The Fury of Achilles
Italian historical drama based on Homer's Iliad.
The Fury of Achilles is a 1962 Italian historical drama film directed by Marino Girolami, based primarily on Homer's Iliad and set in the ninth year of the Trojan War. It focuses on the wrath of Achilles and its consequences for the Greek camp, striving to remain faithful to the ancient text.
Quick Facts
- Director
- Marino Girolami
- Writer
- Homer (poem) / Gino De Santis
- Starring
- Gordon Mitchell / Jacques Bergerac / Piero Lulli
- Music
- Carlo Savina
- Cinematography
- Mario Fioretti
- Editing
- Mirella Casini
- Producer
- Samuel Z. Arkoff
- Language
- Italian
- Country
- Italy
- Released
- 1962
- Runtime
- 118 min
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The film stars Gordon Mitchell as Achilles, the greatest warrior in the Greek army, and Jacques Bergerac as Hector, the crown prince of Troy. The cast also includes Cristina Gajoni as Xenia, Gloria Milland as Briseis, Piero Lulli as Odysseus, and Mario Petri as Agamemnon. The plot centers on Achilles' withdrawal from battle and its repercussions for the Achaean camp.
Reader's Guide
The Fury of Achilles was released internationally in 1962 and in the UK in 1963 under the title Achilles. The original version includes footage from The Trojan Horse, but these scenes are omitted in the UK version, which is 20 minutes shorter. The film was shot in EuroScope and Eastman Color, and its bibliography includes works by Michele Giordano and Howard Hughes.
Did You Know?
- The film was released in the UK in 1963 as Achilles.
- The UK version is 20 minutes shorter than the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Agamemnon: The Fury of Achilles?
It is a 1962 Italian historical drama film that dramatizes the ninth year of the Trojan War. The story centers on Achilles' rage and the way that anger ripples through the Greek military camp.
Who directed The Fury of Achilles?
Mario Sequi helmed the project. It was produced during Italy's early-1960s wave of classical-era historical cinema.
What source material does the film adapt?
The screenplay is built primarily on Homer's Iliad, following the poet's account of the hero's wrath. The filmmakers made a deliberate effort to stay close to the structure and events of the ancient epic rather than reinventing them.
What is the central conflict in The Fury of Achilles?
The narrative revolves around Achilles' anger and the destabilizing fallout that anger creates among the Greek leaders and warriors. It examines how one hero's fury threatens to unravel the entire coalition fighting at Troy.
Why do fans of classical cinema consider The Fury of Achilles noteworthy?
It stands out for its commitment to faithfully rendering the Iliad's plot instead of taking heavy creative liberties. Enthusiasts appreciate that the ancient text serves as the structural backbone of the film rather than mere loose inspiration.
More in Agamemnon 1-24
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced