CommentsXp Best movie ever!

Beystiman It's fun, it's light, [but] it has a hard time when its tries to get heavy.

Merolliv I really wanted to like this movie. I feel terribly cynical trashing it, and that's why I'm giving it a middling 5. Actually, I'm giving it a 5 because there were some superb performances.

Bea Swanson This film is so real. It treats its characters with so much care and sensitivity.

SnoopyStyle King Priam has a son Paris born to him. Cassandra prophecies that he would cause the end of Troy. The King leaves him on Mount Ida to die but he is found and raised by shepherd Agelaus. As an adult, he is asked to judge the beauty of Hera, Athena and Aphrodite. He chooses Aphrodite and she awards him the love of Helen of Sparta. Mycenaean King Agamemnon is also taken with Helen. Helen is kidnapped by Athenians Theseus and Pirithous. Her brother Pollux rescues her but is killed in the process. Helen's father Tyndareus, King of Sparta, blames her for his favorite son's death and decides to marry his cursed daughter off. The suitors swear an oath to unite for war against any who goes against the eventual husband's claim.It's a functional production considering the lower budget than a theatrical movie. It's well made for a TV miniseries. The longer running time also allows the story to have more complexity. There are some compelling actors here. Sienna Guillory is a competent actress although the role of Helen of Troy is a tall order as the most beautiful woman in the world. The battle of Troy has competent CGI. It's as big as can be expected under the circumstances.

carmaPMAHC Helen of Troy, just one of the many tireless adaptations of the Iliad. Unfortunately, movie writers decided to put a fancy Hollywood twist and Dada…this is the result. Having read the Iliad, you will be very disappointed by the fact that the producers seem to keep only the names of the characters from the original story. I never wanted to be cynical about the movie but as a lover of Greek Literature since Elementary the movie left a bad taste in the mouth. It was a good Hollywood movie, yes but as an adaptation to the Iliad? It's way below the scales. Another bad point is that the movie, exactly 175 minute long is cut. Yes, cut and horrifyingly done at the most important events. Students who have to do the review have to surf the net or else dig out the pirated DVD movies available in Mangagoy.Let me describe it as cheerfully as I can. Have you ever tried watching those after-news soap opera's? Well, that's exactly how the story was told. Like a soap opera. Most of the important characters in the story were turned to extras and the unimportant ones took on major roles. What happened to the two heroes of mythical proportions, Hector and Achilles? One is an arrogant teenager (in mentality) who couldn't hurt even a fly and the other one seems Vin Diesel or Kurt Angle the wrestler. What happened to the fact that Paris was only good as an archer? What happened to the honor, the heroism? Where is Pollux' twin Castor? Both saved Helen when she was kidnapped. I didn't know that Agamemnon took a liking to Helen, and that rape scene. How disgusting, immature and perverted can they be? The worst and most obvious was the ransom of Hector's body. Originally it was between Priam and Achilles but since the movie was Helen of Troy, who else would be the star and be on the spotlight but Helen herself and her rapist Agamemnon? It was supposed to be an outstanding scene; they turned it into a failure. Let's not get started about the war scenes…they used barbed wires in the background (They existed in the past???) On the bright side, students liked the movie. They cherished Cassandra's line; "Kill him! Kill him!" It stood the test of time and lasted up to the socialization. Oh, and they thought Helen was a flirt and her face could only launch a 100 ships, if people would bother! Paris, the ever handsome Paris. One flaw, though, he's got scoliosis. People have to love Agamemnon's eyes, cold and wicked, a sex maniac as students opt to say. The musical scoring was good; a woman singing in the background was quite eerie. Overall, the movie was good enough. Be warned though, don't read the Iliad or anything relating to it before and after watching the movie. You'll be thoroughly disappointed.

