Only "inspired by", not based on the Iliad.

Rating: Null/10 (15 May 2004)

And too bad for that. Homers poem was gutted to make this 3 hour movie. While it stands by itself well enough for a $9 ticket and three hours in the theater, it could have been much better. Imagine a movie based on the Bible without Christ, angels, or miracles. Or Lord of the Rings without magic or wizards. The ten year war seems to be boiled down to a month.

Achilles never really gets a scratch on him even though he is in the thick of a battle full of spears and swords, never mind that he is not revealed to be the son of a Goddess or wearing armor forged by the Gods. He is only a mere mortal here. For anyone who read the poems or is familiar with the stories, there is too much missing. 6/10.