Original subtitles

Before the movie starts,

we would like you to follow us...

and take a look at these settings, now dark and lonely

where the whole story began.

This is the shore of the Dardanels, today in Turkey...

This is the Trojan plain...

where the Trojan war took place, around 3000 years ago,

inspiring the work of Homer.

This rubble on the hill is all what remains of the city

When you visit the ruins...

you can see the trace of nine cities each build on top of the other.

In the lowest layer are the remains of a small village from the neolith.

In the 8th layer was a fortress with strong walls, from the Mycenean age.

The one sung by Homer was the last one

It was flourishing and peaceful, before the Greeks demolished it...

...around the year 1200 BC.

Why was it destroyed?

The legend tells it was for a woman, Helen, spouse of Menelaus...

...abducted by Trojan prince Paris.

The real reasons were probably different, but time has lost their trace.

Troy would never rise again.

The wind blew sand over its remnants...

and it was even doubted that it ever had existed.

Until an archeologist, who believed in Homer, rediscovered it.

He was a German called Schliemann, and this occurred over a century ago.

When digging the soil...

the holy road to the citadel was found again

and the gates where Homer depicted the farewell of Hector and Andromache.

Today the visitor can picture what happened such a long time ago...

... on the shores of the Scamander river.

And, on the way back Europe, stopping at the museum in Athens...

to see the golden death masks of the mythology heroes,

he will meet these Greek conquerers of Troy...

those, who after the slaughter...

... started a long and perilous journey back to their homeland.

The Odyssey is the tale of a return.

If such is the will of the Gods, that Odysseus returns home,

I shall go to Ithaca to encourage his son...

(So said Athena, daughter of Zeus, as she descended from Mount Olympus)

(to the house of Odysseus, on the island of Ithaca.)

(She took a human appearance, as Gods use to appear to mortals.)

(She had the face of Mentes, the lord of Taphos.)

(In the house, a woman was weaving endlessly.)

(Her name was Penelope, Odysseus's faithful wife.)

(She rarely came out from the room, her former wedding chamber...)

(...all her thoughts were for her husband, gone twenty years before.)

(fearing what the Gods had planned for her son....)

(...and for herself.)

-Welcome stranger. -I greet you.

Come inside, my house is yours

- So, you are Telemachus, the son of Odysseus?

- My mother calls me so...

But that's a name I never heard from the lips of Odysseus.

Euryclea, a guest has arrived.

Follow me stranger

(Euryclea, daughter of of Ops, had come to the court as a child...)

(She had been the nurse of Odysseus.)

(Telemachus called her grandmother.)

- Penelope, a stranger has come...

...Telemachus has welcomed him.

Maybe he brought some news about Odysseus!

-Don't be so hopeful. Beware, Penelope

The world is full of people who travel under false names...

... and invent stories to charm their hosts.

He will be like the previous ones, all of those who gave you...

... the news from Odysseus you wished to hear.

- I am Mentes, the lord of Taphians...

... and my ship is anchored in the bay across Samos, beneath the mountain.

- So you know Ithaca? - I do, I actually know it very well.

I was here years ago as a guest of your father

I was told that your father was back.

-No, what you heard was wrong. No one knows about him.

-Who are all these people?

They leave their weapons outside the palace, yet act as masters.

Also, I see they ignore you - I try to ignore them myself.

- Are they your guests?

-Guests used to be plenty in this house, when it was honored in my father's days.

But as you can see, rules have changed over time.

And living in this shame is now my plight.

Look, they are the pretenders to the throne.

They come here everyday and plunder my house, each day some more

These pretenders are lords from Ithaca...

...and from other islands all around : Samos, Zante, Doulichion

They want to marry my mother.

-And must your mother marry again?

-She does not want to, but dares not oppose.

- I understand her weakness.

-How long has this been lasting?

- Long enough to devour all my wealth, for you can see this is what they do.

- Today once more they'll take a calf, and slaughter cattle...

They shall soil the house and make it a pigsty.

They will devour all, they will do all to offend the house of Odysseus.

