The Odyssey
July 23, 2026 by admin_name
The Odyssey
released 2026
www.ink2quill.com
“The Odyssey” is an action, fantasy film taken after the epic poem by Homer of the same name. It was produced by Christopher Nolan, Emma Thomas, Thomas Hayslip, Zakaria Alaoui, Hjortur Gretarsson, Erik Paoletti, Kostas Raftopoulos and drirected and written by Christopher Nolan himself. It stars a gigantic cast of some of the most talented people in the film world with names that include Lupita Nyong’o, Maurice Compte, Benny Safdie, Kate Fuglei, Matt Damon, Robert Pattinson, Corey Hawkins, Travis Scott, Jarreth J. Merz, Tom Holland, Elliot Page, Niko Nicotera, Rafi Gavron, Anne Hathaway, Shiloh Fernandez, Elyes Gabel, Iddo Goldberg, Jamie Harris, John Ales, Raimy Lang, Mason Cufari, John Leguizamo, Mia Goth, Ryan Hurst, Adam Croasdell, Mickey Shilowich, Katerina Antemelpa, Himesh Patel, Jovan Adepo, Andrew Howard, Josh Stewart, Logan Marshall-Green, Samantha Morton, Bill Irwin, Yannis Kokiasmenos, Sean Avery, Ian Casselberry, Matt Lasky, Stephen Murphy, Anthony Molinari, Will Yun Lee, Ryan de Quintal, Jesse Garcia, Jimmy Gonzales, Jon Bernthal, Zendaya, Charlize Theron, Nick E. Tarabay and both dogs Sawyer and Nod as Argus the dog and so many more great talents.
This is a monumental production employing a vast amount of the most talented people in Hollywood. This has to be said because the Art Directors, Set decorators, very huge Make-Up Department and very huge Production Team, Sound Department and Special Effects, Visual Effects Teams, the Stunt Teams, Camera and Electrical Departments, Animation and Casting Departments along with the huge Costume and Wardrobe Departments are just some of the very long list of people who contributed their skills and talents into the making of this film. So, the people I mention above are a very small part of all the people who worked in this film. This production put people to work.
The Odyssey movie Instagram webpage
“The Odyssey” film trailer #1:
“The Odyssey” film trailer #2:
Firstly. let me start by saying that Christopher Nolan made some changes to the story but those changes work. It is very common that when books are translated from one art form into another, like the case of a novel or epic poem in this case, changes have to be made for several reasons. It is still a great movie from a great story.
One reason is to put the story in sync with the culture(s) that is viewing the film. So, modern audiences would want to see more women in an old-fashioned story where most of the characters might be men, for example. In the case of “The Odyssey” we have actors of different races and that does not diminish the story in any way. Lupita Nyong’o is a great Helen of Troy. The Arts needs to always be a place of inclusion for all. That means people, cultures and ideas.
Another reason for changes in a story from a book are financial ones and time constraints. Some actors have other projects lined up after a certain amount of time. Also, the production might not have the budget or time to complete a scene the way it is in the book. Even with the latest technologies like green screens, CGI and such financial constraints still remain.
“The Odyssey” is the epic poem written by the late and great Homer about the life of Odysseus, King of Ithaca, played by Matt Damon, (who BTW does a very good job in the role of Odysseus). The story is about the Trojan War veteran Odysseus’ journey home after the Trojan War with all the gods he has angered and those who support him influencing the outcome of his journey and the hardships he must overcome. During the Trojan War Odysseus proved himself the top general and is responsible for the Greeks’ victory after a many year siege of the city of Troy. Some people, mostly historians and other people who know what they are talking about, say that Odysseus is a clever and wily man. He finds clever solutions to so many of the problems he finds himself in. In spite of that fact, he does not seem to be able to avoid the wrath of certain gods like Poseidon. It is Odysseus that devises the plan to trick the adversary and get in the city of Troy. And that is where the famous story of the the Trojan Horse comes from. That is very clever. And it works.
His trials and hardships include escaping and defeating a giant named cyclops, who turned out to be the son of Poseidon, god of the sea and oceans. Oops. Odysseus and his men are trapped in the cave of the Cyclops and must escape before he eats them. They put out his single eye and escape to their ships and get away. But. Like I said, Poseidon is not much pleased with them.
One interesting story element they used in the Cyclops scene is to make the Cyclops appear very child like and to give him an appearance of being facially deformed. This makes the Cyclops much more sympathetic to us and Odysseus is a lot less likeable. He shoots the Cyclops with an arrow out of anger when they are out of the cave. When I saw that I was thinking “He didn’t have to do that. WTF did he do that for?”
Another trial is when they encounter Circe the witch, played by Samantha Morton, on her island. The scene is brilliant. They reach an island and ask Odysseus to stay behind while they go and look for food. Odysseus is shocked and offended by what is close to being a mutiny but turns out to be a blessing. His men meet Circe who agrees to feed them but asks them to leave their armor and weapons outside her house before they enter for food. I’m not going to give away any spoilers but the men of Odysseus barely escape the island with their lives. In this scene Circe reveals uncomfortable truths to Odysseus. She tells Odysseus that his men are not good. That they are greedy and selfish and that they only wear their bodies and appear as people which is a kind of mask. This scene with Circe is a kind of metaphor for people in general and makes the reaction and anger of the gods, like Poseidon, understandable.
There is a great theme at the heart of this scene and one which is omnipresent in the story. That theme that people, most people, are not good. Circe tells Odysseus that the pigs she changed his men into are what they really are inside, meaning they are greedy and stupid and that there is nothing Odysseus can do about it, and for that simple reason they are doomed. This theme permeates the entire film and is a very convincing argument in favor of fate.
In every scene Odysseus pulls himself out of a bad situation but reveals sides of himself that make him not so likeable. The same is true of his men. I found myself admiring Odysseus for his cleverness but siding with the gods in their retribution.
What a great story and great movie. I highly, highly recommend it for many reasons one of which is to stick it to the critics and ignoramuses that don’t realize that every producer, director, singer, choreographer, performer and artist will interpret an artistic piece in their own unique way. How many times have you heard a famous song sung completely differently by different artists? Those cackling critics just didn’t get the memo.
Let me make it simple with a formula: –> Nolan + Classics = HIT!
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Also, for those of you looking into the background of the story without getting a Masters or PhD there are so many good sources online. One is the interviews and talks with Stephen Fry on Youtube. Here’s the link:
Enjoy.
John Ink2Quill
John Ink2Quill
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