Moving away from diction, it would have also been a good idea to launch a fresh actor for the Achilles role for more myth effect in a period movie. Brad – we’ve seen too much of him dashing modern roles. involving cars and subways.

To be honest I’m glad they got rid of Golden apples, Mount Olympus and meddling Gods because to be honest, whilst it’s all entertaining stuff to read – on screen you’re always left with that camp, Clash of the Titans feel. Let’s face it – Hercules in new York has tainted the view of Mount Olympus for ever!
I liked the references to it. The Gods are still portrayed as a powerful force in the minds, views, and politics of the world the film lives in.
In the film Achilles is simply the greatest warrior, adored and worshipped by the Greeks because he has never been bettered. It’s easy to see how the Greeks could see him as immortal, simply because he’s a great fighter. Again, I thought the film referenced his immortality in a subtle but rewarding manner. I’d rather think of Achilles as a great leader of men, than a man with armour for skin and a little weak spot at the heel. He signs his death warrant with the desecration of Apollo’s temple and his downfall is brought on by his love for the Briseis, former Priestess of the temple fo Apollo.
For fans of the original Iliad I thought there were enough references to recognise, and I enjoyed the way they were entered into the film.
The film works well for those that won’t recognise them, for those who’ve never studied them – but I think the film allows those more familiar with the story to see reference points to it – rather than playing it out as Homer did.
I commend them for this. They wanted to paint a realistic portrayal of the siege of Troy and to place it in a context that most people could understand. The portrayal of Agamemnon and the other kings is well laid out. In the Iliad, all the politics of the story rest with the God’s and the humans are manipulated into playing their part. In teh film, the politics are handled by the men on Earth, but their faith and worship of the God’s brings on their doom.
I thought Peter O’Toole played a marvellous part – using all the power and dignity he has shown for many years, whilst looking entirely frail.
Julie K – you asked the question where did the Greeks get all the wood from. I thought the film showed quite convincingly that the horse was made from the wood of the ships they sailed to Troy in.
Remember they sailed in 1000 – they could afford to spare a few after so many men had fallen. This also helped the film to show, with a bit of portentous dialogue to be sure, that the Horse was seen as a gift to the Gods and the priests encouraged the king to drag the horse to the Temple inside the Walls of Troy.
Again, the film uses the Gods in a distant manner – but the influence is there and ultimately, as in Homer’s tale, the God’s can be seen to be responsible for the downfall of almost every character.
Overall I thought Troy succeeded very well. but I’m not sure if the woman who played Helen could launch a couple fo cross channel ferries never mind a thousand ships. It’s true that the women in the story are given precious little to work with – apart from the woman singing on the score – who has to have the most annoying voice I’ve heard since Celine Dion! She keeps popping up at every somber moment in the film and she really got on my nerves.

What I was most amazed about is the rather bad job the casting directors did on this one. Pitt as Achilles is so so, Orlando still has to prove to me he has actually acting capacities, Sean Bean’s part as Odysseus could have been more elaborate, Peter O’Toole, though good wasn’t the right actor for the job and teh girl who played Briseis stank big time…

The movie is visually stunning, but Petersen has clearly tried to combine action with a good story and the problem is: that is not what the audience wants… they want action…

I did find Brian Cox very convincing and so was the actor who played his brother… This is a movie you have to see on the big screen, and it was entertaining. As far as I’m concerned that is all it was: entertaining…

there are a few Blockbusters left this year that shoudl impress more than the ones we had so far (Van Helsing, Troy) did… my hopes are on The Day After Tomorrow (I spoke to someone who had already seen it in a US press screening and he said it was amazing), Spider-Man 2 and Harry Potter 3…

Brian Cox was quite good, but I almost felt kinda sorry for Peter ‘O Toole; he looked so fragile and old…

The biggest critique on Pitt was that he looked more like a surf dude than a Greek hero and although he was very fit (and doesn’t seem to age!) I cannot remeber having seen a lot of natural clear-blondes in Greece. Could’ve done with a colour.

By the way, the trailer for The Prisoner Of Azkaban looked quite nice…

very much looking forward to this one…

Not one single comment as to how the Trojan War began? Nope? Anyone know?

Well OK – it began when Eris- goddess of Strife was not invited to a wedding feast as there were only 12 silver platters, so she was left out. She appeared and spitefully threw a golden apple onto the table for the most beautiful women..Paris was asked to choose and he chose Aphrodite who in turn gave Paris Helen, but the fly in the apple was Helen was married to the King of Troy – King Menelaus who wanted her back.
The moral of the story is ..stay away from apples..they have caused trouble since day one…and you never know where just one may take you.
Also those who have seen this movie now know just why we should Beware of Greeks Bearing gifts.If someone dumps a large wooden horse in your front yard call 000 at once – dont attack it as it may be dangerous.

Julie K

That is in fact my main critique: leaving out the manipulation of the gods. Same goes for the killing of Achilles by the bow of Paris. It is in fact the god Apollo who guided Paris’ hand (or took his shape) and shot Achilles in the one place that could hurt him: his heel.

The more strange is when you realise that in the movie it is shown that Achilles defies Apollo by desecrating his temple and decapitating his statue. Apollo has his revenge, eventually.

Also the ploy with the horse is not explained and why the Trojans accept the gift so easily (Neptune was god of the horses).