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The Odyssey actors reveal the most physically difficult scene to film: ‘You don’t feel necessarily safe’
Actors Jon Bernthal and Himesh Patel described the experience of filming the Trojan Horse sequences in Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey as physically grueling and deliberately uncomfortable. Bernthal, who spent time inside the wooden structure, detailed the lack of comfort measures, particularly when water—described as freezing—surrounded the set. Patel, whose scenes involved nighttime action sequences filmed in a historic Moroccan village, noted the pervasive sand and exhaustion from early morning shoots, though he acknowledged that Bernthal and the other actors confined in the horse faced greater hardship.
Both performers expressed appreciation for Nolan's filmmaking philosophy, which emphasises placing actors in genuine physical conditions to achieve authentic performances rather than relying on artificial comfort. Bernthal termed this approach "no acting acting," suggesting that the real danger and discomfort naturally conveyed the emotional state of soldiers trapped in a confined space. He stated he would not change the experience, indicating that the authenticity of the production environment served the creative vision and ultimately enhanced the final result.
In short
- Actors Jon Bernthal and Himesh Patel discussed the physically demanding Trojan Horse scenes filmed for Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey
- Bernthal, who was confined inside the prop, reported freezing water, cramped conditions, and an unsafe atmosphere during production
- Despite harsh circumstances, both actors credited Nolan's approach of placing performers in authentic situations rather than using comfort measures
Explained simply
Christopher Nolan is directing a new film called The Odyssey, based on Homer's ancient epic. The production involved filming in challenging locations, including scenes with the Trojan Horse shot in a historic Moroccan village. Nolan is a celebrated director recognised for creating technically ambitious, large-scale films.
Nolan is known for a distinctive approach to filmmaking: rather than relying on artificial effects or comfortable staging, he prefers to work in authentic conditions with real physical environments. He believes genuine discomfort and challenge help actors deliver more authentic emotional performances. As a result, actors in his films often experience real physical difficulty and exhaustion during production.
The cast of The Odyssey includes actors Jon Bernthal and Himesh Patel, along with other performers. Some of the production's most demanding sequences involved the Trojan Horse structure and action scenes filmed in the Moroccan location.