Christopher Nolan’s upcoming film ‘The Odyssey‘ is already one of the most talked-about projects in Hollywood. The legendary Greek tale of Odysseus’s fight to return home after the Trojan War has inspired storytellers for centuries, and Nolan’s version promises to give the epic a massive cinematic scale when it finally arrives.
But Nolan isn’t the first director to bring this famous journey to the screen. Over the years, several adaptations have tried to capture the drama, danger, and strange mythology that make Odysseus’ voyage so unforgettable. Here are our top three picks that you can’t miss before Nolan’s magic drops in.
The Odyssey (1997)
The 1997 television miniseries ‘The Odyssey‘ remains one of the most faithful screen adaptations of Homer’s epic. Starring Armand Assante as Odysseus, the project takes advantage of its longer runtime to explore the hero’s full journey, from the Trojan War to his dangerous voyage back to Ithaca.
Directed by Andrei Konchalovsky, the series brings mythical elements like the Cyclops and the sea monster Scylla to life with effects that were impressive for a TV production of the time. Despite its modest budget, the miniseries manages to capture the scale and spirit of the ancient story.
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The Return (2024)
One of the newest takes on Homer’s epic story is ‘The Return‘, starring Ralph Fiennes as Odysseus alongside Juliette Binoche and Charlie Plummer. Instead of covering the entire journey, director Uberto Pasolini focuses only on the final chapter of the tale, when Odysseus finally reaches Ithaca after years of wandering.
Disguised as a suitor, he quietly plans to reclaim his home and eliminate the men competing for his wife, Penelope. The film stands out for its intimate storytelling and Fiennes’ powerful performance as an older, battle-worn Odysseus. It even includes smaller details from the original story, such as the emotional moment with Odysseus’ loyal dog, Argos.
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Odissea (1968)
This 1960s miniseries returns to ancient Greece and follows the long, difficult journey of Odysseus after the Trojan War. In the story, the hero earns the wrath of Poseidon and becomes trapped at sea for years, struggling to find his way back home.
The series shows the adventurous side of Homer’s epic, and brings the mythological tale to life through beautiful real-world locations around the Mediterranean. Spread across eight episodes, the production takes a serious and fairly faithful approach to the original story.
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