Continuity mistake: Right before the attack on the Germanians when Maximus gets to his soldiers and shouts "Fratres.", you can see two soldiers walking right behind him. When it cuts to the soldiers shouting "Maximus.", the two soldiers behind him has suddenly disappeared. (00:06:15)
Continuity mistake: When the chariot crashes through the gate we see the gates get busted in an exploding inferno. But when it cuts, the gates are intact again. (01:22:55)
Continuity mistake: When the chariot runs in through the gate we see the gate slightly open. When it cuts to the chariots hitting the chain and tipping over the gate is suddenly wide open. It could not have opened that fast. (01:22:55)
Continuity mistake: In the scene where Hagen is faking a choke you see Juba holding his bowl of food with both hands. When it cuts back he is holding it in his left hand only. (01:36:35)
Continuity mistake: In one scene, where you see a view of the Colosseum and its flags, all the flags are pointing towards the middle and that's strange keeping in mind the wind comes from one direction. (01:11:45)
Continuity mistake: When Commodus and Lucilla are talking while Commodus sits on his throne, the shots change from in front of Lucilla and behind her. When it's behind her it is the wind is blowing through her shawl. When it's in front of her it's not blowing. (01:00:50)
Continuity mistake: When Commodus arrives and asks Aurelius if he has missed the fight, Aurelius' hair is blowing in the wind. When it cuts from behind Aurelius his hair is not moving. (00:15:50)
Continuity mistake: During the first gladiator battle Maximus grabs another gladiator's sword by the blade. Two shots later he is holding the sword by its handle with no time to change grip. (00:54:20)
Continuity mistake: When Maximus comes back to his tent after seeing Aurelius dead he tells Cicero to wake Gaius and Falco. Then he says "Sword" and Cicero gives Maximus something and walks away as Maximus turns around. When it cuts Maximus turns around again. (00:37:05)
Continuity mistake: During the battle of Carthage, Hagen stands alone with an arrow in his shield, couple of scenes on, no arrow, couple of scenes on again, an arrow hits his shield. (01:21:20)
Continuity mistake: At the slave market when Proximo is checking Juba, he grabs Juba on his wrist above the lock. When it cuts he has grabbed him below the lock. (00:47:20)
Continuity mistake: After Juba has thrown the sword to Maximus, Maximus tries to gather the gladiators by shouting "Single column, single column," then it cuts to him charging on his horse while holding his sword arm out. When it cuts from behind him he is holding his sword arm in front of him instead. (01:24:10)
Continuity mistake: When Hagen is shot in his leg with an arrow he is holding the arrow in his leg. Maximus notices the chariot charging for Hagen and he shouts "Hagen". It cuts to Maximus running against Hagen, but now we can see that there is no arrow in Hagen's foot. When it cuts to Maximus reaching Hagen and pushing him away from the chariot the arrow is back in his leg. (01:22:45)
Continuity mistake: When the Roman soldier shoots the signal arrow before the attack against the Germanians, you can see his bow twist at least 45 degrees between the shots. (00:07:25)
Continuity mistake: At the end of the battle with Tigris of Gaul, Maximus kills the tiger that leaps on top of him and throws it off to the side. In the next shot the tiger is back on top of him and he has to fight with it laying on his stomach. Later the tiger is once again off to the side. (01:42:15)
Continuity mistake: When Maximus says "On my signal, unleash hell" he takes off with his horse. Then he rides through a stand with soldiers and the soldiers gets up on their feet. Then it cuts to a close-up of Maximus riding and as the camera zooms out the soldiers gets on their feet again. (00:05:30)
Continuity mistake: When Commodus tells Aurelius he will sacrifice a hundred bulls to honor his triumph, the snowflakes on his head differ between the shots. (00:15:50)
Continuity mistake: When Commodus screams "Am I not merciful?" in Lucilla's face, we see him holding Lucilla by her jaw bone. When it cuts his hand has moved to her chin. (02:10:05)
Continuity mistake: After Hagen has faked choking Juba start laughing. Then it cuts to Maximus slowly starting to laugh. In the next shot we can see both Hagen and Maximus laughing, but Juba is dead serious now. Then in the following shot behind Juba we can see him laughing again. (01:36:35)
Continuity mistake: When Maximus is on a horse pursuing the chariot with the female gladiator throwing a spear at him and misses, we can see there is an extra spear standing on the chariot. Then Maximus throws his spear and when it cuts to the spear hitting the female gladiator the spear in the chariot is suddenly gone. (01:23:45)
Chosen answer: You're probably closest with the suggestion that they're rather stunned at the sheer speed with which Maximus has carved through the opposition. They'd certainly be used to more of a show, so for Maximus to slay all his challengers in less than a minute would take them aback. If anything, the "Are you not entertained" is closer to the theatrics that they'd really expect to see, which would prompt them into cheering him - up to that point, he's not exactly won their favour, even though he's defeated all comers.
Tailkinker ★