i know nothing of the iliad so can not comment on it accuracy to that story . however and a a stand alone film i find this very boring . the battle scene try to be large and spectacular but they be just obvious cgi . the acting be poor and no doubt brad pitt be cast just to attract the lady . but he do not make a good warrior and too pretty i be afraid . good point be be the design . this film do look good with the landscape and castle building or wall impressive . i do like a film that at least try to get the character accent true but this film just seem to ignore it completely . we hear american and scottish english anything but what you might expect for a film about an ancient eastern civilisation . all in all and i do not recommend this film for a family sit down . it be too long and the young will get bore . for adult and it be ok if you do not care about the lack realism .