Troy (2004)

Featured Audience Ratings

• xGary X

  
  Based on Homer's The Iliad, one of the most famous tale's ever told, Troy has all the usual Hollywood epic ingredients; an American hero with bulging biceps sporting an odd accent, a supporting cast of British character actors who routinely show him up (especially Peter… More
  Based on Homer's The Iliad, one of the most famous tale's ever told, Troy has all the usual Hollywood epic ingredients; an American hero with bulging biceps sporting an odd accent, a supporting cast of British character actors who routinely show him up (especially Peter O'Toole who brings some real humanity to his somewhat underwritten role) and a soundtrack of the usual faux-folk warbling and penny whistles that seem to mean "ye olden days" to US audiences. Brian Cox is actually pretty good fun as the megalomaniacal king and Orlando Bloom's fresh faced vulnerability that I find usually compromises him in leading roles actually works to his advantage here. To be honest, all the characters are really just stereotypical "heroes" with little insight or depth but it has a sense of spectacle that reminded me of the similar old school historical adventures that pleasantly pass rainy Sunday afternoons. The fact is your enjoyment of this film is entirely dependent on whether or not you can swallow Brad Pitt as an ancient Greek hero and I have to say as ridiculous a casting choice it was, he does bring a hell of a lot of presence to the screen. It's no Gladiator, but compared to dim-witted trash like Clash Of The Titans it's a masterpiece.

• Brad W

  
  Troy is loved by the public, and I respect that, but as a film lover I did not find it as entertaining as everyone else. The storyline was boring in my opinion and easily forgettable. The cast was a bunch of actors girls can sweat for and thats pretty much it. The action scenes are… More
  Troy is loved by the public, and I respect that, but as a film lover I did not find it as entertaining as everyone else. The storyline was boring in my opinion and easily forgettable. The cast was a bunch of actors girls can sweat for and thats pretty much it. The action scenes are great, i will admit that, much just action doesn't make a good film. Troy can be loved by everyone for all I care, I just did not like it very much.

• moon r

  
  Oklahoman Brad Pitt as Greek war hero? I didn't want to believe it, but given the medium he does quite well in this famous story done Hollywood style. O'Toole adds gravitas, Bana com-Pitt-tition (muscle for muscle), Cox is nicely disagreeable, Gleeson unrecognizable under… More
  Oklahoman Brad Pitt as Greek war hero? I didn't want to believe it, but given the medium he does quite well in this famous story done Hollywood style. O'Toole adds gravitas, Bana com-Pitt-tition (muscle for muscle), Cox is nicely disagreeable, Gleeson unrecognizable under a beard, and a splendid time is guaranteed for all. For once, too, I did not need my Cliff Notes to know how it would end.

• Unknown H

  
  One word - long. Now I know I am a chick so movies like this aren't specifically made for me, but really did it HAVE to be THAT long? Nevertheless, it was a pretty good movie, even if it did take me a million attempts to watch.

• Jens S

  
  This movie has been treated rather unfairly by people comparing it to the story of Homer's Iliad and / or reducing it to the attractive pieces of men flesh inhabiting this epic. It has so much more to offer, despite of the possible historical inaccuracies. There is some great… More
  This movie has been treated rather unfairly by people comparing it to the story of Homer's Iliad and / or reducing it to the attractive pieces of men flesh inhabiting this epic. It has so much more to offer, despite of the possible historical inaccuracies. There is some great acting, Bana, O'Toole and Bean stand out in an all around fantastic cast. There are great dialoges that have a lot of true things to say about war, universally true over all ages. There is great cinematography, art work and design, the movie is extremely gorgeous to look at, the Trojan horse turned out particularly pretty. The epic battles are really impressive and the one on one fights very nicely choreographed. The 30 minutes longer director's cut offers even more of everything: more blood, nudity, character development and especially blood. Nothing for the faint-hearted and maybe a bit too long but just as satisfying and impressing as the cinematic release. Epic Hollywood movie making at its best.

• Eric A

  
  Along with Wedding Crashers, this is my favorite movie and probably will be for many years to come. The scores on RT don't do this movie any justice, and I wouldn't go by them at all; I usually agree with RT, but not here. The drama, the fighting scenes, everything in the… More
  Along with Wedding Crashers, this is my favorite movie and probably will be for many years to come. The scores on RT don't do this movie any justice, and I wouldn't go by them at all; I usually agree with RT, but not here. The drama, the fighting scenes, everything in the movie is very real and very good.

