While filming the 2004 epic Troy, Brad Pitt and Eric Bana chose to perform their intense duel scenes without stunt doubles. To make the long fight sequences more entertaining, the two actors agreed on a playful penalty system: every accidental hit came with a fine of $50 for a minor strike and $100 for a hard blow. By the end of production, Pitt reportedly owed Bana $750, while Bana walked away without owing Pitt a single dollar. I think Troy is more underrated than it gets credit for. It has a scale and grandeur that modern historical epics often lack, almost like a throwback to the classic Hollywood epics of the ’50s and ’60s, with huge sets, sweeping camera work, practical battle scenes, and a slightly textured look that makes everything feel larger than life. Even though some cast members later had mixed feelings about it, the performances hold up well across the board. Orlando Bloom is especially effective as a character you love to hate, which is interesting given he was then at the peak of his fame from The Lord of the Rings and Pirates of the Caribbean. I also like that Sean Bean actually survives for once—honestly, he could’ve carried a whole spin-off as Odysseus. Meanwhile, Brad Pitt is in peak physical condition and fully convincing as Achilles. Overall, Troy feels like a spiritual successor to Gladiator (2000) and one of the last big, old-school historical epics before Hollywood moved away from that style of filmmaking.

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