Brad Pitt as Achilles

Not bad, actually.

We watched "Troy" last night. Brad is not very sympathetic on the screen and is therefore a fine Achilles. Eric Bana is and is a really first rate Hector. Paris (Orlando Bloom) is wimpy, as required. The movie takes some liberties with the story, it has to be said. Most importantly there are no gods in this version of the IIiad. And Helen is not what one would hope for. If I couldn't persuade Judi to take the role, my vote would be Angelina Jolie, which may be what Brad thought as well. Brian Cox is a wonderful Agamemnon, and Peter O'Toole, wrecked face and all (when young he would have been a fine Paris), is perfect as Priam. There are many other fine actors as well. Sean Bean as Odysseus for example.

While I'm talking Achilles, the great novel by Elizabeth Cook is a must. Either I gave this to Zoe or she to me. In any event, we both love it. It's the story of Achilles life, imagined by a great poet.

Achilles: a novel

An astute Amazon reviewer singled out this beautiful passage as representing the quality of this wonderful book.

"His hair has grown again. The thick auburn lock he cut off and laid on Patroclus' corpse. (The other Myrmidons did the same till Patroclus looked like a great tawny eagle covered with soft plumes.)"


Tim

Update: After some thought, the only worthy Helen would be the young Elizabeth Taylor. No contest.