Troy 2004

In a realm where the gods gaze down upon the fertile lands bordering the Mediterranean Sea, the stage is set for epic conflicts and legendary heroes. Agamemnon, king of Mycenae (Brian Cox), has forged an empire through conquest, with his sights now set on Thessaly. In a bid to expand his dominion, he leads his army into the heartland of ancient Greece. King Triopas (Julian Glover) of Thessaly proposes an unconventional solution: each side will send their finest warrior to settle the matter in single combat, rather than indulging in full-blown warfare. The Thessian monarch summons Boagrius, a colossal giant, while Agamemnon turns to Achilles, but the legendary warrior is nowhere to be found. A young messenger boy (Jacob Smith) is dispatched to fetch Achilles, and Agamemnon laments the stubborn nature of this most formidable fighter.

Achilles, a demigod blessed with unmatched strength and prowess in combat, has always lived for battle, yet he refuses to align himself with Agamemnon, preferring instead to forge his own destiny. His legendary exploits will be immortalized in history, as will his unyielding independence. With ease, Achilles dispatches Boagrius, securing Agamemnon’s control over Thessaly and issuing a challenge: if there is anyone worthy enough to face him, let them step forward. Triopas offers the Scepter of Thessaly as a token of goodwill, urging Achilles to pass it on to Agamemnon. However, Achilles declines this olive branch and departs.

Meanwhile, Prince Hector (Eric Bana) and Paris (Orlando Bloom), honored guests from Troy, feast in the opulent halls of King Menelaus of Sparta (Brendan Gleeson). As peace ambassadors, they seek to strengthen ties between their nations. However, Paris’s restless heart betrays him, and he steals away to be with Menelaus’ enchanting wife, Helen (Diane Kruger), whose beauty has captivated him. He persuades her to join him in Troy, secretly stowing her away on his brother’s ship. When Hector discovers the truth, his indignation is palpable, yet it is too late to return Helen to Sparta and seek forgiveness. Menelaus’ wrath is kindled, as he vows vengeance against Troy, seeking the approval of Agamemnon, who is eager to oblige, driven by a desire to conquer the seemingly invincible city.

As Odysseus (Sean Bean), king of Ithaca, arrives at the doorstep of Achilles (Garrett Hedlund), he’s met with a sight that sparks both curiosity and concern. The legendary warrior is engaged in a spirited sparring session with his young cousin, Patroclus (Garrett Hedlund), whose eagerness to join the fray mirrors Odysseus’ own enthusiasm for battle. However, Achilles remains resolute in his refusal to heed the call to arms, much to Odysseus’ dismay. The latter’s assurances that this war will be remembered for centuries to come fail to sway Achilles, who instead seeks counsel from his mother, the sea nymph Thetis (Julie Christie). Gathering shells to craft a new necklace for her son, she presents him with an existential dilemma: stay at home and find comfort in domestic bliss, or take up arms and risk everything for eternal glory. Should he choose the latter, Achilles is warned that his fate will be sealed, and he’ll never return.

Meanwhile, Hector (Troy) and Paris (Tom Hiddleston) welcome Helen (Natalie Portman) back to Troy with open arms, their fellow Trojans rejoicing at her return. The city’s formidable walls, a testament to its unyielding resilience, have remained impenetrable since its founding. King Priam (Peter O’Toole), Hector’s father, warmly greets Helen and extols her beauty, while Hector is reunited with his wife, Andromache (Saffron Burrows), and their infant son.

Achilles’ decision to join Agamemnon’s campaign against Troy is marked by a sense of inevitability. He brings with him the formidable Myrmidons, led by Eudorus (Vincent Regan), as well as Patroclus. The Myrmidons prove to be a force to be reckoned with, their rowing prowess allowing them to arrive on the shores of Troy before the Greeks. Achilles delivers an impassioned speech to his men, promising that they will be forever immortalized in the annals of history.

Concerned for Patroclus’ safety and inexperience, Achilles instructs him to remain behind, watching over the ship as the Myrmidons claim the beach with ease. Their conquest of the Temple of Apollo is marked by a sense of defiance, despite Eudorus’ warnings against offending the gods. In a bold move, Achilles decapitates the statue of Apollo, an act that will have far-reaching consequences.

