Matrixston Wow! Such a good movie.

Stometer Save your money for something good and enjoyable

Salubfoto It's an amazing and heartbreaking story.

Phillida Let me be very fair here, this is not the best movie in my opinion. But, this movie is fun, it has purpose and is very enjoyable to watch.

GeoPierpont Paris in a leopard print toga, sea foam green, lilac blue and various pastels with REALLY short skirts and that's just the guys!! That Lithuanian guy was absolutely gorgeous, never heard of him and I thought he could act given his Adonis looks. I found Helen to be of equal beauty and loved her many different complex hair designs. When did they have time for that in a 10 year war? Although Diane Kruger of "Troy" by comparison is most attractive, she is not a face that launched a thousand ships.It really annoys me that the guise of war and evil is typically blamed on a woman. So we really are all that powerful folks?? Hmmmmm. Sheesh even Bethsheba gets blamed for all the woes of King David! And who could not get enough of the drunken orgies and rape scenes. Of course these chicks were asking for it....A lot! Poor Cassandra is also portrayed as a clueless dimwit, but the only voice of reason in the entire film.OK so what about the action? Pretty amazing for 1956 and no David Lean. I was impressed although the fight scenes were less believable. Even the Greek warship head bongo banger kept missing the wood stump and wondered how they ever made it into town.Despite the aforementioned misgivings, I was "into it" trying to decipher the differences between what I learned back in the day, other films, references, etc. It's very easy to bash a film from the confines of your bedroom notebook but I am trying to be more fair and balanced, BUT a tad of humor helps me write.Recommend for a stylized historical perspective of many moons ago and to keep you wondering what happens on the return trip....YIKES!!! ;}}

wes-connors In ancient Greece, handsome Trojan prince Jacques Sernas (as Paris) is shipwrecked in Sparta, where he meets beautifully-figured slave girl Rossana Podesta (as Helen). The two are mutually attracted, but she is really the Queen of Sparta. Naturally, this means WAR... This adulteration of Homer's "Iliad" is nicely costumed and decorated, but comes across as overblown and plodding. The direction from Robert Wise is pointed, helping make the production more obvious than engaging. Narration, dubbing, and the soundtrack music keep it distant, although looking good certainly counts for something... It is interesting to see future "sex kitten" Brigitte Bardot play a dark-haired handmaiden, and Niall MacGinnis (as Menelaus) does well in his supporting role.**** Helen of Troy (1/26/56) Robert Wise ~ Rossana Podesta, Jacques Sernas, Niall MacGinnis, Brigitte Bardot

