How a 1997 television epic brought Homer’s ancient Greek journey to modern screens

History · Published 3 October 2026 · Updated 25 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: The 1997 miniseries The Odyssey remains a landmark in television history, blending Homeric myth with ambitious production design. Directed by Andrei Konchalovsky and starring Armand Assante, the project drew millions of viewers to NBC. It remains a fascinating study of how ancient epics are translated for a contemporary mass audience.

The 1997 miniseries The Odyssey, co-produced by Hallmark Entertainment and American Zoetrope, was a significant television event that aired in two parts on NBC. Filmed across the Mediterranean, including locations in Malta and Turkey, the production featured an expansive international cast such as Isabella Rossellini, Christopher Lee, and Vanessa Williams. The series achieved notable success, averaging 20.6 million viewers for its premiere and 17.8 million for its conclusion, marking the first time in four years that a made-for-TV movie topped weekly viewership rankings. It also garnered critical recognition, winning an Emmy for Outstanding Directing.

The narrative follows the Homeric epic, tracing Odysseus's ten-year struggle to return to Ithaca after the Trojan War. The miniseries depicts his hubris in claiming sole credit for the fall of Troy, which invites the wrath of Poseidon. This divine conflict drives the plot, forcing Odysseus through encounters with the Cyclops Polyphemus, the witch Circe, and the monsters Scylla and Charybdis. The production utilized advanced practical and digital effects, with Jim Henson's Creature Shop creating animatronics and puppets, including a full-bodied Polyphemus and a sea monster that devours the priest Laocoon.

Critical reception was polarized. While Rotten Tomatoes reports a 79% approval rating, praising its visual spectacle and brisk pacing, other critics were less impressed. Variety dismissed the production as a superficial adventure tale, while The A.V. Club criticized the acting and production quality. Despite these mixed reviews, the miniseries left a lasting footprint on television production; the boat constructed for the series was later reused for the miniseries Jason and the Argonauts. Ultimately, the project stands as a high-budget attempt to capture the scale of Greek mythology for a 1990s audience, balancing the demands of network television with the gravity of its source material.

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