Troy is a 2004 epic war film that tells the story of the Trojan War, an ancient conflict between the kingdoms of Troy and Mycenae. The film is based on Homer's epic poem, the "Iliad," and was directed by Wolfgang Petersen. It stars Brad Pitt as Achilles, Eric Bana as Hector, and Orlando Bloom as Paris.
The film begins with the wedding of Peleus and Thetis, a union that is interrupted by the god Eris, who causes a dispute between the goddesses Athena, Hera, and Aphrodite over a golden apple. The three goddesses ask Paris, the prince of Troy, to decide which of them is the fairest, and he ultimately awards the apple to Aphrodite, who offers him the love of the most beautiful woman in the world in return.
This woman turns out to be Helen, the queen of Sparta and wife of King Menelaus. Paris travels to Sparta and persuades Helen to leave her husband and return with him to Troy. When Menelaus discovers that his wife has been taken, he calls upon his brother Agamemnon, the king of Mycenae, to help him retrieve her. Agamemnon sees this as an opportunity to expand his empire and rallies the other Greek kings to his cause.
The Greek army, led by Agamemnon and featuring many of the great heroes of Greek mythology, sets sail for Troy. The Trojans, led by Hector, the eldest son of King Priam, prepare for war. The two sides engage in a long and brutal conflict, with both sides suffering heavy losses.
One of the standout characters in the film is Achilles, the greatest warrior of the Greek army. He is portrayed as a complex and multifaceted character, who is driven by both his love for his comrades and his own personal ambition. He ultimately decides to withdraw from the war after his close friend Patroclus is killed in battle, but returns to the fight when Hector kills Patroclus in revenge.
Throughout the film, the themes of loyalty, honor, and the cost of war are prominent. The characters are forced to make difficult choices and sacrifices, and the film explores the consequences of their actions.
Overall, Troy is a well-made and entertaining film that offers a compelling retelling of the Trojan War. It features strong performances from its cast and presents a nuanced portrayal of the characters and their motivations. Despite some historical inaccuracies, the film remains a classic of the war genre and is worth a watch for fans of ancient history or epic storytelling.