Review I: ACI Toys 1/6 scale Warriors III Roman General (Maximus Decimus Meridius) 12" figure

In the 2000 epic historical drama film "Gladiator" directed by Ridley Scott, Russell Crowe is Roman General Maximus Decimus Meridius who is forced into becoming a slave and seeks revenge against Commodus for the murder of his family. He had been under the favor of Marcus Aurelius, and the love and admiration of Lucilla prior to the events of the film. The film "Gladiator" opens with General Maximus Decimus Meridius (Russel Crowe) leading the Roman army to a decisive victory against Germanic tribes at Vindobona, ending a long war on the Roman frontier and earning the esteem of the elderly Emperor Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris).

This is the recently released ACI Toys 2012 Anniversary Product - 1/6 scale Warriors III Roman General 12-inch figure which is limited to 1500 pcs. I have been waiting for this figure for 12 years, since the movie came out in 2000. I am very glad ACI Toys produced and released this 1/6 scale Roman General 12-inch figure and to say that this is an AWESOME figure would be an understatement ;p This figure is beyond awesome; it's stunningly good and a great addition to any collection IMHO!

General Maximus Decimus Meridius is a fictional character partly inspired by Marcus Nonius Macrinus, Narcissus, Spartacus, Cincinnatus, and Maximus of Hispania. Mel Gibson was first offered the role, but declined as he felt he was too old to play the character. Antonio Banderas and Hugh Jackman were also considered. (source: wiki)

Scroll down to see more pictures of ACI Toys 1/6 scale Warriors III Roman General 12-inch figure.

The box packaging art is nice and strangely shows the Roman General's back on the front flap with the words "Roma Victor". After the battle against the Germans, Maximus lets out a cry of victory: "Roma victor." This is supposed to be Latin, but, they got the grammar all wrong. "Roma" is feminine, so it should be "Roma victrix". Amazing how a mistake is still possible as there are only about three sentences in Latin in the entire movie and a lot of specialists were supposed to have been working on it (source: moviemistakes.com). The back of the box packaging shows the General fully attired and lists down the 1/6 scale items that are included in the box.

The box opens with a short write-up on the inside flap.

Click on the picture to have a bigger and better view :)

And then there's the all important instructions sheet - Warriors III Roman General User Guide

And here's what you get: a 1/6 scale highly detailed head sculpt that resembles a lot like Russell Crowe as Roman General Maximus Decimus Meridius from "Gladiator", ACI fully articulated 12-inch male body, Embossed Cuirass with shoulder armor, Embossed helmet with feathered mane, Jerkin, Tunic, Pants and Scarf, Roman General Boots

Greaves / Leg Armor, Gauntlets, Gladius + sheath x 2 pcs, Fabric cloak with faux fur, two extra pairs of hands for posing.

Here's ACI Toys 1/6 scale Warriors III Roman General basic figure straight out of the box, wearing just his Jerkin, Tunic, Pants and Scarf, Roman General Boots. Last time you'll see him like this because once he's fully outfitted, most of his jerkin will be hidden by his armor / embossed cuirass. The Pteruges or skirt of leather or fabric strips is worn around the waist to protect the upper legs. Pteruges could be fitted with small metal studs and plates to provide additional protection.

Scroll down to see the turnaround views of 12-inch Russell Crowe as Roman General Maximus Decimus Meridius from "Gladiator" before he puts on his battle armor

As with 12-inch figure bodies that will be built upon layer after layer with armor or fabric clothing, it is best that the basic figure starts looking rather slim as in this case so that once the armor is put on, he'll look just right instead of being overly bulky if he had started out with a more muscular body type.

The tunic was the basic garment worn under the armour by all soldiers in the Republic and early Empire. Normally made of wool, tunics originally consisted simply of a piece of rectangular cloth sewed to an identical piece, with holes for the arms and head left unsewn. It became fashionable later on for tunics to be produced with sleeves, and worn with braccae (woolen trousers).

A focale or scarf is worn by Roman legionaries to protect the neck from chafing caused by constant contact with the soldier's armor (typically lorica hamata or lorica segmentata) and helmet.

Braccae / woolen trousers were worn as well as Caliga or military boots worn by Roman legionaries and auxiliaries throughout the history of the Roman Republic and Empire. The boots were made from leather and laced up the center of the foot and onto the top of the ankle. Iron hobnails were hammered into the sole for added strength.

And here's ACI Toys 1/6 scale Warriors III Roman General (Maximus Decimus Meridius) 12" figure with just the Embossed Cuirass. It is held in place by six plastic "buckles". More pictures to follow.

The laminated-strip cuirass was a complex piece of armour which in certain circumstances provided superior protection to the other types of Roman armour, mail armour (lorica hamata) and scale armour (lorica squamata). The testing of modern replicas has demonstrated that this kind of armour was impenetrable to most direct and missile strikes.

Wearing a padded undergarment known as a 'subarmalis' relieves the wearer from bruising both from prolonged wear and from shock produced by weapon blows against the armour.

Check out the details on the Embossed Cuirass of ACI Toys 1/6 scale Warriors III Roman General (Maximus Decimus Meridius) 12" figure. It's pretty amazing and very movie accurate :)

NEXT: See ACI Toys 1/6 scale Warriors III Roman General (Maximus Decimus Meridius) 12" figure with his full armor as he was meant to be. This is a stunning figure and it will blow your mind.