• Phil H

  
  Homer's The Iliad is the basis of this film and wether or not the actual Trojan War took place or not this film actually does the story/fable much justice with its glorious and lavish looks. For me the mystery behind this ancient Greek plot is all the more intriguing and boosts… More
  Homer's The Iliad is the basis of this film and wether or not the actual Trojan War took place or not this film actually does the story/fable much justice with its glorious and lavish looks. For me the mystery behind this ancient Greek plot is all the more intriguing and boosts my favour for the film, from what I see and have read Petersen's film is quite accurate to what we know of the event, everything seems to play out as it should and there doesn't appear to be much Hollywood tomfoolery going on with the details, well not too much. One Slight argument could be raised about a minor detail, Achilles relationship to Patroclus is not known for sure where as here they are cousins. As for some other bigger issues...King Agamemnon wasn't killed in Troy but returned to Greece, Paris did actually die in Troy during the war and Helen of Troy may was suppose to have been taken back to Sparta, so alittle artistic license used it seems but not too bad, why it was done that way I don't know. As for the film...well it looks gorgeous, the location work really sets this up beautifully as everything looks a soft sandy golden colour against the piercing blue Aegean Sea although not actually filmed against the Aegean Sea. The Walls of Troy are powerful and impressive looking as the Greeks attack them throughout, the battles are huge with vast channels of warriors facing off against the city walls and each other, some excellent battle sequences I assure you. The scope of the battles is probably the best aspect of the film really, allot of historical films have good battles in them these days but you really get a sense of size here plus its all in broad daylight so its gotta look sharp. The look, the costumes, the sets and the battles can't be faulted but unfortunately one thing lets all this down badly and that's the casting, pretty much every member of the cast is a bad choice and doesn't fit the bill atall, harsh but true. Brian Cox as Agamemnon is far too much of a villain in the film and practically hams it up..you'd think he was in the next ''Die Hard' flick! Gleeson looks the part but his Irish-ness keeps coming through...he's in the wrong time period and army and Pitt simply can't act too well I'm afraid, always his major downfall and he looks too buff and pretty for the part really which takes away a sense of realism. Bana really puts in a poor show here for some reason, I just didn't feel the power he should have, the emotion just wasn't there plus his Aussie accent kept creeping in, the same for Bean with his Yorkshire accent which isn't covered atall!! so you have King Odysseus with a Sheffield/Yorkshire accent for Christ's sake! Then you have the very weak talented Bloom who somehow manages to keep getting cast in big films, yes he looks perfect for this role but he simply can't handle the weight of this type of epic film. Lastly we have the mighty Peter O' Toole who again like other cast members just doesn't seem to have the power or weight needed for the role, he came across as tired and almost reluctant to embrace the role, a stunning actor for sure but he didn't seem right here. Its a damn fine film to take on Homers ancient poem but I just wish Petersen had used a cast that wasn't simply chosen for their big name status at the time, I would of thought he had more sense than that and as a result he lets down this film which could of been truly epic in every aspect.

• Lewis C

  
  (This is a review of the Director's Cut of Troy, which is significantly longer, more brutal, and better overall than the theatrical version. There's more time for character development and the battles are much more intense. It's definitely the version to watch.) Troy… More
  (This is a review of the Director's Cut of Troy, which is significantly longer, more brutal, and better overall than the theatrical version. There's more time for character development and the battles are much more intense. It's definitely the version to watch.) Troy plays fast and loose with history and Greek Mythology, but it ends up being a pretty entertaining movie, as a result. And really, isn't that the point? Yes, Brad Pitt as Achilles and Orlando Bloom as Paris are direct and blatant ploys to get butts in theater seats, but they're certainly not bad. The hodgepodge of accents can be a distraction, but the cast is likable (Sean Bean as Odysseus was a favorite of mine) and there are equal parts drama and epic battles to keep a wide audience satisfied. Lots of blood, noble, lusty heroes, beautiful women, and a pretty spectacular take on the ultimate fall of Troy. This movie doesn't quite reach the heights of the best movies in the genre, but it mostly achieves what it sets out to do: put a fresh take on one of the oldest and most famous stories of war.

• Dead A

  
  No wonder why I hate historical type of movies -_- Boring.

• Jennifer D

  
  Torn torn torn... 1) I LOVE me some Orlando Bloom. 2) I don't love me some Brad Pitt. Especially in war-period. That's really not what he is good at. 3) I thought it was fairly accurate to parts of the Iliad. 4) Holy hell, Diane Kruger is pretty. 5) I LOVE me some Orlando… More
  Torn torn torn... 1) I LOVE me some Orlando Bloom. 2) I don't love me some Brad Pitt. Especially in war-period. That's really not what he is good at. 3) I thought it was fairly accurate to parts of the Iliad. 4) Holy hell, Diane Kruger is pretty. 5) I LOVE me some Orlando Bloom. Okay, and I really liked the CGI (and that is a rare comment from me indeed) and the fight scene between Hector and Achilles was AWESOME. Great choreography. 4 stars is a toughie rating for me. I might change it later upon review.

