Troy

In 1250 B.C., the fragile peace of the late Bronze Age shatters when Paris, a Trojan prince, spirits Helen away, the Spartan queen, and returns to Troy. Menelaus, humiliated and enraged, convinces his brother Agamemnon to assemble a vast fleet and sail for the city. That decision turns a personal dispute into a full-scale siege, pulling together rival heroes, soldiers and kings whose loyalties and ambitions collide. At the center are Achilles, the greatest Greek warrior, and Hector, Troy's noble defender, each wrestling with honor and legacy as battles rage. The film follows the lead-up and early years of the conflict, focusing on clashes, alliances and the human cost that comes with war. Personal rivalries drive many of the confrontations.

Directed by Wolfgang Petersen, Troy opened in 2004 with a screenplay by David Benioff and Enfys Dickinson, drawing on Homer's Iliad and later retellings. The ensemble cast notably includes Brad Pitt, Orlando Bloom, Eric Bana, Brian Cox and Sean Bean.

As a summer tentpole it aimed for big audiences, and studio marketing framed it as a widescreen epic. It drew large crowds worldwide, prompting broad discussion about historical accuracy and spectacle even among viewers who appreciated the combat set pieces.

The film reinvigorated popular interest in the Trojan narrative for a new audience and cemented several visual images of ancient warfare in mainstream media, especially large-scale beach landings and one-on-one duels. It also helped elevate younger actors into international visibility, shaping how later productions portrayed legendary heroes and gaming media.

Critical response mixed praise for scale and some performances with criticism aimed at pacing and historical liberties, reflected in an audience vote average of 7.164 out of 10 from 10,764 votes. Major themes include honor, pride, leadership failures and the human toll that follows grand ambition and civilian suffering worldwide.