Thieves at least run away, fearing to be caught...

...punished or even slain. But not these! They stay whatever.

- Your father is needed back. - My father?

-Yes, if Odysseus suddenly appeared amidst the party...

With a helmet, a sword and a bow in his hand,

what a bitter wedding for these suitors!

- No, stranger, he will never see his home again.

- Odysseus's destiny is in the hands of the Gods...

... but you, hear my advice, go get some news!

If you learn he is dead for certain, make a tombstone on the shore...

... and give your mother a spouse.

But if on the opposite, you learn that he alive...

Telemachus, I am no fortune teller....

...yet I feel in my heart, so it will be.

Now, I must go. My crew is waiting.

- Stranger, please stay! - Do as I told you, and be brave.

- Wait! Where shall I go? - Prepare a ship and sail to Pylos...

... there you will meet Nestor, a friend of your father.

(Athena disappeared, like a seabird...)

(But the goddess had inspired Telemachus courage and strength)

(...and the irresistible will to meet his father again.)

- And Troy fell, and its walls collapsed...

... and the Greek warriors were cursed with the revenge of the Gods...

(Phemius was singing the epic tales of Achean heroes...)

(Although he was a famous bard, he would not have played...)

(...in Odysseus's house, if the suitors had not made him.)

- Why have you stopped Phemius? Because the queen has arrived?

-Why must we always hear this sorry tale?

-Because we enjoy it.

But we can change theme if you like. What about love?

- Mother, Phemius is not to blame...

... if the return of the Greek warriors from Troy has been tragic...

And as you know, it entertains our guests.

Why have you come anyway? -Where is that stranger?

What did he want? Did he bring some news?

- What news did you expect?

-The stranger has gone...

Why don't you tell your mother who he was?

My mother believes the tales of all visitors...

... and is left deceived by their flattery.

Shall I encourage her?

-Telemachus, spare your mother. I have been derided enough for this.

Don't be cruel yourself.

Do you want me... to go back to my father?

Is this what you heart commands?

Where are your hopes, and what about mine?

How long yet shall I suffer this daily disgrace? Go back to your room!

... and keep away from their eyes, mother.

The Gods let me know the child is now a man...

... and I shall act as the landlord from now on!

Listen, suitors of my mother! I summon the people's assembly tomorrow.

And I expect to see you there.

What has gone into Telemachus?

An assembly all of a sudden? Who gave him the idea?

-Why worry? This is just a boy's whim.

He wants to play assembly? Let us be his playmates and go.

- As for me, I do not like surprises...

-Neither do I. But there will be none from the people.

We shall bear our weapons anyway, so that our words have more weight.

Phemius, go on...

- Gold, and slaves, and horses, and sheep were on the decks...

... booty for every ship. But some sailed unaware...

... of a god's wrath aboard, too much blood had been spilled.

Ajax was first to sail, but soon he hit the reefs...

... and he and all his crew plunged into the abyss...

... Menelaus met the storm, and many a ship sank under his sorry eyes.

As for Agamemnon, easy was the journey, he disembarked unhurt, acclaimed as a hero

Honor, glory, and praise, he was alike the Gods...

...to him all things were due. Many were wondering how to exploit his deed...

... Aegisthus sealed his fate, and he drowned in his own blood...

... even a king cannot curb the will of the Gods.

(At night, the suitors went back home...)

(...and Telemachus closed the doors)

I brought you up like your father before, I know this family very well.

Although a slave, I was more like a spouse...

... if Laertes had not feared his wife's jealousy...

- Why tell me this today, grandmother?

- Today I saw your father's spirit in you!

(There had been no assembly in Ithaca for 20 years)

(The Ithacans were surprised by the call of Telemachus.)

(First spoke Egyptius)

(He was a prominent citizen)

(He knew about the stranger who came and talked to Telemachus)

(Was this the reason for the assembly?)

-Maybe he brought some news about our lost army...

Whatever it is, we are ready to listen.

-Telemachus has serious matters to talk about, which we must not ignore.

Give him the scepter. He is now a grown man!

