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Download, Watch online Helen of Troy (1955) Movie.
| Genres: | ActionAdventureRoma |
| Starring: | Marc Lawrence, Harry Andrews, Stanley Baker, Niall MacGinnis, Eduardo Ciannelli, Cedric Hardwicke, Robert Douglas |
| Director(s): | Robert Wise |
| Country: | USA, Italy |
| Year: | 1956 |
| IMDB Rating: | 6 |
Prince Paris of Troy, shipwrecked on a mission to the king of Sparta, meets and falls for Queen Helen before he knows who she is. Rudely received by the royal Greeks, he must flee...but fate and their mutual passions lead him to take Helen along. This gives the Greeks just the excuse they need for much-desired war.
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Visitor Reviews: (20)
21 May 2012
Ordered as a gift, did not view
This review is from: Helen of Troy (DVD) Received the DVD very promptly but did not view, as it was a gift to a friend
20 May 2012
Homer's Greek heroes stride onto the screen in epic glory!
The Greek heroes of Homer's Iliad are gloriously portrayed in this great classic epic. The impossibly beautiful lovers Helen and Paris find themselves trapped in the Greek siege of Troy and eventually victimized by their cunning ruse to destroy the city. Authentic sets, period costumes, an intelligent script and a great cast. Don't miss this one, the best of epics!
morpheusatloppers 16 May 2012
Never mind the quality - feel the personnel!
Go up to any film fan and ask them the title of the film which wasdirected by Robert Wise, with second-unit direction by Yakima Canuttand Sergio Leone, was designed by Ken Adam and scored by Max Steiner,starred Sir Stanley Baker, Sir Cedric Hardwicke and Brigitte Bardot,was filmed in colour, scope and stereo, at Cinecitta in 1955, with athousand extras - and they'll tell you to go away and stop being silly.They'll tell you that no such film EXISTS. That the names you've quotedNEVER worked together - they weren't even contemporaneous. And thatyou've just picked the names out of a movie publication at random andare attempting to befuddle them.At which point you can direct them to IMDb and show them the cast andcrew of "Helen Of Troy". They'll be amazed! This lesser-knownsword-and-sandal epic has ALL these names and more - Niall MacGinnis,Janette Scott and good old Harry Andrews.And it is certainly an oddity. After the war, 1,000 Italian extras costabout $25 a day and toga dramas were a staple of Italian cinema. Theorgy scenes were shot twice - one with tops, the other without (you canguess which version Britain and America got). I believe even La Sophiais an extra in this one.Either way, the names STAGGER the mind. But it's really just acoincidence. All of said names were either just reaching the ends oftheir careers (Canutt, Steiner) or beginning them (everybody else).Only Robert Wise and Niall MacGinnis were in the middle of theircareers.For the record, Leone was uncredited and learning his trade - Adamstill had to invent the descending circle in the ceiling of sets (atrademark he'd go on to put into all the early Bonds) - Baker had yetto star in and help produce the likes of "Zulu" and "Robbery" - and goon to direct a Welsh TV company called Harlech - then die tragicallyyoung.While Harry Andrews would go on to become one of Britain's favouritecharacter actors - Janette Scott (Thora Hird's daughter) would nevermake the really big time, but who can forget her in "Day Of TheTriffids" (even though her bit was added later - for padding and ahappy ending) or "Crack In The World"?Sir Cedric was theatre, but knew how to mug on film - and Bardot... wasBARDOT, for gawdsake!But what were these stellar people DOING in this camp old nonsense?Don't ask me. The two main stars were no-name Italians - Helen had amoustache and Paris was pretty - while the Brits were only there forsupport.To summarise, I think you can just mark this one up as a major FLUKE.In stereo. To be honest, if I hadn't seen it - I wouldn't believe itEITHER!
16 May 2012
Helen Of Troy
Helen the wife of Sparta's King Menelaus. Unhappy in her marriage, she longed for the company of the gorgeous man whom she had seen only in a vision: Paris the Prince of Troy. Action-Sienna Guillory .
Jonathan Farrugia 12 May 2012
Classic Greek Saga given Hollywood treatment
The first thing I read about this movie was that it was terrible and thatthe first lady even though very gifted as far as bust is concerned was anightmare when it comes to acting. However when I saw this film I had todisagree with those critics who tried to ruin a good movie. Even though thesets are nothing to those of "Ben-Hur", "Cleopatra" and other screen giantsthe sets of Cinecitta are stupendous. The colour is magnificent and theacting is quite good. It is true that the part of the heroine could haveportrayed some more fragility, still Ms. Podesta' was quite satisfying. Thecinematography is very good and the story never lingers. It isaction-packed and is bound to marvel anyone who likes thisgenre.
