Homer’s Odyssey on Film: “The Return”

“The Return” sticks the landing. Join Emily and Cam as they talk about how the movie adapts and builds on its source material, the Odyssey, to deliver a gripping modern interpretation of Homer’s timeless story.

The Return

• Released December 6, 2024
• Starring Ralph Fiennes and Juliette Binoche
• Directed by Uberto Pasolini

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00:34 - Introduction: Pasolini’s movie, “The Return”

• 00:47 - What makes a good movie adaptation of an ancient Greek epic like Homer’s Odyssey?

02:22 - A Summary of Homer’s Odyssey

• 02:52 - The Telemachy
• 04:02 - From Calypso’s island to the island of the Phaeacians
• 04:39 - Odysseus’ narration of his adventures
• 05:51 - Odysseus’ return to Ithaka

06:56 - Our review of The Return

• 07:06 - The film’s focus and nods to earlier parts of the Odyssey
• 08:50 - Familiar beats: Odysseus in disguise; Eumaeus, Argos, and Eurycleia; Penelope’s loom; the confrontation in the great hall
• 13:19 - Odysseus: a man traumatized by loss and violence
• 17:19 - Penelope: strong, clever, and determined
• 21:38 - Antinoos: a fresh take on a one-note villain
• 24:26 - Odysseus’ bow and the harsh reality of violence and revenge
• 30:44 - Resolution: Odysseus and Penlope together again, Telemachus seeks to find himself

33:08 - Final thoughts

• 33:17 - Referencing Cacoyannis: the location, the cinematography, and the soundscape
• 34:22 - Overall impressions