Fans have just days to watch 'best historical film ever made' before it's axed by BBC

British audiences are running out of time to stream one of the most celebrated historical blockbusters of all time, as the film will be removed from the BBC's iPlayer service on August 2.

Since its release in 2000, Gladiator (2000) has stood out as a landmark in modern cinema, widely praised for its authentic recreation of ancient Rome and its blend of powerful storytelling with action-packed spectacle.

The film holds an impressive 80% score on Rotten Tomatoes and remains a defining entry in both the sword-and-sandal genre and director Ridley Scott's filmography.

Set at the height of the Roman Empire, Gladiator centres on Maximus Decimus Meridius (Russell Crowe), a respected Roman general loyal to Emperor Marcus Aurelius. Following a decisive victory against Germanic tribes, Maximus hopes for a return home.

However, the emperor's jealous son Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix) murders his father and seizes power. Betrayed and marked for execution, Maximus escapes but discovers his family has been killed under Commodus' orders. Enslaved and forced into the brutal life of a gladiator, Maximus harnesses his military skills to rise through the ranks of the arena fighters.

His journey becomes one not only of survival but of vengeance - determined to avenge his family and restore honour to Rome by challenging Commodus from within the heart of the Colosseum.

The film's cast features Russell Crowe in an Academy Award-winning performance as Maximus, while Joaquin Phoenix's portrayal of Commodus established him as one of Hollywood's leading talents. Supporting roles include Connie Nielsen as Lucilla, Richard Harris as Marcus Aurelius, Derek Jacobi as Senator Gracchus, Djimon Hounsou as Juba, and Oliver Reed in his final film appearance as Proximo.

Ridley Scott's direction combines with John Mathieson's cinematography and a stirring score by Hans Zimmer and Lisa Gerrard to create an immersive atmosphere that transports viewers back to ancient times.

The film won five Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Actor for Crowe. It has been credited with reviving interest in Roman history within popular culture and inspiring a wave of subsequent historical epics. Its influence is seen in everything from television dramas to video games set in similar eras.

As one reviewer sums up on reviewing platform Rotten Tomatoes: "How can you not be entertained?! Ridley Scott's sword-and-sandal epic is the catalyst that led to a majority of modern men's obsession with the Roman Empire. The timeless, spectacular action combined with a simple yet poignant story makes this one of the prime examples of a blockbuster film at its best."

With Gladiator set to leave BBC iPlayer at midnight on August 2, viewers across the UK have only days left to stream this critically acclaimed epic from home.