Rating: 
Summary: Review.
Review: This version of 'The Odyssey' was an NBC miniseries some time back. I didn't think it was so hot.
Rating: 
Summary: Entertainment is not always accurate!
Review: I have read and re read all of the reviews for this film and I have to say my two cents. I have been studying Ancient Mythology
(mostly Egyptain) for the past ten years. Yes, this film is NOT 100% correct. What film is? History is always open to interpertation. Anyone who does not understand this needs a new hobby. Anyhoo I loved it, Armand Assante was amazing in his role. The rest of the cast was great too. There was a veil of erotitisem throughout the film, which was interesting considering the film wasn't outwardly graphic. Overall, the movie was wonderful. Don't rent this film, buy it! (you'll want to watch it over and over!)
Rating:
Summary: Great version of Homer's Odyssey
Review: "The Odyssey" was a made for TV miniseries in the late 90s. I personally think that, despite it's limited budget (it was TV, after all), it at least rivals the "Lord of the Rings" movies in computer generated special effects. It is based on Homer's "Odyssey", a sequal to "The Iliad". The Trojan War is now over. Odysseus begins his long trip home. He angers Posiden, and the sea god hinders his way home. Meanwhile in Ithica, Odysseus's wife and son, Penelopie and Telemacus, are besiged by evil suiters, all who want the kingdom of Ithica. It is more or less faithful to the poem, it had a lot more time to go through more of Odysseus's adventures than previos movies (like Kirk Douglas's "Ulysses"). Armand Assante is perfect as Odysseus. I can not think of anyone else in TV or film to better play the crafty captian. Other players are Bernedette Peterson (she's ok), Vanessa Williams (much better), Issabella Rossalini (I expected Athena to be blonde, but she's still good) and Eric Roberts, he's the head suiter (a proper creep). If you like Greek Mythology, than this is a must for you.
Rating: 
Summary: Successful Rendition of Homer's Classic
Review: There is a definite "Hollywood" flavor to Homer's classic, but The Odyssey comprises much of the story and, yet, keeps the viewer engaged with visual special effects. Approximately 3 hours in length, this film embodies the main aspects of Homer's story without getting too detailed. Perhaps many people didn't care much for this film because it is not completely accurate to the story. It seems to me that many of the parts that were altered were minor in nature and, in general, didn't affect the overall quality of the film. The producers of The Odyssey seemed to be wary of accuracy when it came to telling the major points of the story. The casting was great. Armand Assante does a good job of portraying the hero, Odysseus. He seems to capture the leadership qualities intended to the journey back to Ithaca. Bernadette Peters is cast as Circe, Vanessa Williams is Calypso, and Isabella Rossellini plays Athena, the goddess of Wisdom, and Greta Scacchi plays Penelope, Odysseus' wife. What makes this particularly a wonderful movie is that it serves two purposes. It teaches the main points of The Odyssey to those who are not familiar with it, and it is a modern adaptation that can be appreciated by the "reluctant" viewers of classics. Encompassed within the film are many of the adventures that Odysseus experiences in Homer's epic poem: the Trojan War, the Trojan Horse, the Cyclops, Hades (the Land of the Dead), Calypso's Island, Circe's Island, The wrath of Poseidon, The Suitors and the Suitor's Challenge, Penelope's Test of Odysseus' faith. Most of the time, visual effects do little to awe me, especially when there is a story to be told. But, imagery and setting aids in creating a true epic feel in The Odyssey. The camera angles of vast sea while they are afloat, the images of the setting sun and moon, the depiction of the God of the Sea, Poseidon, and his angry wrath on Odysseus, the realistic images of The Cyclopes (and other creatures), and the battles between the Greeks and Trojans all serve to establish a "grandiose" effect of the epic poem. All these visuals give the story a "larger than life" feel. Aspects of The Odyssey that were irksome were overdone scenes with Odysseus and his "temptors"-Calypso and Circe. They seemed to drag these out unnecessarily and tried to be a little too "heated" with some of the lines and sexual innuendos. It seemed that they could have edited these more and given more time and effort in another more important aspect of Odysseus adventure-such as his return to Ithaca. What one must take in mind before viewing this and other classics on film is that often it is a "retelling" of the story; this being said, The Odyssey is "almost" accurate. Overall, this is a film that successfully depicts Homer's classic with integrity. Rating: 4 1/2 stars. Also recommended: Jason and The Argonauts, Clash of the Titans
Rating:
Summary: Pitifully Overrated - A Nuisance to the Viewer
Review: Yes, this is another review, held in honor of the great, almighty, Mr. Noteboom. Yes. Take the name seriousely, Mr. cmndrnineveh, not all of us were lucky enough to be born with enviable names. I think you'd agree? Basically, this movie poorly portrays a classic. Has the producer actually read the Odyssey, because sometimes, Cliffs Notes just won't cut it... Some fine details were left out of the story. For an example, the (quoted from the Odyssey) "red haired king Menelaos," doesn't have red hair. I understand that Menelaos wants to make a fashion statement, but lets stick to the storyline, eh? Other than that, Telemachos' mighty double spear throw-that-never-was, though not accurate, as was mentioned earlier, has made Telemachos a laughingstock at our school. Eh, he beats the suitors and their "interesting" hairstyles :P Well, not much of a movie, a great book, Noteboom is god.