• Manu G

  
  This is without a doubt a great great movie which I cannot stop watching it rocks! I cannot have putted a better Achilles like they put Brad Pitt, it's like he was born for this role. Diane Kruger just beautiful! As the story opens, 3,500 years ago, civilisations are being… More
  This is without a doubt a great great movie which I cannot stop watching it rocks! I cannot have putted a better Achilles like they put Brad Pitt, it's like he was born for this role. Diane Kruger just beautiful! As the story opens, 3,500 years ago, civilisations are being built, wars fought, alliances forged, across the cradle of the West. Legendary Greek warrior Achilles (Brad Pitt) fights with, but not for King Agamemnon's (Brian Cox) army. Half God, Achilles is faster, stronger, and more deadly than any man, as he shows defeating the giant Boagrius (Nathan Jones) in single combat, thereby binding Thessaly into Agammnon's growing nation. This establishes one wing of Homer's complex plot: Both Achilles and Agamemnon have their eye on immortality, of the kind that will see their names on our lips thousands of years hence. As King of Troy Priam (Peter O'Toole) seems to have begun a negotiated peace with King Menelaus of Sparta (Brendan Gleeson) and perhaps larger Greece, his son Prince Paris (Orlando Bloom) has become infatuated with Menelaus's the beautiful wife Helen (Diane Kruger). News that Trojan Paris has stolen away Spartan Helen unites all the Greek armies under Mycenaen Agamemnon. Thus, with a dispute between two men, begins the conflict of nations: The Trojan War. A total of 50,000 soldiers set sail to Troy in a thousand ships, and soon the walls of Troy, invincible to all previous invading armies will test this new alliance. The battle begins with Achilles and his Myrmidons forging a beachhead, and through discipline and skill taking the beach and the temple of Apollo almost by singlehandedly. In a memorable scene, Achilles looses his spear several hundred meters, driving it through the head of Trojan warrior Tecton. Priam's brave and level headed son Prince Hector (Eric Bana) leads the force to hold the Greeks on their beach head and enters the temple. Here he meets Achilles, who he lets him go free. Achilles is not wont to kill a fellow warrior, and yet knows and says that he will: But another day, perhaps when their tragedy can play to a better audience. Tensions build between Agamemnon and Achilles. As Agamemnon takes tribute from his fellow kinds for his "victory", Achilles' is disdainful, and, Agamemnon takes the young priestess Briseis (Rose Byrne) from Achilles he curses Agamemnon: Achilles is not owned by Agamemnon but is his own man, and he and his men remain out of the next battle. The massed armies meet before the gates of Troy. Agamemnon demands the return of Helen to his brother and submission of Troy to the Greek empire. Rebuffed by Hector, Paris offers to fight Menelaus in single combat. But Paris, foolish romantic boy who stole Helen away is not the man his brother is. Defeated, he crawls back to his brother's feet. Hector kills Menelaus. The die is cast: Battle ensues Without the Myrmidons and Achilles tactical genius, the Greeks are beaten badly: fighting beneath the walls of Troy, they fall in their thousands to massed Trojan archers, with all the advantages of height and distance. Odysseus (Sean Bean) advises Agamemnon- fall back: you won't have an army if you don't fall back. With Menelaus gone, the original purpose of the war is gone. Still Achilles will not rejoin the army, despite Odysseus' reasoned argument. Reunited with Briseis, Achilles engages her with a deeper intellect and reflective nature than she thought possible. Achilles' sense of individualistic timelessness - that all will begin and all will end, but that how we perform our hour on this stage is everything sees Briseis fall in love with him and Achilles determines to return home. All council Greek retreat. In the Trojan camp, religious leaders, who know nothing of battle, but everything of court politics argue for immediate attack. Hector now shows a break with human history: he is not impelled by the day's victory, nor by gods and omens, but councels that Troy not repeat the Greek's mistake of underestimating their enemy: they have a proven strategy, the Greeks have failed to respond - perhaps, as is the case, they might now return home in their hubris. Priam listens to the priests omens over his son's reason, and the Trojan army prepare to attack, far from their defensible walls, driven to drive the Greeks into the sea. The Trojans attack with fire: tremendous straw balls burning like Napalm. The Apollonian force and Trojan army descend on the Greeks, their backs to the sea. But then Achilles appears, Mrymidon's with him: the Greeks rally tremendously, Hector easily kills this ill-coordinated and weak "Achilles" in battle - only to find it is Achilles young cousin and lover Patroclus (Garrett Hedlund), tired of being out of the fight and dreaming of glory. The battle ends: Hector knows that defeat has been snatched from jaws of victory and prepares his wife (Saffron Burrows) to escape should the Greeks now win the war. Vengence turns Achilles mind from love to blood: He challenges Hector, and they fight to the death, a fabulous pitched battle of two men, ending in Achilles dragging the dead Hector's around Troy behind his chariot. Priam pleads for his son's body, and Hector is returned for a ceremonial funeral lasting 12-days of truce. At the end of this time, the Greeks appear to have left: a large Wooden Horse (Odysseus's idea) their parting gift to Troy. The wooden horse is taken into the city, and the Greek soldiers inside open the gates of Troy to the Greek army... all is lost, all is won. Brave and wise Hector and his kind peaceful father Priam are dead. Menelaus, Patrcoclus, Achilles, all dead. Romantic Paris escapes to live in the wilds with Helen. The Greek victors begin their Odyssey.

