The Odyssey
Homer’s Odyssey is an epic poem thousands of years old, first told orally, and then written down around the 6th century BCE. The story is that of Odysseus, king of Ithaca, who played a pivotal part in the conquest and destruction of Troy at the end of the Trojan War. After the 10 year war ends, Odysseus and his men begin the arduous journey across the Adriatic Sea toward home. The journey, which should be relatively straightforward, ends up taking another 10 years, mainly because of interference from the gods. Odysseus makes an enemy of Poseidon, god of the sea, which makes the journey difficult. Odysseus is clever, wily, and smart, and various goddesses want to make sexy time with him, preferably keeping him handy for years at a time.
Meanwhile, back in Ithaca, Odysseus’s wife, Penelope, is left to rule the kingdom and raise their son, Telemachus, while at the same time fending off the hundred+ suitors wishing to take the kingdom for themselves by forcing Penelope to marry one of them.
Ted and I saw the new film version, The Odyssey, the other day, and we both really enjoyed it. Alas, it was no longer on our local theater’s IMAX screen, as we had waited too long and the new Spider-Man movie had that screen. Nonetheless, the cinematography and effects were stunning. Ted was especially enraptured by the special effects, as they were created old-school, not using CGI. It’s breathtaking and lends so much to the film.
I had a few issues with the film, though they were based on my having read the Odyssey in graduate school, so some things jumped out at me. It’s been a long time now, but I don’t remember long battle scenes. I guess you can’t show the horrors of war without showing war, but those were kind of boring for me. The ending has more in common with Tennyson’s Ulysses than Homer’s Odyssey. Also, Odysseus seemed to me to have zero lust and verve, and did not seem a wily trickster, which is how he is so often described in the book. This version of the Odyssey is made for today’s audiences, so his character’s more complicated contradictions are smoothed over. This is a movie for today, the characters seem to be dealing with PTSD and regret and more modern sensibilities. I think this is an interesting take, and there’s nothing wrong with it. But because the visuals were so classical, it threw things off a bit. These changes did not ruin the film for me, but they kept it from being an A+ experience. Nonetheless, highly recommended.
Side note about books – I went out and bought Emily Wilson’s translation of Homer’s Odyssey, since I had given my old version that I read in grad school away. This is why getting rid of books is stupid, right? 2026 J is grumpy with 2025 J about her ‘one thing a day’ decluttering project. Still, interesting to read the newer translation. I will report on this to the 0.5% of you who might care. For now, I’m re-reading Margaret Atwood’s The Penelopiad, which is Penelope’s story, and that of the maids who are murdered in the original book, but not so much in the kinder, gentler film. I thought I had given that away, but thankfully no. I’m also thinking about re-reading Miller’s Circe and maybe The Song of Achilles and the Illiad. I guess this means that the film really got me thinking about this story that has stuck in the collective subconscious for thousands of years. Nicely done.
30 Comments
Elisabeth
I’ve never read it… and probably never will (?), but I do want to see the movie.
In general, I don’t get excited about movies, but there has been so much hype around this one. I think we’ll drive about an hour so we can actually see it on an IMAX screen???
We need to get our act together, though, because tickets are selling out so far in advance. My husband tried to get tickets a few days ago and the only thing left for any of the shows that day were all in the front row, which doesn’t seem at all ideal for an IMAX. Tickets are pricey, but I’ve never actually seen a movie at an IMAX theatre. I’ve seen some nature things at a few museums/aquariums that are in IMAX and on an IMAX screen, but it sounds like seeing this movie on IMAX would be next level.
Suzanne
I am in the .5%!!! Please let me know. I have been waffling between the Wilson and the Mendelsohn versions and need a push toward something specific. I read The Oddyssey in college and cannot remember which version it was, but I loved it.
I am looking forward to the movie, and I am very interested in your observations about its being made with more modern sensibilities in mind.
J
I’ve never read the Mendelsohn translation, just the Fitzgerald, which I loved. I met my friend Marilee in Latin class in grad school, and her husband Paul is very into Homer and the Classics, and they both highly the Wilson version, which is selling like gangbusters since that is the one that the filmmaker, Nolan, referenced. Not that she made all of the changes I mentioned, she did no such thing.
J
I think you will really enjoy the movie, it’s so well done. Just stay awake during the battle scenes and you’ll be fine.
StephLove
Part of the reason I like the Aeneid and the Odyssey better than the Iliad is that they have fewer interminable battle scenes, so I am sorry to hear it’s been made more violent. You really are on a classics-themed rereading tear. I know I read the Atwood, but it was awhile ago and I don’t remember too much about it. Loved Circe, liked Song of Achilles.
Back to the movie, I know I won’t see it with Beth because she can’t do violent movies. Maybe with one or both of the kids if the opporunity arises. I don’t see that happening while it’s in theaters.
J
I loved both Song of Achilles and Circe though I don’t remember much about either one now. Well, Achilles is kind of coming back to me, and what I remember about Circe is her sister maybe? Hmmm. Apparently I did not write about them on my blog, so that’s no help.
