Wolfgang Petersen's gods-free take on Homer's epic poem was harrumphed about by literary types, but it's doubtful any Hollywood version of this cultural cornerstone could please the classicists. But then how many classicists do you see down the 'plex?

Petersen's picture delivers a widescreen wallop the makers of Charlton Heston-era sword'n'sandal spectaculars could only dream of - bolstered by a tentatively topical war-is-stooopid undercurrent, Peter O'Toole's regal poise and the fiesta of homoeroticism that is Brad Pitt's buffness. Admittedly, the screenplay is devoid of poetry, while Orlando Bloom's weedy Paris and Helen Kruger's Helen are as limp as dishrags. But given a faithful interpretation would never wash with a mainstream audience, Troy functions efficiently within its own constraints.

DVD Extras:

For an FX-driven film, it's a tech-drenched set of extras, albeit with a distinct lack of behind-the-scenes peeks at Brad's skirt-fitting sessions.A quarter-hour Gallery Of The Gods guide to Olympus is GCSE stuff at best, but a slightly longer In The Thick Of The Battle doc offers a fascinating look at the fight training for hundreds of extras. Plus, Pitt offers his wisdom on Homeric-era combat: "It was broodal".From Ruins To Reality covers the set designers' painstaking approach to re-creating the under-siege city as Bana lauds the attention to detail and O'Toole quotes George Bernard Shaw. At 11 minutes, An Effects Odyssey strikes the right balance, exploring the film's visuals and the challenge of capturing the noise of 100 zinging arrows. Chuck in a trailer for a competent package, topped by an Easter Egg in which bored CGI operators replace a thousand warships with giant rubber ducks.