Have you seen the trailer for Christopher Nolan´s latest – surely – blockbuster which dropped two days ago? The “Odyssey” is stirring up the internet right now, albeit the news that the acclaimed director is working on this epic historic content isn´t all too now at all. Usually I don´t comment on trailers: With the movie set to being released in more than half a year, that´s plenty of time for us to wait. Yet, it stirred me up as well and here´s my take on this.
Why? Because since I was a little boy the “Iliad”, especially the second part which is the story of Odysseus´ordeal of his ten year homecoming, is my most beloved story. Countless times I´ve read it to my kids, hundreds of times I´ve watched the different movie-versions. I´ve sucked in everything there is to read or watch about it, especially the real-life implications of the first part, the Tojan War, which by the way has been depicted so masterfully by Wolfgang Petersen (whom we praise for the all-time favorite submarine movie “Das Boot” forever!) and young Brad Pitt. Anyway, here´s the trailer for the “Odyssey” and the internet went nuts …
“It´s a Nolan movie. Relax!”
Many commented that the helmets weren´t accurate, the ships do not look “Greek enough” and self-proclaimed historians more or less started to find and brag about dozens of inaccuracies. One of the users just posted: “Relax, guys, it´s a Nolan-movie!” And right he was! Christopher Nolan did a wonderful job with “Dunkirk”, a movie that still manages to make me cry. Accurate, true to the historic events yet taking its freedom to convey atmosphere and emotions. Remember: The “Iliad” is not a factual report.
It is still more unclear than historians are sure about which the true, real-life origins of this story are. It´s even unclear if there was even a person going by the name of Homer. The latest scientific research proclaims that the “Iliad” has been written by multiple people and used to be a story that has been handed from generation to generation by oral transfer only, before ultimately written down long, long after it was conceived. Others say the “Odyssey” in specific was a code of some kind, containing all the knowledge of the Greeks regarding the Mediterranean world. A guide for emigrants leaving the Greek homeland in search for a better life. Who knows?
Homer´s “Odyssey” – the greatest story of all time
What we know for sure is that the “Iliad” – especially the second part of Odysseus´ homecoming – has had fundamental impact on our civilization. Indeed it is the first story ever to show a hero without any super-powers. Even in the first part, telling the story of Achilles and his war waged against Troi, the main character has such divine powers. Odysseus however is “just” a human. No special strength or super-force. Just a human.
A human being, with all the faults and defects we all have in us. Odysseus has nothing but the power of his brain. His imagination. It shortly fires up in the first part, where he plays just a minor role, when he invented the Tojan Horse, which ultimately leads to the capture of the city. And sparks the final rage and rampage of the Greeks who destroy the once proud city and kill off all of its inhabitants. Odysseus embodies the guilt, the burden of this questionable victory. He even takes it with him – and has to make terrible decisions leading to the deaths of so many of his comrades in arms. Until he finally remains the one and only sole survivor of the ordeal, we know commonly refer to as the “Odyssey”. In this, Homer – if there once was a man going by that name – switches from a shiny glorious hero (Achilles) with divine properties – to a normal, weak, lying and tragic “hero” Odysseus is.
Which brings me to my expectation and sincere hope that Christopher Nolan treated this precious, precious story not only with respect, but lives up to this inherent tragic that makes up the “Odyssey”. And which makes this epic to what it is: One of the most important books for our civilization ever written, the first book showing what men are capable of. In their worst and in their best.
What. An. Awesome. Cast!
I have good confidence that Nolan succeeds. Just by looking at the impressive cast. Choosing Matt Damon to play Odysseus is ingenious! I mean, if somebody can embody hope, strength, cleverness and the “bad” sides of humans (remember “Interstellar”?), then it is Matt Damon indeed, right? Also, the rest of the cast – except for Zendaya who I really find overrated, but that just my opinion – reads like the who is who: Tom Holland as Odysseus´ son will play a very important role, as will do Anne Hathaway as his wife and Robert Pattinson.
The non-disclosure of the character Elliot Page is playing is surely part of the marketing campaign, which is fine with me. I don´t think that Nolan will embark on the Netflix-woke-trail here and I really wish that Elliot has a serious part that works for him. And us, of course. Jon Bernthal is a machine, Charlize Theron a goddess. Man, am I looking forward to this one!
A reason to pay for IMAX again
Nolan is not only one of the most interesting storytellers and directors of this decade, he is also a masterful craftsman when it comes to filmmaking. His take on practical effect is legendary, just re-watch “Dunkirk” and realize that he literally blew up a real destroyer ship! This will be most interesting to see, where he uses CGI – maybe for the Cyclops or Scylla? – and when practical effects will be preferred. Filming in IMAX proved the right thing already for “Tenet”, a movie I must admit I admire as the best James Bond movie ever. “Directed by Christopher Nolan” is a recipe for success, surely, and I guess the one and only time in 2026 I am willing to pay the ridiculous prices cinemas charge nowadays.
Tomorrow is Christmas eve. This little trailer is a nice present us, for all cinema-lovers and fans of historic material. How do you like the trailer? Is the “Odyssey” something you also appreciated as a kid and still like to think about occasionally? Leave a comment if you want. Merry Christmas, dear readers: I hope you all enjoy a nice, calm and contemplative season´s holiday, maybe rewatch a classic “Odysseus”-movie or one of Nolan´s great films. In little more than 7 months we all will know if the praise of the trailer was premature or – I hope so – if the full movie is even greater. I guess, the Gods will take a thorough look at Nolan´s post production in this matter …
Pictures (sorry for the shitty quality, just screenshots) taken from the trailer © Universal Pictures
Here´s more on Homer, the “Iliad” and Odysseus
Visiting the “real” places of the “Odyssey”: Isole dei Ciclopi in Sicily
Why is Homer´s “Iliad” the greatest story of them all?
Reading “The Golden Fleece” – sailing the route in real life