Prince Hector leads a valiant effort to repel the Greeks, and in his path, he encounters Achilles. However, instead of engaging in combat, Achilles chooses not to fight him, allowing Hector to depart. The stage is set for a confrontation that will have far-reaching implications, as two warriors from opposing sides confront each other, their fates forever entwined.

As Briseis was brought before Achilles’ humble abode, her fiery spirit ignited in protest at the senseless slaughter of Apollo’s priests prior to his summons by Agamemnon. The king’s celebration of their victory only fueled further animosity between Achilles and Agamemnon as they clashed over claims to the spoils. The introduction of Briseis into this powder keg of tension sparked a furious outburst from Achilles, who was then enraged when Agamemnon seized her as his own prize of war. Seizing his sword in anger, Achilles threatened to take up arms for her sake, only to be rebuked by Briseis herself, who venomously declared that no one would die for her. The mighty warrior’s blade stayed its deadly course, leaving Agamemnon aghast. In a vow that sent shivers down the spines of all present, Achilles swore that Agamemnon would ultimately fall beneath his sword.

That night, King Priam convened with his advisors and elders, accompanied by his sons, to deliberate on the best strategies for defending against their Greek adversaries. Paris, ever the optimist, proposed a novel solution: he would engage Menelaus in a duel to determine Helen’s fate. The victor would claim her hand, while the vanquished would be forced to burn at the very first light of dawn. Later, Priam shared his thoughts with Paris in a quiet courtyard, confessing that, despite having fought countless wars for power and land, he found the idea of waging war for love to be a more palatable notion. With this newfound perspective, Priam entrusted Paris with the revered Sword of Troy, forged at the city’s founding and imbued with the history of their people. He reminded his son that as long as a Trojan wielded the sword, there would always be hope for their nation.

As Hector paid a visit to his wife and young son, he found his loved ones consumed by fear for his life. His wife could hardly bear the thought of living on without her beloved husband. With reassuring words, Hector comforted them before departing to seek out his brother. In the palace corridors, he chanced upon a cloaked figure and gave chase, only to discover Helen, overcome with remorse for being the sole catalyst behind so much bloodshed that day. Hector gently counseled her that returning to Menelaus would not bring an end to the conflict and reminded her of her new role as princess of Troy. Helen subsequently returned to Paris, weighed down by the weight of her conscience.

As Agamemnon’s army marches towards Troy, Achilles stands watchful on a nearby hillside, his resentment towards Agamemnon simmering like a slow-burning fire. The tension is palpable as Hector and Paris emerge to confront the Greek leaders, with Agamemnon demanding the Trojans return Helen to Menelaus and submit to his rule. Hector’s bravery in the face of adversity is met with Agamemnon’s indifference, but Paris’s offer to duel Menelaus sparks a sense of hope for resolution. However, the fight quickly turns in favor of Menelaus, and despite Paris’s valiant efforts, he is wounded and disarmed. Just as Menelaus prepares to deliver the final blow, Paris miraculously escapes with his life, leaving both Agamemnon and Hector stunned by his cowardice.

As the battle rages on, Achilles watches from afar, his anger towards Agamemnon boiling over at the Greek leader’s inability to maintain order among his troops. Hector proves to be a formidable warrior, outmaneuvering the Greeks with ease. The once-impregnable Ajax (Tyler Mane) falls victim to Hector’s prowess, leaving the Greeks reeling. Odysseus advises Agamemnon to regroup and retreat before suffering further losses, and the Greeks make their way back to the beach, where their archers provide a thin defense.

With Menelaus dead, the original reason for the attack on Troy is lost, leaving Agamemnon struggling to find a new rallying cry. It is then that Odysseus suggests that Agamemnon put aside his reservations and enlist Achilles’ aid once more. Meanwhile, outside, Briseis finds herself at the mercy of the Greek soldiers, who have been given control over her by Agamemnon. Just as she is about to be brutally branded, Achilles intervenes, taking her back to his hut where he tends to her wounds with a wet cloth and provides her with sustenance.

As she questions why Achilles fights against the gods, he reveals a more contemplative side of himself, explaining that the gods are jealous of humanity’s fleeting mortality. According to Achilles, everything is more beautiful precisely because it is finite. As Briseis learns to see the world through his eyes, she begins to grasp the depth of Achilles’ motivations and the profound impact they have on his life.

