Far away from the truth

Rating: 1/10 (8 October 2011)

This film has nothing to do with the original story of Iliad, written by Homer. Actually about the battle of Troy can be made more than 20 different films, each lasting about 8 hours. The whole battle of Troy according to the legend lasted for more than 20 years, which is hard to depict in a single movie, but definitely not impossible. Instead of recreating legendary events, they created some cheap romantic Hollywood soup. Achilles didn't participate in the battle of Troy because he wanted to become famous. He wasn't that stupid. Another detail was that his mother actually tried to hide him in a temple, dressed like a woman. He took part in the battle only because he has sworn to Menelaus to help him in a time of need. That's the reason why all other Greek kings including Odysseus and Diomedes went to fight for Menelaus in first place. Odysseus actually played mad and was very angry when his attempt to avoid the war was revealed. Menelaus of course wasn't killed from Hector (as is shown in the movie), but managed to retrieve his wife and return to Sparta. Ajax wasn't killed in a battle. And Achilles never actually succeeded to enter Troy. He was shot by Paris from the city walls (and not from 5-meter distance as it is shown in the film). The Greeks considered Troy as the most impregnable fortress at that time and so it was. The battle of Troy continued long after Hector was killed. There were other strong defenders of the city, some nearly defeating the besieging army. If you want to know the truth about Troy, read Iliad. That's my advice. This film is utterly weak and doesn't deserve high rating. Kingdom of Heaven is much closer to the true story than is Troy. I hope some day someone does a really good movie about this great ancient city.