Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 hour ago
Watch this CRASH COURSE on The Odyssey by Homer to learn everything you need to know about this famous epic Greek poem before you see Christopher Nolan’s movie, The Odyssey, staring Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland, Robert Pattinson, Zendaya and Charlize Theron.
In this episode of History Calling, we look at the myth behind the movie; at the real history of Homer’s The Odyssey, one of the most famous stories ever told and one which dates back thousands of years, deep into humanity’s past. It tells the story of the Greek hero Odysseus, King of Ithaca (also known as Ulysses) and his 10 year journey back home to his faithful wife Penelope and their son, Telemachus, after the end of the Trojan War. Along the way Odysseus encounters gods, goddesses, sea monsters, adventure and heartbreak. He is held captive by the nymph Calypso, suffers the wrath of the sea god Poseidon after defeating the Cyclops, escapes the Laestrygonians (giant cannibals), journeys to the Underworld, evades the call of the sirens and navigates the Scylla and the Charybdis. All the while back home, Penelope awaits him, fending off suitors who believe her husband is dead and their son searches for his father. Does the Odyssey have a happy ending though, or is it another Greek tragedy? You’ll have to watch to find out.
Common question asked about this story include did Homer write the Odyssey and if not, then who wrote the Odyssey? Is the Odyssey based on a true story, how does the Odyssey end and was Odysseus a real person? All will be revealed in this video, along with a discussion about why Christopher Nolan’s casting choices for The Odyssey movie are causing controversy on account of their historical inaccuracies.
#Odyssey #TheOdyssey #OdysseyMovie #OdysseyFilm
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Join my mailing list (with 2 FREE DOWNLOADS): historycallingofficial.com
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Timestamps:
Introduction: 00:00
Part 1: Plot Summary of the Odyssey: 00:46
Part 2: Homer: man or myth?: 9:55
Part 3: The Odyssey’s provenance and transmission: 14:39
Part 4: Did any of the Odyssey really happen?: 18.00
Part 5: Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey film: 21:26
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Open Street Map copyright information
openstreetmap.org/copyright
Creative Commons licenses used see creativecommons.org/licenses
Thumbnail: movie poster for The Odyssey (dir. Christopher Nolan, 2026). Fair Use.
impawards.com/2026/odyssey_ver3.html
Watch this CRASH COURSE on The Odyssey by Homer to learn everything you need to know about this famous epic Greek poem before you see Christopher Nolan’s movie, The Odyssey, staring Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland, Robert Pattinson, Zendaya and Charlize Theron.
In this episode of History Calling, we look at the myth behind the movie; at the real history of Homer’s The Odyssey, one of the most famous stories ever told and one which dates back thousands of years, deep into humanity’s past. It tells the story of the Greek hero Odysseus, King of Ithaca (also known as Ulysses) and his 10 year journey back home to his faithful wife Penelope and their son, Telemachus, after the end of the Trojan War. Along the way Odysseus encounters gods, goddesses, sea monsters, adventure and heartbreak. He is held captive by the nymph Calypso, suffers the wrath of the sea god Poseidon after defeating the Cyclops, escapes the Laestrygonians (giant cannibals), journeys to the Underworld, evades the call of the sirens and navigates the Scylla and the Charybdis. All the while back home, Penelope awaits him, fending off suitors who believe her husband is dead and their son searches for his father. Does the Odyssey have a happy ending though, or is it another Greek tragedy? You’ll have to watch to find out.
Common question asked about this story include did Homer write the Odyssey and if not, then who wrote the Odyssey? Is the Odyssey based on a true story, how does the Odyssey end and was Odysseus a real person? All will be revealed in this video, along with a discussion about why Christopher Nolan’s casting choices for The Odyssey movie are causing controversy on account of their historical inaccuracies.
#Odyssey #TheOdyssey #OdysseyMovie #OdysseyFilm
BUY MY BOOK (Find Your Irish Ancestors Online): amzn.to/3Z2ChnG
Join my mailing list (with 2 FREE DOWNLOADS): historycallingofficial.com
Patreon: patreon.com/historycalling
Amazon storefront: amazon.com/shop/historycalling
Instagram: instagram.com/historycalling
Timestamps:
Introduction: 00:00
Part 1: Plot Summary of the Odyssey: 00:46
Part 2: Homer: man or myth?: 9:55
Part 3: The Odyssey’s provenance and transmission: 14:39
Part 4: Did any of the Odyssey really happen?: 18.00
Part 5: Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey film: 21:26
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:
Ancient history playlist
youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLSjVq5Qtb0Hfg1vB8S1DMLJqyNEXOl2q
Library of Alexandria
youtu.be/KECfzn6FbwU
Wars of the Roses playlist
youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLSjVq5Qtb0EVv2DJZOZT5ZyQwSJ4o7oZ
Why are the Parthenon Marbles so controversial | History of the Elgin Marbles
youtu.be/4petLw58Ofg
Was Queen Charlotte black and why does it matter?
youtu.be/SJfTLQIaEnw
Anne Boleyn’s execution: Hollywood vs history
youtu.be/gBczwBsGCqM
The real Pocahontas: Hollywood vs history
youtu.be/TbR5aTLCQgs
LEARN MORE:
Greek City Times: A Letter to Hollywood and Nolan's Odyssey Cast from Us Greeks
greekcitytimes.com/2026/05/25/a-letter-to-hollywood-and-nolans-odyssey-cast-from-us-greeks
Want to watch/hear/read more about history (and a whole host of other topics)? Then you might benefit from a free Audible or Prime video trial. They are available from the following links:
AUDIBLE
amzn.to/44MvlMi
AUDIBLE PLUS & AUDIBLE PREMIUM PLUS
amzn.to/42rh3PF
PRIME VIDEO
amzn.to/3LW7ykg
GEAR USED
Apple MacBook Pro Laptop (for video editing): amzn.to/3S6IoRK
Blue Yeti Microphone: amzn.to/3FgEDYq
Go-Pro Hero 13 camera: amzn.to/41H4Xnt
GoPro 3-Way 2.0 (Tripod/Grip/Arm): amzn.to/3vaVxjU
Memory Card: amzn.to/3KeLZZs
DJI Drone: amzn.to/39hROZm
NB: Links above may be affiliate links. This means if you make a purchase through one of these links, I earn a commission. It in no way affects the price you pay.
Open Street Map copyright information
openstreetmap.org/copyright
Creative Commons licenses used see creativecommons.org/licenses
Thumbnail: movie poster for The Odyssey (dir. Christopher Nolan, 2026). Fair Use.
impawards.com/2026/odyssey_ver3.html
