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First off, hello everyone. I've been reading for a while but have been way too intimidated to join in. You're all pretty amazing.I don't think the portrayal in the movie will hurt Alexander's reputation on the whole. People who find a reason to hate over sexuality or crying or whatever, would find a reason to hate him anyway, wallowing in their own narrow world. It's those who go with open minds who will be richer for the experience, but after the movie. You see, I'm hoping the movie will be to others what Mary Renault's book, The Persian Boy, was to me. I was in my teens when a friend gave that to me not telling me anything about it, "Just read it" she said. When I first realized that it addressed his sexuality, I remember wondering, "Is that for real?" By the time I was finished the book I was so intrigued by the complete portrayal that I immediatly went out and bought Arrian, struggling my way through. I was led to Robin Lane Fox's book and then others. I'm still fascinated.And the movie also led me to search for Alexander on the net and...here I am, learning for you all.

See - you can tell I'm new. This was supposed to be a reply to "Just worried about one thing."Sorry!

And now it double posts. How embarassing!!

Hi LoisWelcome to pothos! I also discovered Alexander through Mary Renault. I read Fire from Heaven in my teens, and The Persian Boy about 20 years later - and I was hooked. I have never been able to read Funeral Games, though (although I have just bought The Praise Singer). I have skip read most of the sources, and major histories and biographies. This skip reading probably shows, but it is great to have this forum: references, theories, facts and fiction...it is all good!Linda

Hi Lois,Well, as you appear to have encountered all the most common problems in your first post, you should be sailing from now on! :-)Welcome to the forum, and I'm glad you've finally decided to start posting - I can't believe you were at all intimidated. We're not that scary, are we? Just passionate about discussing Alexander!I think you have a very rational attitude to it all - as you say, people who have a problem with certain issues are going to have a problem come what may. I've now read all the comments, plus some other various notices about the film, and I'm as keen to see it as I was when I first heard it was being made. OK, so I might hate it ... but I won't know until I see it; and I won't be influenced by any reviews - even Tim's, erudite and interesting and no doubt very fair though it was .All the bestMarcus

Hello LoisGlad to meet you. We love to hear new voices. Like Marcus, I'm going to "enjoy" the movie come what may. It does have a great musical score and I've heard it's a visual feast even if at sometimes an indigestible one.Cheers
Halil

Hello Lois, welcome. Yes, read "Fire From Heaven" (Renault's best one of the trilogy.) And I am also fond of the latest Steven Pressfield's novel, "Virtues of War" .

Thanks, everyone, for the warm welcome! I haven't been intimidated by anyone's personality - no one is scary. It's just that everyone seems so much more knowledgable and that's what intimidates me.

Hello Lois, and welcome! You are not the only person who has ever felt a little intimidated by the knowledge of our members here, even though it is a very friendly forum. I lurked for well over a year before I ever posted a comment! :-)Best regards,Linda Ann

Hi and welcome!>I don't think the portrayal in the movie will hurt Alexander's reputation on the whole. People who find a reason to hate over sexuality or crying or whatever, would find a reason to hate him anyway, wallowing in their own narrow world. It's those who go with open minds who will be richer for the experience, but after the movie. I don't think the portrayal in the movie will hurt Alexander's reputation on the whole. People who find a reason to hate over sexuality or crying or whatever, would find a reason to hate him anyway, wallowing in their own narrow world. It's those who go with open minds who will be richer for the experience, but after the movie. I don't think the portrayal in the movie will hurt Alexander's reputation on the whole. People who find a reason to hate over sexuality or crying or whatever, would find a reason to hate him anyway, wallowing in their own narrow world. It's those who go with open minds who will be richer for the experience, but after the movie.
I couldn't agree with you more. I think an open mind is fundamental, no matter what topic you study (or film you see). It's a shame that people feel the need to focus on certain aspects of Alexander (be it sexuality or nationality or whatever) as opposed to look at the whole picture. Well, actually, it's not so much the focusing as the bickering I've got a problem with. Either way, I'm really quite excited about this film and I will certainly go and see it the first chance I get (the premiere here is on Friday, but I don't think I'll actually get round to see it until uhm... next week sometime).I hope the film will be more than "just another Troy". :-)Anyways, all the best,Neneh

P.S I have absolutely no idea what happened with the first part. It wasn't supposed to repeat itself. :-\

It opens in the US today; it's opening in your neck of the woods on Friday ... and we have to wait until January for it to open in the UK.What a travesty!Marcus