Helen of Troy
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Movie Reviews of Helen of Troy
Movie Review: "Helen" not so bad
Summary: 4 Stars
I actually enjoyed this TV version of the fated story...it was not the epic that "Troy" is, with the multi-million dollar scenery and costumes--not to mention Brad Pitt--but the storyline was much more Homer...plus I feel that the actors were more into their characters and not so "Hollywood." (It's kind of hard to see Brad Pitt as Achilles, b/c he's Brad Pitt, even if he is a great actor)...I saw this on TV and fell in love with it...I really liked the way Agamemnon and Helen's relationship was portrayed, even if it isn't accurate...Helen is portrayed as much more childlike and naive, but she was only a child, a beautiful, pawned child...Agamemnon is seen as teetering on the brink of madness throughout the entire movie, as he probably was...the fight scenes were nothing to write home about and neither were several of the performances, but they had Cassandra and her foretellings, Agamemnon sacrificing his daughter in order to sail for Troy, Agamemnon being killed by Clytemnestra (even if it was in Troy), the pre-story of Paris and the fate of Troy, Pollux (but no Castor), and the fact that Helen was a Spartan (not through marriage to Menalaus but by birth--Menelaus inherited Sparta by marrying Helen)...in all, this movie is worth watching, if only for another take on the classic story.Movie Review: Kinda Jumbled but...
Summary: 4 Stars
ONLY 4 stars because there were a few holes. Helen was missing a sibling. Clymenestra and Agamemnon were a few kids short and WHAT was that with Theseus????The liberties taken with Helen of Troy can be written off due to time constraints and the huge undertaking of such an epic tale. You can excuse the way the Judgement of Paris was portrayed, the fate of Theseus and Pollus as well as the fate of Agamemnon simply because it was such an unbelievably BEAUTIFUL retelling.
The sets are beautiful. The costumes are beautiful. The actors are beautiful. (Even though I knew Rufus Sewell was a really bad guy, I couldn't help thinking..."he's so beautiful!" *sigh* )
I've been intrigued by Greek Mythology since the age of 9. The first book I remember checking out from the local library as a child was "D'aulaire's Book of Greek Myths". I've been hooked ever since. Nearly 20 years later, HELEN OF TROY was the first look at the Trojan War that held my interest.
I could watch this movie over and over, and I fully recommend it to anyone interested in seeing a beautifully made beautiful movie...that took a few liberties with centuries old legends. all that said...I REALLY ACTUALLY LIKED THE MOVIE!!!!
Movie Review: Recommend You See
Summary: 4 Stars
"Helen of Troy," a four-hour series first shown on the USA Network, begins with the familiar story of Paris' birth as a Trojan prince. A prophecy says he will doom Troy. He is abandoned to die, but is rescued by a shepherd, who raises him as his own son. One day, Paris is confronted by three goddesses, who ask him to choose the fairest among them. They each try to bribe him. Aphrodite wins by showing him a glimpse of Helen (the most beautiful woman in the world), who sees Paris in turn, and the two fall in love at first sight. The story progresses from there to the Trojan War and its well-known conclusion.The "fictional dream" is marred by modern hairstyles and other misplaced elements, but the story as a whole is compelling. Of course, its themes are universal and timeless. For example, Agamemnon uses pretense to justify war with Troy (sound familiar?) - he wants Troy's wealth, not Helen. Rufus Sewell gives a strong performance as Agamemnon. Sienna Guillory and Matthew Marsden are fine as Helen and Paris.
Whatever shortcomings "Helen of Troy" may have are easily forgiven. It was a pleasure to see this retelling of the classic tale.
Movie Review: The face that launched 1000 ships
Summary: 4 Stars
I've read The Iliad and I really love that book. It's a classic. This movie is based on that book and a few other myths surrounding The siege of Troy and it's eventual sacking. This goes beyond the movie Troy and tells Helen's story. Helen in this film is seen to be stronger than in her other portrayals and a woman who just can't seem to catch a break. They also go a bit into Paris' back story and actually do both stories justice. They even bothered to tell how the Trojan War came about even before it started with the oath taken by the leaders of the Greeks.
The siege and sack of Troy are done very nicely in this movie without being too bloody, too long, or too anything else. The ending is also pretty satisfying because I don't believe any other movie ends like it does. It wasn't 100% correct, but still different.
This was another made for TV movie that does its job very well. The cast and crew took their time and it paid off.
Movie Review: Captures the Greek idea of lust
Summary: 4 Stars
The acting in this movie (I did not get the chance to watch the miniseries) ranges from the very believable (Menelaus, Priam) to the ridiculous (Helen). And, of course, anyone who is looking for a faithful reproduction of the Iliad need look elsewhere.Nonetheless, I highly recommend this movie because (despite the ending which was obviously meant to appeal to our own, modern age) Helen of Troy captures the Greek concept of love and lust better than I have yet seen done in any other production.
The Greeks did not think that sexual passion was a harmless passtime. To them sexual passion was a destructive natural force that, if indulged in to excess, could destroy worlds. In this case, it destroyed Troy and all but destroyed Mycenea.
And that is why all feel dishonored in the end; for the ability to control one's appetite is the sign of a truly virtuous man--and none of the men in this movie can be so described.