Fantastic films you didn't know are based on ancient Greek legends

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'Troy' (2004) -

While artistic license was used liberally, the story of the 2004 film does follow the events of the Trojan War as told by the ancient Greeks, and, of course, features the iconic Trojan Horse.

 

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'300' (2007) -

Zack Snyder's 2007 hit '300' borrows from a number of sources, reliable and otherwise, to create a less-than-accurate picture of ancient Greece.

 

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'300' (2007) -

The plot loosely follows the legend of the Spartan King Leonidas, who heads into battle against the Persian King Xerxes with only 300 Spartan warriors against the 300,000 warriors of Xerxes.

 

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'Black Orpheus' (1959) -

A classic movie filmed in Brazil, 'Black Orpheus' (1959) retells the story of the poet Orpheus, set against the backdrop of the Brazilian Carnival. Samba and bossa nova take the place of harp music in this version of the story.

 

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'Black Orpheus' (1959) -

Similar to the Greek myth, Orpheus and his lover are chased through the streets of Rio de Janeiro by a hitman dressed as Death.

 

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'Ulysses' (1954) -

Mario Camerini's 1954 rendition of 'The Odyssey,' titled 'Ulysses,' is a faithful adaptation of Homer's epic poem, with Kirk Douglas starring as Ulysses and Silvana Mangano as Penelope.

 

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'Ulysses' (1954) -

The film follows the most essential of the tales of Ulysses and Penelope, including Penelope's many suitors and Ulysses' fight against Polyphemus the cyclops.

 

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'Clash of the Titans' (1981) -

A massively successful blockbuster from 1981, 'Clash of the Titans,' directed by Desmond Davis, is an exciting epic based on the myths of Perseus, one of the many sons of Zeus.

 

[jw5]

'Clash of the Titans' (1981) -

Perseus, like so many other Greek mythological heroes, is tasked with completing a number of challenges in order to get what he wants: in this case, to marry Princess Andromeda. The tale of Perseus includes some of the most recognizable icons in Greek lore, including Medusa, Pegasus, and the formidable Kraken.