Hollywood star speaks up about shooting ‘Gladiator’ at the Mediterrane Film Festival
Russell Crowe has recently revealed interesting details about Gladiator at the Mediterrane Film Festival Golden Bee Awards on June 29.
The Exorcism actor returned to the same island where he shot his Gladiator movie over two decades ago.
After receiving the Malta Film Legend Award, Russell revealed in his acceptance speech that he was here for his movie 26 years ago.
“If you want to know what I love about Malta, it’s everything,” said the 61-year-old.
ABeautiful Mind actor recalled that 26 years ago, he became a man in Malta.
“For whatever films I had done before then, nothing had the majesty, ambition and budget and ultimately reach of ‘Gladiator.’ It wasn’t an easy production,” explained Russell.
The Unhinged actor pointed out that he “had to fight every day for the integrity of the character” he was playing.
“And sometimes, you get lucky enough to make something that resonates with people,” noted Russell.
Interestingly, the Robin Hood actor talked about a young man who he met last week while he was travelling in Italy.
“I shook his hand and he started to cry. His friends told me later he’s the head lifeguard of the local beach; he’s got muscles on muscles…and they’d never seen him like that,” stated the Nice Guys actor.
Russell further said that he “ended up hugging him”.
The actor mentioned, “When he got himself together, he said, ‘You don’t understand, when I was eight years old, my mother sat me in front of a TV and put on a videocassette of Gladiator and told me, ‘If you are ever wondering what type of man your mother expects you to be, it’s this type of man.’”
“The honour, the integrity, the faith – a man made in Malta,” added Russell.