The Odyssey

Warrior Odysseus leaves his idyllic life in the kingdom of Ithaca to fight in the Trojan War. Following victory, he now must endure a lengthy, decade-long return journey, and with all his wits, overcome deadly monsters, powerful forces of nature, seductive enchantresses, and even journey into the bowels of the Underworld.

The Odyssey (1997) is a two-part American and British television miniseries created by Andrei Konchalovsky for NBC. Armand Assante plays the warrior Odysseus, whose ten-year struggle to reach his home in Ithaca after the Trojan War drives the story. Greta Scacchi plays Penelope, the faithful wife waiting for him, while Isabella Rossellini plays Athena, the goddess whose favor and interference shape his path, and Bernadette Peters plays the enchantress Circe. Each stretch of the voyage brings a new obstacle, from deadly monsters and violent storms to seductive temptations and a descent into the underworld, so the narrative moves from one trial to the next across the Mediterranean. Set in ancient Greece, the production combines sweeping outdoor scenery with grand, classical spectacle. Its tone is earnest, heroic and melancholic, with a strong undercurrent of longing for home and the constant pressure of divine will. Fans of Jason and the Argonauts, Troy and Clash of the Titans will find resonance in its mythic scale and sense of ancient adventure, and viewers who enjoy faithful literary adaptations will appreciate its respect for the source poem.

Critics regard this 1997 miniseries as a positive, faithful and ambitious adaptation of Homer's epic, with strong performances and an earnest, large-scale staging.

• Jason and the Argonauts (1963)epic mythic adventure, ancient world journey, sweeping miniseries scale
• Troyancient epic retelling, grand historical drama, heroic journey
• Clash of the Titans (1981)mythological epic scale, gods intervening in mortal affairs, ancient Greek setting

Created by

Andrei Konchalovsky

Release Date

1997-05-18

Episode runtime

88 min

Rating

7.1 / 10 (898)

What is The Odyssey about?

A battle-weary warrior spends a decade trying to return home to Ithaca after the Trojan War, facing monsters, gods and seductive enchantresses along the way.

What is The Odyssey like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Odyssey as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.

Is The Odyssey violent?

Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in The Odyssey as moderate.

What did critics think of The Odyssey?

Critics regard this 1997 miniseries as a positive, faithful and ambitious adaptation of Homer's epic, with strong performances and an earnest, large-scale staging.

Which shows are like The Odyssey?

Shows with a similar feel include Jason and the Argonauts (1963), Troy, and Clash of the Titans (1981).

How long is The Odyssey?

The Odyssey: 1 season, 2 episodes.

Is The Odyssey still running?

No, The Odyssey has ended.

Where can I watch The Odyssey?

In United States, The Odyssey streams on Amazon Prime Video, fuboTV, Shout! Factory TV, Amazon Prime Video Free with Ads, Fawesome, UP Faith & Family Apple TV channel, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Shout! Factory Amazon Channel, UP Faith & Family Amazon Channel , Tubi TV, Amazon MX Player.