As Priam convenes with his trusted advisors, Paris wrestles with the weight of his own cowardice. Helen, however, is steadfast in her assurance that she would rather find love and grow old beside a worthy companion than witness Menelaus’s demise on the battlefield. Meanwhile, Hector cautions his father not to underestimate the Greeks’ strength, while General Glaucus (James Cosmo) advocates for a preemptive strike. High Priest Archeptolemus (Nigel Terry), meanwhile, cites bird omens as proof of Troy’s divine favoring. Despite Hector’s warnings to remain behind their walls, Priam ultimately favors his advisors and orders an attack at dawn.

As Achilles slumbers that night, Briseis approaches him with a dagger poised at his throat. Without opening his eyes, he urges her to end his life, but she hesitates. It is in this moment of vulnerability that they acknowledge their feelings for each other and surrender to passion. In the aftermath, Achilles resolves that he has had enough of war and offers to take Briseis away from the city. He then confides in Eudorus, vowing that they will return home. Patroclus, however, is devastated by the news, having hoped to participate in battle. As Achilles returns to his hut, the weight of his decision settles upon him.

As dawn approaches, the Trojan army, led by Hector, takes up position on the dunes and unleashes a barrage of lit arrows into the sand. The Greeks awaken just in time to behold massive balls of hay being rolled down the hill, ignited by the fiery projectiles. In response, the Trojans advance towards the Greek camp, their shields clashing to intimidate their enemy. Just as the battle reaches its crescendo, Achilles appears in his armor, rallying his troops and charging towards Hector. The two engage in a fierce combat, surrounded by their comrades who urge them on. But just as it seems that Hector has emerged victorious, he realizes too late that he has slain Patroclus (not Achilles) with his swift sword stroke. As the Myrmidons gaze on in horror, Hector removes his helmet, and his eyes widen in shock at the realization of his mistake. With a heavy heart, he drives his sword into Patroclus’s chest to end his suffering. Turning to Odysseus, Hector declares that they have fought enough for one day. Before departing, Odysseus informs him that Patroclus was Achilles’ cousin, and Hector is left to ponder the gravity of his actions.

As Achilles (played by) emerges from his tent, the weary Myrmidons stumble into camp, their battle-worn faces a testament to the futility of war. The great warrior’s gaze falls upon them, his voice laced with anger and betrayal as he demands an explanation for their disobedience. Eudorus trembles as he recounts the tale of Patroclus (played by) donning Achilles’ armor, moving with the same fluid grace, and ultimately falling prey to Hector’s treachery. The godlike warrior’s ire is ignited, and with a swift kick, he sends Eudorus crashing to the earth.

Meanwhile, Hector returns to his wife Andromache, his eyes heavy with the weight of his conscience. He confesses to her that he has committed a senseless act, slaying a youthful warrior who was far too innocent for the brutalities of war. As he reveals the hidden passage beneath Troy’s walls, allowing her and the civilian population to escape should the city fall, Andromache is torn between the desire to flee and the duty to stand by her husband.

The flames from Achilles’ pyre still dance in the darkness as Agamemnon watches with a calculating gaze. He sees the boy’s sacrifice as a catalyst for the war’s prolongation, knowing that Achilles’ rage will only intensify until he has exacted his revenge. Helen, too, is aware of the unfolding drama, her eyes fixed upon Paris as he hones his archery skills, his aim growing more precise with each passing moment.

The following dawn, Achilles sets forth to exact vengeance upon Hector, ignoring Briseis’ desperate pleas for him to reconsider. His chariot thunders towards the gates of Troy, where Hector awaits, his armor glinting in the morning light. As they face each other, Achilles discards his helmet, allowing Hector to behold the unforgiving visage of his nemesis.

Hector’s attempts at reason fall on deaf ears as Achilles is consumed by a bloodlust that cannot be satiated. The two warriors clash with ferocity, their spears splintering and shattering beneath their unyielding onslaught. As Hector stumbles upon an embedded stone, Achilles seizes the opportunity to strike, plunging his spear into the Trojan’s chest and finishing him off with his sword.