• Richard C

  
  B

• Jeff "

  
  This is the type that we've seen many times over. Not saying that it's bad, but the film has the sense of having been done before. Troy is a good action flick based on "The Llliad" a poem by Homer. The poem chronicles the war against Troy, and here, director… More
  This is the type that we've seen many times over. Not saying that it's bad, but the film has the sense of having been done before. Troy is a good action flick based on "The Llliad" a poem by Homer. The poem chronicles the war against Troy, and here, director Wolfgang Peterson brings this battle to life. I felt that the film was good, it entertained me, but as I previously mentioned, we've seen this type of epic film before. Theres nothing or refreshing about Troy. However, theres some awesome action to be had, but the cast seems a bit tired out. Even the most legendary actor in this film seems a bit out of his element (Peter O'toole). Troy is a decent popcorn film that does entertain, but personally, I prefer Gladiator over this film.

• Mark W

  
  Homer's classic poem "The Iliad" gets the big screen treatment and manages to outdo the abysmal "swords and sandals" films of recent times, (Gladiator, Alexander). Brad Pitt is a good choice for the role of Achilles, the ultimate and seemingly indestructable… More
  Homer's classic poem "The Iliad" gets the big screen treatment and manages to outdo the abysmal "swords and sandals" films of recent times, (Gladiator, Alexander). Brad Pitt is a good choice for the role of Achilles, the ultimate and seemingly indestructable warrior aiding King Aggamemnon (Brian Cox) in the sacking of Troy ruled by King Priam (Peter O'Toole). Priam's son Paris (Orlando Bloom) has brought on the bloodthirsty Aggamemnon by engaging in an illicit affair with Helen of Sparta (Diane Kruger), the wife of Menelaous (Brendan Gleeson), brother of Aggamenmon. Paris' own brother Hector (Eric Bana), the leader of the Trojan army has no choice but to defend his brother and city, against his better judgement. Director Wolfgang Petersen manages the adaptation brilliantly. The battle scenes are as good as any of the genre and the actors excel in their roles. Particularly Bana, who brings a great balance of strength yet vulnerability as Hector. Greek tragedy at it's epic best.

• Conner R

  
  I actually really enjoy this movie and I think it works well as an action movie and throwback to some 60s and 70s epics. While it's not a word for word adaption of The Iliad, I don't think it was ever designed to be. Seeing serpents and monsters in this would have been… More
  I actually really enjoy this movie and I think it works well as an action movie and throwback to some 60s and 70s epics. While it's not a word for word adaption of The Iliad, I don't think it was ever designed to be. Seeing serpents and monsters in this would have been ridiculous and cluttered, it works better the way it is with the basic story remaining. You couldn't ask for a better cast and the sequences look amazing. I think the only problem it had was coming out too close to Gladiator because people were expecting the same sort of emotionally fueled character piece instead of what it is.

• Anthony L

  
  The Iliad is one of the greatest stories ever written. This film wipes its arse with its pages. Eric Bana is the only reason this film gets a star from me.

• Josh L

  
  One of the most satisfying epics I have ever seen. Visuals are fantastic, everyone fits their characters and portrays them well, and the story is very good. Don't miss it if you like these kind of movies.

• familiar s

  
  Should have been titled ACHILLES. Average historical movie.

• Lady D

  
  A huge Epic with a great cast. For me the one person who stood out, was Brian Cox as a supporting Actor. Brad Pitt, of course, looked every bit the role of Achiles and Eric Bana was another great choice. A very enjoyable film, with some great battle scenes.

• Morgan G

  
  A great film but the absence of the Gods weakens it. They're integral to the motivation of every character, to the substance of the story's world. But I understand that inclusion could be...awkward.

Read all 20 featured audience ratings