Prometheus

Author(s): Chris Moffitt (NC)
Prometheus

Directed by Terrence Mallick
Produced by Sarah Green and Terrence Mallick
Written by Terrence Mallick
Music by Hanz Zimmer
Edited by Leslie Jones, Saar Klein and Billy Weber
Cinematography by John Toll

Principal Cast:
Prometheus- Viggo Mortensen
Zeus- Martin Sheen
Hercules- Kevin McKidd
Epimetheus- Brendan Fraser
Pandora- Scarlett Johansson
Deucalion- Tom Welling
Hephaestus- Stellen Skarsgard
Aphrodite- Rachel McAdams
Hermes- Lukas Haas

Tagline: “The story of the Titan who gave birth to man.”

Synopsis: Prometheus stares into the open air. He rattles the chains around his arms knowing that he is still bound to a crag of the Caucasus Mountains. He awaits his daily attack from the unrelenting eagle heading to the rock. The eagle approaches Prometheus when the bird is pierced with an arrow and falls from the sky. Prometheus then looks to his right and notices a large man climbing up the side of the mountain. The man reaches where Prometheus is chained and asks if he is hurt. The man then introduces himself as the great hero Hercules, son of Zeus. Prometheus introduces himself and Hercules is immediately taken aback. He had heard the stories of Prometheus, the great Titan but could not believe that it was him. Hercules asked Prometheus how he ended up in these chains. After a moment of hesitation, Prometheus began to tell his tale.

Prometheus’ story began with Zeus’ victory in the war of Mount Olympus. The Earth had been badly damaged during the war. All living things had been destroyed and the world needed to be repopulated. Zeus decided that he would reward Prometheus and his brother, Epimetheus for their loyalty during the war by allowing them to accomplish this task. The two were given clay and box full of strengths and abilities that were to be given to the newly created animals. Epimetheus had no foresight and was very foolish. He began to hand out these abilities quickly to the animals he created while Prometheus carefully molded the humans. Eventually, Prometheus was satisfied that the human was perfectly created in the image of himself but alas Epimetheus had used up all the abilities and strengths leaving humans bare and simple.

With no strengths or advantages left to give to his new creations, Prometheus vowed to do something to help his beautiful creations. Prometheus went to Zeus and pleaded with him to give life-bearing fire to the humans. However, Zeus refused his request and reminded Prometheus of the hierarchy that exists on Mount Olympus. He exerted his power and authority and refused to allow the inferior humans to be equal to gods.

Prometheus returned to the Earth where his brother and his son Deucalion were living among the humans. Many were dying from cold and hunger everyday. Deucalion pleaded to his father to do something in order to help the humans. Without fire most of the humans would die in a matter of days. Prometheus then made the conscious decision to steal fire from Mount Olympus and give it to the humans no matter what the consequence would be for him. He returned to the mountain and took the fire from the Olympians’ throne room and returned to Earth. The humans were overjoyed with happiness and immediately the fire was spread throughout the cities. People’s homes were lit and warmed and food was cooked. The people praised Prometheus as their savior but Prometheus was not basking in his own glory for he knew that the wrath of Zeus would soon be upon him.

He was right. When Zeus looked down on the humans and saw that the people had fire he was furious. He immediately sent for Prometheus and captured his former ally. Before his capture, Prometheus said his heartfelt goodbyes to his friends and family and warned them to take no gifts from the gods. Zeus then chained Prometheus to the Caucasus Mountains and informed him that everyday an eagle would his liver and then it would grow back at the end of the day to allow for continued punishment.

Yet, Zeus also wanted to punish the humans and came up with a very creative idea. He had his children Hephaestus and Aphrodite create a beautiful woman with looks that no man could deny. The woman created was named Pandora and was sent to Earth in a flash of lightning. Epimetheus saw the woman and was immediately intrigued by her. He knew that she was a gift from Zeus and was cautious knowing of his current anger however his attraction for her made him foolish. He immediately married the seductive and slow-witted woman and the two seemed to be extremely happy. As a wedding gift, Zeus sent to Earth a beautiful box made of gold and gave it to Pandora. She was told by Hermes, the messenger who gave her the box, that it was never to be opened for its contents needed to be remained sealed. After their wedding, the box began to consume the curious Pandora as she desperately wanted to open it. After stopping herself multiple times she eventually made the decision that the box needed to be opened. She opened it and out sprang a horde of miseries: Greed, Vanity, Slander, Envy and many others. She slammed the lid back on the box before Hope could escape thus saving it from being destroyed by the other evils but it was too late. The evils had begun to bite the humans and chaos had spread. Prometheus could only watch from afar as his creations began to destroy each other.

Prometheus then returns to his present day situation and tells Hercules that it is his fault that mankind has suffered and that he deserves his punishment. However, Hercules breaks the chains around Prometheus’ arms and tells Prometheus that he sees him not as a man who caused mankind’s suffering but as a man who saved mankind. Prometheus then stands on his own two feet as a free man.

What the Critics Would Say:

Terrence Mallick proves once again that he is one of the greatest directors to ever pick up a camera as he turns the Greek myths of the titan Prometheus into an epic and moving story of a man devoted to his people. Viggo Mortensen carries this film. As Prometheus, Mortensen is a brilliant anti-hero, a character that is intelligent and cunning yet also caring. In each of his scenes, the audience truly understands his devotion and love for mankind. Martin Sheen is fantastic as Zeus, chewing scenery as the fiery and domineering king of the gods. Also, Brendan Fraser delivers the performance of his career as the foolish but ultimately likeable brother of Prometheus. His character is so likeable that you almost feel sorry when his fate is sealed with the other humans. Scarlett Johansson is also brilliant as the beautiful and curious Pandora. Kevin McKidd, Stellan Skaarsgard, Rachel McAdams, Tom Welling and Lukas Haas all do well in their small but important parts in the film.

Filmed in Greece, the film is also a feast for the eyes with breathtaking scenes of the Greek mountains and countryside. However, Mallick, as with all of his films, combines these amazing visuals with a brilliant story. Mallick really fleshes out the characters from the classic myths and creates a very modern yet philosophical screenplay. The film transports the audience to Ancient Greece thanks to brilliant costumes, make-up, and art direction. Prometheus is an amazing film that succeeds on all levels. It will easily be a huge favorite come Oscar season.

Best Picture
Best Director- Terrence Mallick
Best Actor- Viggo Mortensen
Best Supporting Actor- Brendan Fraser
Best Supporting Actor- Martin Sheen
Best Original Screenplay- Terrence Mallick