Helen of Troy (1956)
Director: Robert Wise
Starring: Rossana Podesta, Jacques Sernas, Cedric Hardwicke
Synopsis:
A Trojan prince falls in love with the Queen of Sparta and spirits her away, triggering a massive war between Troy and all of Greece.
Impressions:
Given all the time, money and effort put into these big costume epics, it doesn't feel right for me to think of them as a dime a dozen, but I've seen so many of them that you really have to step it up to impress me. Really, if the story and characters are compelling enough, you don't have to rely so much on spectacle. While this is based on one of the most famous stories of all time, it's a pretty dull affair. None of the performances really stand out and it feels more like everyone's just going through the motions. While the more recent Troy was a bit of a mess, it least had some dynamism to it. This feels so stock that it could be made of cardboard. I mean, if you're curious, you might want to give it a shot, but I don't find there's much to be gained from the experience.
Avoid It