Reviews: Helen of Troy - IMDb

Helen, the bastard daughter of Troy, has been married off to one of the princes of Sparta, no doubt in the hope of an alliance, but when Paris comes to ... MenuMoviesReleaseCalendarDVD&Blu-rayReleasesTop250MoviesMostPopularMoviesBrowseMoviesbyGenreTopBoxOfficeShowtimes&TicketsInTheatersComingSoonMovieNewsIndiaMovieSpotlightTVShowsWhat'sonTV&StreamingTop250TVShowsMostPopularTVShowsBrowseTVShowsbyGenreTVNewsIndiaTVSpotlightWatchWhattoWatchLatestTrailersIMDbOriginalsIMDbPicksIMDbPodcastsAwards&EventsOscarsBestPictureWinnersBestPictureWinnersEmmysSTARmeterAwardsSanDiegoComic-ConNewYorkComic-ConSundanceFilmFestivalTorontoInt'lFilmFestivalAwardsCentralFestivalCentralAllEventsCelebsBornTodayMostPopularCelebsMostPopularCelebsCelebrityNewsCommunityHelpCenterContributorZonePollsForIndustryProfessionalsAllAllTitlesTVEpisodesCelebsCompaniesKeywordsAdvancedSearchWatchlistSignInENFullysupportedEnglish(UnitedStates)PartiallysupportedFrançais(Canada)Français(France)Deutsch(Deutschland)हिंदी(भारत)Italiano(Italia)Português(Brasil)Español(España)Español(México) HelenofTroy (2003) Reviewthistitle 6/10 competentTVmini-series SnoopyStyle1September2015 KingPriamhasasonParisborntohim.CassandrapropheciesthathewouldcausetheendofTroy.TheKingleaveshimonMountIdatodiebutheisfoundandraisedbyshepherdAgelaus.Asanadult,heisaskedtojudgethebeautyofHera,AthenaandAphrodite.HechoosesAphroditeandsheawardshimtheloveofHelenofSparta.MycenaeanKingAgamemnonisalsotakenwithHelen.HeleniskidnappedbyAtheniansTheseusandPirithous.HerbrotherPolluxrescuesherbutiskilledintheprocess.Helen'sfatherTyndareus,KingofSparta,blamesherforhisfavoriteson'sdeathanddecidestomarryhiscurseddaughteroff.Thesuitorsswearanoathtouniteforwaragainstanywhogoesagainsttheeventualhusband'sclaim.It'safunctionalproductionconsideringthelowerbudgetthanatheatricalmovie.It'swellmadeforaTVminiseries.Thelongerrunningtimealsoallowsthestorytohavemorecomplexity.Therearesomecompellingactorshere.SiennaGuilloryisacompetentactressalthoughtheroleofHelenofTroyisatallorderasthemostbeautifulwomanintheworld.ThebattleofTroyhascompetentCGI.It'sasbigascanbeexpectedunderthecircumstances. 0outof1foundthishelpful. Wasthisreviewhelpful?Signintovote. Permalink surprising Kirpianuscus6September2017 becauseitgivesmorethanyouexpectaftermanyothersadaptationsof"Iliad".becauseitrespectsthespiritofepicandgivesarealisticimageaboutsociety,characters,warandemotions.becauseitismorethanaprettydrawingbutalarge,inspiredfresco.andithasitswayfortellahugestoryintherightmanner.maybe,thisisthebasicmotifforseeit.becauseitisrealgoodreturntothespiritofHomerwork.andthatcouldbethebestanswertothecriticsaboutit. 0outof1foundthishelpful. Wasthisreviewhelpful?Signintovote. Permalink 7/10 SoLong,ToplessTowers! rmax30482319February2014 Warning:Spoilers Thestoryisprettywellknown,atleastinsomesectorsofsocialspace,soI'lljustmakesomeobservationsasIwatchthislongishversionthrough.Briefly:It'sabout1200BC.Paris,ayoungmanofTroy,fallsinlovewith,Helen,thewifeofaGreekkingandrunsoffwithhertohishome.ThisannoystheGreeks.Theylaunchathousandshipsandwageaten-yearwaragainstthewallsofTroy.TheTrojanforcesincludethenobleHector.TheGreekshaveAchillesandthewilyOdysseus.Thewarisbrutalbutfinallyends,althoughthein-familytsurispersiststhroughthepost-warperiod.First,halfanhourin,Ihaven'tseenanythinginthewardrobeorweaponsthatwasdisturbingbutI'mnotahistorian.True,someofthearmorlooksleftoverfromamovieabouttheRomanEmpire,andinbattletheswordsdon'tlooklikeGreekchoppersbutliketheRomangladius,butitdoesn'tpoisonthestory.WhatIdefinitelycouldnotwrapmyheadaroundwasAchilles--amuscle-bound,bald-headedstreetthugwhowouldhavefitverywellintooneofCinecitta'ssword-and-sandalepicsstarringSteveReevesfromthe1950sor,betteryet,intoamodernurbanactionmovie.Allthat'smissingarethebarbedwiretattoos.TherehavebeencomplaintsthatitwanderstoofarfromHomer'soriginalbutsofaritresemblestheoriginalstory,atleastthetranslationIreadyearsago.IdoubtanyoneknowwhattheACTUALoriginalwaslike.Homer'sversionwaswrittendownhundredsofyearsaftertheevent.AndIunderstanditwasallmemorizedoralfolklore.Theiambicpentameterwasamnemonicdevice.Iftheoratorscrewedupthemeterhe'dknowhe'dmadeamistake,butit'seasytoimaginethatimprovisationtobringbackorderwasacommonevent.IdoubtthatHomerhewedtocloselytothehundreds-of-year-oldoriginaltale,butthentheremightnothavebeenthatmuchleftforHomertohewto.Atleastthisonehasthegodsandgoddessesmuckingaroundwiththings,althoughnotmuch.ParisgetsthegoldenappleforchoosingAphroditeasthemostbeautifulofthreecompetingcontestants,andshebacksParisintheTrojanWar.NexttimeheshouldbeabitmorepragmaticandchooseAthena.EvenifshehadafaceliketherearendofanInternationaleighteenwheeler,sheknowsaboutwar.NothingherethoughaboutAphroditebackTroyinthewar.TherearealsocomplaintsaboutHelennotbeingworthawarbecauseshe'snotasbewitchinglydesirableassheshouldbe,butinmyopinionshelooksjustfineandwoulddoinapinch.She'sspirited,slenderandblond,withapipingvoice,alagamin,andlooksvaguelyFrench.Ifyouwatchit,you'llseewhatImean.IhavenomemoryofParisonhisfirstvisittoTroybeingpittedingamesagainstthefinestTrojanwarriors.(HebeatsHectorinaknifefightinthearena.)MaybethesceneswereaddedtojuiceupthestorywithmoreactionandtoturnParisintomoreofahero,oritmaybethatmybrainisturningtotofu,inwhichcaseIwillleaveitforanalysistotheAmericanCulinaryInstitute.Idon'trecallthatHelenwasfirstkidnappedbytheagentsofoneoftheGreekkingseither.Itlookslikepadding.ButthehonorablekidnapperisplayedbyStellanSkarsgaardwhoseworkI'vealwaysadmired,whetherhischaracterisgoodorevil.TheotherperformerswhostandoutareJohnRhys-DaviesasKingPryam,JamesCallisasthesneakyAgamemnon,andRufusSewellasthehonestMenelaus.Intheend,onlythebarebonesoftheoriginalremain.WehardlyseeOdysseus.ThereisnoPatroclus.Achillesneverhasahissyfitoverhisgirlfriendbeingtakenaway.ButthereIStheTrojanHorse,AchillesdraggingHector'sbodyaroundthewallsofTroy,PariskillingAchilleswithanarrowtotheheel,andCassandra'spropheciesbeingrealized.Arevengeincidentistackedonattheendtoprovideasenseofjusticeprevailing.TheunderhandedAgamemnonismurderedinhisbathbyhisjealouswife,Clytemnestra.Butthat'sfromadifferentplayaltogether.It'sliketakingashoehornandworkingtheDoolittleraidintotheclimaxofthewretched"PearlHarbor,"onlytheretoprovideafeelingofjusticehavingbeendone.Ikindofenjoyedit.Theproductionvaluesarehigh,theuseofCGIsismodestandeffective,thephotographyisn'ttoogloomyorinhighcontrastortintedaghoulishgreen,andtheeditingissaneandclassicalinsteadoflightningfastanddisorienting.It'sasadstorybutaveryhumanone.Theonlycharacterswithtrulyout-sizedflawsareAgamemnonandAchilles.Alltheothercharactersareshownasadmirableinsomeway,oratleastunderstandable. 0outof1foundthishelpful. 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Permalink 7/10 SpectacularportrayalaboutTroywarwithgreatcastandimpressivebattlescenes ma-cortes2March2018 GreekwarriorsattackandbesiegeTroywhenParistakesHelenandbothofthemescape.ThismythologicalfantasyfindsHelen,thebeautifulwifefallinginlovewithprinceParis,aneventthatleadstothesiegeofTroy.DirectorJohnkentHarrisonpickedtwobrightyoungstarsMatthewMardsenandSiennaGuilerytoplaytheloversinthisbreathtakingTvstoryin2episodesoftheTrjanWarandthemotivesleduptoit.AsGreekwarriorsundercommandofAgamenon,Ulysses,AchillesandMenelaogettohideoutintheTrojanHorsewithfellowfightersandthengetthoseTrojanswhentheytakethewoodenbeastintothecityandtheyaresuccessful.Afterahardworkingshootingandbudgetenoughtheresultswereonlyfairandpassable.thepictureignoresscriptforlavisheffects,mostofthemmadebymeansofcomputergenerator.InthepictureappearsseveralhistoricalandmythologicalcharactersplayedbynotoriousactorsasPriamo:johnRhyDavies,Agammenon:RufusSewell,Achilles:JoeMontana,Hector:DanielLapine,Theseus:StellanSkarsgard,Clymnestra:KatieBlake,Menelao:JamesCallisHecuba:MarianDabo,andtheMediumCassandraperformedbyEmilyFox.TheseeventsaboutTroywarhasbeenadaptedseveraltimessuchas:ItalianversiontitledTrojanHorse1962byGiorgioFerroniwithSteveReevesJulietteMaynielLidiaAlfonsiMimmoPalmara.RenditionbyRobertWisewithRossanaPodestaJacquesSernasBrigitteBardorStanleyBakerCedricHardwicke.TROYbywolfgangPetersenwithBradPittDianeKrugerRoseByrneOrlandoBloom 6outof12foundthishelpful. Wasthisreviewhelpful?Signintovote. Permalink Long,atalmost3hours,butdoesanadmirablejoboftellingthelegendofHelenofTroy. TxMike30July2004 DVDborrowedfrommylocalpubliclibrary,DTSsound,widescreen,eachhalfoneachoftwodisks,Iwatcheditonconsecutivenights.IwasmostdrawntoitforSiennaGuillory,youngBritishactressanddaughterofafamousmusicianfromCuba,whomIhadseeninthemodernremakeof'TheTimeMachine.'SheplaysHelenofSparta,whobecomesHelenofTroy,andisthedefaultobjectofpassionwhichsparksthewarandeventualfallofTroy,viatheTrojanHorse.AgamemnonandAchillesaredepictedasheartlesskillerswithnoredeemingqualities.Idon'tknowwhatHomerhadinmind,butthisseemstobedecidedlydifferentfrommostearliertreatmentsofthesemythicalcharacters.ThevideotransfertoDVDisveryhighquality,butthesharpnessandrealisticcolorsarenotaseffectiveassomeperiodpieces(e.g.Gladiator)whichuseamildlytintedimageandselectivefocustobetterdepicttheoldentimes.Still,forthetypeofmovieitis,aworthwhiledepictionofsomeimportantGreekmythology. 