There are some timeless movies that never lose their appeal. The more you watch them the more engrossed you get. A classic case is Gladiator, the 154-minute epic movie directed by the talented Ridley Scott. Although the movie was made in 2000, it remains evergreen in the minds of filmgoers.

Good tidings for the Dhaka audience: Star Cineplex, the only international standard multiplex cinema theatre of the country, is to screen the five Oscar winner (including best picture) blockbuster Gladiator on July 7. In the run up to the screening, a media launch of the movie was held on July 5 at the theatre.

10 lucky winners of the Star Cineplex's special campaigns titled "I know Star Cineplex" and "Gladiator Quiz Contest", conducted at the Bashundhara City Mall and Star Cineplex website, won free tickets to watch Gladiator along with a friend. And one of the winners won a Panasonic mobile set.

Filled with larger-than-life characters, beautiful scenery, impressive set design, and epic storytelling, Gladiator is designed not just to entertain, but to enthral. It draws audiences in and transports them to a new reality. A boisterous reaction is expected every time the protagonist defies the odds and wins a conflict, or changes the tide of battle in his favour. "This is filmmaking on a grand scale. That's why, five long years after its launching, we feel no hesitation in bringing this movie to

Scenes from the movie

our movie buffs. We went through several surveys which ended in a result with the highest vote for Gladiator, " said Mahboob Rahman, Chairman Showmotion Limited. "We plan to show the latest movies too. Sahara and The Aviator are on the line for the month of August. We are even thinking of new blockbusters such as Batman Returns, " said a smiling Mahboob.

So what explains the popularity of the movie? From the opening battle sequence to the last combat in the Coliseum, it's non-stop action all the way. This is a film about war and combat. The central character Maximus (Russel Crowe) is foremost a Roman general responsible for many great victories. As a great champion of Rome, he can have anything his heart desires. Yet all he wishes is to return home and resume his life as a farmer with his wife and son. The fact that he is denied this wish by a cruel turn of events and is thrust into a life of slavery as a gladiator is the essence of the whole story. When he reluctantly agrees to fight again, it is only because the alternative is death. And the only reason he fights death is because he craves revenge against the man who destroyed his life and career.

The Gladiator will run the whole of July at Star Cineplex at three shows on Thursday and Friday : 2pm, 4:45pm and 7:30pm and three shows on Saturday to Tuesday: 12pm, 4pm and 7pm.