BBC News, Arabic Go to content Main Watch Listen Main Sections News Economy Health and Science Culture and Arts World Cup 2026 Investigations News Economy Health and Science Culture and Arts World Cup 2026 Investigations "The Odyssey" in theaters, what do we know about Christopher Nolan's anticipated film? Image, Universal Studios/Melinda Sue Gordon. All Rights Reserved
The screening of Christopher Nolan's "The Odyssey" has started in theaters around the world, following widespread anticipation before its release.
The film presents a cinematic adaptation of the ancient Greek epic "The Odyssey", attributed to the poet Homer, believed to have been composed in the late eighth or early seventh century BC.
The epic recounts the journey of Odysseus, King of Ithaca, on his way home after the Trojan War, facing dangers and mythical creatures along his long journey, while his wife Penelope and son Telemachus strive to protect their family and kingdom in his absence.
"The Odyssey" is the latest film by British-American director Christopher Nolan, who won the Oscar for Best Director for "Oppenheimer", while the film won Best Picture at the 2024 Academy Awards.
The film features a large cast of cinema stars, led by Matt Damon as Odysseus, alongside Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong'o, Zendaya, and Charlize Theron.
Prior to the film's release, there was widespread anticipation, as a limited number of tickets for its opening IMAX 70mm showings were released a full year ahead of its official release date, an unusual move in the film industry.
So what do we know about "The Odyssey", Christopher Nolan's latest work, which receives special attention from the big screen audience?
"The Odyssey" was shot entirely with IMAX cameras, making it the first feature film to be accomplished in this way.
IMAX is a filming and projection system that relies on large cameras and screens designed to deliver a wider and clearer image. In the "IMAX 70 mm" version, the film strip is about nine times larger than the traditional 35 mm frame, allowing for finer details and a wider image that fills more of the viewer's field of vision, with a resolution estimated at about 18K.
However, this experience is not available in all IMAX theaters, as most of them use digital projection systems, while the 70 mm version can only be seen in a limited number of specially equipped cinemas around the world.
Among them is the "BFI IMAX" in South London, which The Guardian reported that cinema enthusiasts traveled to from the United States, Switzerland, and Ireland to attend the premiere. The newspaper quoted one of them saying that he had to travel after tickets sold out in New York, even though he was among those who bought them a full year before the screening.
BBC film critic Karen James wrote that Nolan utilizes IMAX cameras in a series of massive and successive scenes to highlight the vastness of Odysseus's journey and the extent of human helplessness before the gods.
Much of the film takes place over a sapphire-blue sea, where the horizon extends wide, while colossal cliffs rise making the boat carrying Odysseus and his men appear small. James added that the film envelops the viewer in its atmosphere to the extent that it gives them the sensation of being on the boat with them.
She said that the massive action scenes achieve the same degree of immersion, as each sword strike, spear thrust, and arrow shot was designed meticulously. These scenes appear more impressive because Nolan relied heavily on practical effects, with limited use of computer-generated visual effects.
James concluded that Christopher Nolan's treatment of the epic clearly leans towards presenting a grand action-adventure film, rather than seeking to provide a lesson in classical literature.
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"The Odyssey" has stirred controversy since the announcement of the cast, and the debate grew after the first promotional clips were released, extending to cover choices of casting, accents, costumes, and ship design.
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