MoveeTime - Now Playing - Helen Of Troy (2003)

MoveeTime Review / June 23, 2005: This is my review of the movie Helen Of Troy, made in 2003. First I would like to say this was some of the best cinematics I ever saw. The color, scenery, and the clarity of this motion picture was well planned, and I applaud the film crew for their excellent work. First and foremost is Sienna Guillory, who portrayed Helen. This haunting beauty must have been hand picked by the director for this role, because she was perfect for it. Rufus Sewell who played the role of Agamemnon, the elder brother of King Menelaus (Helen's husband played by James Callis) was awesome as the "bad guy" He has those kind of eyes that just say he is going to get you. I hope to see him play in more Medieval / Ancient style movies as he is perfect for the roles. You can find the full cast, and other facts of this movie HERE

I have always been facinated by this story even as a child when I first read the short story version of it in school. The trojan horse rather it be myth or fact was one of those unique stories ever written. If indeed it was fact, ( you may have to ask the Greeks on this ) then what a well planned attack it was. Let me also make clear that this is not the movie Troy, starring Brad Pitt as Achilles ( this part is played by Joe Montana ). My Troy review will come later of yet another excellent movie you should add to your library.

Now to the movie: The movie begins with a nice opening narration dispelling the myths about Helen of Troy, and telling the facts. The opening sequel shows a young Cassandra, Princess of Troy played by Bettina Paris running to her father to warn him that if her newborn brother is allowed to live, then Troy will burn. The father, and King of Troy played by John Rhys-Davies fearing that Cassandra can truly see the future orders his newborn son to be thrown from a mountain top. The adult role of Cassandra later is played by Emilia Fox. A quick word about John Rhys-Davies, I also enjoyed his acting in the 1989 TV mini-series "Great Expectations" where he played the role of Joe Gargery, the blacksmith.

As the story unfolds, the son of the King of Troy has been renamed Paris, and he is a goat herder. One of his young goats runs off, and he chases it. He ends up in a cavern of sorts, and has a vision of three Godesses. They each offer him an option of how he may choose his path in life. One offers him wealth, one offers him victory in his battles, and the last offers him love. Of course the last one gets his attention the most.

Helen for the most part is portrayed as a young, naive girl. She is facinated by what is around her, but really does not grasp the reality of it. Later she us kidnapped by another King whom you may recognize from the movie King Arthur, if you don't just listen to his voice :-). As the story progresses she is rescued once again by her brother and his friends. Once back home she marries King Menelaus. During a visit from Paris, she falls in love with him. Now the fabled story begins. She runs away with Paris back to Troy, and is welcome there by Paris's father with open arms. However by now Cassandra has been virtually drivin mad by her visions, and continues trying to convince their father of what will happen.

King Menelaus goes to his brother and asks for help to get Helen back. His brother agrees, but not to help Menelaus, but of his own greed. He has always eyed Troy as a place he must conquer, and have. This of course is the beginning of the 1000 ships fable.

Near the end the fables Trojan Horse appears. Although the horse was spectacular, I do believe it was a bit too high tech to be built overnight from beach junk by the enemy of Troy. Of course this is the end of Troy, just like the story tells. In closing I would like to also applaud the director, John Kent Morrison, the music by Joel Goldsmith, the USA Network, and the writer Ronni Kern for an excellent adaptation of this timeless story. Running time: 2 hours, 57 minutes / Rated: NR

Helen Of Troy: Images

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