Troy (2004)

Last updated:
September 23, 2024

Detailed Summary

The Prelude to War: Paris and Helen

The film begins with Paris (Orlando Bloom), prince of Troy, having an affair with Helen (Diane Kruger), the wife of Menelaus (Brendan Gleeson), king of Sparta. Paris sneaks Helen away to Troy, sparking outrage. Menelaus, humiliated by the theft of his wife, seeks help from his brother Agamemnon (Brian Cox), who has long sought a reason to conquer Troy.

The Summoning of Achilles

To bolster his campaign, Agamemnon recruits the legendary warrior Achilles (Brad Pitt), whose fighting skills are unmatched. Achilles, however, fights for personal glory rather than loyalty to Agamemnon. Despite their mutual disdain, Achilles joins the war.

The Siege of Troy

Agamemnon gathers a massive army and sails for Troy. Upon landing, Achilles and his Myrmidons storm the beach and swiftly defeat the Trojan defenses, establishing a foothold. Achilles’ prowess in battle is highlighted as he kills Troy’s champion, Boagrius, with ease.

Hector’s Defense

Prince Hector (Eric Bana), brother of Paris and Troy’s greatest warrior, steps up to defend his city. Hector is portrayed as a noble and strategic leader, committed to protecting his people. As the war rages, Hector kills Achilles’ beloved cousin Patroclus (Garrett Hedlund), who had been impersonating Achilles in battle. This enrages Achilles, leading to one of the most iconic duels in the film.

The Duel Between Achilles and Hector

The death of Patroclus sets the stage for a dramatic duel between Achilles and Hector outside the walls of Troy. In a tense and emotionally charged battle, Achilles defeats Hector, showing no mercy. After the duel, Achilles drags Hector’s body behind his chariot, enraging the Trojans. However, in a moment of humanity, Achilles later allows King Priam (Peter O’Toole) to retrieve his son’s body for a proper burial.

The Trojan Horse

The Greeks appear to retreat, leaving behind a large wooden horse as a “gift” to the gods. Despite warnings from Hector’s wife Andromache (Saffron Burrows) and Paris, the Trojans bring the horse inside the city walls. That night, Greek soldiers hidden inside the horse open the gates, allowing the Greek army to enter Troy and sack the city.

The Fall of Troy

The Greeks burn Troy to the ground. Achilles searches desperately for Briseis (Rose Byrne), a Trojan priestess and Hector’s cousin, with whom he has fallen in love. During the chaos, Paris shoots Achilles in the heel with an arrow, fulfilling the prophecy of Achilles’ vulnerability and killing the great warrior.

Movie Ending

The film ends with Troy in ruins. As the survivors flee the city, Paris, Helen, and Andromache escape through a secret tunnel. Achilles dies in Briseis’ arms, leaving a legacy as one of the greatest warriors in Greek mythology. The final scene shows Odysseus (Sean Bean) burning Achilles’ body, acknowledging the cost of the war.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No, Troy (2004) does not have any post-credits scenes.

Type of Movie

“Troy” is a historical epic war film, blending elements of drama, action, and romance. It’s loosely based on Homer’s Iliad, focusing on themes of honor, love, fate, and the horrors of war.

Cast

Brad Pitt as Achilles
Eric Bana as Hector
Orlando Bloom as Paris
Diane Kruger as Helen
Brian Cox as Agamemnon
Sean Bean as Odysseus
Brendan Gleeson as Menelaus
Peter O’Toole as King Priam
Rose Byrne as Briseis
Garrett Hedlund as Patroclus

Film Music and Composer

The music for Troy was composed by James Horner, a renowned composer known for creating epic, sweeping scores. The soundtrack includes orchestral pieces that enhance the emotional weight of the film’s battles and personal conflicts.

Filming Locations

Malta: Used for many of the city and beach scenes, providing an ancient Mediterranean atmosphere.
Mexico (Baja California): The beach scenes, including the landing of the Greeks, were filmed here.
Morocco: Some desert scenes were shot in Morocco, adding to the grand scope of the film.

These locations helped capture the grandeur of ancient Troy and the sweeping scale of the Trojan War.

Awards and Nominations

Nominated for an Academy Award: Best Costume Design
Nominated for a Golden Globe: Best Original Score (James Horner)
Won a Satellite Award: Best Visual Effects
Nominated for a BAFTA: Best Costume Design

Behind the Scenes Insights

Brad Pitt injured his Achilles tendon during filming, a darkly ironic twist given Achilles’ fatal weakness.
Eric Bana and Brad Pitt trained extensively for their duel scene, refusing stunt doubles for much of the fight choreography.
Director Wolfgang Petersen aimed to ground the film in historical realism, so the gods and mythical creatures from the original story were excluded.

Inspirations and References

Homer’s Iliad: The primary inspiration for the film, though the movie takes liberties with timelines and character motivations.
Historical Troy: While the movie focuses on myth, some historical evidence of Troy influenced the setting and design of the city.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

Several extended versions of the film include additional scenes that delve deeper into the relationships between characters, including more interactions between Achilles and Briseis. However, no significant alternate ending exists.

Book Adaptations and Differences

Achilles’ Immortality: In the Iliad, Achilles is depicted as near-immortal, with his only vulnerability being his heel. The film presents him as a mortal man.
The Role of the Gods: In the Iliad, the gods actively intervene in the war, but in the film, they are mostly referenced symbolically.
Timeline Compression: The Trojan War lasted ten years in the Iliad, but the film compresses this into a much shorter period.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

The Beach Landing: Achilles and the Myrmidons storm the Trojan beach, showcasing his unmatched battle skills.
Hector vs. Achilles: The duel between Hector and Achilles is one of the most iconic and emotional moments in the film.
The Trojan Horse: The famous wooden horse trick that leads to the fall of Troy.
The Death of Achilles: Paris shoots Achilles in the heel, fulfilling the legend.

Iconic Quotes

“Immortality! Take it! It’s yours!” – Achilles
“There are no pacts between lions and men.” – Achilles
“You gave me peace in a lifetime of war.” – Achilles to Briseis
“I thought it was you I was fighting yesterday. And I wish it had been you.” – Hector to Paris

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

The costume design for Achilles’ armor is subtly shaped to resemble a lion, symbolizing his status as a fierce warrior.
The bronze-age swords and shields were meticulously crafted to be both historically accurate and visually striking, adding authenticity to the battle scenes.

Trivia

The actors spent six months training for the fight scenes.
Sean Bean (Odysseus) is one of the few major characters whose fate isn’t tragic—his character famously sails off to his own legendary journey, The Odyssey.
Orlando Bloom, famous for playing Legolas in “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy, was nervous about portraying Paris, a much weaker character.

Why Watch?

Watch Troy for its breathtaking battle scenes, stellar performances by Brad Pitt and Eric Bana, and its visually stunning depiction of one of the most famous wars in history. It’s a gripping tale of honor, love, and the destructive nature of human ambition.

Director’s Other Movies

Das Boot (1981)
The Perfect Storm (2000)
Air Force One (1997)
Poseidon (2006)
Outbreak (1995)