The Gladiator (1986 film)


The Gladiator is a made-for-TV vigilante-action film directed by Abel Ferrara and starring Ken Wahl, Nancy Allen & Brian Robbins. Robert Culp, Stan Shaw & Rick Dees have supporting roles. Although originally intended for theatrical release, the film was purchased by Showtime Networks and aired on ABC Television as an original film.

Plot

A homicidal maniac is on the loose in Los Angeles, killing motorists at random with his "death car". After losing his brother Jeff to the twisted assassin known as "Skull", Rick Benton takes it upon himself to hunt down the reckless drivers that fill the streets at night. Being a master mechanic, Rick spends his time converting his pick-up truck into an armed and dangerous vehicle. With speed to take on the fastest car and strength to make sure in a one-on-one situation, he will be the only survivor. The cops soon find out about the vigilante known only as the "Gladiator" and do all they can to catch him before his citizen's arrests go one step too far.

Cast

During a 2020 episode of The Rewatchables podcast, American and The Ringer employee Sean Fennessey declared the film "Hammer!!" and complimented Ferrara as having a "P tight and almost enviable oeuvre." Bill Simmons echoed these sentiments and admitted that "even after several viewings, I still stood and audibly yelped at each pivotal moment."