Homer's Iliad vs Hollywood's Troy

I am a voracious movie-goer. I feed on Hollywood films. But when it comes to classic literature, I only go for the original book version. This is because, with a few exceptions, movies based on or adapted from literature are generally inferior to the written version. All the deletions, modifications, and cinematic embellishments contribute to the film version's inferiority. It's like being served cold, highly diluted espresso.

Homer's Iliad is "the greatest war story ever told." It's the immortal tale of a ten-year war fueled by jealousy, greed, and pride. It's a war that redefined immortality. Heroes fought to the death to become "immortal." This is the biggest irony in the Iliad.

According to popular belief, the reason why the Trojan War was fought was the Judgment of Paris. When Paris gave the golden apple marked "for the fairest" to Aphrodite, who promised to give him the fairest woman, the fate of the Trojans and the Greeks was sealed. Aphrodite had to keep her word, so Paris must be led to Helen. Helen had to fall for Paris and run off with him. The wronged husband, King Menelaus of Sparta, had to avenge his tainted pride and save his face. His brother Agamemnon, a very powerful and influential chieftain, had to come to his brother's aid. The Trojans had to defend Paris and the kingdom of Troy. A war must be fought...

But who started it all? Who threw the golden apple on the banquet table that sparked jealousy among the goddesses Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite? Why would she do that?

This is where Hollywood failed us.