Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Odyssey’ Trailer Sparks Debate Among History Enthusiasts
Christopher Nolan is no stranger to grand cinematic endeavors, and his latest project, an adaptation of Homer’s epic poem “The Odyssey,” is already igniting discussions among history aficionados. The trailer, released to the public, amassed an impressive 120 million views within just a day, but it hasn’t been without controversy. Upon the initial reveal of Matt Damon as the beleaguered hero Odysseus, observant viewers noted that his helmet diverged from historical expectations, lacking the boar tusk construction that should have been present. With the full one minute and 54-second preview now available, critiques have only intensified.
“The Odyssey,” while a legendary tale rather than a historical account, is rooted in narratives from a time long past. This epic, attributed to the possibly mythical figure Homer, describes Odysseus’s perilous decade-long journey home after the Trojan War, thought to have occurred in the Late Bronze Age. Homer’s narrative, dated to the late 8th or early 7th century B.C.E., includes fantastical elements like a six-headed beast and Phoenician traders wielding future technologies — instances of creative license.
In the trailer, Odysseus, portrayed by Matt Damon, sports a Corinthian helmet, resonant with the style of Homer’s era. While it captures the general essence, its open design deviates from the completely enclosed version typical of the time, perhaps to highlight Damon’s expressive gaze. Conversely, Benny Safdie’s Agamemnon dons a helmet that, though properly enclosed, appears impractically thick and is painted a sleek black, contrasting the vibrant depictions in Homer’s “Iliad.” One online critic humorously suggested Agamemnon seemed more akin to “Batman with a hint of Warhammer.”
The ship designs featured in Nolan’s film also sparked conversations. While sticking to practical effects, Nolan ensured Odysseus’s ship had a single deck and sail, accurate amid general features. However, it lacked the cutwater at the prow, a characteristic element of ancient Greek vessels, and shared a darker hue reminiscent of Viking ships, countering Homeric descriptions of color.
Set for release in July 2026, Nolan’s “The Odyssey” joins a lineage of cinematic epics scrutinized for historical liberties, from Ridley Scott’s “Gladiator II” to “Napoleon,” continuing a pattern seen in films like “Troy” and “The Last Samurai.” While some aspects of costume and set design have drawn critique, perhaps the most glaring anachronism, for purists, is the use of English dialogue among Damon’s company.
Richard Whiddington
Article topics: Archaeology, Pop Culture
