Great battle scenes with some nice acting and a good story

Rating: 9/10 (12 July 2005)

This was a very realistic portrayal of an almost mythological story. Perhaps it really happened this way. All the characters were well-acted, even the sniveler Paris, played by Orlando Bloom, but especially Peter O'Toole, who is brilliant. From the first battle between Achilles and a Goliath-like giant of a man, we learn that speed and agility are more important than size and brute strength.
But this movie is about more than just battle scenes and violence. It's about philosophy and politics and faith. It's also about love, but not just romantic love between a man and a woman. It's about Achilles' love for his brother, whom Hector kills, and Hector's love for his brother, Paris. It's about Peter O'Toole's love for his son, Hector and his faith in his Gods. It's a little long with its big battle scenes, but otherwise this is a very good movie.