Helen of Troy (1956)

Good, but dated. movie.

If you arec76 years old like me and have some memories of the past, this is a very good movie and a good production to watch.

A good movie from the sword and sandles era of Hollywood. I enjoy movies of this era, the sets were real, and the effects were all real.

Great story this version unknown to me

I see that this 50s spectacle, "Helen of Troy", has attracted a number of favourable reviews--although a couple of these reviews seem to be as "epic' as the story in the film ! Very loosely based on Homer's "Iliad", and released on DVD no doubt to coincide with the new version of this tale in theatres, "Troy", "Helen of Troy" remains an enjoyable experience. It has fine production values--sets, costumes, cinematography--and an experienced director in Robert Wise. The plot is not too complicated, at least in this "Coles Notes" adaption of Homer's work. The Trojan prince, Paris, visits Greece on a peace mission and meets Helen, the wife of the Greek king, Menelaus. Paris and Helen fall for each other, and run off back to Troy. Of course, " this means war "--besides, the Greeks wanted war anyway ! The second half of the film is taken up with the siege of Troy, and there are some spectacular battle scenes here, with real people ! No digital effects in those days ! There is also a large, wooden horse--but you knew that, didn't you ? The supporting cast is mostly British--Sir Cedric Hardwicke, Harry Andrews, Janette Scott, Niall McGuinness, Torin Thatcher, Ronald Lewis and, as a perpetually-glowering Achilles, Stanley Baker, are all solid and professional. The two leads, however, went to unknown non-Brits, and perhaps this is what interests me the most about "Helen of Troy". This must have been an expensive production--why did the lead roles not be given to big names ? The beautiful, curvaceous Italian actress, Rossana Podesta, is Helen--while not a great actress, it is not difficult to imagine grown men fighting over her ! As Paris, we have French actor, Jacques Sernas, billed of course as "Jack". While he has a striking appearance, his acting skills--at least in this film--appear to be zero. If I had Rossana Podesta throwing herself at me ( yes--I know--sweet dreams ! ), I think I would be a little more animated than Mr. Sernas. While he continued to enjoy a long career in European productions, it's easy to see why Hollywood did not come calling again ! Speaking of France, a young French actress plays Helen's handmaiden--within a year, Brigitte Bardot would become more famous than any actor in "Helen of Troy". The colour, wide-screen DVD is gorgeous. There is also a trailer, and some black and white promotional material released at the time, featuring actor, Gig Young. Overall, I would give "Helen of Troy" three and a half stars--it is not as grand as say " The Ten Commandments", also released in 1956--but if you like old-fashioned historical spectacles, where entertainment takes precedent over authenticity or literary merit, you will find this DVD an enjoyable addition to your collection.

When I played this Classic movie!! WOW!! The sound of the ‘OVERTURE’ was both CLEAR and CRISP in the video!! This part of the movie gave me the expectation that the TRANSFERENCE will be MAGNIFICENT in its GLORY of the BIG-SCREEN SPECTACULAR of a by-gone era!!! However, there is a slight hint of the color being a bit light in texture that shows through out the movie but still is acceptable, to me!! Then there is one unique person in this film that should be noted!! I understand that this movie was Brigitte Bardot’s first movie introduction in a long and interesting career!! Anyhow, this movie has its moments of Grandeur even if it’s Hollywood’s view of history!! I remember that this movie is for entertainment purposes and not for historical accuracies!! I am glad to add this CLASSIC movie to my collection!! Thank you AMAZON for adding this movie to your inventory!!

It's a real treat to see Helen of Troy finally on Blu-ray and magnificently restored. This is one of my favorites of the Fifties epics and it is certainly the most romantic. Max Steiner's score is almost non-stop and a real highlight of the movie.

Jacques Sernas was featured in LA DOLCE VITA. His looks stood out as he was very handsome. I saw him in person in Hollywood at a fund raiser for the widow of the owner of the Mocambo. Frank Sinatra was performing that night. Jack was with his wife? Anyway, I had missed the theatrical run of HELEN OF TROY. Rossana Podesta was the female lead and Brigitte Bardot had a small part in the beginning. This was made in the '50's or '60's. It cannot compare with the new TROY starring Brad Pitt. But the actions scenes are spectacular. No computerized imaging (CGI) in those days. Real cast members and hundreds in the battle scenes. Jack is extremely handsome as is beautiful Rossana. It is truly a collectible DVD and one you can watch over and over. Beautiful transfer. I bought it on Amazon too. Doubtful if this is in any rental store.

