<Tr> <Th> Budget </Th> <Td> $103 million </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Box office </Th> <Td> $457.6 million </Td> </Tr> <P> Gladiator is a 2000 American epic historical drama film directed by Ridley Scott and written by David Franzoni, John Logan, and William Nicholson . It stars Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen, Ralf Möller, Oliver Reed (in his final role), Djimon Hounsou, Derek Jacobi, John Shrapnel, and Richard Harris . Crowe portrays Hispano - Roman general Maximus Decimus Meridius, who is betrayed when Commodus, the ambitious son of Emperor Marcus Aurelius, murders his father and seizes the throne . Reduced to slavery, Maximus rises through the ranks of the gladiatorial arena to avenge the murders of his family and his emperor . </P> <P> The film was released in the United States on May 5, 2000, and grossed $457 million worldwide . The film won multiple awards, including Best Picture, Best Actor for Crowe and three other Oscars at the 73rd Academy Awards . It has also been credited with rekindling interest in entertainment centered around ancient Greek and Roman culture, such as the TV series Rome . </P>

Who is the director of the film gladiator which was released in 2000