The Gladiator (1986 film)

*The Gladiator*
The Gladiator
	VHS cover
Genre	Action; Drama; Thriller
Screenplay by	William Bleich
Story by	William Bleich; Tom Schulman; Jeffrey Walker
Directed by	Abel Ferrara
Starring	Ken Wahl; Nancy Allen; Brian Robbins; Robert Culp; Stan Shaw; Rick Dees
Music by	David Frank
Country of origin	United States
Original language	English
Production
Executive producers	Michael Chase Walker; Jeffrey Walker; Tom Schulman
Producer	Robert Lovenheim
Cinematography	James Lemmo
Editor	Herbert H. Dow
Running time	104 minutes
Production companies	Walker Brothers Productions; New World Pictures
Original release
Network	ABC
Release	February 3, 1986

The Gladiator is a vigilante action television film directed by Abel Ferrara and starring Ken Wahl, Nancy Allen and Brian Robbins. Although originally intended for theatrical release, the film was purchased by Showtime Networks and premiered as an ABC Movie of the Week on February 3, 1986.^[1]^[2]

Plot

A homicidal maniac is on the loose in Los Angeles, killing motorists at random with his "death car". After losing his brother Jeff to the twisted assassin known as "Skull", Rick Benton takes it upon himself to hunt down the reckless drivers that fill the streets at night. Being a master mechanic, Rick spends his time converting his pick-up truck into an armed and dangerous vehicle. With speed to take on the fastest car and strength to make sure in a one-on-one situation, he will be the only survivor. The cops soon find out about the vigilante known only as the "Gladiator" and do all they can to catch him before his citizen's arrests go one step too far.

Cast

Ken Wahl as Rick Benton / the Gladiator
Nancy Allen as Susan Neville
Brian Robbins as Jeff Benton
Robert Culp as Lieutenant Frank Mason
Stan Shaw as Joe Barker
Rosemary Forsyth as Loretta Simpson
Bart Braverman as Dan
Rick Dees as Garth Masters
Michael Young as Reporter
Garry Goodrow as Cadillac Drunk
Robert Phalen as Dr. Maxwell
Linda Thorson as Woman in Class
Harry Beer as Franklin

Reception

In a review for the website FilmInk, Erin Free writes:

"Despite the fact that it is now largely forgotten (even by Abel Ferrara completists), The Gladiator is a somewhat dour but still gripping urban drama thriller that rises above its drawbacks (that musical score, an occasionally preachy tone on issues of road responsibility) through rich characterisation, imaginative action set-pieces, a winningly gritty sensibility, and strong performances."

References

↑ Terry, Clifford (February 3, 1986). "Bronson on the Freeways: 'Gladiator' is hazardous to the health of bad drivers". The Evening Independent. Retrieved September 24, 2013.
↑ Brenez, Nicole (2007). Contemporary film directors: Abel Ferrara. University of Illinois Press. pp. 125–128, 178. ISBN 978-0252074110.

External links

The Gladiator at IMDb

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[The_Evening_Independent-1] Terry, Clifford (February 3, 1986). "Bronson on the Freeways: 'Gladiator' is hazardous to the health of bad drivers". The Evening Independent. Retrieved September 24, 2013.

[Nicole_Brenez-2] Brenez, Nicole (2007). Contemporary film directors: Abel Ferrara. University of Illinois Press. pp. 125–128, 178. ISBN 978-0252074110.

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