good-looking but rather 'flat'

Rating: Null/10 (18 May 2004)

I think this movie is a good way to get a rater comprehensive image of pre-classical Greek culture, for those who have never read the iliad or been in touch with the ancient Greek civilization. The battles look spectacular, the setting is quite detailed and the cast is OK. For those who have actually enjoyed (or struggled their way through) Homer, some parts might be disappointing. The characters are rather flat and sometimes completely different from the original (Agamemnon and to some extent Hector). The romance between Achilles and Briseïs is overdone and it looks like somebody was desperately seeking a love-story in the iliad, couldn't find one (though the love of Andromache for Hektor was an opportunity somewhat maltreated)) and invented Achilles' love for Briseïs. The ending of the film is an actually violation of Homer's story (Agamemnon killed in Troy??) and poorly represents the 'the bad ones get what they deserve'-motive. Ah well, maybe I expected too much...Anyhow, nice try, and I hope this movie will encourage people to read the Iliad!