12 May 2012
Beware of Greeks Etc.
This review is from: Helen of Troy (DVD) I see that this 50s spectacle, "Helen of Troy", has attracted a number of favourable reviews--although a couple of these reviews seem to be as "epic' as the story in the film ! Very loosely based on Homer's "Iliad", and released on DVD no doubt to coincide with the new version of this tale in theatres, "Troy", "Helen of Troy" remains an enjoyable experience. It has fine production values--sets, costumes, cinematography--and an experienced director in Robert Wise. The plot is not too complicated, at least in this "Coles Notes" adaption of Homer's work. The Trojan prince, Paris, visits Greece on a peace mission and meets Helen, the wife of the Greek king, Menelaus. Paris and Helen fall for each other, and run off back to Troy. Of course, " this means war "--besides, the Greeks wanted war anyway ! The second half of the film is taken up with the siege of Troy, and there are some spectacular battle scenes here, with real people ! No digital effects in those days ! There is also a large, wooden horse--but you knew that, didn't you ? The supporting cast is mostly British--Sir Cedric Hardwicke, Harry Andrews, Janette Scott, Niall McGuinness, Torin Thatcher, Ronald Lewis and, as a perpetually-glowering Achilles, Stanley Baker, are all solid and professional. The two leads, however, went to unknown non-Brits, and perhaps this is what interests me the most about "Helen of Troy". This must have been an expensive production--why did the lead roles not be given to big names ? The beautiful, curvaceous Italian actress, Rossana Podesta, is Helen--while not a great actress, it is not difficult to imagine grown men fighting over her ! As Paris, we have French actor, Jacques Sernas, billed of course as "Jack". While he has a striking appearance, his acting skills--at least in this film--appear to be zero. If I had Rossana Podesta throwing herself at me ( yes--I know--sweet dreams ! ), I think I would be a little more animated than Mr. Sernas. While he continued to enjoy a long career in European productions, it's easy to see why Hollywood did not come calling again ! Speaking of France, a young French actress plays Helen's handmaiden--within a year, Brigitte Bardot would become more famous than any actor in "Helen of Troy". The colour, wide-screen DVD is gorgeous. There is also a trailer, and some black and white promotional material released at the time, featuring actor, Gig Young. Overall, I would give "Helen of Troy" three and a half stars--it is not as grand as say " The Ten Commandments", also released in 1956--but if you like old-fashioned historical spectacles, where entertainment takes precedent over authenticity or literary merit, you will find this DVD an enjoyable addition to your collection.
rpurdy 12 May 2012
a very good film but not Homeric
I saw this one back in the late 50's and again, recently, on DVD. Ienjoyed it back then and was pleased to find that it's held up verywell over the years. But be warned - this is Hollywood's version of thestory and is not faithful to the story in Homer or the other ancientsources that form the Trojan Cycle in Greek Mythology. The film focuseson the love between the Trojan prince, Paris and the Spartan queen,Helen. That's not inconsistent with the mythological version. But thefilm portrays Paris as a hero whereas Homer portrayed him as awomanizing coward, disliked by his own countrymen and mocked by theenemy Greeks. In spite of this, the film is well worth watching. Thebattle scenes are well staged, particularly the climactic duel betweenAchilles and Hector. The fall of Troy is also a highlight. The actorsplaying Helen and Paris are adequate. Stanley Baker as Achilles andNial MacGinnis as Menelaus steal the show.
12 May 2012
Jack Sernas whom you may have never seen
This review is from: Helen of Troy (DVD) Jacques Sernas was featured in LA DOLCE VITA. His looks stood out as he was very handsome. I saw him in person in Hollywood at a fund raiser for the widow of the owner of the Mocambo. Frank Sinatra was performing that night.Jack was with his wife?Anyway, I had missed the theatrical run of HELEN OF TROY. Rossana Podesta was the female lead and Brigitte Bardot had a small part in the beginning.This was made in the '50's or '60's. It cannot compare with the new TROY starring Brad Pitt. But the actions scenes are spectacular. No computerized imaging (CPI) in those days. Real cast members and hundreds in the battle scenes. Jack is extremely handsone as is Rossana.It is truly a collectible and one you can watch over and over. Beautiful transfer. I bought it on Amazon too. Doubtful if this is in any rental store.
