Russell Crowe had a tough time during the shooting of this movie. He sustained several injuries, like breaking a foot bone, popping some bicep tendons out of their sockets, and cracking a hip bone, to mention just a few. Also, he needed stitches in his face after the opening battle scene was shot. Something we can see clearly in the movie.

However, Gladiator won a special place in his heart, as his favorite American movie. Maybe because he put so much of himself into it. One example is his character, Maximus’, description of his home, which is an actual description of Russel’s own home in Australia.