Graeme said:

Movies are made to attract the maximum audience of mostly Americans, hence the excessive use of negroes and NW European types in movies set in locales where NW Europeans are non existent or negroes minimal. It is annoying, but films are a business and there to make money. Glad I did not see gladiator, can't stand Russell Crowe. And I will not watch any movie that is historically or way off like using a negro to portray a Carthagenian.

Hum... Me too... if I see this moovie I will have ulcer. It´s a crime against history, and the worst thing is that much people who will see it will believe in that. Nothing against negros, it´s just stupid. Offends me too the Scandinavian greeks of "Troy".

[Scoob]

It's as simple as this. When Sergio Leone made "spaghetti Western" movies in Italy, he had Italians to play Anglo-Americans. Why? That's who was there to play the parts, except for a few starring roles.

There are only so many "big name Hollywood stars" at any time, and directors want primarily someone who can play the role well and has market appeal. As someone said, it's a business - not a history lesson.

[geirr]

The point is it doesn't matter who or what plays the role, it's just a film. Spaghetti westerns were mainly shot in Spain and most of the extras were Italians while many of the leading Actors were infact Americans you don't watch The Good, the Bad and the Ugly for it's historical accuracy infact I don't think there is such a thing as a historically accurate picture. Gladiator wasn't very good not because of it's numorous historical errors but because it really wasn't any good. Just buy your pop corn, sit down and stop whining.

[Octavivs]

Scoob said:

It's as simple as this. When Sergio Leone made "spaghetti Western" movies in Italy, he had Italians to play Anglo-Americans. Why? That's who was there to play the parts, except for a few starring roles.

There are only so many "big name Hollywood stars" at any time, and directors want primarily someone who can play the role well and has market appeal. As someone said, it's a business - not a history lesson.

Considering the reach and the capacity of resources that such movies have today, they should be both.

[Octavivs]

Geirr said:

The point is it doesn't matter who or what plays the role, it's just a film. Spaghetti westerns were mainly shot in Spain and most of the extras were Italians while many of the leading Actors were infact Americans you don't watch The Good, the Bad and the Ugly for it's historical accuracy infact I don't think there is such a thing as a historically accurate picture. Gladiator wasn't very good not because of it's numorous historical errors but because it really wasn't any good. Just buy your pop corn, sit down and stop whining.

Yes, I already agreed about Gladiator. But a Black Hannibal with a Black Carthage to please afro-americans is ridiculous. I would vomit the popcorn

[Said Mohammad]

Octavivs said:

yes, now is coming "Troy", with scandinavian greeks... They always shows greek heroes as a beautiful Nordic men, example of perfection.... not to say that scandinavian greek princesses... pfff

In Gladiator, I think they putted so many Blacks to please the American afro-assholes-centrists...

You sound very paranoid Oct, please look up Afrocentric in a dictionary before you use that word out of context. Incidentally, why were blond haired blue eyed people used in movies like the Ten Commandments and Passion, when the people in these areas where the events allegedly took place certainly did NOT look like typical Europeans? Thats a question I would like for you to answer my paranoid friend.