Margaret
I would love to see this but am not into battle scenes. Plus, I would probably have to use the restroom halfway through it. 🙂
J
Margaret, yes, it’s a ‘bladder buster’ and I did have to leave for a minute in the middle. There aren’t TOO many battle scenes, just more than I wanted.
Ernie
I feel like I no longer need to see the movie after reading this. Hee hee. A handful of our kids saw it and enjoyed it. I do not feel compelled to see it, but maybe.
J
I’m glad they enjoyed it, it was beautifully shot.
Jamie
Me me me! Definitely want to hear about the Wilson translation!
J
I love that there are people interested in the new(ish) translation!
Michelle G.
I enjoyed your review, J! Honestly, I think it’s, like Ernie said, good enough that I don’t even need to see the movie! I don’t think I could sit through such a long movie, and the battle scenes don’t appeal to me. But maybe I should read it. I never have – and that might make all the difference.
J
It’s a timeless tale, still compelling after thousands of years…I think you would enjoy the book.
The film is long for sure, but it sure was beautiful, aside from the boring battle scenes.
DB Stewart
I’ve heard from other film-goers, that despite flaws, it invites curiosity and is deeply immersive (at times) so…I hope to see it soon.
Your trickster comment rings a bell…we read The Odyssey in grade 9… I loved it, but it must have been a much-abridged version. I too recall the protagonist being wily, and I also remember being rapt by parts of the story.
J
Yes, it’s so beautifully shot, it really is immersive. I hope you get to see it in the theater and that you enjoy it!
AC
I am not sure how much of it I have read. Did I just read a selected portion in a class that I was actually teaching? Yeah, teaching something that I can’t remember very well.
J
I hadn’t read it in so long, so it was kind of tricky for me…’wait, I don’t remember this…’ that kind of thing. But overall a really good film, and it has spurred me to want to do a lot of re-reading, which is even better.
NGS
I thought I left a comment yesterday, but I obviously did not. Listen, I do not want to watch this movie. It seems long and fight-y and boring. I did not like Circe or Song of Achilles. I don’t want this to lead to a resurgence of media about Roman/Greek gods and old epic stories. I want NEW THINGS. That is all. This is a Me Problem because obviously everyone else is excited to watch it.
J
LOL, no, Engie, this is clearly NOT a movie for you. Thank you for your refreshing and hilarious comment.
Jenny
Engie and I can start a club- I have no interest in reading this or seeing the movie. Actually, I’m more likely to try the book, but it would have to be in a different phase of life. Never say never!
J
It’s the No Odyssey club!
Diane
I tried to read the Fitzgerald translation in my 20s, after having seen a stunning stage version by director Mary Zimmerman. (Seriously one of the most magical and gripping things I’ve seen onstage) I just couldn’t get through reading the book, though. But with all the buzz now (and I’m working on an operatic version of Odyssey this December), I thought I’d try again and so I’m listening to the audio version of the Emily Wilson translation with my 9 year old. He’s too young to see the movie, and I don’t know that I want to sit through the movie myself. Although sometimes when we get to the racier bits, I kind of wonder if I he gets what’s going on.
My brother pointed out that the Odyssey began as an oral tradition, so I think audio is the right way for me to experience it.
J
I have the audio on hold via the library but it will be a long wait. There’s no sex in the film version, but certainly battle scenes that might be overwhelming, and people drowning which would be upsetting.
PocoBrat
Emily Wilson did not like the movie, but the movie is indebted to her version. I loved the way her translation elides the misogynistic interpretations of previous (male) translators and sticks more closely to the Homer (“women” instead of “sluts” for instance).
Also the PTSD was one of the elements I appreciated a lot about the film, and reminded me that in Homer’s poem there are instances when Odysseus is in tears when the bard tells the story of the battles and tries to change the subject… so not that much of a directorial imposition?
I did not see it in an IMAX theater either–and maybe that was a good thing, because some people said it was too loud!
J
I finished The Pelepopiad yesterday, and just started Odyssey. The introduction is 80 pages, and so far is very interesting. I haven’t read it in so long, but will look for the things that you mention.
My MIL said it was far too loud for her, but I think this is the first movie she’s been to since she got her hearing aid, which made everything sharp I think.
Daria
I will absolutely see the movie when it’s available at home. I love epic films. Reading the Odyssey is less apprealing to me. Albeit I have read the article (or, was it a podcast?) about Emily Wilson’s translation and how it was closer to Homer, and done with more clarity. Perhaps I’ll look up fragments from this piece.
J
I hope you enjoy it when you finally do see it, it’s very good.
Mark T. Petruska
I haven’t read the book, but I did enjoy the movie “Troy,” which is basically a different spin on “Odyssey,” I guess. Looking forward to seeing it once it’s streaming!
J
I haven’t seen Troy, but I think it’s telling the story of the Illiad. A prequel if you will.