Most scenes together: Achilles & Odysseus (5), Achilles & Briseis (5), Achilles & Priam (4)
Tis a beautiful morning. Poseidon has blessed our voyage.
Sometimes the gods bless you in the morning and curse you in the afternoon.
Do you love me brother? Would you protect me against any enemy?
The last time you spoke to me like this, you were ten years old, and had just stolen father's horse... what have you done now?
I must show you something.
[Paris leads Hector into the bottom deck of the ship to reveal Helen, who he brought from Sparta]
Is Prince Hector a good a warrior as they say?
The best of all the Trojans. (looks at Achilles) Some say he's better than all the Greeks too. Even if your cousin doesn't come, I hope you'll join us Patroclus. We could use a strong arm like yours.
Play your tricks on me. But not on my cousin.
You have your swords. I have my tricks. We play with the toys the gods give us.
I have endured what no one on earth has endured. I have kissed the hands of the man who killed my son.
Priam?
Thetis If you stay in Larissa, you will find peace. You will find a wonderful woman, and you will have sons and daughters, who will have children. And they'll all love you and remember your name. But when your children are dead, and their children after them, your name will be lost. If you go to Troy, glory will be yours. They will write stories about your victories for thousands of years, and the world will honor your name. But if you go to Troy, you will never come back, for your glory walks hand-in-hand with your fate. And I shall never see you again.
3200 years ago
After decades of warfare, Agamemnon, King of Mycenae, has forced the kingdoms of Greece into a loose alliance. Only Thessaly remains unconquered.
Agamemnon's brother, Menelaus, King of Sparta, is weary of battle. He seeks to make peace with Troy, the most powerful rival to the emerging Greek nation.
Achilles, considered the greatest warrior ever born, fights for the Greek army. But his disdain for Agamemnon's rule threatens to break the fragile alliance apart.
If I let you walk out of here, if I let you take him, it changes nothing. You're still my enemy in the morning.
And you're still my enemy tonight. But even enemies can show respect.
Patroclus, put down your spear.
I'm fighting the Trojans.
Not today.
But I'm ready, you taught me how to fight!
And you're a good student, but you're not a Myrmidon yet. Look at these men. They are the fiercest warriors in all of Greece. Each of them has bled for me. You will guard the ship.
But this is a war!
Cousin, I can't fight the Trojans if I'm concerned for you. Guard the ship.
Who are you?
I have endured what no one on earth has endured before. I kissed the hands of the man who killed my son.
I know my country better than the Greeks, I think.
You are a brave man. I could have your head on a spit in the blink of an eye.
Do you really think death frightens me now? I watched my eldest son die, watched you drag his body behind your chariot. Give him back to me. He deserves the honor of a proper burial, you know that. Give him to me.
He killed my cousin.
He thought it was you. How many cousins have you killed? How many sons and fathers and brothers and husbands? How many, brave Achilles? I knew your father. He died before his time. But he was lucky not to live long enough to see his son fall. You've taken everything from me. My eldest son, heir to my throne, defender of my kingdom. I can't change what happened, it is the will of the gods. But give me this small mercy. I loved my boy from the moment he opened his eyes till the moment you closed them. Let me wash his body. Let me say the prayers. Let me place two coins on his eyes for the boatman.
If I let you walk out of here, if I let you take him, it doesn't change anything. You're still my enemy in the morning.
You're still my enemy tonight. But even enemies can show respect.
A great victory was won today, but that victory was not yours. Kings did not kneel to Achilles. Kings did not pay homage to Achilles.
Perhaps the kings were too far behind to see; the soldiers won the battle.
History remembers kings, not soldiers! Tomorrow we'll batter down the gates of Troy and I will build monuments for victory on every island of Greece; I'll carve "Agamemnon" in the stone!
Be careful, King of Kings. First you need the victory.
Achilles makes a secret pact, and I have to honor it? What treason is this?! Consorting with the enemy king, giving him twelve days of peace! Peace, peace! Their prince is dead, their army is leaderless; this is the time to attack!
Even with Hector gone, we have no way to breach their walls. They can wait ten years for us to leave.
I will smash their walls to the ground, if it costs me 40,000 Greeks. Hear me, Zeus! I will smash their walls to the ground!
[The other Greek kings in the tent with Agamemnon look at each other nervously.]
Good day for the crows.
Triopas I told you yesterday and I'll tell you again today. Remove your army from my land.
I like your land. I think we'll stay. I like your soldiers too. they fought bravely yesterday; not well but bravely.
Triopas They won't fight for you.
That's what the Mycenaeans said. And the Arcadians. And the Epeians. Now, they all fight for me.
Triopas You can't have the whole world, Agamemnon. It's too big, even for you.
I don't want to watch another massacre. Let's settle this war in the old manner, your best fighter against my best.
Triopas And if my man wins?
We'll leave Thessaly for good.
Triopas Boagrius!
Achilles!
Triopas Boagrius has this effect on many heroes.
Careful who you insult, old king!
I see you're not hiding behind your high walls. Valiant of you. Ill-advised, but valiant.
You come here uninvited. Get back to your ships and leave.
We've come too far to stop now, Prince Hector.
Ajax I am Ajax, breaker of stones! Look upon me and despair!
Am I still your captive?
You're my guest.
In Troy, guests can leave whenever they want.
You should leave then.
It is the will of the gods. Everything is in their hands. But I'm surprised you let him bring her.
If I'd let him fight Menelaus for her, you'd be burning a son's body instead of welcoming a daughter.
We could send peace envoys to Menelaus.
You know Menelaus, he'd spear their heads to his gate.
What would you have me do?
Put her on a ship, and send her home.
Women have always loved Paris, and he has loved them back, but this is different. Something has changed in him. If we send her home to Menelaus, he will follow her.
This is my country, and these are my countrymen. I don't want to see them suffer so my brother can have his prize. And it's not just the Spartans coming after her. By now Menelaus has gone to Agamemnon, and Agamemnon has wanted to destroy us for years. Once we're out of the way, he controls the seas.
Enemies have been attacking us for centuries. Our walls still stand.
Father...we can't win this war.
Apollo watches over us. Even Agamemnon is no match for the gods.
Do not mock the gods! When you were very young, you came down with scarlet fever. Your little hand was so hot. The healer said you would not last the night. I went down to Apollo's temple, and I prayed until the sun came up. That walk back to the palace was the longest of my life. When I went into your mother's room, and you were sleeping in her arms, the fever had broken. I promised that day to dedicate my life to the gods, I will not break my promise. For thirty years I have worked for peace, thirty years. Paris is a fool sometimes, I know that, but I will fight a thousand wars before letting him die.
Forgive me, father, but you won't be the one fighting.
