Engrossing and gorgeous as a spectacle, as history, and as drama for our times

Rating: 7/10 (6 February 2005)

This is a truly contemporary view of these ancient events, complete with religious "fundamentalist" priests guiding political leaders into erroneous directions with tragic results, and warrior heroes seeing the folly of war but helpless to redirect their own actions. The spectacle is beyond the old films of the 40's and 50's and strives to be as authentic as possible in detail, without reaching so far as to create an artistic fantasy like "Amadeus". Archaology and travel buffs can revel in the realistic beauty of the sites while history buffs are discomforted only minimally by the most minor and inconsequential diversions away from Homer's narrative. Bloom plays true to the historical profile of Paris-- no hero, but a real person from our own times-- perhaps someone we know personally: vain, impulsive, irresponsible, and noble too late. Pitt is, surprisingly enough, a convincing Achilles, one of whom Homer himself would probably have approved. For all its length, it was over too soon for me.