How Does the Film About Troy in Greek Mythology Differ from its Original Text?

The film adaptation of the tale of Troy in Greek mythology has often been compared to its original text, the Iliad, revealing significant differences in focus, character development, portrayal of gods, romantic subplots, action sequences, and the overall ending.

Focus and Scope

The most notable film about Troy, Troy directed by Wolfgang Petersen, takes a broader focus, aiming for a more epic and action-packed narrative. In contrast, The Iliad is a narrower text, focusing on a short period of the Trojan War and its immediate consequences.

Character Development

Original Text: Characters in the Iliad are deeply tied to their roles and motivations, with significant emphasis on the heroism and flaws of figures like Achilles, Hector, and Agamemnon. Their actions are driven by a complex interplay of personal and divine motives.

Film: The film simplifies character arcs and motivations, often reducing complex motivations to more relatable human traits. For example, Achilles is portrayed more as a romantic hero with a tragic love story involving Briseis, which is less emphasized in the original text.

Portrayal of Gods

Original Text: The gods play a crucial role in the Iliad, influencing the outcomes of battles and the fates of mortals. They symbolize the role of fate and divine intervention.

Film: The film minimizes the involvement of the gods, focusing more on human conflict and relationships. This shift from divine intervention to human agency is evident in how the gods are only sporadically referenced and their impact on the narrative is significantly reduced.

Romantic Subplots

Original Text: While there are romantic elements such as the abduction of Helen, the focus is primarily on the war and its consequences. Helen, while central, is not the primary focus of the narrative.

Film: The film amplifies romantic subplots, particularly between Achilles and Briseis, adding a personal and emotional dimension to Achilles’ motivations. This focus on personal relationships often overshadows the broader war narrative.

Action and Battle Sequences

Original Text: Battles are described through poetic language, emphasizing the glory and tragedy of war but not always detailing every battle. The poetic descriptions often convey the power and impact of battles without showing every battle scene.

Film: The film includes extensive and visually dramatic battle scenes, aiming for a more modern action-adventure feel. While these sequences aim to recreate the experience of battle, they can overshadow the deeper themes of the original work.

Ending

Original Text: The original text ends with Aquiles' death, providing a sense of closure and tragedy but also uncertainty about the fate of other characters.

Film: The film concludes with the fall of Troy and the fate of the main characters, providing a more definitive resolution. This change in approach simplifies the narrative arc but may also detract from the open-ended nature of the original text.

Conclusion

The film Troy makes several significant changes to the narrative of the Iliad, particularly emphasizing the love story between Achilles and Briseis, portraying the main character as more central to the story, and simplifying the role of the gods. These changes aim to create a more engaging and accessible narrative for a modern audience, but they also alter the profound and complex nature of the original work.

Overall, the film Troy provides a different perspective on the myth of Troy, offering a broader and more action-oriented take on the familiar characters and events. However, some argue that these changes dilute the depth and complexity of the original text.