After reading the Trojan War as depicted in the Iliad and the Odyssey by Homer, I was curious to see how the blockbuster movie Troy compared to the original story. While the movie itself was a fine example and didn’t stray too far from the original texts, as best as any movie could, it still changed some of the original. This could possibly for entertainment purposes or for lack of time, but for whatever reason, I still think it is very well put together.
As told in the story of the Trojan War, there was a great battle between the Trojans and the Spartans. The creation of the Trojan horse was indeed included as portrayed in the story. In addition, the fact that Paris did kill the powerful and seemingly indestructible Achilles was true. This same Paris was also involved with Helen.
Also, the people’s beliefs in the gods and in symbols within nature were very much important throughout the text and it is a factor in a movie as well. The characters in the movie did believe the gods brought them good or ill.
All of these factors were true according to the story told by Homer, however, there are enough differences to be noticeable. For example, the movie’s war lasted only weeks, where as the Trojan War in the text was at least ten years.
Another example of differences includes how the war actually started. In the film, it is romantically portrayed as Paris’ kidnapping of Helen to be what sparked the war. In the text, Paris was given Helen in a Judgment. Paris was also previously married before this whole event and left his wife for Helen. While in the film, Paris’ father and brother mention his more cavalier love life in brief; his previous marriage is never mentioned.
The movie is most markedly missing some main characters like Diomendes. There is also a grave lack of the gods and their intervention. While they are worshipped and remarked upon, the original text had them participating more in throughout the ordeal.
One of the biggest changes is the death of people as compared to the film from the text. For example, Menelaus is killed in the movie by Hector and in the end Helen flees with Paris. In the text, it is Menelaus survives the war and returns with Helen. They actually live a long and healthy life together.
Not so lucky is Agamemnon. He’s killed in the movie by Briseis, which never happens. He instead does go home, but is killed by his own wife. This drastic change was very surprising to me, suitable for a Hollywood movie no doubt but a major alteration from the text.
One of the biggest differences came from the Trojan Horse and the famous fighter Achilles. In the movie, Achilles was still around for the Trojan Horse to enter the city and is later killed by Paris. This part is sort of reversed in the text. Achilles is killed before the Trojan Horse entered Troy and while Paris does kill Achilles, it is by an arrow guided by Apollo the sun god. The Trojan Horse itself was so big; they had to take apart the walls of Troy to fit it inside.
For the movie, there is a feel that the research has been done. The places, people and the entire look of the set was actually nearly accurate, as well as anyone could have thought it to be. Actually seeing the text coming to life in this form is thrilling.
For entertainment purposes, a lot of the information was rearranged and romanticized. These ideas are pretty obvious that for its purpose the producers were looking to attract viewers rather than telling a true story. The piece is highly enjoyable, even if a little distracting for anyone who has actually read the original texts.
In all, the movie proves to be a delightful and entertaining piece that captures the essence of the story of the Trojan War. Like most book movie combinations, however, the viewer benefits greater when they actually read the original.
