20 Things You Somehow Missed In Gladiator
2. The Weapons And Armour Were Noticeably Not Metal In Several Scenes
Weaponry and armour couldn't help but play a huge role in the film. Obviously, for safety reasons, live steel wasn't often used and safe materials were substituted whenever possible. This, however, did lead to several scenes where the switches were very noticeable.
During the Battle of Carthage recreation, when Maximus takes off his helmet, his fingers sink into the material slightly, because the helmet is rubber. The same goes for Juba in these scenes when the spike on top of his helmet constantly wiggles back and forth, which is definitely not something you want in a helmet. Juba also has troubles with a spear; he throws one at a chariot driver, which kills the driver but also bends in half when it hits him.
In the final fight between Maximus and Commodus, the rubber blade of the dagger that Maximus is about to plunge into the Emperor's heart noticeably wobbles.
While actors certainly can't be expected to use real weapons in such close quarters circumstances, it does take a viewer out of the moment to notice these things.