Not Homer but OK

Rating: Null/10 (16 May 2004)

I was disappointed by the way Petersen hasn't paid much attention to the plot of the Iliad. But then the words "inspired by the Iliad" came on the screen, and well, "inspired by" doesn't mean they have to stick to the plot. I just wondered: If you attempt to put such an epic on screen, why would you not make a few concessions less to Hollywood and call it a good adaption instead of a meagre echo of all those myths.
The gods had to go, I can see that as it would have been too long. Unfortunately, that makes Hector's death less heroic and Paris less of a coward. I did however love the way they showed Achilles's mother, a sea goddess, as a human with strong bonds to the sea. The Priam - Achilles scene was quite moving as well. I also liked Hector's hesitation when he saw that Helen was coming with them
BUT WHY did they have to invent the following:
1. All that my cousin, your cousin stuff between Briseis and Achilles. After all, Briseis was not related to the Trojan princes in any way, and Achilles did not fall in love with her, he just wanted her because Agamemnon wanted her too.
2. Achilles being killed after Troy was taken. The point is that his destiny is bound to that of his opponent Hector.
3. All those silver (presumably iron) armour - the Iliad takes place in the BRONZE age, they had bronze weapons!
4. Agamemnon's premature death.
5. The whole "sword of Troy" thing, and (worst of all) giving it to Aeneas.
6. Hector's wife and child escaping. The fact that these loveable characters are taken captive and thrown down the walls of Troy by Odysseus respectively shows the brutality of the war more than any other episode.
7. A couple of other points mentioned before but IMO these were the most important.
And yes, I have read the Iliad, large parts even in the original Greek.