Troy – The True Story

 

Picture: C+     Sound: B-     Extras: D     Program: B-

 

 

In an attempt to capitalize on the Brad Pitt epic production of Wolfgang Peterson’s Troy, Delta has released a DVD that attempts to give us a more honest depiction of the story captured in the Iliad by Homer via actual historic record, but the problem is the title is misleading.  Troy - The True Story (2004) by its own admission explains that no one has any idea what the real history is!

 

With this said, narrator Liam Dale (with an Irish accent) gets to tell us all kinds of things that are not true or are not known for certain.  He is even quasi-sarcastic about this and that is what makes this more amusing than expected.  It could even be exceptional to use to teach uninterested kids the history, which Dale almost treats with an attitude that borders on contempt.  This runs 86 minutes and is always at least moderately interesting, though no actors or “recreators” ever turn up.

 

Instead, masks and artifacts are used throughout, almost giving this a wacky, amusing cheapness accelerated by Dale’s narration.  The combination makes this more watchable than Peterson’s film, which had endless problems and found mixed box office.  At least it will break even.  Not enough people will get to see Troy - The True Story, but if you need a good laugh, you know it’s out there.

 

The full screen image is completely analog videotape, with a generous series of stills.  The lack of people on camera is odd on many levels, but this is alright.  The PCM 2.0 Stereo is a nice break from tired, compressed Dolby Digital and luckily for us, brings Dale’s style of commentary that much closer.  There is not much music or overriding music, but there is a degree of Pro Logic surrounds.  The viewer with a home theater system will have to experiment for preference.  There are no extras.

 

When I was finished, I realized why Brad Pitt would make this his production company’s first project.  The vanity epic had carte blanche to do what it wanted with the story as nobody knew what really happened.  Too bad the film had absolutely no idea how to fill in the gaping blanks.  Either way, if you see the Troy film, you will want to experience Troy - The True Story.  That is if the 2 hour, 45 minutes long film has made you care less to begin with.  Maybe you should see this first, then the film.  It’s not like any surprises will get ruined.

 

 

-   Nicholas Sheffo