The Odyssey

The first DVD arrived with a mutilated cassette, but I think that happened at USPO. I informed Amazon and new one was sent within a few days. The 2nd one arrived in perfect condition.

In the grand tapestry of cinematic retellings, "The Odyssey" stands as a timeless masterpiece, capturing the heart and soul of Homer's epic saga. Transporting viewers to a realm where gods toy with mortals and heroes are forged through trials, this film embodies the essence of the ancient tale while infusing it with a modern cinematic flair.At its core, "The Odyssey" is a testament to the human spirit's resilience in the face of divine intervention and seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Through the trials and tribulations of its protagonist, we witness a man cursed by the whims of Olympus embark on an odyssey that transcends mere physical distance—it's a journey of self-discovery, redemption, and ultimately, finding solace in the embrace of home.The film's portrayal of Odysseus's odyssey is nothing short of epic. From encounters with mythical beasts to navigating treacherous seas, every frame is imbued with a sense of adventure and wonder. Yet, amidst the grandeur of its set pieces, the heart of the story remains firmly grounded in the universal themes of love, loyalty, and the longing for belonging.What truly elevates "The Odyssey" is its poignant exploration of what it means to be human in a world governed by the caprices of gods. Through Odysseus's trials, we are reminded of our own struggles and triumphs, and the eternal quest for a place to call home—a sentiment as relevant today as it was in ancient Greece.In conclusion, "The Odyssey" is not merely a retelling of a classic tale, but a timeless odyssey of the human spirit. With its breathtaking visuals, compelling performances, and profound storytelling, it stands as a testament to the enduring power of myth and the eternal quest for home.

great to revisit this story over the years. highly recommend. let the story show yourself

We bought this because Prime Video version was terrible quality, sounded like we listened through a straw.The DVD made this program enjoyable. GREAT sounding DVD!!!! No weird artifacts and phasing.The story line is good. I am wanting to read the book now. I understand why this is a classic. (The Odessey).

In the comentary, the director upfront admitts wishing to focus on the most entertaining parts of the Odyssey and this he does. I do not believe their is much to criticize (although there are some to be done) given the fact that even with scenes removed the runtime of the film is close to four hours. Therefore credit is due for fitting as much as they did.The real strength of the movie is its staying true to the core story. Unlike myth/ancient history movies that have come up in the last few years such as Gladiator, Troy, and Alexander, which are mostly rationalized assumptions of the stories they are supposed to tell, the Odyssey stays true to the events that are written. Even little things that really don't bear a great deal on the movie (e.g. Athena being Mentor, the scar on Odysseus' leg, and Nausika finding Odysseus on the shore) are kept to ensure the purity of events.Another nice point is the talent used in this movie. Despite the effects being about 10 years old, they do not overly dominate like most multi-million dollar effects movies today. Unlike the before mentioned movies who star the current most-popular eye candy of the time to garner support for the movie, such as Orlando Bloom, Brad Pitt, and Angelina Jolies, the performers have more a theatre (and thus more credible ability) background.Isabella Rossillini stays true to Athena's playful toying part, Bernadette Peters is sassy and seductive as Kirke ought to be, and Vanessa Williams, though not the "fair-haired" as her epitath always calls her, but is exotic enough to make a convincing Kalypso.As for the critiques, they are few, and mostly scene modifications.1) Poseidon's grudge against Odysseus is his blasphemy, though in the book it is primarily the blinding of Polyphemus. This is touched in the movie, when the Kyklops calls his father to avenge him, but is never addressed. It would have been better to keep it so.2)The sheep of Helios is missing, but I believe that Karybdis is a much better effect, so that omisssion is more than forgivable.3) We always see the olive tree, but its importance should have been stressed. Penelope uses it to test Odysseus when he comes home. They could have cut out some of the lovey-duvey dialogue at the end to add that scene-it would only take about 30 seconds.4) The scene where Ares and Aphrodite are caught in bed by Hephestatus is a funny scene, and helps to explain why Odysseus eventually makes it home without Poseidon's interference. The movie on a whole does all its sex scenes tastefully, and this one could have been as well, unlike Rome and Troy where it is graphic sex for the sake of gratuitous sex.5) They might have thrown in Odysseus' conversation with Agamemnon in the underworld about being stabbed in the back by his wife, Klytemnestra, as it would help the drama when later Odysseus admits misgivings about Penelope's faithfulness to him to Athena. On the other hand, the scene in the underworld from the book is mostly a list of the procession of Persephone and the movie captures the most important parts of the chapter.Finally there are the sets. The boats are modeled after realistic triremes, and the paintings on the houses, especially Menalaus', are close to accurate. The layout of Odysseus' home complete with the Andron, and the women's quarters upstairs, and the bouletarion with Odysseus' throne shows that their set designer actually did some research (another trait often lacking in blockbuster films on ancient epics)All in all, one of the best examples of ancient epic/mythology in the media out. It stays more close to the original material, and anytone who is familiar with the work of Homer will enjoy it. Academic it may not be, but it is sucessful being entertaining as promised, but also telling the story as Homer probably wanted it to be told.

Ever since I watched this when it first came out as a mini series on TV, I’ve been searching for this for a long time and then stumbled upon it on Amazon. Enjoy it all over again.

I have been looking for Odyssey WITH SUBTITLE / CLOSE CAPTIONEDevery time I found one and I order it and HOPING it's SUBTITLE / CLOSE CAPTIONED, not even "Language set up" or " set up " is even in it! and I HAVE to return it , I am getting annoyed and frustrated because I really like this movie and want to own it. - HELP anyone? Thankyou

This is my favorite movie. It was the best show ever on TV approximately 20 years ago.It got the highest ratings. Armand Assante plays Odysseus. The rest of the cast are very famous actors. It shows them going to Troy and then sailing back to Greece. It takes 10 years to get back because Odysseus is punished by the God, Poseidon.