Gladiator (2000) Maximus Decimus Meridius' (Russell Crowe) Screen-Matched Cuirass
Name/Title
Gladiator (2000) Maximus Decimus Meridius' (Russell Crowe) Screen-Matched CuirassEntry/Object ID
OPPS140Description
Maximus Decimus Meridius' (Russell Crowe) screen-matched cuirass from Ridley Scott's Gladiator. Antonius Proximo (Oliver Reed) gave his cuirass to Maximus after encouraging the one-time general to "win the crowd" as a gladiator at the Colosseum. Production distressing on this cuirass screen-matches to the scene where Maximus inspected the cuirass Proximo tossed to him. Costume designer Janty Yates stated that 12 sets of armor were created for Maximus, and that it was Crowe's idea to add silver-color embellishments to the cuirass breastplate. As Maximus won more gladiatorial contests throughout the film, further icons appeared on his breastplate. This is the first-scene version, from before any other icons were added. For her work on the film, Yates won the Academy Award® for Best Costume Design. This dark brown leather cuirass consists of a breastplate, backplate, and two shoulder straps. The breastplate is shaped with abdominal and pectoral muscle outlines and affixed at the bottom with silver-color icons depicting two sejant griffins and a laurel wreath. The backplate features dual metal buckles on each side for cinching the plates together at the waist. The straps are tied to both plates via leather cord tied with metal brackets concealed on their undersides. The cuirass exhibits intentional aging by production to appear well-worn in battle with discoloration and some cracking applied to the leather. It exhibits some grime from exposure and creasing to the leather piping along the breastplate from wear.Use
PropCategory
Object / Artifact