Marcin Kukuczka Although the most glamorous and the most exquisite ancient epics have mostly been associated with Cecil B DeMille who, after D.W. Griffith, reigned in the Hollywood showmanship throughout the years, here comes the name of Robert Wise, a renowned director; yet, inexperienced in this very genre. After the innovative style of his EXECUTIVE SUITE in the mid 1950s, he takes time and effort to film 'all the storied wonders of Homer's immortal 'Iliad' and all the gloried moments of its inspired romance,' as HELEN OF TROY trailer announced... Mr Wise's effort aimed at creating a genuine production and resulted in one of Homer's best screen adaptations ever made. For me, personally, it was an additional pleasure to watch this film because of a certain sentiment. I have heard about Wise's HELEN OF TROY since my childhood from my father who had seen it on the big screen as a young boy. Therefore, it is one of the films that has a place in our family tradition. But let me leave my own sentimental targets and get to the objective analysis of this greatly significant production.In the mid 1950s, it was not difficult to predict that filming the story of a woman whose 'face launched a thousand ships' and whose 'temptations plunged the world into the conflict' would occur a smashing success. After the triumphant return of epics with LeRoy's QUO VADIS? and Koster's THE ROBE, the motion picture was in need for new thrilling stories of antiquity, the immortal stories filmed in Technicolor, the 'towering wonders' that could span the period. Therefore, the first and the most significant 'wounder' of this film is the love story of Prince Paris (Jacques Sernas) and Helen (Rossana Podesta). It occurs to be at the core of viewers' attention and rightly so. Their scenes shine with memorable chemistry and appear to be truly convincing. The handsome Sernas and the beautiful Podesta are still an underrated cinema pair. Not much has been said about them in film articles and we should regret that. Not a top notch couple in fame but a top notch couple in love!Another 'towering wonder' of the film are some clear references to universal cinema merits. Mr Wise nicely combines the ancient plot with the modern depiction of the events perfectly adjusted to the needs of the audience. The couple occurs to be very modern, we empathize with them and follow their thoughts as if the story took place in our times. That subtle and up-to-date handling of the topic together with the desirable respect towards Homer and historical material is a great merit of the film. Although it has often been seen by some critics as 'Hollywood ignorance towards history,' I think that this combination with the right balance makes this film valuable. There are certain limits in the liberties taken and HELEN OF TROY clearly respects them.The supporting cast offer us very clear appearances so that the characters can remain vividly in our memories. That is a feature not every epic film can boast of. In many films, certain characters are being confused because of some shortage in the uniqueness of concrete portrayals. HELEN OF TROY does not commit that 'sin.' Starting with Sir Cedric Hardwicke who beautifully portrays the good hearted and kind ruling Priam, through yet to come sex symbol Brigitte Bardot as Andraste, Stanley Baker as the brave warrior Achilles, Nora Swinburne as subtle and delicate Hecuba, Harry Andrews as good hearted Hector to Niall MacGinnis as cruel and wretched Menelaus. Except for the aforementioned cast, the real revelation appears to be Janette Scott in the role of Cassandra, a key figure in the mystery of Troy's downfall. Ms Scott is excellent as the priestess of Athena and a prophetess who foresaw the events, the one whose heart was with Troy and whose thoughts dwelt in the inevitable tragedy. Cassandra, though not given much time on the screen, remains forever in the memory of a viewer after seeing this film. Her face is DESTINY and this face is youthful Janette Scott's.Finally, the most significant wonder of HELEN OF TROY is undoubtedly its colossal nature. Thanks to some scenes that still occur impressive especially when being viewed on the big screen, it is certainly one of the grand spectacles. Thanks to the cinematography by Harry Stradling and music by Max Steiner, the moments provide the epic with glamor and majesty. I hereby refer to the monumental depiction of the siege of Troy with crowds of extras (more than 30,000), the lavish sets built in the Cinecitta Studios near Rome, the sea storm that brings Paris to the shore of Aphrodite, the lustful bacchanalia scene when the Trojan horse has just been brought within the city walls...The bacchanalia moment requires special attention as a very daring yet a tasteful depiction... 'Beware of Greeks bearing gifts...' yet, 'the night smiles at us...' The entire drama and illusion of this moment is so awesome: dancing girls, orgasm-like tunes, ancient melodies, laughing god of vineyards... do they make us dwell in the final hour of Troy? Is it all real or just an illusion? Can we recapture the spirit of the 'almost' victorious citizens? Can we look forward to the dawn that will never come?A very nice epic film, a must see for all film freaks and buffs of old motion pictures; indeed another production of those golden years when the commercial gave way to the artistic, the heyday of might and majesty that you will never forget.

moonspinner55 Greek colonies go to war after Queen Helen of Sparta defects with a robust Trojan prince. Rather tacky costume spectacle (directed by Robert Wise!) is skimpy on action and adventure, high on soapy theatrics. The scantily-clad cast features lackluster Rossana Podestà as Helen and Stanley Baker as Achilles, neither of whom make the slightest impression. Cedric Hardwicke pops up in a colorful supporting part, but most notable is Brigitte Bardot in an early role as "mousey" brunette slave-girl Andraste. Rather ridiculous time-filler whose depiction of history is suspect; it is sure to infuriate any would-be scholars, but those looking for Cecil B. DeMille-styled histrionics will get a laugh or two. ** from ****