That must be the word. For some mysterious reason my high-school brought us to watch it as a school trip (strange choice) and I remember the entire school was reacting to the screen as if we were watching a real gladiatorial combat...!

Probably the reason. From memory Gladiator was the first to use [ ? name] that had serial action figures giving the illusion of in-depth and detailed populations on screen. That is few real life actors but multitudes on screen. A real leap for cinematography! and good for profits.

I didn't know that! So we must have had the impression to be part of the crowd watching the "show" ...

Compare it to The highlander and other 'war like' fighting or sword screens. Mind you I still have not yet read that book.

Since the Gladiator has stuck in your head and you are still questioning why were you taken there is it not a shame that the 'teachers explanation' was not heard!