Source
r/movies•
ronearc

If you liked Gladiator (2000), you should watch Rollerball (1975).

Discussion

Lately, I've been thinking about the question: If you liked <recent-ish, popular film> you should watch <older, lesser known film that is similar>.

I was trying to think of good examples, and this one came to mind. Now, the two films are very different, but they share some key thematic elements.

Any others come to mind that may not be obvious to people, or are super obvious but people still might not know? Example of that would be, if you like Enemy of the State, you should watch The Conversation.

I flaired this as Discussion, because I'm hoping to get some recommendations going. Thanks!

Posted Nov 4, 2022, 1:38 AM UTC

013
Mr_Evil_Dr_Porkchop•

Disclaimer: Whatever you do, do not watch the Rollerball 2002 version.

8
ronearcOP•

Truer words.

2
ZorroMeansFoxr/Movies Veteran•

"Jonathan! Jonathan! Jonathan!"

There hadn't been that sort of gladiatorial tragic-hero chant since Spartacus.

5
Briguy28•

I loved the original Rollerball. I think it would have been an amazing basis for a TV series. On the one hand you could flesh out the sport itself, looking at the rules, tournaments, the shady stuff going on behind the scenes, etc.; while on the other looking at the history of how the corporations took over, how governance works, underground resistance to the government, etc.

4
Creative-Cash3759•

haven't seen Rollerball tbh but I heard a lot of positive reviews about it. thanks for sharing this and gotta put this on my weekend list!

3
Sivy17•

I love Rollerball. I can't stand Gladiator.

2
Eccentric_Cardinal•

I love Gladiator and never heard of Rollerball. I'm usually not so much into 70's movies but the concept seems interesting. I might check it out.

2
Sharaz___Jek•

People liked "Gladiator" because of the spectacle and revenge story, not the laughable social commentary.

If they wanted to see a more intelligent depiction of similar events, there is Anthony Mann's "The Fall of the Roman Empire".

Alternatively, they can choose "Rome" or "I, Claudius" - the definitive filmed take on machinations within Ancient Rome.

1†
ronearcOP•

  • A corrupt plutocrat instead of a corrupt emperor

  • Social commentary about using violent spectacle to distract the populace.

  • The most successful practitioner of the violent sport survives numerous, blatantly unfair attempts to rig the game against him.

  • Break up the plot by revisiting the violent, bloody spectacle of their destructive sport periodically.

  • Watch as the people shower the hero with praise, especially when he declines to kill a fallen competitor, and hear his name echo from the masses as they people make clear they love the hero above all else.

Thematically, there is enormous overlap.

3
Sharaz___Jek•

I know the overlap, but the thematic commentary is the lamest part of "Gladiator".

0†
ronearcOP•

Then we disagree.

5
Tall_Run_2814•

Love both but there is no comparison. Gladiator is semi-historical where Rollerball is a dystopian piece

1
ronearcOP•

Yes, but Gladiator's semi-historical setting is during a time when many of the Roman peasantry were living in a comparable dystopia.

1