Troy

Last Update: 04 May 2004
(
You need a browser capable of viewing tables to see this page properly)

Throughout time, men have waged war. Some for power, some for glory, some for honor - and some for love.

In ancient Greece, the passion of two of history's most legendary lovers, Paris, Prince of Troy (ORLANDO BLOOM) and Helen (DIANE KRUGER), Queen of Sparta, ignites a war that will devastate a civilization. When Paris steals Helen away from her husband, King Menelaus (BRENDAN GLEESON), it is an insult that cannot be suffered. Familial pride dictates that an affront to Menelaus is an affront to his brother Agamemnon (BRIAN COX), powerful King of the Myceneans, who soon unites all the massive tribes of Greece to steal Helen back from Troy in defense of his brother's honor.

In truth, Agamemnon's pursuit of honor is corrupted by his overwhelming greed - he needs control of Troy to ensure the supremacy of his already vast empire. The walled city, under the leadership of King Prium (PETER O'TOOLE) and defended by mighty Prince Hector (ERIC BANA), is a citadel that no army has been able to breach. One man alone stands as the key to victory or defeat over Troy - Achilles (BRAD PITT), believed to be the greatest warrior alive.

Arrogant, rebellious and seemingly invincible, Achilles has no allegiance to anyone or anything, save his own glory. It is his insatiable hunger for eternal renown that leads him to attack the gates of Troy under Agamemnon's banner - but it will be love that ultimately decides his fate.

 

 

Click on the thumbnails for larger pictures.
Thanks to Elf Lady, Bean Daily and Cinematrix for the pix.

Two worlds will go to war for honor and power. Thousands will fall in pursuit of glory. And for love, a nation will burn to the ground.

Bringing the glory of Homer's Iliad to life, Troy charts the bloody path of the Trojan war, which encompasses a 10-year conflict, numerous bloody battles and of course that famously large wooden horse with a surprise inside.

Brad Pitt takes the lead as legendary Greek hero Achilles with Eric Bana standing on the other side of the wall as Trojan prince Hector.

Orlando Bloom's Paris is the man who provokes the wrath of Menelaus, the Spartan king - by spiriting away his beautiful wife Helen - the face that launched 1,000 ships and a decade-long war.

Sean plays Odysseus, the son of Laertes and ruler of the island kingdom of Ithaca. He was one of the most prominent Greek leaders in the Trojan War, and was the hero of Homer's Odyssey. He was known for his cleverness and cunning, and for his eloquence as a speaker. He was also the originator of the Trojan horse, the strategem by which the Greeks were finally able to take the city of Troy itself.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, David Benioff's script "concentrates on the events surrounding the Trojan War waged by the Greeks to recapture the abducted beauty Helen, [but] it also includes a few elements from Iliad sequel, The Odyssey, to round out the tale."

The Trojan War is a "timely and moving war drama" full of meaning for our time, says director Wolfgang Petersen. "Each side was convinced they were right, so they bashed each other's skulls in all the more."

Although the film "tells a tale of great human tragedy", Petersen says he does not want it to be depressing.

"Our goal is that of the classical Greek tragedies," he says.

"They allow the audience to experience the tragedy of the world and draw their own conclusions."

Troy is a long-time personal dream-come-true for Petersen, who was entranced by Greek and Roman myths when he was a schoolboy.

"The money may come from Hollywood, but this is very much a European production," he stressed.

Principal photography on the $US130-$US145 million production started on April 22, 2003 in London, and lasted for two weeks.

Filming continued in Malta beginning May 6, 2003, until July 4. Troy was originally meant to be shooting in Malta for six weeks, but was extended to nine.

Maltese locations included Hal Far, Fort Ricasoli (where the city of Troy was constructed), Mtahleb, Ghajn Tuffieha, Golden Bay, Mellieha, Cirkewwa and Dwejra.

The production moved on to the battle sequences, starting July 12 and continued into October 2003 in Los Cabos, Mexico. Morocco was the original chosen location, but was reconsidered due to concerns about world events following the war in Iraq. Principal production should be wrapped up by October, 2003, following delays caused by several hurricanes which swept through the region.

Click on the thumbnail for a larger pic.

Sean first mentioned his involvement in Troy when he appeared on The Jonathan Ross Show on BBC Radio 2 on 01 Feb 2003.

Click here to see more pix from Troy.
Click here to see the Odysseus storyline from Troy.
 
Visit the Troy Press Archive.
 
Read script reviews of Troy:
Ain't It Cool News
IGN/STAX
TNMC
 
Read all about the character of Odysseus here and here.
 
Visit the German Troy website (excellent set pix and news).
Visit the Official WB Troy site.

 

Cartoon from BBC's In the Works (Troy) page.

 

PRINCIPAL CHARACTERS:

Eric Bana
Sean Bean
Orlando Bloom
Saffron Burrows
Rose Byrne
Julie Christie
James Cosmo
Brian Cox
Brendan Gleeson
Diane Kruger
Peter O'Toole
Brad Pitt

Hector
Odysseus
Paris
Andromache
Briseis
Thetis
General Glaucus
Agamemnon
Menelaus
Helen
Priam
Achilles

 

PRODUCTION CREDITS:

Produced by



Producers
Directed by
Screenplay
Based on
Cinematography
Production Design
Costume Design
Film Editor
Music by
Running time
Release dates

WB/Village Roadshow Pictures Entertainment/Radiant Prods/Latina
Pictures

Diana Rathbun, Wolfgang Petersen
Wolfgang Petersen
David Benioff
Homer's Iliad





2 hours 45 minutes
May 14, 2004 (wide release)

x

Return to Films and TV

Return to The Compleat Sean Bean Main Page