Roger Donaldson (born 15 November 1945) is an Australian-born New Zealand film producer, director and writer. He is known for directing the films Cocktail, No Way Out, and Species. was a co-founder of the New Zealand Film Commission.
Set in Roman times, the story of a once-powerful general forced to become a common gladiator. The emperor's son is enraged when he is passed over as heir in favour of his father's favourite general. He kills his father and arranges the murder of the general's family, and the general is sold into slavery to be trained as a gladiator - but his subsequent popularity in the arena threatens the throne.