(Mentor had been the friend of Odysseus...)

(who entrusted him the education of Telemachus...)

(...a task he had taken the best care of.)

- I now speak to you all, who knew my father...

...or who remember him at least... unless you all forgot him?

- No, you are wrong. This was once a peaceful land...

... until the sorry day we had to wage war against Troy...

... we complied for our misfortune...

... and saw our best sons sail away on his ships...

No, we did not forget Odysseus. He is accountable to us...

- Stop, my lords,! You may not bear weapons in the assembly!

You offend the liberty of the people, and the house of the king...

-What king are you talking about?

We have none, Mentor, for twenty years now.

- Sit down, this is an assembly!

- All of you suitors wish my father dead...

... you have no respect for my mother's fidelity...

... and want to marry her by force.

... here they are everyday, feeding on my cattle, drunk on my wine...

I am not worth my father, but even so I could not get rid of them alone...

So please, help me, citizens! This is the concern of all Ithaca!

The honor of my home is the honor of all...

If Odysseus did you wrong, and you wish to seek revenge upon me...

...so let me pay my debts before this wolfpack has devoured it all.

-Telemachus is right!

-We have nothing against him, but against his mother!

For three years, she has made promises to each of us

All our gifts were accepted, then given back...

We were not refused, just told to wait. And we did wait!

... and every new day came other lords from other places...

... still nothing is yet concluded!.... Who is to blame for this?

-She also made up the trick of an endless cloth

She said: wait until I finish the shroud for my father in law

This is the last bind I have to Odysseus, to Laertes and to this home...

... all women would disapprove me, returning to my father...

... without fulfilling this last duty.

We respected her wish for one year already...

...but the weaving never seems to end... The lady has a treacherous soul!

- We all demand from Telemachus to send her back to her father...

... Icarus will arrange a new wedding, and let us know which one of us he chooses

-Why not you ask Icarus yourself? -This is not the way!

-You will have to take care of this.

-Telemachus knows Ithaca needs a king!

-I cannot not go against my mother's wish. - So we shall stay in your house...

...until she makes up her mind! - I would be dishonored to force her.

Besides, my father... - Your father died.

Think how many years ago he left Troy. No one ever heard about him anymore.

-And even if was is alive somewhere, now after ten years...

...we declare him dead, dead for the queen, for Ithaca and for us...

- You open up our wounds, Eurymachus. If you speak the truth....

...our sons are also dead. They left with Odysseus.

This is harsh to believe. But in spite of the years, we have not lost hope.

-We must keep hope...

...if you try to despair me, I will pray the Gods for revenge. May you all perish!

-That was a sign. I have looked in the bull's guts...

... when Odysseus departed...

...after the return will come a slaughter...

...the 20th year will be a year of joy, but of darkness as well...

-Enough nonsense! Go tell your children!

My own prophecies are well worth yours! Just go back home!

-Eurymachus!

...and all of you suitors of my mother, you may leave!

I just request one thing: give me a ship and a crew...

I will go and search for my father.

If he is alive, I shall wait one more year.

If I learn he is dead, I shall build a tombstone here...

... and send my mother to Icarus who will give her a husband.

-Hear me too, Ithacans.

I will not speak against the suitors, who use of their rights with arrogance.

If Odysseus returns, they will pay with their own heads.

But I speak against all of you other citizens who remain silent...

...without a word of blame, although you are many...

- Many or not, our weapons are enough to repel any attack, from whoever...

... yes, even from your father, even from Odysseus...!

And be assured that Penelope would not rejoice upon his return...

... if he was to stand up against us. we would slay him like a dog!

Citizens, let us disband this pointless assembly!

All of you, quick! Get out. Let everyone go back home.

Everyone out!

(Athena saw the debate had failed. She took the shape of Mentor.)

(There are many ships on Ithaca, she said. )

(I will choose the best one for Telemachus.)

- Telemachus, what a speech!

Come on and drink with us!

You'll have your ship to search for your father.

- I will go on this journey, even without your help.

