(released internationally as The Odyssey ) is a 1997 fantasy-adventure television miniseries based on the ancient Greek epic poem by Homer. Directed by Andrei Konchalovsky and co-produced by Francis Ford Coppola, it is widely regarded as one of the most faithful and visually spectacular adaptations of the legend of Odysseus ever filmed.
The series boasted an extraordinary international ensemble, mixing respected character actors with rising stars:
The conference attendees, a Who's Who of the tech world, gathered around Odysseus as he recounted his incredible journey. His tales of adventure, wit, and digital prowess cemented his status as a legend in the tech community. As the celebration concluded, Odysseus knew that his odyssey had come full circle, and he was ready for the next great challenge in the ever-evolving world of technology. l odissea 1997
The 1997 television miniseries L'Odissea (The Odyssey), directed by Andrei Konchalovsky , is a widely acclaimed adaptation of Homer's epic poem. It follows the Greek hero Odysseus as he attempts to return to Ithaca after the Trojan War, facing ten years of divine obstacles and mythical monsters. IMDb +2 Production Overview Director: Andrei Konchalovsky. Release Year: 1997. Runtime: Approximately 176 minutes (2 hours and 56 minutes). Filming Locations: The production was filmed across the Mediterranean, including locations in Malta and Turkey . Key Cast: Odysseus: Armand Assante. Penelope: Greta Scacchi. Athena: Isabella Rossellini. Circe: Bernadette Peters. Calypso: Vanessa Williams. IMDb +3 Plot Summary The Departure: After the fall of Troy, Odysseus boasts that he does not need the help of the gods, offending Poseidon. The Trials: For ten years, Odysseus and his crew face numerous perils, including: Polyphemus: The man-eating Cyclops. Circe: The enchantress who transforms his men into swine. The Underworld: Where he seeks a prophecy from Tiresias. Scylla and Charybdis: A terrifying sea monster and a massive whirlpool. The Sirens: Creatures whose songs lure sailors to their deaths. The Return: After losing his entire crew and spending seven years on Calypso's island, Odysseus finally reaches Ithaca. Disguised as a beggar, he reunites with his son Telemachus (played by Alan Stenson) and defeats the suitors vying for his wife, Penelope. IMDb +2 Critical Perspective While the series is praised for its impressive special effects and capturing the grandeur of the epic, scholars note that it is a dramatized version and occasionally deviates from the original literary source to fit a television narrative. CliffsNotes Further Exploration Read a full synopsis and production details on the Official IMDb page for the 1997 miniseries. Explore a critical comparison between this film adaptation and Homer's original text at
The production featured a "who's who" of 1990s cinema and television: as the faithful Queen Penelope. (released internationally as The Odyssey ) is a
The miniseries won (Outstanding Sound Editing and Outstanding Special Visual Effects) and was nominated for Outstanding Miniseries . It also won a Golden Globe nomination for Armand Assante (Best Actor in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television).
While its special effects show their age (the Cyclops looks more like a Dinosaurs puppet than a horror), the emotional core, the psychological depth of Armand Assante’s Odysseus, and Konchalovsky’s unromanticized vision of war and homecoming make it essential viewing. It is not a gleaming fantasy—it is a story of grit, tears, and the relentless human need to return. His tales of adventure, wit, and digital prowess
The series is notable for its grounded, grimy aesthetic. Costumes are not clean white togas but dirty wool, leather, and bronze. The world feels tactile—sun-scorched, salt-caked, and dangerous. The monsters (Cyclops, Scylla) were a mix of practical animatronics and early CGI, which, while dated by today’s standards, has a tangible, creepy quality missing from modern green-screen epics.
The story opens with Odysseus on Calypso’s island. But Konchalovsky quickly flashes back to the fall of Troy. We see the brutal sack of the city, the killing of Hector’s son Astyanax, and the blinding of the seer Polyphemus’ father. The gods debate his fate: Athena defends him; Poseidon (played with vengeful fury by Yorgo Voyagis) swears to destroy him.