Complete series cast summary: | |||
Armand Assante | ... |
Odysseus
(2 episodes, 1997)
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Greta Scacchi | ... |
Penelope
(2 episodes, 1997)
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Isabella Rossellini | ... |
Athena
(2 episodes, 1997)
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Bernadette Peters | ... |
Circe
(2 episodes, 1997)
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Eric Roberts | ... |
Eurymachus
(2 episodes, 1997)
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Irene Papas | ... |
Anticleia
(2 episodes, 1997)
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Jeroen Krabbé | ... |
King Alcinous
(2 episodes, 1997)
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Geraldine Chaplin | ... |
Eurycleia
(2 episodes, 1997)
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Christopher Lee | ... |
Tiresias
(2 episodes, 1997)
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Vanessa Williams | ... |
Calypso
(2 episodes, 1997)
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Nicholas Clay | ... |
Menelaus
(2 episodes, 1997)
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Adoni Anastassopoulos | ... |
Perimedes
(2 episodes, 1997)
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Paloma Baeza | ... |
Melanthe
(2 episodes, 1997)
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Ron Cook | ... |
Eurybates
(2 episodes, 1997)
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Reid Asato | ... |
Cyclops
(2 episodes, 1997)
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Mark Hill | ... |
Orsilicus
(2 episodes, 1997)
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Pat Kelman | ... |
Elatus
(2 episodes, 1997)
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Vincenzo Nicoli | ... |
Antinous
(2 episodes, 1997)
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Sally Plumb | ... |
Queen Alcinous
(2 episodes, 1997)
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Roger Ashton-Griffiths | ... |
Polites
(2 episodes, 1997)
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Katie Carr | ... |
Nausicaa
(2 episodes, 1997)
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Marius Combo | ... |
Agelaus
(2 episodes, 1997)
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Alan Cox | ... |
Elpener
(2 episodes, 1997)
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William Houston | ... |
Anticlus
(2 episodes, 1997)
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Oded Levy | ... |
Leocritus
(2 episodes, 1997)
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Peter Page | ... |
Philotus
(2 episodes, 1997)
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Michael J. Pollard | ... |
Aeolus
(2 episodes, 1997)
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Alan Stenson | ... |
Telemachus
(2 episodes, 1997)
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Stewart Scudamore | ... |
Antiphus
(2 episodes, 1997)
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Tony Vogel | ... |
Eumaeus
(2 episodes, 1997)
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Heathcote Williams | ... |
Laocoon
(2 episodes, 1997)
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Michael Tezcan | ... |
Eurylochos
(2 episodes, 1997)
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Richard Truett | ... |
Achilles
(2 episodes, 1997)
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Yorgo Voyagis | ... |
Agamemnon
(2 episodes, 1997)
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Peter Woodthorpe | ... |
Mentor
(2 episodes, 1997)
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Derek Lea | ... |
Hector
(2 episodes, 1997)
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Freddy Douglas | ... |
Hermes
(2 episodes, 1997)
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Miles Anderson | ... |
Poseidon
(2 episodes, 1997)
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Alan Smithie | ... |
Priam
(2 episodes, 1997)
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Vernon Dobtcheff | ... |
Aegyptius
(2 episodes, 1997)
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Josh Maguire | ... |
Young Telemachus
(2 episodes, 1997)
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This lavish small-screen adaptation of Homer's ancient epic--replete with Maltese and Turkish locations, state-of-the-art special effects, and many bronzed muscles gleaming with sweat--chronicles the voyage home of a Trojan hero, Odysseus King of Ithaca, and includes many more scenes of his faithful, beautiful wife Penelope dodging leering suitors at home than Homer ever composed! Written by Anthony Pereyra <hypersonic91@yahoo.com>
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.