Gladiators (DVD)

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Though "The Gladiators" seems to be an anti-war film, Watkins real focus here is a two-fold critique of the media and its attendant consumer culture. The Games exist only because the media can make money off of them. And as long as everyone is comfortable and happily distracted, nobody is going to challenge the system. B-3 (Jean-Pierre Delamour), an idealistic French student on the allied team, discovers this for himself when he breaks into the control room and, instead of smashing ICARUS to bits as originally planned, decides he might be able to put it to good use himself. Power begets power; the system perpetuates itself precisely because it is such an effective tool that even would-be revolutionaries can´t resist taking advantage of, all for a good cause of course.

Watkins´ grim vision reminds me of the Harlan Ellison short story "I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream" in which the all-powerful machine AM subjects the last remaining humans on earth to eternal torture. AM is truly omnipotent, and the only way any of the defenseless subjects can "win" its sick game is by showing compassion in a hopeless situation despite the fact that the compassionate hero´s only "reward" is to be subjected to even greater torment at the hands of a petulant and vengeful AM. "The Gladiators" doesn´t paint quite as bleak a picture, but it´s not much more optimistic. Some brief hope is offered when the co-operation of B-6 and C-2 gums up the works, but their rebellion is quickly and brutally quashed. This brief flicker of human dignity creates a minor disruption; only thousands of similar acts of decency and courage could possibly pose a fundamental risk to the system. A small chance, at least, but Watkins seems to believe this will never happen as long as everyone has good TV shows to keep them busy. I´m not as pessimistic as Watkins, but I´m not sure I can argue with him on this point. Maybe $5/gallon gas will do the trick.

Video

The film is presented in its original 1.66:1 aspect ratio. Though the image quality is fine, there appears to be a problem with the light source used for the transfer. The brightness occasionally increases or decreases even within scenes, which can be a bit distracting.

Audio

The DVD is presented in Dolby Digital Mono. Optional English and French subtitles are offered to support the audio.

Extras

A feature-length commentary by Dr. Joseph Gomez, author of a book on Watkins, provides background on the director´s career and a close analysis of the film. He repeats a lot of material from his commentary on "Punishment Park," however.

The disc also included Watkins´ short 16 mm. film "The Diary of an Unknown Soldier" (1959, 17 min.), an arch account of a soldier´s "last day" during World War I. It´s not exactly subtle or surprising (war is hell!), but it is oddly poignant and uses particularly effective narration.

A 12-page insert booklet contains another Peter Watkins "self-interview" similar to the one included with "Edvard Munch."

Film Value

Though "Punishment Park" may be a bit better known, I found "The Gladiators" to be a superior film. It still has plenty of rough edges and a few overwrought moments, but under Watkins´ passionate influence, these play more like strengths than flaws. I also thought the film was more formally accomplished than "Punishment Park" especially the innovative soundwork which transforms ICARUS into the long-lost cousin of Alpha-60 from "Alphaville." "The Gladiators" is not on par with Watkins´ masterpiece "Edvard Munch" but then again, I can´t think of many films that are.

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