8outof16foundthishelpful. Wasthisreviewhelpful?Signintovote. Permalink 7/10 AgoodadaptationofGreekhistory,betterthansomemorerecentsuperproductions. filipemanuelneto10May2017 Thisthree-hourfilmtellsthefamousstoryoftheTrojanWarfairlywellbetweentheGreeksandtheTrojans.Itisoneoftheoldeststoriesofmankind,alreadyintheclassicalGreektexts,buthasbeenthetargetofaseriesofbadadaptationsforthecinema."Troy"(2004)isperhapsoneoftheworst,focusingonmuscleandtestosterone(pavingthewayfor"300",adisaster,afewyearslater).HerethefocusistheromancebetweenParisandHelena,twoloversdestinedtosufferandtodraganentirepeoplewiththem.Ofcoursethepuristswillconsideritanothermistake,butIfindthisprospecthappierandmoresatisfyingthananother,fullofsteroidsandsebumtomakethemusclesbright.Ialsolikedthefilmtohavespaceforcharactersthatusuallyendupovershadowedinotheradaptations,butgiventhelengthofthefilmthiswasalmostimperative(evenconsideringthesplitintwoepisodes,thoughttobeontelevision).FromthepointofviewofhistoricalrigorIwasalsosatisfied,notbeinganexpertinclassicalcivilizationstoevaluateitinthebestway.Thecasthasseveralstrongnames,suchasStellanSkarsgård,DanielLapaine,Maryamd'Abo,JohnRhys-DaviesandRufusSewell.Mostactorsperformedtheirdutyverywellandtoastedtheaudiencewithgoodperformances.CGIandspecialeffectsaregoodenoughtofulfilltheirrole. 1outof4foundthishelpful. 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Permalink 7/10 NiceifyouareinterestedinGreekmythologyandespeciallyinthelegendofTroy philip_vanderveken25May2005 Forsomereason,moviesbasedonlegendsandeventsfromancienttimesaresuddenlyverypopular.Itallstartedwith"Gladiator"(oneofmyall-timefavoritemovies)andsincethenwealmostseemtobefloodedbysuchfilms(thinkof"Alexander","KingArthur","Troy"...).Butthiskindofmoviesisn'tonlyproducedtobeshowninthebigmultiplexes,eventhetelevisionnetworkswanttheirshare.HelenofTroyforinstancewasn'tintendedforthemultiplexesatall,butwaswrittenfortheTVonly.IfyouareabitfamiliarwithHomer'sIlliad,theancientGreekstoryonwhichthismoviehasbeenbased,thanyoualreadyknowwhattoexpect.Forthosewhodon'tknowitI'llgiveabriefresume.TheIlliadisthe'greatestwarstoryevertold'andtellsthestoryoftheTrojanwar.Thestoryevolvesaroundthelifeofoneperson:princeParis.You'llgetanideaofhisentirelife,fromthebeginning,whenhe'slefttodieonthetopofahillasababy(ifhestaysaliveTroyanditsinhabitantswillburn),howheisfound,adoptedandraisedbyanordinarycivilian,howhefinallyreturnstohisrealfamilyandhowthatchangeshisentirelife,untilthemomentwhenhediesattheendoftheTroyanwar.ThereasonforthatwaristhefactthatAgamemnonwantsrevengeforthe'kidnapping'ofHelenbyParis.Inrealityshechosetobewithhim,butbecauseshe'sthewifeofAgamemnon'sbrother,becausealltherulersoftheGreekpeninsulahaveswornanoaththattheywillprotectHelenandwillmakesurethatshealwaysbelongstoherhusbandandbecauseTroyliesonanimportanttraderoute,awarisinevitable.Attheendofthewar,thealliedGreeksseemdefeatedoratleastweren'tabletowinfromtheTroyansandtheyleaveforhome,butnotwithoutleavingbehindahugepresent:theTroyanHorse.ThatwoodenhorsehasbeenconstructedoutofsomeboatsandseemstobeaharmlessgiftforthehorselovingTroyans.InrealitysomeGreeksoldiersarehidinginitandthankstothehorse,theygetinsidethecitywalls,wheretheywillslaughtereveryonethenextnight...Iknowthisisn'ttheentirestory,butifyoureallywanttoknoweverythingaboutthelegend,thanIsuggestyouwatchthemovieorreadtheIllias.Ijustwrotethistogiveyouanideaofwhattoexpect,butitissuchahugeandcomplicatedstorythatitisdifficulttotelleverythingaboutitwithoutgivingawaytoomuch.Butithastobesaid,thedirectorsdidtelltheentirestoryanddidanicejob.Notonlythestoryhasbeentoldinmuchdetail,theclothinglooksprettyaccurate(althoughnotalwaysperfect,butI'lltellyoumoreaboutthatlateron)andthecomputeranimatedgraphicsoftheboatsandthecity...aremorethandecentaswell.ThosegraphicswereclearlyinspiredonGladiator,butthatdidn'treallybotherme(especiallywhenyouseethatflockofdovesflyingoverthecityyouknowthatthemakersofthismoviemusthaveseen"Gladiator"too).Theyclearlytooktheretimetomakeitalllookperfectandthatdeservesalotofappreciation.TheclothingismorethanOKtoo,buthereIdohavealittleremark.TheTroyanslookedveryRoman,perhapsabittooRoman.TheclothingoftheGreekswasbetter,butitisobviousthatthemakersdidn'tknowwhatTroyanswouldwear,sotheygavethemRomanclothes.Iappreciateoriginalthinking,butthisisawrongmove.Another'problem'wastheacting.Iunderstandthatthe,mostofthetimeyoungandratherunexperienced,actorsdidtheirbest,butitsometimeswaspainfullyobviousthattheywerethinkingtoomuchabouthowtoact.Theysometimesputtoomuchexpressionintheiracting,likeiftheywereplayinginatheaterplay,notinamovie.Anditisexactlybecausethecamerasarefocusingonthemthatyou'llseeeverylittledetailintheirfacialexpressionsandmovements,whichmakesitobviousthattheydidn'tfeellikeiftheyweredoingsomethingnatural.Still,thisproblemdidnotalwaysoccurandit'snotsothatallthetimetheyactedlikeiftheyhadswallowedawoodenstick.Especiallyduringthebattlescenestheyseemedtobemorenatural.Itwasinthemomentsthattheyreallyhadtoactandsaymoredialogs,thattheyseemedtobethinkingabittoomuch.Eventhoughthisisn'tahugeproductionwithalotoffamousactors,intheenditdoesn'tlookbadatall.Imightevensaythatitwasapleasantsurprise,becausethisisamoviethathasbeenmadebypeoplewhohadaneyefordetails,butwhohadtocopewithasmallerbudget.Sodespiteafewminorflaws,thismoviecertainlyisworthawatch.EspeciallywhenyouareinterestedintheancientGreekhistoryandlegends.Igivethismoviea7/10. 2outof5foundthishelpful. 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Permalink 10/10 ExcellentFilm aesgaard4121April2003 I'mabigfanofmythologyfilmsevenifIenduptakingthemapartbytheend,butthismovieprobablyhastheleastconsistencyerrorsinitthananyothermythmovieoutthere.TheactressplayingHelenisperfectwithalotofthebeautyIexpectedwhilewithoutbeingburiedundermake-up.ImighthaverecastAchillesthoughandOdysseusforthatmatter.What?NoefforttogetArmandAssantebackasOdysseustolinkhismovietothis?ThefilmisobviouslybeingtoldthroughtheeyesofMenelauswhiletryingtokeepasmuchoftheoriginalfantasyaspectoutaspossible.Whatthemoviehasisactuallyaexpandedversionoftheoriginalstorytakentoitsmostlogicalscenarios,butwithafewlibertiestothelegend.NeitherPolluxorTheseusactuallykilledeachother.AbitofcharactergoesintoParisthistimetomakehimmoreworthyanddeservingofHelen'shand.Helenisestablishedasawomanlookingforlovethantheideashewastheunworthyvictimofawarcreatedoutofherfault.Thisisdefinitelytoldasalovestoryandthemovingscriptkeepsitinterestinginsteadofboggingdownondetails.Tenstarsforthismovie! 4outof9foundthishelpful. 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Permalink 7/10 MuchmoreofahumandramathanTROY dave13-19February2008 UnliketheepicTROY,whichspentmuchtimeandmoneyrecreatingthespectacleoftheTrojanWarwithCGI,theemphasishereisonthepoliticalambitionsandpropheciesleadinguptothestartofthesiegeofTroy.RufusSewellasAgamemnongivesaperformance(asthemanwhowouldconquerTroy)whicheerilyevokesOliverReedathissinisterbest,ashemakesitclearthattheromanceofHelenandPariswasmerelyaconvenientexcusefortheeventsthatfollowed,andthatthewarcameoutofhisownthirstforconquest.SiennaGuilloryisattractiveasHelen,butherroleisrapidlyreducedtothatofabystanderinthegreateventsthatswirledaroundher.Andthefilmmakesclearitslogicaboutthis:howcouldawomanberesponsibleforawarinatimewhenevenprincesseswerechattelsoftheroyalhousestobeauctionedoffinmarriageforpoliticalgain?Asitdealsmoreintimatelywithitscharactersandlooksmorecloselyatsocialpowerstructuresandgenderrolesoftheperiod,thisfilmismuchmoreinterestingasahumandramathantheratheremptyspectacleTROY. 2outof4foundthishelpful. Wasthisreviewhelpful?Signintovote. Permalink RightuptherewiththeTVversionofAtillatheHun! TheVid19May2003 ThishideousTVeventoffersamostlyBritishcastofGreeks,includingablondebimbetteasHelen,wholaunchesathousandCGIships.Itwashardtotellanyoneapartoncetheydonnedtheirhelmetsandexposedonlytheirpoutylips.Helenwasobviouslycastforherassappeal,althoughitmayhavebeenaCGIeffort,too!BewareofBritsbearinggifts! 0outof2foundthishelpful. Wasthisreviewhelpful?Signintovote. Permalink 4/10 Notbad,but... buiger26December2007 Averyambitiousprojectforamade-for-TV-movie,alsoratherwellcraftedImightadd.It'sapityittakessomanylibertieswiththe'official'storyline,theonetoldbyHomerandrecantedforgenerationsthereafter,itwouldhavebeenamuchbettermovieifitwas'historically'(orbettersaid,mythologically)accurate.TheGreekswilldefinitelynotbepleased...Unfortunately,thefilmalsohasfartoomanyflaws,andamongothersIbelieveitisanunderstatementtosaythatAchillesisridiculous...Withsomesmalladjustmentsinthescriptandcasting,thiscouldhavebeenamuchbetterfilm.Inthisway,itisjustbelowaverage. 