A shield used in the adaptation of Homer’s great epic Troy, starring Brad Pitt, Orlando Bloom and Eric Bana. After falling for the beautiful Helen (Diane Kruger), Trojan prince Paris (Orlando Bloom) smuggles her aboard the ship of his brother, Hector (Eric Bana) to take her to Troy. Seeking revenge, the Greek armies led by Agamemnon (Brian Cox) and the legendary warrior Achilles (Brad Pitt) set sail for Troy, where one of history’s greatest wars will be waged.
This particular version of Achilles' shield was used in the film’s opening scenes as Achilles does battle in a one-on-one contest on behalf of Agamemnon. The sequence, which required for a spear to slam through the shield before being cast aside, needed a shield with a special hydraulic rig built-in. This shield was designed for and used with a hydraulic rig for the duel.
Made of fiberglass, the shield features a wide handle on the reverse, while the face of the shield features intricate designs showing figures moving around the centre. Additional pieces have been built into the face of the shield for the installation of the rig, with a hole cut out to allow the blade to piece the shield when activated. Rings for the securing of spears and swords are present on the rear of the shield. The rig has subsequently been removed. The shield is finished in black and bronze.
