![]() 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. RM 2JK9TG6Armand Assante Film: The Odyssey (1997) Characters: Odysseus Director: Andrei Konchalovsky WARNING This Photograph is for editorial. Odysseus is worried that he may not return, and tells Penelope that she should remarry by the time Telemachus is a man if he does not return. You'll have trouble getting into the text if you think you know what's coming next. Odysseus (Armand Assante), the king of the ancient Greek kingdom of Ithaca, is called to service in the Trojan War after the birth of his son Telemachus, much to the dismay of his wife Queen Penelope (Greta Scacchi). 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. Odysseus (Armand Assante)has fought the Trojan war for many years, and after the Gods helped him (Courtesy of The Trojan Horse), he decides not to give thanks. The net effect is of the story told entirely from Odysseus' viewpoint, while keeping an eye on events back at his palace in Ithaca. 'The Odyssey' is an excellent adaptation of Homers classic epic in which show the journey of Odysseus, who is trying to get home after the battle of Troy. 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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