Also, the references to more modern tools and communities remind us that this is a work from a different time. This is reflected in Odysseus’ struggle against Penelope’s suitors. It was a period when aristocrats were growing too powerful to be controlled by kings. The political and social structures depicted in the epics closely resemble those of Homer’s time. At the time of writing, Greece was transitioning from the Bronze Age into the Early Iron Age. Of course, some inaccuracies did slip through. Except for the fantastical flourishes, the poems were believed to be a fairly accurate depiction of the era. It was held that this was when gods still regularly visited Earth, and incredible heroes walked amongst men. Despite being written circa 8 th century BCE, the events described actually take place around the 12 th century BCE. Homecoming, hospitality, loyalty, and cunningĮven all this time later, much debate still surrounds Homer, The Iliad, and The Odyssey. At 12,109 lines, The Odyssey is only about 560 pages long and contains roughly 134,000 words. The Odyssey and The Iliad are both divided into 24 books. (Violence, adult situations.In or around Ancient Greece: primarily the Aegean Sea (part of the Mediterranean) and the island of Ithaca. There are superior special effects and enough plot incidents to stoke aĭozen adventure movies, but what good is an epic without epic vision? Contributing to the unwieldy feel of the project is an international cast that sports numerous accents but only two histrionic styles: those playing mortals take their cue from pompous ham Assante, intoning their dialogue inĬultured cadences, while the gods are played like grinning, sexed-up Greek gremlins suffering from bouts of eyebrow arching. Otherwise, it completely lacks a sense of the beauty of Homer's language and storytelling. Sententious, the film boasts only one satisfying cinematic segment: the climactic entrapment and destruction of Penelope's suitors. All the Homerian set-pieces are trotted out, but there isn't one truly suspenseful sequence or emotionally riveting moment in the whole exercise. Sumptuously photographed but simple-minded, THE ODYSSEY plays like a "Classics Ilustrated" adaptation of the original work. The lay-abouts, Odysseus resumes his reign as King of Ithaca. With the cooperation of Telemachus (with whom he's reunited), Odysseus tricks Penelope's suitors into a contest of archery skill. With the help of Athena, Odysseus finally returns home in disguise. Sole survivor Odysseus then becomes the lover of Calypso (Vanessa Williams). After visiting the prophet Tiresias (Christopher Lee) in Hades, Odysseus and his crew must brave the gaping jaws of the monsters Scylla andĬharybdis. Although this temptress transforms Odysseus' men into animals, Odysseus breaks her spell and lingers five years in her seductive company. Assuming the bag contains gold, Odysseus' greedy sailors open it, unleashing gusts which propel them to the isle of Circe Pollard) helpfully seals up Poseidon's ill winds in a bag.
Back in Ithaca, other suitors pressure Penelope to give up her vigil for her husband.įollowing an adventure in which Odysseus blinds a Cyclops planning to eat his men, the god Aeolus (Michael J.
Odysseus to roam the seas, unable to return home. His plan succeeds, but boastful Odysseus fails to give sufficient thanks to the god Poseidon for his help. Resolves to end the 10-year impasse by duping his enemy with a large wooden horse from which his troops can storm the city, once inside the gates. Prodded into action by the goddess Athena (Isabella Rossellini), Odysseus Soon after the birth of his son Telemachus (Alan Stenson), Ithaca's King Odysseus (Armand Assante) leaves his wife Penelope (Greta Scacchi) and mother Anticleia (Irene Pappas) to join a losing war against the Trojans. Another lavishly produced, all-star, TV-movie emasculation of great literature from the creators of the even more bloated GULLIVER'S TRAVELS (1996), THE ODYSSEY is a thoroughly sanitized version of Homer's classic.
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