1.

Exposition: The film opens with a battle scene, where the Roman general Maximus Decimus
Meridius leads his army to victory against Germanic tribes. This sets up Maximus as a strong and
honorable character, and also establishes the setting of ancient Rome. Visual cue: Epic battle
scenes, soldiers in armor, Maximus giving commands.

2. Inciting Incident: After the battle, Maximus is betrayed by Commodus, the power-hungry son of
Emperor Marcus Aurelius, who kills his father and takes the throne. Maximus is captured and
sentenced to death, but escapes and races home to save his family. He finds them already dead,
and is captured again and sold into slavery. Visual cue: Commodus stabbing his father, Maximus
fighting against Roman soldiers, Maximus finding his family dead.

3. Rising Action: Maximus becomes a gladiator and gains fame in the arenas of Rome. He meets
Juba, another gladiator who becomes his friend and ally. Maximus also learns that Commodus is
ruling Rome with an iron fist and is deeply unpopular with the people. Visual cue: Gladiatorial
fights, Maximus developing a following, scenes of Commodus being cruel and tyrannical.

4. Midpoint: Maximus is chosen to fight in the Colosseum against several other gladiators. He
impresses the crowd and wins the fight, but spares the life of his opponent. This earns him the
respect and admiration of the crowd, and also catches the attention of Commodus. Visual cue:
Colosseum battle scenes, Maximus showing mercy to his opponent.

5. Crisis: Commodus realizes that Maximus is still alive, and plots to kill him. He arranges for
Maximus to fight in a rigged battle, but Maximus escapes and leads a rebellion against
Commodus. Visual cue: Maximus discovering the plot, Commodus scheming, Maximus gathering
allies.

6. Climax: The rebellion comes to a head when Maximus faces off against Commodus in a final
battle. Maximus emerges victorious, but is mortally wounded. He dies in the arms of his friend
Juba, while the people of Rome celebrate his victory and honor his memory. Visual cue: Epic
battle scenes, Maximus and Commodus facing off, Maximus dying.

7. Resolution: Juba buries Maximus and places a bundle of wheat on his grave, symbolizing his
journey from warrior to farmer. The film ends with a shot of Maximus walking through a wheat
field towards the afterlife, where he is reunited with his family. Visual cue: Juba mourning
Maximus, wheat field imagery, Maximus reunited with his family.

Some potential visual cues that could accompany these stages include:
a) Introduction/Exposition: Scenes of battle and military pomp and circumstance, with
Maximus leading his troops to victory.
b) Inciting Incident: Shots of Commodus betraying Maximus, followed by the murder of
Maximus's family.
c) Rising Action: Scenes of Maximus training as a gladiator and gaining fame in the arena.
d) Turning Point/Midpoint: Shots of Maximus learning that Commodus is still alive and in
power, and his subsequent change in plans.
e) Falling Action: Scenes of the rebellion against Commodus and Maximus rallying the people
to his cause.
f) Climax: The epic battle in the Colosseum, with Maximus and Commodus facing off in front
of a cheering crowd.
Resolution: Scenes of Maximus dying and reuniting with his family, with a final shot of the sun setting
on Rome.