Watch The Odyssey

The Odyssey from Sonar Entertainment is a television miniseries that aired in 1992. Based on Homer's epic poem of the same name, the show follows the journey of Odysseus (played by Armand Assante), a soldier and hero of the Trojan War, as he attempts to return home to his wife Penelope (Greta Scacchi) and son Telemachus (Bernard Hill) in the kingdom of Ithaca. The show also features Isabella Rossellini as Athena, the goddess of wisdom and strategic warfare, who helps Odysseus along his journey.

The Odyssey is a grand and epic adventure that spans ten episodes, each an hour in length. The story begins with Odysseus stranded on the island of Calypso, where he has been held captive for seven years. Athena appears to him and inspires him to escape and return to Ithaca. Odysseus sets off on his journey, encountering various obstacles along the way, such as the Cyclops, the Sirens, and the sea monster Scylla. He also encounters Circe, a sorceress who turns his men into pigs, and spends a year on her island before escaping with her help.

Meanwhile, back in Ithaca, Penelope is being courted by a group of suitors who believe Odysseus to be dead. They are eating up her resources and pressuring her to choose one of them as her husband. Telemachus, who has grown into a young man in his father's absence, sets out to find news of his father and eventually joins forces with Athena to protect his mother and their kingdom from the suitors.

The show is full of action, adventure, and drama, with stunning visuals and a sweeping musical score that perfectly captures the mood of each scene. The Odyssey is an ambitious production, with elaborate sets and costumes, as well as a large ensemble cast. Assante delivers a commanding performance as Odysseus, portraying both his physical strength and his emotional vulnerability with equal skill. Scacchi is equally powerful as Penelope, portraying her as a strong and intelligent woman who is struggling to maintain her dignity in the face of adversity.

Rossellini is a standout as Athena, offering sage advice and helping Odysseus and Telemachus in their quests. She is mysterious and enigmatic, with an otherworldly presence that adds to the show's overall sense of grandeur. The supporting cast is also excellent, with strong performances by Hill as Telemachus, Vanessa Williams as Calypso, and Christopher Lee as Tiresias, a blind seer who warns Odysseus of the dangers he will face on his journey.

Despite its grand scope and epic storyline, The Odyssey never loses sight of its characters and their emotional journeys. Through the trials and tribulations they face on their journeys, Odysseus, Penelope, and Telemachus each grow and evolve in meaningful ways. The show is a meditation on the power of family, loyalty, and perseverance in the face of extreme adversity.

Overall, The Odyssey is a masterful adaptation of a timeless classic that manages to be both faithful to its source material and innovative in its approach. The show's themes and characters are as relevant today as they were when Homer first wrote them down, and the show's stunning production values and stellar performances make it a true television gem. Whether you're a fan of epic adventures, historical dramas, or just great storytelling, The Odyssey is a show that is not to be missed.

The Odyssey is a series that ran for 3 seasons (40 episodes) between May 17, 1997 and on Sonar Entertainment