10 May 2012
Featuring Brigitte Bardot
When I watched the film on TV the other day I kept thinking, that this is apretty good picture. I missed the opening and didn't know all the time thatI enjoyed a movie by Robert Wise, who tells us about Helen of Troy, whoactually was the wife of an unloved Greek King, who took of cause the chanceto follow a young good looking fellow to the town of Troy, which is the saidreason for a 10 year long war that is told us from ancient times by Homer.(The troy people think the war is about their gold treasure - that was laterstolen by a German. They didn't have any oil) The travels of Odysseus arenot in this picture, but pretty Brigitte Bardot at 22. I didn't see theoriginal version but I had the impression that the lines of the characterswere taken straight from the Homer epic poem. At least the German voices didtheir best to give some idea of the high standard of Homers literature. Thefighting scenes were arranged good to look at, the actors not as nice aslovely BB, who is going to be 70 in September this year and didn't make anyfilms since the early 70s. I didn't see the new film by Petersen, his herodoesn't wear a beard, that is modern but surly hurt in the old days to shaveall the time. So I understand well why except the women and Paris the restof the actors in the Wise movie put on a beard. What Wise could not avoidwas the music. Full orchestra, nothing left to the imagination. And thehorizon full of battle ships according to the method of Eugen Schuftan. Itwas the pre digital time and not bad at all.
09 May 2012
Helen of Hollywood's Troy
This is my favorite movie version of the story of Helen of Troy. It's more melodramatic and theatrical than the recent cable TV miniseries, but it is faster paced and has a grandeur and fascination with Greek mythology lacking in that version. At least Cassandra is Kassandra in this film - she's endowed with the gift of prophecy, yet no one believes her until it's too late. Then again, many other mythological details are sacrificed for simplicity's sake.In the role of Helen, Rossana Podesta is radiantly beautiful. She indeed has the face that could launch a thousand ships. And the Paris of Jacques Sernas is nearly as beautiful as his beloved. Their passion is believable, if a tad overblown. The rest of cast is good too, especially the Priam of Sir Cedric Hardwick, Achilles of Stanley Baker and Odysseus of Torin Thatcher. Although the Trojan War occured during Mycenaean times, most of the set designs and costumes appear to use Classical Greece as the model, and to very good effect, for it gives the movie a nobility lacking in the more recent version. It's all pure Hollywood and many liberties have been taken. The spectacular scenery, great matte work and action sequences nevertheless make for a very entertaining movie. So where's the DVD?
08 May 2012
Star-crossed lovers and epic battles
This rendition of the story of Troy was probably, like last years's miniseries, brought out because of the recent release of Brad Pitt in "Troy". However, this film can well stand on its own with a literal cast of thousands, grand sets, beautifully done action scenes both large and small, and a very good cast of mostly British/European actors. Stanley Baker and Harry Andrews stand out above the rest as Achilles and Hector and they both do well in their single combat scene towards the end of the picture. Rosana Podesta does look like an Aphrodite clone and is far more appealing, in my eyes, than the actress who was in the recent miniseries. Admittedly there is some overacting--especially by Sir Cedric--but these were part of the acting style when the film was made. The first battle between the Trojans and the Greeks is worth the price of the disc---which is pristine and beautiful as only Warnercolor could be!
07 May 2012
Homer's Iliad
Outstanding film of Homers tale about the Trojan War and the city of Troy's eventual fall to Greek cunning through the use of a giant wooden horse.The leads go to relative unknowns who do a credible job ,surrounded by a excellant supporting cast,the acting is uniformally good.This big budget film features tremendous action scenes and exceptional photography,this film should hold the interest of young and old alike.The incredibly beautiful Rossana Podesta is believabe as the "face that launched a thousand ships" .Look for Brigitte Bardot in a small role.
