Gladiator turns 25 in 2025 but the celebrations start early with the release of its sequel, Gladiator 2, in November 2024. Rewatch the epic Ridley Scott film that solidified Russell Crowe as a top-tier actor and visit these European, African, and North American filming locations for Gladiator.
Image Credit: Dreamworks LLC & Universal Pictures
Gladiator (2000) filming locations
Gladiator, released in 2000, was set in Spain and Italy, though never set foot in the former and hardly featured the latter. Here’s where Gladiator was really filmed in the UK, US, Africa, and Europe.
Aït Benhaddou & Ouarzazate, Morocco
Ouarzazate and the ancient fortified village of Aït Benhaddou were used as the gladiator training arena. If this desert landscape looks familiar, you’re probably remembering it from Prince of Persia or The Mummy.
Fort Ricasoli, Kalkara, Malta
Malta’s Fort Ricasoli played Ancient Rome in Gladiator. Production crews built a replica of Rome’s Colosseum at about one-third the size to provide a nearly realistic setting. Other areas of Malta were also featured, including Valletta’s Grand Harbour and the Valletta Ditch in Saint Michael’s Bastion.
Image Credit: yalcinsonat1. Image Location: Val d'Orcia, Siena, Italy
Val d’Orcia, Siena, Italy
The Val d'Orcia in Tuscany is where you’ll find Maximus’s “Spanish” home situated in Podere di Poggio Manzuoli in San Quirico d'Orcia...and where Maximus finds his house ablaze and wife and son crucified. This farmland near Siena also holds the Terrapille Farmhouse, and is close to the Elysian Fields in Pienza, featured in the film.
Bourne Woods, Farnham, Surrey, England
Gladiator opens with a huge battle between Germania and the Roman Empire. This was filmed in the UK at Bourne Woods in Farnham, Surrey, England. Loads of other films were shot here, including scenes for the Harry Potter series, Napoleon, Thor, and Warhorse.
🚂 Trainline Tip: You can get to Bourne Woods by taking the South Western Railway from London Waterloo to the Farnham station and either walk or cab it the few remaining miles.
Alabama Hills, Lone Pine, California, USA
As Maximus attempts to return home, part of his journey crosses through the Alabama Hills in Lone Pine, California.
Image Credit: Dreamworks LLC & Universal Pictures
Was Gladiator filmed at the Colosseum?
No, Gladiator was not filmed at the Colosseum. No one is allowed to film a movie in the Colosseum, no matter how epic the script is. Ridley Scott actually built a smaller-scale version of Rome’s Colosseum on the island of Malta.
Is Gladiator based on a true story?
No, Gladiator was not based on a true story; as in, the events and plot of the film did not happen in real life. Historically, however, much of the context of the film was correct. When Romans conquered areas, many slaves were made gladiators. Emperors could control who lived and died, and at least one Roman emperor jumped into the pit and fought.
Was Gladiator's Maximus a real person?
No, Gladiator’s Maximus was not based on any one real person — though plenty of historical figures, stories, and concepts were used in the movie. Scott studied real generals, gladiators, and emperors from the Roman Empire when penning the script.
Image Credit: Getty Images, James O'Neil. Image Location: Aït Benhaddou, Morocco
Where were the desert scenes in Gladiator filmed?
The majority desert scenes in Gladiator were filmed in Morocco. Ouarzazate and Aït Benhaddou, which are a half-hour drive apart, staged scenes including when Maximus was sold into slavery as well as the gladiator training arena. One exception was for part of Maximus’s journey home, which used some of California’s scenery in Lone Pine’s Alabama Hills.
What is Maximus's real name?
Maximus’s full real name in Gladiator is Maximus Decimus Meridius. Or, as he so proudly says, “My name is Maximus Decimus Meridius, commander of the Armies of the North, General of the Felix Legions, and loyal servant to the true emperor, Marcus Aurelius.”
Why was Maximus called a Spaniard?
Maximus is called “The Spaniard” in Gladiator and some fans are confused as to why. At the start of the movie, Maximus references his home in the hills above Trujillo, which is in present-day Spain. In the context of Gladitor’s timeline, Spain would have been part of the Roman Empire at that point, meaning that Maximus was both from Spain and a citizen of Rome.
What killed Maximus in Gladiator?
A blade into the body is what killed Maximus in Gladiator. Before Commodus and Maximus publically duel, the Emperor visits the Gladiator in private and stabs him in the back. Maximus is still strong enough to kill Commodus in combat, but bleeds out shortly after.
Image Credit: Dreamworks LLC & Universal Pictures
How old was Russell Crowe in Gladiator?
Russell Crowe turned 35 while filming Gladiator in 1999. His birthday is April 7, 1964. He played opposite 24-year-old Joaquin Phoenix. Gladiator 2’s leading men, Paul Mescal and Pedro Pascal, are 28 and 49, respectively.
Did Russell Crowe do his own riding in Gladiator?
Yes, Russell Crowe did his own riding in Gladiator. He claims that he’s truly riding the horse every time you see Maximus do it on screen. That’s not a farfetched claim: Crowe has saddled up many times in his career, including for The Silver Brumby and Robin Hood.
Who turned down Gladiator?
Mel Gibson turned down playing Maximus in Gladiator. He was director Ridley Scott’s first choice and would have been a fine choice, having already proven his historical epic chops in Braveheart.
Did Oliver Reed finish filming Gladiator?
Sadly, no, Oliver Reed did not finish filming Gladiator. Reed, who played Proximo, died on May 2nd, 1999, before filming for Gladiator was complete. He reportedly challenged British sailors to a drinking contest in a pub in Malta and died on the floor. Instead of recasting and reshooting Reed’s scenes, body doubles, clips from pre-shot footage, and CGI were used to keep Reed as Proximo.
Image Credit: Dreamworks LLC & Universal Pictures
Who plays Julius Caesar in Gladiator?
Julius Caesar wasn’t in Gladiator; the Emperors in the film were Marcus Aurelius, played by Richard Harris (Harry Potter), and Commodus, played by Joaquin Phoenix (Joker).
🚆Trainline Trivia: Julius Caesar never saw Rome’s Colosseum; it was constructed over 100 years after his death. Check out more facts about Rome’s Colosseum.
What is the song at the end of Gladiator?
The song at the end of Gladiator is called “Now We Are Free”. It was written by Lisa Gerrard and Hans Zimmer; the latter was the film’s composer. While he isn’t returning to compose Gladiator 2, you needn’t look far to find more Hans Zimmer soundtracks. His other films include No Time to Die, Inception, Dune, Mission: Impossible II, and The Dark Knight.
Watch the Gladiator (2000) trailer
The best Gladiator movie quotes
We’re not going to mince words here; these are our five favorite Gladiator 2000 movie quotes.
“The beating heart of Rome is not the marble of the Senate, it’s the sand of the Colosseum.”
“Ultimately, we’re all dead men. Sadly, we cannot choose how but, what we can decide is how we meet that end, in order that we are remembered, as men.”
“We mortals are but shadows and dust.”
“Nothing happens to anyone that he is not fitted by nature to bear.”
“Sometimes I do what I want to do. The rest of the time, I do what I have to.”
Other movies similar to Gladiator
Are you not entertained — or just have a long train ride ahead of you? Then queue up other movies similar to Gladiator like The Patriot, The Last Duel, Troy, 300, Master and Commander, Alexander, Spartacus, and Robin Hood.
Download the Trainline app, buy train tickets to these Gladiator filming locations in Europe, and stream these movies using the train’s free Wifi.
Header Image Credit: Dreamworks LLC & Universal Pictures
