BATTLE-HARDENED warriors will come to life at a dramatic Worcester exhibition of armour and costumes from historical big screen blockbusters including Gladiator.

"Way of the Warrior" is a free exhibition which opens at the Worcester City Art Gallery and Museum in Foregate Street tomorrow (Saturday), banishing summer holiday boredom for families.

From Samurais to Roman legionaries, from Hoplites to crusading knights and from First World War soldiers to gladiators, the display will feature arms and armour from some of the biggest historical films to ever grace the screen, including Alexander, Centurion, King Arthur, Kingdom of Heaven, The Last Samurai, The Eagle, War Horse, Saving Private Ryan and Hercules.

The hands-on exhibition allows families to feel what it is like to be a warrior, trying on gauntlets and testing the weight of a legionary shield used in Gladiator while in another part of the museum youngsters can make a coat to decorate War Horse Joey.

The exhibition also has a replica of the gladiator costume worn by Russell Crowe when he entered the arena as the general turned slave, Maximums, including the popular 'Spaniard' helmet he wore in the Colosseum scenes.

There is even a full Praetorian guard costume and a hanging from the general's campaign tent. However, the exhibition is not simply about the movies with a wealth of information on display about how and why armour developed, weapons, military philosophies and changing battlefield technologies, drawing on historical and archaeological sources.

The exhibition covers the history of arms and armour over the last 2,500 years.

The display has been put together by brothers Barry and Keith Chandler of Pop-up Exhibitions who have been running the exhibition for the last five years, touring the country and buying new pieces at auction so they can develop and expand the display.

Barry Chandler has been passionate about history since the age of seven, worked in a museum from the age of 15 and became a curator from the age of 23.

One of the finest pieces was Galahad's armour from the King Arthur (2004) made by renowned armourer Terry English because of the workmanship, finish and level of detail.

However, his personal favourite is another exceptionally well-made piece he owns personally, the griffin-decorated armour worn by Spartacus (Liam McIntyre) from the visceral, blood-soaked television series Spartacus: Vengeance.

Mr Chandler said: "We made this exhibition because we love it. We made the exhibition that we wanted to see.

"I wanted to go and see costumes from Gladiator but the exhibition didn't exist. We thought 'we will make it'. We thought if we want to see it so will other people."

Helen Large, marketing and events manager at the art gallery and museum, said: "From my perspective it is a fantastic summer exhibition that will appeal to all members of the family. There's something for everybody.

"We think it's the kind of show people will want to come back to again and again because of the amount of detail. It is so atmospheric. It's definitely got that wow factor."

There will be a chance to win a replica of Maximus's 'Spaniard helmet' like the one worn by Russell Crowe over the summer.

The art gallery and museum is open from Monday to Saturday between 10.30am and 4.30pm.

The exhibition runs until September 5.