bkoganbing 06 May 2012
The Face That Launched A Thousand Ships
In comparing this version of Helen Of Troy with the more recent Troyit's quite the tossup. Both didn't quite live up to expectations, thecasting in a few places doesn't quite work. There was also differentemphasis placed on the classical figures in each film. This versionalso uses a cast of thousands and in the current version, computergraphics are used to show the mass armies of both sides.I never understood why 20th Century Fox never thought to film this withTyrone Power, the role of Paris seems like such a good fit for him.Jacques Sernas was adequate, but not more than that. Rosanna Podesta isone magnificent looking Helen in a role that asks nothing more thanbeing the first celebrity romance in history. I'd be hard pressed to choose between Peter O'Toole in Troy and CedricHardwicke. Each so well portrays the world weary and war weary Priam sowell. Hecuba is reduced to a cipher in the current version. But NoraSwinburne is not just a magnificent queen, but a caring mother for herrambunctious brood of Trojan princes and one princess.My favorite as he's likely to be in any film he's in is Stanley Baker.There is quite a difference between him and Brad Pitt. Brad was areluctant warrior as in Homer's epic. But Achilles as Baker realizeshim is just a warrior who likes battle with the zest of a warrior whoknows the gods have given him near invincibility. Baker brings so muchpassion to anything he does, he usually blows me away with anyperformance.Next to the stories of the Bible, Homer's epics are probably the mostuniversally known tales and everyone is a critic. For me this Helen OfTroy is a good if not great retelling of the tale.
dougdoepke 06 May 2012
Good Battle Scenes
They're sure a couple of pretty people even if they lack the force tofill out a florid spectacle. As the star-crossed lovers, Paris andHelen, Sernas and Podesta drive a plot that eventually involves a castof thousands and all the eastern Mediterranean. As a kid, I wasimpressed by the movie and still am-- well, not so much by thelong-winded lead up to the spectacular battle scenes. The dialog stillsounds clunky. I don't know why Hollywood thought the ancients spokesuch literary English. I guess they didn't want the actors to soundlike they just got off the train from Denver.On the other hand, the many massed scenes of warring Trojans andSpartans still impress. It's a Warner Bros. production produced inItaly with a mainly British cast, and half of Italy hired as extras.How the heck, I wonder, can you manage so many people speakingdifferent languages for the big scenes. But I note the great YakimaCanutt of 30's Westerns fame and Sergio Leone of spaghetti Westernswere second unit directors, meaning they handled the battle scenes.Great job. Also, I really like those sinister shots of the Trojan horsethat I still think of when I hear the phrase 'Trojan horse'.Then too, it's informative to know it's not just biblical people whoget punished for drunken orgies, like in all those Hollywood biblicalepics. Now we know that heathens too, like the Greeks and Trojans, paya big price for having all that fun. Nothing is surer of impendingdisaster in these movies than drunken orgies. Anyway, this was one ofthose big splashy films aimed at getting people away from theirnew-fangled TV's. It sure did me and I'm still glad.
06 May 2012
Wish list
These classic movies are work of art. I wish somebody inform film studios to develop DVD version of these movies.
06 May 2012
script full of silliness
The script of "Helen of Troy" is so full of improbable silliness and stilted dialogue it is matched only by the wooden acting that in the 50s seemed a requirement of Hollywood epics. In the end it spoils the spectacular sets and occasionally effective cinematography. The sack of Troy sequence at the end of the movie almost redeems it, and I am almost tempted to raise my rating for that alone. But then I remember the hash they made of the actual seige, with medieval seige engines and uninspired choreography. Paris is played as a 50's hunk who completely upstages Hector. There's no hint of the spoiled, self-indulgent womanizer. Worse, the romance between him and Helen fell a little flat. It's worth having a look at if you are a fan of this genre, as I am, but otherwise it disappoints.
05 May 2012
Be sure to check Regions...this one is NOT for Region 1
This review is from: Helen of Troy (1956) [All Region, Import] (DVD) I've seen the film, loved it as a kid. So, this review is NOT for the film. Rather a caution for those of you looking for the DVD. Check out the other one here on Amazon which is for Region 1. This particular DVD, which I purchased, is definitely for an Asian audience and respective audio-vid gear. My bad...can't blame anyone, I did not read it carefully enough. Just an FYI. Thanks
moonspinner55 04 May 2012
Sub-DeMille
Greek colonies go to war after Queen Helen of Sparta defects with arobust Trojan prince. Rather tacky costume spectacle (directed byRobert Wise!) is skimpy on action and adventure, high on soapytheatrics. The scantily-clad cast features lackluster Rossana Podestà as Helen and Stanley Baker as Achilles, neither of whom make theslightest impression. Cedric Hardwicke pops up in a colorful supportingpart, but most notable is Brigitte Bardot in an early role as "mousey"brunette slave-girl Andraste. Rather ridiculous time-filler whosedepiction of history is suspect; it is sure to infuriate any would-bescholars, but those looking for Cecil B. DeMille-styled histrionicswill get a laugh or two. ** from ****
03 May 2012
Saga Of The Face That Launched A Thousand Ships
The Robert Wise 1956 production of "Helen of Troy", despite its many great qualities in regard to production and historical recreation could never be accused of following religiously its main literary source in Homer's Iliad. That said, by no means could it be said to detract from it still being a top flight entry in the 1950's cycle of big screen epics based around historical events. Being a passionate reader of all things to do with ancient Troy I still find this film, despite its many critics, to be first class entertainment and a wonderful introduction to both the period of the Trojan wars and especially to the great historical romance between Paris, Prince of Troy and Queen Helen of Sparta, the face that launched a thousand ships. "Helen of Troy", is a epic movie lovers delight and combines all the right elements in breathtaking on location photography, vivid colour, great set pieces and with enough battles, romance and intrigue to hold the interest. Warner Bros Studios planned "Helen of Troy", as one of their biggest releases for 1956 and continuing their battle against the encroaching power of television spent a staggering 6 million dollars on the film which shows in every frame of this truly epic production. Highly romanticised it may be in parts but it still does make a serious attempt to show both sides in the famous Trojan war and what really motivated some of the involved parties to go to war. With such a gigantic tale as the fall of the legendary city of Troy to relate the film makers essentially had to simplify the story but the overall facts as most people know them are kept largely intact. The action begins with the handsome young Prince of Troy Paris, (Jacques "Jack" Sernas), travelling to Sparta to offer a treaty of peace with the main Greek states headed by king Menelaus ( Niall MacGinnis), and his brother Agamemnon (Robert Douglas). However on the journey his boat is wrecked in a storm and when he is washed ashore he is nursed back to health by an unknown young girl who in fact is Helen , Queen of Sparta (Rossana Podesta). At the Spartan Court Paris is amazed to be introduced to his earlier nurse who is the Queen and the pair promptly fall in love. However they come into conflict with Menelaus and when Paris is forced to flee for his life he impulsively takes Helen with him and returns to a disapproving Trojan court headed by his father King Priam (Cedric Hardwicke). Helen's abduction is an open declaration of war, but the Greek Kings joining forces to march against Troy have their own selfish motives for doing so and are largely driven by the chance to share in Troy's rich treasures. Combining with Odysseus (Torin Thatcher) and the legendary Achilles (Stanley Baker), the Greek fleet sails and lays seige to Troy. The assaults on the city are firstly repulsed however as the years of siege wear the people of Troy start to demand that Helen leave with the invaders so that they can return to their earlier prosperous life. After an abortive attempt by Helen to offer herself back to the Greeks and an unsuccessful fight to the death between Achilles and Paris' brother Hector (Harry Andrews) the Greeks hatch a scheme to fool the Trojans into believing that they have retreated . Constructing a huge hollow wooden horse and leaving it on the plain in front of Troy after they withdraw their ships the unsuspecting Trojans drag it into the city unaware that it is full of Greek soldiers who under cover of darkness climb out and open the city gates to the returning Greek army. The sack of Troy then occurs causing tragedy for the city and young lovers Paris and Helen. Helen is taken back to Sparta but the great love she has for Paris endures even after his death. Obviously dealing with one of the greatest romances of the ancient world a film like "Helen of Troy", will undoubtedly have a high romantic content never once however does that detract from the overall action of the piece. The cast for this film contains some of the acting giants of British cinema in Sir Cedric Hardwicke excellent as King Priam, Nora Swinburne as the loving Queen Hecuba, Stanley Baker as the arrogant strong man Achilles who has only one minor weakness and especially Torin Thatcher as the wily Odysseus who is responsible for the idea of building the wooden horse which proves to be Troy's undoing. The two lead roles are played by unknowns at the time in Italian actress Rossana Podesta as Helen and french actor Jacques Sernas as Paris. Both of these young performers with their blonde good looks certainly fit the part of the young lovers however the dubbing of their voices does at times create a bit of a jarring effect. Even after the release of the recent blockbuster "Troy", Rossana Podesta and Jacques Sernas still for me are the immediate visual images that come to mind when Paris and Helen are mentioned. Production values on this epic are first rate and the recreation of the city of Troy with its Minoan style architecture and high defensive walls is one of the greatest set pieces constructed for an epic film during the 1950's. The battle sequences involving hundreds of extras and the actual sack of Troy done with no computer assistance are also first rate and the historical costumes created by Roger Furse for both the lead actors and the general military scenes are the result of a huge amount of historical research into clothing of that time. The superb production values of "Helen of Troy", are topped off with a sublime musical score courtesy of Max Steiner which I feel is one of his best for this type of film and lingers in your mind long after viewing the film.Being an epic film lover from way back "Helen of Troy", is fairly high on my list of big budget efforts (for those times of course), that still entertain nearly 50 years after they were produced. While not totally adhering to its source material in the Iliad I view it now as an exciting action adventure romance filled with visually stunning set pieces and played with an appealing earnest quality by all that was typical of this era of filmmaking. "Helen of Troy", is old style movie making from the closing days of Hollywood's golden age and still makes memorable viewing for movie buffs and action adventure lovers alike. Enjoy.
