Watch The Gladiator

The Gladiator is a tense and action-packed crime thriller, set against the gritty backdrop of the California prison system. Directed by Abel Ferrara, the film stars Ken Wahl as Rick Benton, a former boxing champion who is falsely accused of a crime and sentenced to life imprisonment. Benton soon discovers that life behind bars is brutal and dangerous, with rival gangs and corrupt guards making survival a constant struggle. But when he is offered the chance to fight in "The Gladiator", a brutal underground prison fighting tournament, Benton sees his chance for redemption and a shot at freedom.

Nancy Allen co-stars as Susan Neville, a journalist who is investigating corruption within the prison system, and who becomes drawn into Benton's story. Robert Culp plays Warden Bendix, the brutal and regressive warden who oversees the prison and who has his own reasons for wanting Benton to fight in the Gladiator tournament.

As the tournament approaches, Benton trains hard and battles his way through the ranks of fighters, earning the respect of his rivals and the admiration of his fellow prisoners. But as his fame grows, Benton realizes that the Gladiator is not just a chance to win his freedom, but also a dangerous and corrupt system that will stop at nothing to maintain its power over the inmates.

The Gladiator is a gripping and intense drama that explores themes of justice, redemption, and the brutality of life in jail. With thrilling fight scenes and an all-star cast, it's a must-see for fans of gritty, hard-hitting crime thrillers.

The Gladiator is a 1986 thriller with a runtime of 1 hour and 34 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.3.