Dvd odnowione i zafoliowane-bravo

Forget all the knockers. This is just about the best of the Hollywood "epics" and a great film by any standards. I saw this film the last time when I was 11 when it came out in England in 1957. (It was the start of a love affair with Brigitte Bardot which I never got over.) Right there I knew it was a great film and viewing it again has confirmed I was not wrong. Part of the appeal must be due to it being by Warner Bros. This ensures it has pace right from the beginning as Warners would never stand for the turgidity to which the genre is so often prone. It was Warner's sole venture into this territory and according to the add-in's they liked to compare it (with some justification) with their earlier pioneering of sound in movies. It was only the second of the Cinemascope era epics (after The Robe) and so for one thing was able to grab the best ancient story that was going. Max Steiner was Warner's composer (surely the greatest film composer) and he was on board for this film. The music may not have the memorable melodies of GWTW or Now Voyager but Steiner's rapidly shifting, stirring power and weird, squeaky orchestration is all there. This can be relished in full during a rare nostalgic treat that nicely dates the film -a seven minute Overture. This is thankfully included in full on the DVD but this brings me to my one complaint about this issue. The final credits have been chopped. This is a crime as we are surely being denied more fantastic orchestration by Steiner. What a let down when The End means the end. Don't the makers know that some of us never miss a second on ANY final credit sequence, but with Max Steiner in full flow. Really! Too much! Part of the appeal is also down to the date of the film. The fifties was a golden era in many ways. Designers then still understood the meaning of "classic" and that goes through everything in the look of the film. The colour systems of Warnercolor and Eastmancolor unaccountably got lost in the sixties but here the former can be appreciated in all its sumptuousness. (The garishness of early Technicolor tends to make us overlook the beauty of the alternative early systems.) The fifties, of course, was also high point of bra technology which admirably adorns the leading lady. (A less welcome period anachronism is her vaccination scars.) The studio is to be congratulated for eschewing big Hollywood stars particularly going with Rosanna Podesta, a decision that must have put out a few egos at home. Once you have seen this film she will forever be YOUR Helen to which all others are mere flibbertigibbets. And we are comfortable in this context with the thespian English of Stanley Baker, Harry Andrews and others. The nasal Brooklyn of a Victor Mature is mercifully absent. Now, a BIG point. I doubt that I am the only one who is through with computerized special effects. Mildly intrigued when they came along, just can't look at them any more. They have exactly the same effect as silicon implants, that is to say, the thing they are trying to enhance looses all its interest. Well, you are safe enough in a film from 1956 on either count. Yes, that army of thousands is real guys out there. OK, a lot of the boats are models, but it is seamlessly and artfully put together. A great part of the pleasure of the film is certainly the aesthetic, for in costumes, buildings, hairstyles (especially Helen's), beards, weaponry, chariots and boats it is beautiful, convincing and inventive in every detail. (For an example, just look at Paris's hat when he is disguised as a merchant.) A slight niggle is that the architecture of Troy is too closely based on Sir Arthur Evans' reconstructions of ancient Minoa - a good reference point to be sure but the designers might have done a bit more with it. Warner's "Helen of Troy" deserves to be better known and appreciated. It comfortably surpasses the 2004 "remake", "Troy", in every aspect. Rosanna Podesta's ravishing first appearance emerging from the water onto the beach preceded the copy by Ursula Andress in Dr No by five years. I know which I rate higher - the one that no one knows about. Finally, director, Robert Wise, is a figure of such stature that often people tend not to notice him. Maybe, The Sound of Music, is held against him, but really he was just doing his job and doing it superbly well as always. In his films, every scene works - and works completely. That is why you can view them over and over again. . That is why this DVD is such a bargain.

E un buon film peplum tippico del Hollywood degli 50. Fa un puo serie B . Non ci sonno attori di prima fila come Charlton Heston, Gregory Peck o del genere ma si un cualque figure come Stanley Baker.

Vi la película hace muchos años siendo un niño… ahora al intentar repasarla dejó mucho que desear tanto en el video y en especial el sonido que NO PUDE REPRODUCIR EN MIS EQUIPOS !!!

Helen of Troy (1956) Movie theatrically released by Warner Brothers on 26/1/1956 Casting: Jaquas Sernas & Rosana Podesta Format: DVD-ROM Sold by: pritam music pvt. Ltd. Fulfilled by: amazon.in This movie, made by Warner Brothers, is the best version of Homer's "Iliad" so far, from the point of view of, storytelling. The action scenes are good (however those of Warner Brothers' latter remake, of Homer's Iliad, "Troy", is the best so far). This movie is an all time classic. Has grand production design & lavish sets. However the color used (warner color) is a letdown for the movie, it looks dull. Warner Brother's should have used Technicolor/Eastmancolor in making this film. Then the colour would have looked far more bright & vibrant, as it should, to befit a classic, as good as this. The film boasts of a great casting with Jaquas Sernas & Rosana Podesta as Paris & Helen respectively. As regards the DVD: DVD Format: DVD-ROM (original movie DVD) format. It contains uncut version of movie. Color. (Warner color) Presentation size: 16:9 (original presentation size). Aspect ratio 2.55:1 (original aspect ratio). Contains lots of original extras/bonus materials (probably made at the time of the film's release in 26/1/1956) in B&W [but the film (main feature) is in color].