2outof4foundthishelpful. Wasthisreviewhelpful?Signintovote. Permalink Doesnotcompare ProJury21April2003 ThefirstthingviewersofthisswordandsandalsminiserieswilldoiscomparethisTVproductiontothe1999blockbusterTHEGLADIATOR.ThelastthingtheproducerswanttheaudiencetodowhentheywatchthisproductionistocompareittoTHEGLADIATOR.HELENsuffersfromablandcookiecutterstoryline.Don'texpectmuchcreative,thinkingoutsidethebox,writinghere. 1outof3foundthishelpful. Wasthisreviewhelpful?Signintovote. Permalink AnenjoyablechangefromtheusualTVfare.WatchoutfortheexpandedseriesonDVD. emuir-123April2003 IlovedtheGreekmythswhenIwaslearningaboutthematschool,andthisseriesbroughtbackalotofhappymemories.AnumberofreviewershavepannedthisTVminiseriesasjustawful.OnthecontraryIapplaudthecourageofthefilmmakersfortacklingsomethingotherthancopshowsandmeanstreets.Youcangetallthesevensins,sex,violenceandbloodlustyouwantintheGreektragedies.OnewonderswhattheancientGreekswouldhaveservedupifthey'dhadTV?Thebattlescenesweregood-watchinghunksinleatherarmorfightingtothedeathisbetterthanMondaynightwrestlinganyday.IenjoyedtheweavingoftheGreekmythsandtragediesintothestory.MyonlyproblemwasthattheactressplayingHelensimplywasnotuptothepart,eitherphysicallyortalentwise.ItmighthavebeenbetteriftheyhadneveractuallyshownHelen,thewaytheyusedtodepictChristinthemoviesatonetime.Alltheactorswereconvincingtome,especiallytheunfortunateCassandra(whowasfarmoreattractivethanHelen)althoughsomeofthemdidnotplaytheircharactersthewayIhadalwaysimaginedthemtobe,butthatisnotsurprising,everyoneformstheirownimagewhenreadingbooksandplays.IwouldhaveenjoyedseeingmoreoftheGods,whoreallyarethemostimportantpartoftheentirestory.Withouttheirmeddling,nothingwouldhavetakenplace.Fourhourswasnotlongenoughtotellthisepictale.Ihavethefeelingthatwewillsoonbegettingan8hourversiononDVD. 0outof2foundthishelpful. Wasthisreviewhelpful?Signintovote. Permalink 1/10 HomermeetsJoeEszterhas! benoit-312September2003 Isawthispieceofcr*plastnightonTV.MyjawdroppedduringascenewhereParisandMenelausbasicallymendtheirwoundstogetherafterafailedduelwhilebitchingaboutAgamemnon.ThisissofarremovedfromthespiritofHomer'scharacters,Icouldhavescreamed!Whatisthis,Ithought?"DaysofourLives"?Iwasequallyappalledbythenumerousuncalled-forscenesoftorture,violence,sadism,gore,nudity,soft-corepornandviolentsexualcontent,noneofwhichareevenremotelypresentorsuggestedinHomer.ThisisGreekmythologyforthetroubled,theuninformed,theblighted,thepoorinspiritandtheignorant.Thisisallthemoretroublingasthismini-serieshasthesamenameasRobertWise'sunqualifiedmasterpiece,whichisrarelyshownnowadaysandprobablyneverwillbeagain,afterthisonegaveitthekissofdeath. 46outof69foundthishelpful. Wasthisreviewhelpful?Signintovote. Permalink 6/10 TVminiseriesisfarinferiortotheWarnerBros.1956RobertWiseepic ccmiller14923January2004 Thismini-serieswasamajordisappointmentanddoesn'tholdacandletothewonderful1956WarnerBros.versiondirectedbyRobertWise.ThesecharactersareveryflatandmiscastwiththeexceptionofAgamemnonandMenelaus.ThistiltstheinterestsolelytotheGreekside.TheonlylaudablebitswerethesequencesofsacrificingIphigeniaandthefinalvengeanceofKlytemnestra.Otherthanthat,givemeJacquesSernas,RossanaPodesta,StanleyBakeretalinthemuchpreferable1956version. 1outof3foundthishelpful. Wasthisreviewhelpful?Signintovote. Permalink Triumphet! staisil221April2003 Thismoviebringsjoyandsorrow,loveandbetrayal,adventureanddramatothescreen.HelenofTroyisoneofthebestmini-seriesoftheyearsofar.Anincrediblejobwasperformedbyall,andtherecreationswerespectacular!8.7outof10. 0outof2foundthishelpful. Wasthisreviewhelpful?Signintovote. Permalink 6/10 ForTV,agoodretellingoftheclassic oshram-322February2005 Warning:Spoilers