Troy: Heel’s Ran Red

Obvious and evident from the story or the screenplay of the movie itself, Troy is an epic story based on one of Greece’s National Epic—Iliad— which is written by the infamous Blind Poet, Homer. The story follows a young Trojan prince, Paris, who abducts the wife of King Menelaus, Helen. The aftermath of Paris’ actions is the Trojan War which ends up on the bloody death of Patroclus, Hector and Achilles, and the burning of the city, Troy.

            From time to time, I have witnessed lots of epic movies which feature the amazing myths and wars of Greece. However, no Greek-action movie— besides Wrath of the Titans and The Lightning Thief—has ever captured my attention and put me into a deep trance of amazement like this. The whole movie taught me how much could a father do and risk for his son’s sake, morale indisputable on the scene where King Priam—Hector’s father— ransomed his son’s body— A dramatic scene where King Priam even had to lose his pride and kiss the hands of the man who killed his son, just so he can get it. Beneath all the action and romance that the movie conveys, lays a drama about how much a person could do, just for the sake of the one he loves.

            Romance was incontestably evident in the movie. As witnessed, love between Paris and Helen, Hector and Andromache, and Achilles and Briseis was present.

On my perspective, I consider the affair between Paris and Helen, foolish. No matter how much they truly loved each other— whereas, both felt mutual— it still seemed that they were taking things too fast. Paris, abducting Helen— considering that Paris is even said a PRINCE of Troy— it was a very absurd thing to do for someone who is august. Then again, keeping in mind the mythological background of Iliad, the root cause of this problem is Eris, and her Apple Of Discord. Her actions during the wedding feast of Thetis and Menelaus resulted into war that led to a bloody ending, therefore, Eris, is to say, the one to blame.

The strength and the passion of the love of both Hector and Andromache to each other are unambiguous to the movie. When Hector was about to go to a duel with Achilles, he gave Andromache one last farewell. He was sure of the probability that he might not return again after his fight with Achilles— he was aware that his wife might be widowed afterwards, leaving his son, a life without a father.  By means of this, I am able to see how much Hector loves his wife, how much he is passionate about giving his family a happy life. Unfortunately, he died on his duel, living his Andromache lamenting for his poor husband who was given a miserable fate.

The romance between Achilles and Briseis somehow shares the same fate of the affair Hector and Andromache. When the Spartans have invaded or ambushed the city of Troy using the wooden horse, King Agamemnon kidnapped Briseis. When Achilles went to save Briseis, he was shot in the heel— the very weak spot of Achilles, in spite of his invincibility and invulnerability to physical weapons— resulting to his death, the death of this fine hero whom has exhibited strength, courage and goodwill throughout his time in the battlefield. Nonetheless, his death was not worthless, for his sacrifice led to the greater good of Briseis. Therefore, this proves a quote that I once read from the book Kane Chronicles: The Red Pyramid; “There is no losing… NOT EVEN IN DEATH”

            Another thing that I witnessed on the movie was how much Achilles valued his friendship whit Patroclus. A stereotypical warrior to me is someone who never even heard the word “friendship”. When Achilles have decided not to join the battle anymore— nonetheless, Patroclus wanted to fight— Patroclus dressed up as Achilles and went to fight Hector and his troops. That scene on the story reminded of a part of the book Percy Jackson and the Olympians 5: The Last Olympian where Silena Beauregard, daughter of Aphrodite, dressed up as Clarisse La Rue, daughter of Ares. It was exactly similar to the story of Patroclus; because Clarisse didn’t join the battle in front of the Empire State Building, Silena dressed up as her and led all the cabin members of Ares to the battlefield. Silena too, sharing the same fate with Patroclus, was killed by the enemy. It took me some time only to find out that the part where Silena dressed up as Clarisse was based on this part of the epic, where Patroclus dressed up and moved like Achilles. Having killed by Hector, Achilles was enraged that his cousin and his bestfriend was killed by Hector. Achilles’ anger resulted to his duel with Hector, ending into the bloody, but noble death of the Trojan prince, Hector.

            The last part of the story was about the Trojan horse. It appraises the infamous folly of the Trojans when they brought the wooden horse— obviously, a creation of their enemies— to Troy. It shows the ambush of the city of Troy by the ingenious Spartans, and the poor fate, the burning of the city. Moreover, it brandishes the death of poor king, Priam by the hands of, in which I find greedy, King Agamemnon. Agamemnon was killed by Briseis— a simple act of defense of the poor maiden, whom from the start was kidnapped by the Spartans. The ending also commences the story of Aenid, the epic of the Roman writer Virgil. I am pleased to see that they were able to exhibit the exit of Aeneas on the burning of Troy. However, I find the artist who played the role of Aeneas a bit too young for his character. When I read a summary of Aenid, I always pictured Aeneas as a middle aged man. Moreover, I wasn’t able to see Ascanius, his son— whom was supposed to escape with him. Nonetheless, I’m still delighted that they are able to link the movie to the preceding story, Aenid.

            Troy is a successful epic movie in which, I know, people will love to see over and over again. It is a movie that is able to showcase drama, romance and action and is able to showcase the value of friendship and family. I know, someday, this movie will have a remake, in which I assure now, will be as successful as this one.

            What’s more, the creation of the Greek writer, Homer, truly is a sight to see, and a note to never forget. I will be expecting for more movies which is, one way or another, similar or related to this. As for now, I am pleased with what I saw here, and on the other Greece-related movies that I watched. Kudos to Wolfgang Peterson for this wonderful movie.