-Telemachus, you really want us dead?

-Will you throw us to the dogs when you come back?

-No, he will go to Epirus to buy venom, and poison our wine.

-Save us the effort to divide your wealth if you did not return!

-Except for your house which would belong to the one...

...your mother chooses among us!

You who came to honor my house yesterday...

You who gave me hope and courage to sail away...

... make sure I come back to Ithaca, I beg of you

...please help me.

- What are you doing here? -I'm expecting a ship.

- A ship? Why?

- Of course, you think I'm still a child. I am going on a journey...

I must visit Nestor in Pylos, he was in Troy too.

If someone knows something, that is certainly him.

- Odysseus died. What are you after? Be assured that if you go...

...some deadly trap would await you on the way back.

Stay here and defend your home, it would be a great misery...

...if you too disappeared like Odysseus

-Swear you will not tell anyone! -Not even your mother?

Not even her, unless she worries too much.

Don't let her face be withered by tears.

(The ship chosen by Athena was afloat already.)

(The sun was slowly going down, it would soon be dark.)

(Athena, with the face of Mentor, brought the ship to Telemachus)

(She provided a sturdy crew, and loaded it with food.)

(The wind filled the sail...)

(The sailors took out took a jar of wine, and toasted to the Gods)

(At the court, meanwhile, as every night...)

(Penelope was unweaving the cloth she had woven at daylight.)

Help me!

- Telemachus is not back yet!

(Penelope had raised Melantho as her daughter...)

(...but the girl was ungrateful...)

(...actually, Melantho was the lover of Antinous...)

So here is the trick. A cloth increasing by day...

... and shrinking by night. This is how you keep your promises.

- This shroud is more than enough for the body of old Laertes.

- Now I am caught, and forced to end this shroud.

How shall I delay the wedding now?

What new trick shall I find?

So you are the one who gave a boat to Telemachus?

Willingly or not? - Why should I refuse him?

- Who asked you? - I don't remember.

-Try harder!

- Am I not free to give my ship to any whom I like?

(When Noemon said that he saw a god aboard the ship, they all laughed...)

(...but soon rage came over their souls, Antinous worst of all.)

- Do not bring revenge upon yourselves!

I was glad to give him my ship...

... and many wanted to go with him.

May the Gods bring Odysseus back, and free us from this arrogant bunch!

- Better drink Telemachus's wine than to worry about his departure...

... I toast to the wreck of his ship!

- This little scoundrel has defied us.

As for me, I would have sent him long ago to the realm of shadows.

- How many went with him? Who else helped him?

We should have taken action before the assembly!

- How could we imagine that Telemachus...

- Why do you all think Telemachus could become dangerous?

- Don't underestimate him.

- He went to the mainland but no one there will stand up against us.

We will await his return between Ithaca and Samos...

... then I don't believe he sees his home again.

(Medontes the messenger goes to Penelope.)

What did you come for? Some new request?

Do your new masters complain about accommodation?

- No, my queen, I only came to prove my loyalty...

- Loyalty! What do you mean? Is there still such a thing?

Like all others you forgot about Odysseus's kindness.

- I came to tell you that your son has gone.

Telemachus left on a ship last night, but I don't know where to.

- What?

None of you has told me! May you all be cursed!

- Punish me. Only I knew.

He made me swear not to tell. Not to wither your face with tears.

- Gone? For what reason? On a ship?

Where did he go? He is too young to navigate...

My queen! An even greater danger is now upon him...

...the suitors are plotting his death, they planned a trap...

... on his way back between Ithaca and Samos.

Why did he go away?

First the father, then the son...

Why not tell me anything?

Why did he go away? Why?

-Don't despair, my queen.

He did what every son would do. He went to search for his father.

You'll see he comes back. He'll come back soon.

He left and told me nothing...

He must not leave me alone. Better he was never born.

Now death is upon him.

Daughter of Zeus... Athena... hear me!

Save my son... save my child...

Save her child...

(The sun was rising over a quiet sea to shine upon the immortal Gods...)

(...and all human offspring on earth.)

