Achilles

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.

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!

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.

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.