Achilles (1995) User Reviews

An aesthetic delight

[Margaux · 10/10 · 7 September 2000]

Achilles is probably one of the most fascinating animation short films ever to be seen. The film succintly tells the fate of Achilles and (boy)friend Patrocles, how they grow to love each other and how they die in the Trojan war. The film is most interesting not only because it portrays the story of the Greek warrior under a new light (that of homosexual love, offering a very plausible and well constructed version indeed), but also because it is a rare mix of genres: the animation film is featured as a Greek play, with symbolic props, masks, etc. The movement of the puppets is so close to true life, it is sometimes difficult to believe these are just... well... "puppets". The love scene between Achilles and Patrocles is amongst the most erotic and beautiful scenes ever to be seen.

"Achilles" is a true delight for the eyes, a masterpiece in both the form and the content. It is an original way of presenting the story of Achilles, the mythical Greek warrior, but more generally of telling the story of a man, tortured by a love he does not want to acknowledge until he can no longer hide from it. And in the end, isn't that what makes Achilles so human, and thus so everlasting, rather than his heroic deeds in battle? A must. Don't miss it.

Work of art

[Maven_ · 10/10 · 15 February 2006]

This short movie is neither about mythology nor warriors. It's about love.

It's hard to believe it actually made it's way into a presentation here in Brazil, I was really impressed by it back in 98 when I saw it. Came across a copy of it last year and still was amazed.

And in it's eleven minutes you can watch a full and rich show of stop-motion technique merged with an excellent art direction which brings you back to the "classic era" with the Greek beauty patterns.

The puppets are extremely well sculpted and the movie presents itself like an ancient arena theater, with great light/shadow effects and of course, Greek drama. All of this combined makes Achilles one of the most charming short movies I've ever seen.

fascinating

[Kirpianuscus · 23 August 2016]

a real fascinating show, for tension, for technique, for the science to remind, in new light, an old well known story. Achilles and Patrocles. each of us knows the nature of the friendship who defines theirs relation. but Barry Purves has the art to redefine this link in the most inspired style. fragility. force. fight. angry, pain, revenge, the apotheotic end. the temptation to see it again and again is not small. because the director has the gift to resurrect the Greece who you only imagine in the history class as answer to the words of Homer.and your images from the youth become alive in delicate, splendid manner. so, a film as time trip.

Nothing fascinating for me in here really

[Horst_In_Translation · 4/10 · 17 January 2018]

"Achilles" is a British 11-minute animated short film from 1995, so this one is over 20 years old already and it was written and directed by Oscar nominee Barry Purves. Of course, the original work is by Homer. And even if it turned out pretty much the way I expected with a bit more sex and less violence maybe, I would not say that I enjoyed this one here. It was nominated for a BAFTA, but lost out to Nick Park. Maybe those with a deep interest in Greek mythology will maybe enjoy it, but I just couldn't. Maybe statues are too static in my head and seeing them animated is simply not working out. I can only say that neither the animation nor the narration by Derek Jacobi and as a consequence neither plot and story really had me interested in here, so I am kinda happy it was this short as a whole. All in all, I mentioned those earlier who may want to see it, but being an animated (short) films lover alone just isn't enough. I give this one a negative recommendation. Watch something else instead.

Just amazing

[Benguin · 10/10 · 25 March 2001]

I met Barry Purves at an animation festival in Poole, Dorset, England in 1999. He gave a terrific lecture and showed some of his best pieces of work including 'Achilles' which I consider to be his masterpiece in joint place with 'Gilbert & Sullivan - the very models'. 'Achilles' is just an astounding piece of animation which also works as a piece of drama, a love story and a prime example of a master working at his craft. The story centres on Achilles and his relationship with his lover, Petroclus, during the trojan war. The scenes are played out through montage as well as action sequences and tableaus, culminating in the untimely deaths of the two heroes. Never before has an historical homosexual relationship been so delicately portrayed without prejudice or judgement. Considering this is animation, that is a tremendous feat. Astonishing stuff!

Love, desire and violence

[Rectangular_businessman · 9/10 · 25 August 2023]

Barry Purves, director of other celebrated shorts as Next and Screen Play makes here one of his riskiest films, an explicit tale of gay love , made in a time when such themes were still a big taboo even in adult animated works. (And if they were included, they usually were mere gags)

As usual for Purves, the whole film as a "stage play" feel, which fits quite well for the solemn tone of the story, with a wonderfully stylish use of stop-motion. And pretty much like in "Screen Play", this tale of love and violence can only end in tragedy.

To this very day, gay-themed animations are still scarce, and most of them are pretty lackluster in quality.

To this very day, gay-themed animations are still scarce, and most of them are frankly quite lackluster in quality.

Of all these shorts, Achilles remains as the very best by a large margin. A beautifully crafted work that isn't afraid to openly portray gay love and gay desire in a rather intense manner.