No,notthemoviewithBradPittslicinghiswaythroughtheTrojans(thoughIlikedthatone),thiswasaminiseriesthatshowedin2003(Ihavenoideaforwhatstation).ThisfilmalsocoverstheeventsintheIliad,andlikeTroy,thisonealsomostlyomitsthegods.Thisparticularretellingofthetenyears'warcentersonParis(MatthewMarsden)andHelen(SiennaGuillory)moresothannormal.ThestorystartswithParis'birthandtheawfulprophecythathewillbringruintoTroy.Thefirsthourandahalfofthethreehourfilm(again,atwo-nightminiseries)introducesallthemaincharacters:Agamemnon(RufusSewell),Menelaus(JamesCallis),Achilles(JoeMontana),Priam(JohnRhys-Davies),butalsofeaturesaniceturnbyStellanSkarsgaardasTheseus,theKingofAthens.Wedon'tevengettothewar,however,untilthebeginningofparttwo,somehalfwaythroughthemovie.It'snearlyimpossiblenottocomparethisTroymovietoitsbigscreencousin,ofcourse,butHelen,whileitcannotpossiblymatchtheotherfilmforgrandeuroracting,stillmanagestopaintaninterestingversionofthetale.Helenhereispresentedassemi-tragicfigure,thoughwithGuillory'scoltishbeautyyoucanbelieveeveryonewouldwanther.MarsdenisalsoreasonablywellcastasParis(andcorrectlyhedieshere,unlikeinTroywherehemanagestoescape),andthetwoofthemhaveacceptablechemistry.RufusSewelldoesn'tquitefillAgamemnon'ssandals,though;he'stoobroody,andwithhislackofcharismait'sdifficulttobelievethathecouldeverunitethekingsofGreece.Rhys-DaviesisstrongasPriam,asonewouldexpect.WhereHelenisreallyletdownisinitssupportingcast.Callisisn'tstrongenoughasMenelaus,andOdysseusandAchillesarebarelythere–andsincebotharemiscast,that'snotsobad.MontanaisbestknownforbeingadopeyEnglishboxeronKeenEddie,andhewasSOgoodthereitcompletelyundercutshisperformancehereasthewrathfulAchilles.ButHelensurprisesinanumberofways.Thoughthevistasaren'tasgrandasthetheatricalTroy,onaTVbudget,thecityofTroyandthewararestillpresentedinsweepingscale.Thefightingislessviolent(andless,period),butthebigduelbetweenMenelausandParisisexceptionallywellstaged.Andthewholelastbitwiththehorseissimplymagnificentlyrealized,notonlyindesignandmusic,butintheentirewayitisshotandpresented.TheaddeddetailofworkerschippingawayatthegatesofTroysothatthehorsewouldfitwasabrillianttouch.HelenofTroyisnotagreatfilm,butitisagoodone.ThosemerelywishingtobecomefamiliarwiththeIliadshouldsticktothebigscreenversion;butHelenprovidesaninterestingcounterpointandsomeaddeddepthtoafewcharacters.I'dprobablyonlyrecommenditforseriousfansofHomer(likeme)orthegenre,though.TheoverallfocusonParisandHelen,whileobviouslyintentional,doesn'tdoservicetothetruescopeoftheIliad. 1outof2foundthishelpful. 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Permalink MyWorstNightmare QueenMakeda8428April2003 IthinkI'veestablishedinothercommentsforothermoviesthatI'magreatfanofGreekmythology.Thestorylineseemedchoppedinhalfinordertoshowviolenceallthedangtime.CallittheTrojanWarthenifyou'regonashowemphasisonviolence,notHelenofTroy.Yousawthetitlecharacterlessthananyoneelseandwerelefttowonderwhytheyallhadtheirheadsstuckupherbutt.Theyshouldhavehadaconvincing"mostbeautifulwomanintheworld".Thechickwhoplayedhersisterandahandfulofextraslookedbetterthanthischick.ThechemistybetweenherandPariswashorriblebecausetherewasnone.YouhadnoideawhytheyweresoinloveotherthanmentioningthatAphroditewasbehinditall.Andwhataboutthegods?TheyplayedaHUGEpartintheTrojanWar.There'sscarcelyamentionofthemexceptthroughanoracle.Also,Cassandradidnotpredictherbrother'spartinTroy'sdownfall,itwasanoracleofApollo.AndNOBODYbelievedthechick,notevenherfather,sothatupsetme.Theydidlockherupthough,soatleastthatwastruetoform.HelenandPariswerebasicallyunderaspellfromAphroditeandthat'swhatheldthemtogether.Notthisamazinglove...itwasplaceduponthem.Guessyouwouldreworkitintoahugethingofpassionatelove.Anywho,onlyRufusdidanyjusticetothefilm.Theothercharactersseemedoverdoneandfake.Achilleswasplayedprettywell,butgivensomehorriblehe-manlines.TheOdysseuscharacterwaswellplayed,butIlikeArmandAssnte'sversionbetter.ThisgreattalewasjustchoppedupformeandIwashighlyupsetbyit.Intheend,youdidn'tunderstandHelenbecauseyouneversawher.Shewasoveradmired,butgivennoclearcutdefinitionasherowncharacter.Shewasandalwayswillbeapawnthough,sotheymadethatclear.Allinall,skipthismovie. 0outof1foundthishelpful. 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Permalink 6/10 HelenofTroy...saysitallaboutHelen steven_torrey15June2015 