Travis Simpkins: The Odyssey (1997): Homer's Ancient Epic Poem Gets the TV Movie Treatment

Directed by Andrei Konchalovsky, and developed as a made-for-TV movie, The Odyssey (1997) does wonders within the television format. Split as a two part miniseries, the film follows Homer's Ancient Greek epic poem pretty closely, focusing on Odysseus' long and troubled journey home to Ithaca, hindered by the Gods, after the Trojan War. Some of the special effects are a bit dated, but the overall feel of the movie remains fresh over 15 years later. Francis Ford Coppola produced the film and Jim Henson's workshop supplied the "monsters". The cast does a great job, including Armand Assante, Greta Scacchi, Isabella Rossellini, Vanessa Williams, Eric Roberts, Geraldine Chaplin and Christopher Lee.