Ancient story with psychological reference to modern times

Rating: 8/10 (23 May 2004)

Since I love ancient epics, I went to see this movie hoping to appreciate its splendor, like the one in CLEOPATRA or BEN HUR. However, while watching it, I realized that the aim of this movie is not only to show the story of the siege of Troy, like the movie by Robert Wise HELEN OF TROY (1955) did, to emphasize gorgeous costumes, the courage of great heroes or the love affair between Helen and Paris. Mr Petersen did another wonderful job thanks to which this film may be remembered for long. It has a certain psychological message.
It is noticeable to find a lot of such scenes that really touch human heart. The director beautifully showed the stupidity and misery of war. What is, in fact, war? "It is young men dying and old men talking!" I particularly like the scenes where the greed of Agamemnon is shown. He did not care for his brother and his recapturing Helen. He aimed at conquering Troy. That is what war means. The greed and ill ambition of one man that leads thousands of others to fight and die. How universal it is now!
Another interesting aspect presented in the movie are the fundamental thoughts of existence. Consider the moment when Achilles tells Briseis that "gods envy us mortality since every moment can be the last one for us". Isn't it purely psychological and universal?
POSSIBLE SPOILER: There is one thing, however, which I do not like about the movie. The choice of some cast. A lot of people go to see the movie because of Brad Pitt. He is a very good actor with nice diction. However, he does not look "a stereotypical Achilles". Even if Achilles could have been blond, Brad may be too destructive. The same can be said about Patrocles. Nevertheless, others are great for their roles, especially Orlando Bloom as prince Paris and Peter O'Toole as old king Priam. Consider the incredible scene when he comes to Achilles and asks him for the body of his son Hector. VERY MEMORABLE AND TOUCHING! So far, this is a best played scene of Priam coming to the Greeks!
All in all, the movie is worth watching but it has to be seen and INTERPRETED. If you see a reference to our times, then it is not only the admiration of costumes, locations, and ancient, passed stories...