Not the Illiad--Based upon it.

Rating: 9/10 (22 September 2005)

This is a stand-alone movie with its own theme(s) based upon the story told by the Iliad. It is not the Iliad. Does not try to be nor does it remotely even attempt to pretend to be. It has its own stories. And they are great stories well told with great characters.
I thought the movie was awesome and Pitt and the character of Achilles was that of an incredibly complex man of depth--as was Hector. The very first thing that strikes you about the movie from the beginning and continues throughout is the incredible intelligent dialog with no chitchat. Pitt was extraordinarily believable as the most skilled awesome invincible warrior you would ever want to meet. The guy was buffed in the lean athletic muscular true fighting physique of such a character. Just think of the build of a six foot tall Sugar Ray Leonard in peak fighting condition. Then there was his Terminator mentality. Pitt's Achilles was absolutely the last person in the world you wanted coming at you. Even Hector, the great fearless warrior, and great and honorable man that he was recognized this. (Eric Bana was superb as Hector.) This movie actually is too subtlety intelligent in its dialog and subplots and themes for average filmgoers. I was amazed. It was nothing like what I suspected it would be. It shows even the subtle looks between major characters as they listen to political BS between Kings and princes.
The conversation between Achilles and Priam who comes to Achilles to beg for the body of his son Hector is sufficient to bring a lump in the throat of any mature person. One of the great scenes in the movie! So well written, directed and acted. A very powerful and deep moment about the deepest of emotions without being OT or melodramatic! Men fight for honor, pride, love, country, friends, greed, and power. This film shows all of those motives and the characters behind them. And it shows them IN DEPTH! Yes, everyone you know from the Iliad is there but they don't all meet the same fate as described in the classic. As I said this movie does not pretend to be telling the Iliad. This is "Based on a true story" type of movie.
The fight between Achilles and Hector is one of the finest, most original, beautiful and believable choreographed fights I have ever seen--all done without any stunt doubles or tricks. The fight is even more dramatic because of the meaning of the fight and why they fight and how that has been conveyed to the viewer in the telling of the story up to that point. And you don't want either to die.
A very "adult" film in the very best sense of the word! The special effects are amazing in the battle scenes and maneuvers of the armies. They put LOTR to shame as far as size COMBINED with authenticity and LOTR was not exactly chopped liver in that arena. There is not a hint of phoniness or "special effects" to be detected.
But for me the heart of this excellent movie is the dialog and the depth of the characters complimented by outstanding performances. So many conflicts of human frailties here! The movie is in the best sense of the word a true spectacle--but for adults with a soul! It isn't an action movie. No this is very much a drama with a lot of action.