Remember, it's "inspired" by The Iliad, not based on it

Rating: 8/10 (2 July 2004)

OK .. I am a history buff and have read The Iliad, therefore I admit I was kind of dubious about going to see this film.
However, as a film "INSPIRED" by The Iliad, it was a worthwhile rendition. Achilles is arrogant and Mr Pitt managed that. Paris was a coward, and Mr Bloom, again, had that spot on. Mr Bana played Hector very well. But with all characterisation, it is how the actor thinks the historical character would act. We all have our own thoughts on how the character should act, but it's down to the actor and the director. Yes, the gods should have been involved and there were many characters missed out.
OK, there were huge flaws in the whole thing, but to have created the film "BASED" on The Iliad would have been a more huge undertaking than The Lord of the Rings - the war lasts 10 years, and therefore a lot of time when nothing was happening .. trying to precis it into a 3 hour film takes some doing .. somethings have to be left out and there does have to be artistic licence.
I think when they decided it would be "INSPIRED" by The Iliad, they just took the backbone of the story and not the flesh and skin, and therefore should be enjoyed as a mere shadow of The Iliad.
For pure enjoyment factor, I give this film 8 out of 10. For the historical factor, probably 3 out of 10.
But remember, it's only "INSPIRED" on The Iliad :)
Bobb