In a final act of humiliation, Achilles drags Hector’s lifeless body behind his chariot, as the Trojans look on in horror. Back at his hut, Briseis’s tears fall like autumn rain as she begs for an end to the carnage, ultimately departing into the darkness.

As night descends on the Greek camp, an unexpected visitor emerges from the shadows - King Priam (played by…), his presence marked by a subtle reverence as he kisses Achilles’ hand. The elderly king’s eyes are etched with anguish as he reveals the true nature of his visit: to beseech Achilles for the return of Hector’s mortal remains, so that Troy might grant its fallen prince a dignified burial. Priam’s words are laced with a deep sense of empathy, acknowledging the tragic fate that has unfolded between their houses - the unrelenting slaughter of kin and comrades on both sides of the conflict. With a tinge of sadness, he implores Achilles to consider the humanity of war, his voice heavy with the weight of his own losses.

Moved by Priam’s words, Achilles’ resolve falters, and he agrees to release Hector’s body, vowing to meet him once more in the realm of the gods. As the king departs, Achilles turns his attention to Briseis (played by…), offering her a chance to return home and apologizing for the pain she has endured at his hands. His word is given: the Greeks will not launch another attack on Troy for 12 days, allowing the city’s people to mourn their fallen and prepare for the uncertain future that lies ahead.

But Agamemnon (played by…), ever the master strategist, is consumed by outrage upon learning of Achilles’ secret pact with Priam. Odysseus (played by…), meanwhile, spots a makeshift sculpture of a horse crafted by one of his comrades - an unexpected harbinger of the cunning plan that will soon unfold.

As the 12-day truce expires, the Trojans emerge to find their beach littered with the bodies of the fallen, as if disease had claimed them. In the midst of this desolate landscape, a massive wooden horse stands sentinel, its purpose unclear to all but a select few. Priam is counseled that this gift was left in reverence to Poseidon, and he decides to bring it within Troy’s walls, where it will be hailed as a symbol of peace.

However, not everyone shares his optimism. Paris (played by…), ever the skeptic, urges his father to destroy the horse forthwith - an ominous warning that falls on deaf ears. Meanwhile, a Trojan scout, venturing into the cliffs above the city, stumbles upon a secluded cove and discovers the Greek armada lying in wait, its presence hidden from view. But before he can sound the alarm, an arrow finds its mark, silencing his cries of warning forever.

As the city’s euphoria dissipates into the night air, a subtle shift occurs. The horse of Troy, once a symbol of hope and cunning, slowly opens its doors, revealing Achilles (actor name), Odysseus, and a contingent of Greek warriors. With calculated precision, they dispatch the unsuspecting guards and breach the gates, allowing their comrades to flood into the city like a vengeful tide. The once-proud walls of Troy now crumble beneath the relentless onslaught, as burning homes and slaughtered civilians become the grim reality. Meanwhile, Priam’s anguished prayers fall on deaf ears, his pleas for mercy unanswered as he watches in helpless despair.

As the palace is overrun by the invaders, Paris (actor name) and Andromache lead a desperate procession of survivors to the hidden passageway, where Paris entrusts the young Aeneas (Frankie Fitzgerald), future forefather of Rome, with the sacred Sword of Troy. With his trusty bow and arrow, he returns to join the fray.

Briseis finds herself torn from her prayers before Apollo’s statue, only to be seized by Agamemnon’s ruthless grip. Achilles’ prompt intervention thwarts the Greek commander’s sinister intentions, but not before Briseis seizes a hidden blade and delivers a fatal blow. As she stands over Agamemnon’s lifeless form, Paris arrives, his arrow piercing Achilles’ vulnerable heel. Standing tall despite Briseis’ frantic warnings, Achilles confronts his adversary, only to be struck once more through the chest. He removes the arrow, but the relentless barrage of arrows ultimately proves too great, and he succumbs to his wounds.

As Paris and Briseis escape into the night, they leave behind a city in ruins, its inhabitants slaughtered or fled. The following day, Achilles’ body is honored with a funeral pyre amidst the devastated remains of Troy, as Odysseus surveys the carnage with reverence. With an air of solemnity, he utters these poignant words: “If ever my tale is told, let them say I walked among giants. Men may rise and fall like winter wheat, but these names shall never fade. Let them say I lived in the era of Hector, master of horses; let them say I lived in the time of Achilles.”