Ilikedthemovie.ItgivesagoodreviewoftheeventsthatledtotheTrojanwar.QuestionsregardingtheexactnatureofHelenarestilldebatedinscholarlycircles.Wasshemanipulatorofpeopleandevents,oravictimofevents?DidsherunoffwillinglywithParis/Alexanderorwassheabducted?Wassheaflakeorwasshesomesortofüber-woman?SiennaGuiloryplaystoallofthesequestions.Atonemomentawaifandwhenneeded--über-woman;atonemomentavictim,atanotheraperpetrator.Theroleisnotaseasytoplayasonemightthink.ButwhatifsomeonelikeElizabethHurleywascastasHelen?SomeonewithbodysizetogowiththeindomitableandchameleonspiritofHelen?WouldtherebeadifferentsensetothemovieandtoHelenasatheatricalrole?Complaintsaboutfidelitytotheancienttextaredulynoted;likereadingtheCliffnotes,amovieain'tthebestwaytocribfortomorrow'sexamontheIliad.HelenofTroy.Herstoryisonethatgrewovertheyearsandwitheveryaccretionchanged.In'Agamemnon',Aeschylusdoesn'tevenwanttomentionhername,sheisabetrayerofGreece.Euripides'"Helen"mightberegardedasthefirstbastardizedstory-lineoftheoriginalfromtheIliad.TheTrojanHorseisanincidentfromtheOdysseyandtakesveryfewlines;Vergil'sAeneiddiscussestheTrojanHorseinanydetail.SotothinkthevieweriswatchinganinterpretationofHomer'sIliad,betterre-readtheoriginal.TheGreekstorycanbecomplicatedtofollow,especiallyforthemodernviewer.Ithoughttheydidanadmirablejobofgettingthegeneralidea--evenifsomeofthedetailswerelostintranslation. 0outof1foundthishelpful. Wasthisreviewhelpful?Signintovote. Permalink ridiculous jimakros19March2004 Allicansayisthatiwasjustlaughingsohardataboutthehalfwaypointandonlysattowatchtheresttoseewhatelsethisscriptcoulddevise.IfTheILIADhadanythingremotelytodowiththisstory,itwouldnthavelastedtwodaysnot3000years!ButhowisitpossibletocriticizeamoviethathasAchillesasabaldskinheadstraightoutofaMadmaxmovie!IexpectedtoseenexttheMontyPythonsturnaroundthecorner.ButthiswasnotaMontypythonmovieinLifeofTroy(maybeitshouldhavebeen,wewouldgetsomehonestlaughs)soitisjustsocompletelyridiculousthati'mnotgoingtobothertogointoit.IjustdontunderstandwhybotherfilmtheIliadifbasicallywhatyouwanttodoisshowacoupleofguysfighingoveragirl.ToobadforsomenicebattlescenesanddigitizedshipsthatarewelldoneforaTVmini. 0outof1foundthishelpful. Wasthisreviewhelpful?Signintovote. Permalink 2/10 HelenwasaBLONDE?Thatgivesyousomeidea... Asteri-Atypical25April2003 ThefactthattheproducersofthisshowusedaBLONDEasHelenofTroygivesyousomeideaaboutthecareputtowardshistoryanddepthinthisinterpretation.Infact,NOONElookedGreekorTrojan.ShallIevenpointoutitisknownthatTroywaspartofAsiaMinor,whichismoderndayTurkey?HowmanyBLONDEmideasternersdoyoupersonallyknow?Thislackofattentiontohistoricaldetailmadeaskepticofmefromthestart.HoweverIwaswillingtogiveitachance.Overall,Iwouldcallthestory"notbad".Howevercertainlynot"good",either.I'veseenworse.HoweveritseemedlikeaverypedestrianinterpretationofasliceofGreekfolkloreaimedatstrictlylaymanaudiencesandcreatedbythosewhowoulddobetterworkingon"MutantX"or"Buffy".Forthosewhoaren'tdemandingofmuchdepthfromtheirtelevision,goaheadandwatchit.It'sagoodlayman's"Cliff'sNotes"fortheHelenofTroysaga.HoweverthoseinterestedinliteratureandespeciallyforthosewhohaveeverbotheredtoactuallyREADHomer's"Odyssey"or"Iliad"....thendon'tbotherwiththisone.Actually...thepeoplewhowouldbestenjoythisarethosewhotheonly"Homer"theyknowbearsthelastname"Simpson".Hollywood,pleasetryingtomakethecuisineofliteratureinto"McDonald's"fare. 5outof12foundthishelpful. Wasthisreviewhelpful?Signintovote. Permalink 7/10 GoodTV winstonsmith_8419November2003 Iwatchedthewholethingthrough,andenjoyedit.ItismadeforTV,andprobablynotgoingtocomenearthe"Troy"featurefilmwhichisabouttocomeoutin2004/2005.Buthey,thecomputergraphicsandothereffectswereverywelldone,andaesthetically,thisfilmdidverywellforthemade-for-TV-budget.Overall,Ifoundtheactingwassuitablefortheshow,actionwellplaced,andsomeplaingooddramakeptitinteresting.Ithasaniceclimax,andgetsbetterasitgoeson.Sayingthat,Idofeelthestartofthemoviewasnotverystrong,andIwonderedifitwouldgetbetter.Ihavetosayitdidgetbetter,andkeptgettingbetter."HelenofTroy"mademethinkaboutwar,history,andhumanity.So,overall,nottooshabby,andifIhadmadethislittlepieceofTV,I'dbeahappyguy.Nicewellroundedshow,acouplelittleweaknesseshereandthere,butanotherfewmillioncouldoffixeditnoprob.Letsjustsaytheydidwellwithwhattheyhad.ahigh7/10 1outof4foundthishelpful. Wasthisreviewhelpful?Signintovote. Permalink Anenjoyablesprawlingsaga. Cipher-J30January2004 TheGreeks(inparticularfromSparta)wouldlikenothingmorethantosackthecityofTroy,becauseTroycontrolsallshippingintheMediterranean.Helen,thebastarddaughterofTroy,hasbeenmarriedofftooneoftheprincesofSparta,nodoubtinthehopeofanalliance,butwhenPariscomestonegotiateapeace,sherunsawaywithhimbacktoTroy.SpartawasalreadyplottingawaragainstTroy,buttherunningawayofHelengivesthemanadditionalmotive.That,inanutshell,isthesetup,butofcoursethereismoretothestorythanthat.Thisisabroadsweepingromanceofepicproportions,withvastbattlescenes,intrigue,betrayalandlust.Itisreasonablyfaithfultowhatlittleisknownoftheoriginalstory,makingitallseematleastbelievable.Thatperiodofhistoryissocloakedbymythandmysterythattherearefewifanyknownfacts.AcceptedhistoricalanalysisagreesthatSpartawasatthattimeamilitaristicculture,ruthlesslyruledbyitsmostaggressivemales,andthatTroywasaseatofhighculture,championingviewsthatwouldlaterbetakenupbyAthens.Noonedisputesthatafteradecadeofwars,TroywassackedbyaGreekcoalitionundertheleadershipofSpartans.Afterthat,thereremainthemythsofHelenandtheTrojanhorse.Thesemythsmakeforhighdramaandromance,butwedonotknowwhethereitherofthemeverexistedinfact. 