(The ship arrived in Pylos, home of Nestor, the eldest of those conquered Troy)

(Nestor had come back to his homeland a long time ago.)

(On that morning, Nestor and his kin were making offerings...)

(...to Poseidon, who ruled over the seas.)

(Nestor began with the ritual cleaning.)

(His sons brought the black bull.)

(Thrasymedes carried a sharpened axe.)

You awake dark memories of our days under the walls of Troy.

There we left our best: Achilles, Ajax, Patroclus...

... and my son Antilochus, companion of Odysseus.

It was a long war.

For nine years we fought the Trojans and their allies.

We used all our abilities to win, but above all Zeus...

...allowed us to finish this endeavour...

...and inspired our final strategy.

For all those years, no one surpassed your father...

... in wisdom, courage and cunningness.

You have not know him, thus I want you to know...

...how exceptional his spirit was at all times...

...but what I admired most in him was the nobility of his heart.

Never there was a quarrel between us...

... and our unity had a good influence on the warriors.

But once the city destroyed and the booty shared...

...the Gods divided us. Zeus gave us a sad return...

...because in victory we had been neither wise nor just.

Everyone started to disagree...

Some with Menelaus wished an immediate return...

while Agamemnon would stay and make offerings to to Athena...

...as if this would make a difference to the Gods!

Most followed Menelaus, while Agamemnon's fleet stayed behind.

Then in Tenedos, we made a new sacrifice for our return.

But Zeus was angry at all of us.

Later, we arrived at Lesbos without too many losses...

... but quarrels broke out among everyone.

That is all I can remember.

I know we were all overwhelmed by fear....

... we now longer knew what would appease the Gods.

Diomedes and I sailed towards Euboea, and the winds brought us home...

Your father however decided to return to Troy...

... to bring Agamemnon back...

Since then, no one ever heard of him again.

This is a son of mine you haven't met yet.

This is Odysseus's son, Telemachus

Now listen, your search is well inspired...

... unfortunately, I cannot tell you more .

... but there is a man who may know about your father's fate...

...Menelaus, the last of all to return.

He travelled to foreign and distant shores, where your father might have passed

Go ask this wise man, my son will take you there.

If you wish, you may leave tomorrow at dawn.

(Away from the feast, Penelope worried about Telemachus.)

(even if the Gods had protected him on his journey...)

(...how could he resist the suitors when he returns?)

(Her heart became full of anguish.)

( But sleep finally overcame her, and tired body relaxed...)

(...then Athena appeared to her with the face of Iphtime)

(...Penelope's sister...)

- Penelope, do not cry. The Gods only wish you well.

-Iphtime, is it you?

-Yes, it is me, your sister.

-I haven't seen you for long. You live so far away.

Why have you come to Ithaca? Why?

-To assist you.

-Then you know I lost my husband, and my son abandoned me...

-Yes, I know...

... but don't you suffer, Penelope, you must have hope.

-I'm scared. The princes want to kill Telemachus on his way back...

... they will trap him between Ithaca and Samos.

...if ever the Gods protected him on his journey.

He has no experience of the sea....

...he is a child, he was never away from me!

-Don't be afraid Penelope, Athena has mercy...

... and will bring Telemachus back.

-Athena? Can you hear her voice?

Then tell me: Odysseus, where is he?

(Odysseus had been caught many times in the storm...)

(...pushed by adverse winds...)

(...tossed by the moods of Aeolus and Poseidon..)

(...and his raft had so far resisted every assault.)

(Odysseus kept hope inside his heart...)

(But the sea kept pushing between the logs...)

(...discarding them and untying the cords...)

(Odysseus tied them tighter all the time...)

(...sometimes the sail hung down...)

(..sometimes it filled, and the mast was close to breaking.)

(...the wind went against every move...)

(...in an endless strife, night and day...)

(...each time the memories came back, and Odysseus struggled for Penelope ...)

(...and for the son he never knew.)

(He waged one battle after the other...)

(...wondering each time how long he would still resist...)

(...how long he would endure this slow agony.)