By the way, I think Amazon might want to add a new zero star option, just for this movie.
Rating:
Summary: Blech
Review: This movie was the epitome of, well, everything wrong with movies. It took the premise of adapting Homer's literary classic and completely butchered it into this...osbstrocity. With acting that would pale in comparison to an elementary school play, a script that would make Ed Wood blush, and some of the words special effects ever, it truly makes me sad for humanity. The one good point is that it makes for some great "in" jokes. Telemakhos's double spear throw has become a running gag at my school.
Rating:
Summary: A Disgrace To Readers Everywhere
Review: .......... You actually enjoyed a movie, so steeped in inaccuracy and cheap special effects? Of course the movie will never be as good as the book, however, this goes entirely beyond that. The producers of this movie should be glad that Homer is long dead because I can assure you he, and any other Ancient Greek for that matter, would wreak absolute hell on them. As a lover of Greek Mythology, I was grossly appalled and frankly, I was offended that the makers of this movie believed I was dumb enough to take this movie as what The Odyssey was truly about. We the audience deserve a higher standard of entertainment and if not that at least the consideration to leave the foundation of Western literature to stand alone. If this rating gives anyone even the slightest clue of how I feel, then my point has been well conveyed. If you've never seen this movie, I have several things for you to consider before doing so. First, don't read the book, or prepare to be as outraged as I was at the misinformed atrocities so readily displayed as fact in the movie. Second, you must be able to appreciate hand-me-down special effects and budget cuts because that's all you're going to see in this film. Last, if you haven't read the book don't take this movie as fact and a correct representation because looking at the movie objectively, it does not follow the book accurately. Choose wisely before renting this movie and think hard about whether or not you want to subject your innocent children to watching Hollywood destroy the story on which it was built. Thank you, read the Honors Kids' reviews for further detail on the book compared to the movie. P.S. It has been considered immature to mock another for their name, Mr. C., and you are certainly no one to talk. You disgrace Pennsylvania in your lack of tolerance for other people's differences. Maybe you should get out more often and find out just how many people have last names different than your own. Oh and by the way you have just been taught the simple lesson of manners from the point of view of a fifteen year-old girl. Does this say anything?
Rating:
Summary: Who be dissin on our noteboom?
Review: Ok, first of all Mr.Cmndrnineveh from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania USA I find it very hard to believe that you even read the full book version of THE ODYSSEY. God knows if you did you wouldnt be madly in love with this made-for-TV movie THE ODYSSEY. Personally i think the only ppl this movie does good too are druggies and wanna-be drop outs who dont want to read the book or buy the cliff notes so they watch the movie. its absolutley horrible. Mr. Noteboom is a very bright and brillant honors teacher in Washington state. I must say i agree with every honor student's last year review of this book. To the point where Telemachous was whiny and horrible; Athena had blue eyes; and Menelaos' hair is black. All i gotta say is what a waste of film! Ppl out there- spare yourself.
Rating:
Summary: Great book; terrible movie
Review: if you have read and liked the book, or know anything about the story, this movie would certainly want to make you want to kill yourself. odysseus is portraid as rugged, stupid barbarian who is nothing like the hero Homer described him as. the special effects aren't too uplifting either, although it was a pretty low budget film. all of the events in the movie are nothing like in the book; it was as thought the writer's had never even read it!!! bad acting, cheesy special effects, and a completely inaccurate plot make Hallmark's version of the odyssey one of the worst movies to ever come out of a classic novel. in conclusion, i'd rather go to Hades than watch this movie!
Rating: 
Summary: DISAPPOINTING
Review: A lot of money has been spent on an excellent tale. Unfortunately a mediocre cast (notwithstanding the presence of Bernadette Peters), poor directing and a weak script overpower the scenic beauty of the Mediterranean setting, the props, the costumes and special effects. The result is at best a B grade movie that is worth watching once for its visual impact but not worth owning for repeated viewings.
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