0outof1foundthishelpful. 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Permalink Goodminiseries...butnotquite sourapple3March2004 Aspeoplehavementionedintheircomments,itlacksondetails.ParticularlyonhowthemoviemakespeoplesidewiththeTrojansratherthantheGreeks.ThemoviemadetheGreekslooklikestupidwarcrazyidiots,althoughitwasgreathowtheymadeAgamemnonadespicablevillain.Still...detailsdetails!AndParis.WhyisParissuddenlythemoreskillfulwarriorthanHektor?HektorjumpsaroundandendsupstakedtodeathbyAchilles(akaWWFwrestler)justlikethat.Achillesisnotthatdumb,andHektorisagreatwarrior.WherearetheheroicsceneswhichHomergorgeouslycrafted?Wherearethegods?WhydoesHelenlooklikeClaireDanes-MeredithMonroe?WhydoesParislooklikeayoungWarrenBeatty?AndwhygodWHYarethereendlesssceneswithpeople'sasses??(Helen,Agamemnon,Achilles)Thenagain,theworldisnotperfectandthisisjustamadeforTV.SoI'mgivingitabreak.TheonlythingIlikedaboutitisthesetandproductionitself.Oh,andJamesCallis(Meneleus).AndthatguywhoplayedTheseus.Butallinall,it'saprettyfar-fetchedmovie.Foraccuracy,Igiveit4/10.Forentertainment,Igiveit8/10. 0outof1foundthishelpful. 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Permalink 5/10 Averyinterestingtake,butabetterfilmisstillneeded. elcoat23March2019 Warning:Spoilers ThereweresomethingsIlikedverymuchaboutthisfilm,butitisstillnotenough.Theseus-StellenS.-abductingHelen...thentellingher(guiltily?)thathermotherhadcommittedsuicidebecauseshehadbeenraped-nothingaboutZeusposingasaswantoseduceLeda-andthenrefusingtodeflowerher...theinferencebeingthatHelenwasTheseus'daughter.ToavoidaninternecineGreekwaroverher,Odysseussuggestingtheycasttheirringstoseewhowouldgetthiscursedwomanforawife,andMenelaus-wholovesherandiseventuallyherforgivingsalvation-winningher.(ItwouldhavebeenmuchbetterifhistoricallywilyOdysseuswasshowncheatingbyplantingM'sringinthespittoon.)RufusSewellplayedAgamemnonperfectly...desiringbothHelenandsupremeauthorityinGreeceviaasuccessfulwaronandsackofTroy.(Weretheysecretlovers?WasshehisagenttogowithParisandgivetheGreekscasusbelliagainstTroy?Notinthisfilm.)Andhisfaceturningtostonyhorroratwhathehaddone(tohimself),sacrificing-murdering-hisownjoyfullylovingdaughter-atthebehestofapresumablychildlessprophet-toinspirehisaggressorarmyandopenhisroadtowarandsupremepower.TheactorwhoplayedPariswasalsoperfectfortherole,andParis'sreturntotheTrojancourt...overthejustifiedfearsofCassandraandthenHector...waswellplayed.Asothershavesaid,thecentralcharacterinTheIlliadwasAchilles,butinthisfilmitisHelenasawillfulchildatthemercyofherbeautyandherdesireswhoisthecentralcharacter.SiennaGuilloryisaaveryprettyandsexywoman,butinaverymodernway-notatalltheclassicbeautythatactressesRossanaPodestaandDianeKrugerwere/are.AndwasHelenblondeassheisinthe1956,2003,and2004movies?Orwouldan18yearoldactressasbeautifulasMonicaBelluccibemoreaccurate?Menelausputtingheronnudedisplayforhisfellowkingsandnoblesservesanexhibitionist/exploitativepurposeforthefilm'saudience,butitwasinconsistentwithhimwantingherforhimselfandnotwantingtoexcitemurderouscompetition,letaloneaninternalGreekwarforher.Ididn'tlikehowParis'killingofAchilleswashandled.Irememberinthe1956filmhimspectacularlydraggingHector'sbodyaroundthecitywalls,untilPariskilledhimwithanarrowintohisheelfiredfromtheparapets,whichseemedmuchmoreepic.(Thefilm'slittledetailaboutParisbecomingaccuratefiringhisarrowfromahorizontalbowwasratherneat,though.)Agamemnon'srapeofHelenconsummatingtherapeofTroywasconsistent;however,ClytemenaestrasuddenlyappearinginTroytoavengehersister(anddaughter)andkillAgamemnonthere(ratherthanbackinGreece)wasimplausible,evenifheruseofthenettokillhimishistoricallyconsistent.InthefinalethefilmredeemsitselfwithMenelausstillinlovewithHelenandunabletokillher-enduringandacceptinglovetriumphingintheend-andinthatsceneSiennaGuillorydidexcell,sympathetically. 0outof0foundthishelpful. 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