nora_nettlerash 03 May 2012
"Admiration for the beauty of a marble image"
Paramount and Cecil B. DeMille kick-started the 1949-66 wave of ancientworld epics with the biblical tale Samson and Delilah, while MGM andFox made their mark with gospel spin-off stories Quo Vadis and The Roberespectively. Warner Brothers were a bit slower to jump on thebandwagon, and when they did the fables they chose were refreshinglypagan. In 1954 they produced the delightfully silly Land of thePharaohs, and followed it up with this, one of the best-known and mostenduring myths of ancient Greece.Pictures like this have a reputation for being somewhat corny andinsincere. And Helen of Troy is a shameless part of that tradition. Itis admittedly a neat and fast-moving retelling of the legend, but itsdialogue ranges from laughable to banal. Characters make woodenstatements that were obviously someone's idea of ancient wisdom. Slavestalk back to their masters without so much as a telling off. What isparticularly inept is the way the writers obviously felt they had toget in famous lines like "The face that launched a thousand ships" and"Beware of Greeks bearing gifts", so we have to listen to them bendingthe dialogue towards these clichés, to the point where they soundutterly trite  "Hmm, that's a lot of ships out there, at least a fewhundred no I'd say a thousand. And what launched them, eh?" Other than poor writing, another thing that tended to make these epicslacking in intimacy was poor use of the new Cinemascope aspect ratio.This was a big problem in The Robe, which was the earliest release inthat format, but Helen of Troy's director Robert Wise handles the widerimage with care. While he takes full advantage of the extra space forcrowds and spectacles, for the more intimate scenes he brings theperformers closer to the camera, and mutes the backgrounds so as not tooverwhelm the moment. He also makes great use of tiny bits of light ormovement, especially the recurring fire motif, to draw our attention tocertain bits of the screen, defying the tendency for individuals to getlost in a big screen. One of the best examples of Wise's control hereis the first scene at the Spartan palace where Paris and Ajax havetheir knuckleduster dual. It's pretty clear that Jack Sernas andMaxwell Reed fight like, well, like a couple of bad actors, but Wiseinstead focuses us on the fervour of the crowd to give us a more savageimpression of the brawl. He then moves in to close-ups of NiallMacGinnis and Rossana Podesta against plainer backgrounds, but stillwith a little movement in the frame to match their emotions.But all this sensitive direction cannot save us from some appallingacting performances. I can see why Sernas and Podesta were cast in thelead roles. They are both young and beautiful, and their unfamiliarfaces give them a freshness and innocence. But they can't act, and thedubbing doesn't help. It's not all bad though. Niall MacGinnis gives atremendous performance. He boils the character of Menelaus down tonothing more than a jealous husband, and his intense manner dominatesthe screen. Stanley Baker is also really good, radiating thoughtlessaggression with his every move. As for the rest, no-one really standsout or satisfies, even such worthy names as Cedric Hardwicke and NoraSwinburne.The Warner Brothers epics of the 50s were really little more thanB-picture with A-budgets. Like the equivalent productions at rivalstudios, they featured gargantuan sets, hordes of extras andbreathtaking spectacles, but they also suffered from weak scripts anddull casts. Still, some of Robert Wise's best efforts up to this pointwere actual B-pictures that he had treated with credibility and managedto eke some depth and sentiment out of. It is his intelligent handlingof the elements in the frame plus the handful of classy performancesthat raise this one just a little above a mediocrity.As a kind of postscript to this comment, here are a few miscellaneouspoints of interest. Max Steiner's score has his usual habit ofcommenting hysterically on every line or movement, but there are somenice little musical touches to the scene of the Greeks marching on Troythat are worth listening for. Later on, have a look at those siegetowers. Isn't it convenient that the trapdoors fit exactly between thebattlements of the Trojan walls? They must have got someone to go roundwith a tape measure before they built them. And finally, listen out foran early use of the Wilhelm scream sound effect, decades before itbecame hip and ironic.