Troy is based on the Trojan Wars as chronicled in Homer's Iliad, though there are significant differences to original Iliad. (I don't think this will detrimentally affect anyone who hasn't read it, of course, but if you loved the book you should probably avoid the film.)

Right from the opening scenes, you know that the cinematography is going to be special. The shots of the coastline and then moving into the battle are expertly done, although slightly hampered by poor editing between scenes. The script is good for the first half and excellent in the second, with some especially good dialogue between Achilles and Breises, and later Achilles and King Priam.

Obviously, much of this film is made up of battle scenes (and duels), and these are choreographed well enough for each to be distinct and exciting in its own right. There's one particular scene where the method of attack used by the Trojans is absolutely ingenious (I must find out if it was ever used in reality), but I won't tell you what it was as that would spoil the surprise. The special effects are stunning too, though just a couple of times it actually looks like computer animation - not enough to spoil things though. They compare well to similar scenes in Return of the King, the standard by which such things now have to be judged. There's a lot of violence going on but not an awful lot of gore, thankfully. A few scenes show a lot of flesh (both male and female), but stops short of showing you anything specific. (If you see what I mean.) So it's not got as much offensive material as, for instance, Cold Mountain, even though it's the same rating. (Incidentally, to those interested in Homer's work, that film is based loosely on The Odyssey, though set in the American Civil War. Both films have a strong anti-war message, although they approach the subject from very different angles.)

PRINCE HECTOR OF TROY - Eric Bana (10/10) surpasses even Pitts' excellent performance. It's a bit early to be talking about Oscars, but if he doesn't at least get a nomination for this then there's no justice in the world!

HELEN, QUEEN OF SPARTA - Diane Kruger (9/10) is not only beautiful enough to portray the "face that launched a thousand ships", but plays her part with great sensitivity. The knowledge that she played a large part in all of the tragedies in the film haunts her and you can really see it.

AGAMEMNON - Brian Cox (9/10) is brilliant as the megalomaniac king who always wants more. His self-serving and sanctimonious character, and complete lack of regard for anyone other than himself, make him an even more easily dislikeable character than Achilles.

Director: Wolfgang Petersen (9/10) ably directed the proceedings. A little overlong but the pacing was spot-on for the most part.

Composer: James Horner (9/10) arranged a very moving and intense piece, that just occasionally loses its way because of sustaining the dramatic pieces slightly too long.