my_suicide_doll The film Helen of Troy, produced by Ted Kurdyla, is a tragic movie inspired by one of the greatest epic stories of all time, Homer's The Iliad. Released in 2003, the 2 hours and 57 minute film depicts the legendary battle between the Greeks and the Trojans over love, wealth and honor. It all began when the most beautiful woman in the world, Helen, fell in love with Paris the son of King Priam of Troy. Though married to King Menelaus of Sparta, she left him and went with Paris to Troy. Grieved by the departure of Helen, he asked help from his brother Agamemnon who led the Spartan army to attack Troy. For 10 years the Greeks and the Trojans battled. Wearied by the battle, the Greeks decided to make a gigantic wooden horse to enter the city and defeated the Trojans, thus ended the war. Menelaus narrates the story as he reminisces the events that took place. It was very effective because he was a witness to both Agamemnon's intent to sack Troy's city and Helen's love for Paris. If someone else told the story, chances are, it will be one-sided. Like, if it was Helen, it would probably be focused on her love story. Or, if it was Agamemnon, it will be about the gory encounter with the Trojans.John Kent Harrison, the director of Helen of Troy, was able to bring into life The Iliad. The actors and actresses gave justice to the roles they played. Although there were scenes where it was very obvious that the background was only a painting, the movie redeemed itself with the help of its lighting, sound effects, and script. These elements contributed to the effectiveness of the production because the audience felt that they were part and parcel of the whole. For this and its historical value, it deserves 5 stars.

lessirk_11 English IV 38 Aug. 12, 2005 Krissel Tolentino IV-3From Homer to Me and You"Helen of Troy", a three-hour movie, produced by Adam Shapiro and Ted Kurdyla. It was based on the classic "Iliad", written centuries ago, yet was just released two years ago, year 2003. This clearly states how the far they were apart. It's a proof of how Homer's "Iliad" crossed time and still made its effect, a true definition of a classic literature.The "Iliad" started with the judgment of Paris. He made a choice out of the three goddesses and had Helen, as an offering. Their being together initiated the war between the Trojans and the Greeks and taking sides of the gods and goddesses. Agamemnon, the High King of Mycenae, ruled over the Greeks while King Priam and his sons ruled over Troy. Both sides' fate depended on the gods. War caused deaths and ruined lives of many. The war went on for 10 years until Odysseus thought of using a wooden horse to enter Troy's gates, which was said to be made of gold. This caught the Trojans by surprise. Every man died, leaving the women and children to be taken away with the Greeks. They wept and mourned while departing from the burning Troy.The plot was well developed. They interpreted in a realistic way and at the same time, being faithful to the text. A lot of themes can be reflected in the story. Examples are: the insignificance of women; power over greater power; powerful over powerless; and many more. The story was told in a man's perspective, Menelaus. He was a Greek leader and from whom Helen was taken from. I guess it would have been better if it was from a woman's point of view. A good one would be from Helen's point of view. Many people didn't like her because of her "selfish" acts. Giving her side of the story, would probably clear her name or better yet, side with her. Among all the characters, King Priam was my favorite. I admire how he made wise decisions and accepted Helen as a Trojan. He knew that by accepting Helen would mean war yet he understood that it Paris loved her and rejecting her wouldn't instantly stop the war. He portrayed the qualities of an ideal person; one who knows how to make decisions and one who keeps his word.The screenplay was amazing. The actors and actresses did well in representing each uniquely ancient character. The superb acting was, of course, combined excellent lighting and sound effects. Though the story was antique, the script made its way to every viewer's heart and soul. All these wouldn't be possible without the director, Ronni Kern. I am sure he is one proud guy for this. The movie could be given an Emmy's award. It is so remarkable for an old story to be interpreted in way that anybody could understand. They also somehow passed to us Homer's feelings for writing the "Iliad". For the movie "Helen of Troy", I am rating it with four out of five. It was a great movie but I think, it could still be improved…or another interpretation could be better. For every experience, there's a lesson or thought to be learned. With that: for every movie, there's a way of letting that thought get through the viewer's deeper understanding.