![]() Seen from this perspective, The Odyssey is a superbly made film. One of the most important aspects of movie/doco watching for adolescents is the time a particular scene stays before their eyes-the longer it stays the sooner adolescent-fidget sets in and the movie/doco, regardless of its inherent strength, is lost for them. I used to show it to my year eight high school classes as a tie-in to our introductory ancient history syllabus and the movie was well received. I watched this movie last evening after not seeing it for at least four years and was completely absorbed by it again. I cannot say enough good things about this movie. The scene in which Odysseus returns to take back his kingdom is brutally and believably real. The mutual love and devotion of Odysseus and Penelope are portrayed in a beautiful and believable way by the actors. The emotions of all are complex and real. This movie makes the tales of Homer seem more real than any film I have ever seen. ![]() All the more amazing when one considers that Odysseus was an Achaean, a tall, fair race of people, though Odysseus was, himself, described by Homer as one of middle stature, for an Achaean, no doubt. He conveys with his expressions the depth of thought and emotion which characterized Odysseus. ![]() Armand Assante is surprising terrific as Odysseus. Despite the fact that one of my favorite parts of The Odyssey is left out, when Odysseus returns home after 20 years, his faithful pet Argus awaiting him, only to die after one greeting I think this is an incredibly arresting film. Odysseus is the perfect hero for the aging 1st world population, with his use of guile to triumph when strength is not enough. This is probably the best TV movie of all time. I wish there were a bit more ambition amongst TV and film companies these days. And for the cast & crew of this film - well done. You'll have trouble getting into the text if you think you know what's coming next. If you're thinking of watching this instead of reading The Odyssey - please don't. In summary, this is a decent version, but you'll get the most enjoyment out of this film if you've already read The Odyssey (which, as with most book/film adaptations, is significantly better). A lot of the ritual and repetition of the original text is actually a large part of its charm (as well as an entirely necessary story-telling mechanic), and I think it could be adapted in full if turned into a short series. If there is a problem with this film, it is that by cutting out so much of the rituals, travel and more complicated deceptions, it takes away much of the scale, grandeur and 'epic'ness of it all - while still taking 3 hours to watch. Casting is generally very good (especially Calypso - wow). Of the entire cast I only found Telemachus to be somewhat whiney & annoying, but you manage. I'll not go too far into the story - since that is why you'll be watching in the first place - but I will say that the special effects are mostly quite good, and don't detract in any way. The net effect is of the story told entirely from Odysseus' viewpoint, while keeping an eye on events back at his palace in Ithaca. Where the story is simplified, it is done carefully and logically, and leaves in virtually all of Odysseus's more fantastic adventures - dispensing with most of the hospitality, minor characters' subplots - Telemachus' journey is over in seconds - and (unfortunately) with any scenes on Mount Olympus. ![]() I even 'recognised' places before they were mentioned by name. Having said that, a surprising amount of detail did make it into this film, and the locations especially were almost all perfect - just as I'd imagined them. Obviously, there are significant omissions, edits and rewrites from the original - and quite long - text, not to mention the change to a standard timescale (rather than using constant flashbacks and anecdotes as in Homer's tale). I thoroughly enjoyed the book of the epic, which I read recently, and was pleasantly surprised to find this on video.
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