Ruggedly handsome and minus the extra pounds he gained for The Insider, Russell Crowe finally emerges as an A-list star in Gladiator. Yes, I know he received an Oscar nomination for The Insider and earned rave reviews for L.A. Confidential, but neither of those films reached audiences the way Gladiator is sure to do. Nor has the New Zealand-born actor ever been photographed so gloriously before.

Crowe plays Maximus, a Roman general who becomes a powerful gladiator bent on destroying a treacherous Emperor. Displaying a strong, silent stoicism, he’s especially impressive during the film's gladiator training sessions. And, throughout most of the movie, Crowe projects a smoldering anger that held me spellbound. When his rage finally erupts in the arena, he commands the screen in the same way Robert De Niro owned it in Raging Bull.

Matching Crowe’s exceptional performance is the movie’s superb direction by Ridley Scott. Noted for creating unusual worlds that draw viewers into them (remember Blade Runner and Alien?), Scott does it again in Gladiator. His battle sequences and arena carnage scenes are so realistic I felt like I was a participant. Spectacular cinematography by John Mathieson (Plunkett and Macleane) enhances that you-are-there feeling.

The film’s violent action in no way interferes with its compelling story (from a screenplay by David Franzoni, John Logan, and William Nicholson). Revenge is always a grabber, and Gladiator focuses on Maximus’ desire to wreak vengeance on Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix) --- the man who became Emperor after killing his own father (Richard Harris). Commodus also arranged for the brutal murder of Maximus’ wife and young son, so it’s easy to understand why Maximus wants to destroy him. Because Phoenix (8MM) oozes so much slimy evil as Commodus, I wanted to hiss at him like the villains in those old-fashioned melodramas.

Other excellent supporting cast members add to the film’s quality. Oliver Reed (Oliver!) stands out as a veteran trainer of gladiators. (This was Reed’s last movie. He died during filming.) Playing a benevolent impresario, Reed endows his character with an admirable combination of toughness and concern for his gladiator team. Derek Jacobi (I, Claudius) reeks with dignity as a Roman senator who believes in democracy. "I am not a man of the people; I am a man for the people," he explains. Connie Nielsen (Mission to Mars) portrays Commodus’ frightened sister with Grace Kelly-like coolness. And, Djimon Hounsou (Amistad), as a fellow gladiator, shares some exciting scenes with Crowe in the Roman Colosseum.

Historical accuracy doesn’t fare too well in Gladiator, even though some of the characters were real people in Ancient Rome. Filmmaker Scott explains, "I felt the priority was to stay true to the spirit of the period, but not necessarily to adhere to facts. We were, after all, creating fiction, not practicing archeology."

Happily, Scott’s cinematic fiction captivated me as completely as its title character won the soul of Rome.

(Released by DreamWorks Pictures/Universal Pictures and rated "R" for intense, graphic combat scenes).