Troy Movie Notes
Troy, directed by Wolfgang Petersen (2004) is an epic war film based on Homer’s Iliad. In ancient Greece, the passion of two of literature’s most notorious lovers, Paris, Prince of Troy (Orlando Bloom) and Helen (Diane Kruger), Queen of Sparta, ignites a war that will devastate a civilization. When Paris spirits Helen away from her husband, King Menelaus (Brendan Gleeson), it is an insult that cannot be suffered.
Familial pride dictates that an affront to Menelaus is an affront to his brother Agamemnon (Brian Cox), powerful King of the Mycenaeans, who soon unites all the massive tribes of Greece to steal Helen back from Troy in defense of his brother’s honor. In truth, Agamemnon’s pursuit of honor is corrupted by his overwhelming greed – he needs to conquer Troy to seize control of the Aegean, thus ensuring the supremacy of his already vast empire. The walled city, under the leadership of King Priamand (Peter O’Toole) defended by mighty Prince Hector (Eric Bana), is a citadel that no army has ever been able to breach.
One man alone stands as the key to victory or defeat over Troy – Achilles (Brad Pitt), believed to be the greatest warrior alive. Arrogant, rebellious and seemingly invincible, Achilles has allegiance to nothing and no one, save his own glory. It is his insatiable hunger for eternal renown that leads him to attack the gates of Troy under Agamemnon’s banner – but it will be love that ultimately decides his fate. Two worlds will go to war for honor and power. Thousands will fall in pursuit of glory. And for love, a nation will burn to the ground.
This was an exciting action packed film, which had plenty of historical accuracies and inaccuracies and for the most part follows Homer’s Iliad. Many similar films in this time period portray the gods as more important and powerful than the humans. In fact, this movie almost completely ignores the gods and instead places the focus on the warriors themselves. I think the film tries to portray the Trojan War in a manner in which it could have actually happened. Achilles acknowledges that he is not the son of a goddess and is not immortal or invulnerable. The movie basically shows us how a rumor can blossom into a legend unto itself.
Achilles’ legend becomes immortal. We see that the elders who continually refer to their so-called gods, and they come across as fools. When Hector refers to the fact that Apollo did not strike down Achilles for desecrating the statue. It is obvious that Hector seems to doubt the gods he has been taught to worship. Achilles disrespects the gods by decapitating the statue for the god Apollo, proving that both characters have little respect for the gods. Compared to the Iliad and historical facts the gods were always centered on everything. Throughout time, men have waged war. Some for power, some for glory, some for honor – and some for love.
