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The Odyssey (1997) (TV)
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Overview
User Rating:
Release Date:
18 May 1997 (USA) morePlot:
This lavish small-screen adaptation of Homer's ancient epic--replete with exotic Maltese and Turkish locations... more | add synopsisAwards:
Nominated for 2 Golden Globes. Another 2 wins & 8 nominations moreNewsDesk:
(27 articles)
In My Opinion: The Top Ten Coen Bros. Films (From Rope Of Silicon. 30 September 2009, 1:49 AM, PDT)
Clip for arthouse adaptation of Homer's Odyssey Penelope (Penelopa)
(From QuietEarth. 8 September 2009, 10:52 PM, PDT)
User Comments:
Worth seeing as a companion to Homer's book/poem. more (57 total)Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| Armand Assante | ... | Odysseus | |
| Greta Scacchi | ... | Penelope | |
| Isabella Rossellini | ... | Athena | |
| Bernadette Peters | ... | Circe | |
| Eric Roberts | ... | Eurymachus | |
| Irene Papas | ... | Anticleia | |
| Jeroen Krabbé | ... | King Alcinous (as Jeroen Krabbe) | |
| Geraldine Chaplin | ... | Eurycleia | |
| Christopher Lee | ... | Tiresias | |
| Vanessa Williams | ... | Calypso | |
| Nicholas Clay | ... | Menelaus | |
| Adoni Anastassopoulos | ... | Perimedes (as Adoni Anastasse) | |
| Paloma Baeza | ... | Melanthe | |
| Ron Cook | ... | Eurybates | |
| Reid Asato | ... | Cyclops |
Additional Details
Also Known As:
Die Abenteuer des Odysseus (Germany)Homer's Odyssey
L'odissea (Italy)
Odysseia (Greece)
more
MPAA:
Rated PG-13 for violent sequences and some sensuality.Parents Guide:
Add content advisory for parentsRuntime:
176 min (2 parts)Language:
EnglishColor:
ColorAspect Ratio:
1.33 : 1 moreSound Mix:
StereoCertification:
Netherlands:12 | Canada:14 (Nova Scotia) | Canada:G (Quebec) | Germany:12 | Spain:13 | UK:12 (video rating) | USA:PG-13 | Canada:PG (Manitoba) | Singapore:PGFun Stuff
Goofs:
Revealing mistakes: After Achilles dies, he is laid on the pyre. However when we zoom in on his body, he is still breathing. moreQuotes:
Cyclops: What is it?Odysseus: It's wine, that's the drink of the gods. Here. Try.
Cyclops: I like it. Another. What is your name?
Odysseus: My name?
Polites: He is the lord of
[is silenced before he can reveal Odysseus's identity]
Odysseus: My name is Nobody. No body.
Cyclops: Alright Nobody, in the morning you will tell me more secrets after I eat.
more
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This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (57 total)
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I thoroughly enjoyed the book of the epic, which I read recently, and was pleasantly surprised to find this on video.
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). 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. I even 'recognised' places before they were mentioned by name. Kudos to the production team.
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. The net effect is of the story told entirely from Odysseus' viewpoint, while keeping an eye on events back at his palace in Ithaca.
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. Of the entire cast I only found Telemachus to be somewhat whiney & annoying, but you manage. Casting is generally very good (especially Calypso - wow).
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. 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.
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). If you're thinking of watching this instead of reading The Odyssey - please don't. You'll have trouble getting into the text if you think you know what's coming next.
And for the cast & crew of this film - well done. I wish there were a bit more ambition amongst TV and film companies these days.