[+] Hector & Andromache
[+] Media
[+] Fans
[+] Interactive
[+] Site
[+] Main & Updates

Andromache and Hector's relationship is an important part of the recent movie Troy directed by Wolfgang Peterson. Hector, portrayed in the film by Australian actor Eric Bana, is torn between the sense of duty he feels to his country and his true desire to stay with his wife and son. Andromache, played by Saffron Burrows, is a great foil to Helen as the faithful wife, stoically coping with the brutal death of her husband and leading her people to safety. Speaking of which, Andromache and Astyanax's end in the movie is much happier, with both escaping during the burning of Troy along with Helen, and we can only assume Paris and Briseis. Probably the ending that most fans are happy with!

Based on the original script by David Benioff, here are some H/A moments that didn't make it to film including alternate dialogue, extended scenes and deleted scenes. Click here to read the entire script.

Hector refuses to take a mistress:

Menelaus indicates Polydora, who stares at Hector openly.
MENELAUS
You see that one over there? I picked her just for you. She's a little lioness.
Menelaus grins at the girl, who lowers her eyes and smiles. Helen notices this silent exchange but ignores it, conversing instead with another HANDMAIDEN who sits beside her.
HECTOR
Thank you. My wife waits for me in Troy.
MENELAUS
My wife waits for me right there.
He leans forward to whisper conspiratorially in Hector's ear.
MENELAUS
Wives are for breeding. You understand? For making little princes. Come, enjoy yourself tonight.
Helen stands and walks out of the reception hall. Menelaus does not notice. Hector does. He raises his cup to Menelaus.
HECTOR
You make excellent wine in Sparta.
Menelaus laughs and drinks with Hector. Paris excuses himself from the Spartan generals he's been speaking with and heads outside -- in the same direction as Helen. Hector watches with mounting agitation.

Hector and Andromache's reunion:

Hector reunites with his wife, ANDROMACHE (30), pale skinned and dark eyed. He holds her to his chest; she closes her eyes, and they stand like that for a long time.
A NURSE standing nearby holds Hector's ten-month-old son, SCAMANDRIUS. Now Andromache takes the baby from the nurse. Hector stares into the boy's wondering eyes and puts his finger in the boy's hand.
HECTOR
He has a good grip.
ANDROMACHE
He's just like his father. He even hates peas.

Andromache pleads with Hector not to fight

Hector sits on the bed beside Andromache, who nurses their baby boy.Hector looks exhausted. He stares at his son.
HECTOR
He has no idea what's happening.
ANDROMACHE
Thank the gods.
HECTOR
The man who killed Tecton outside Apollo's temple -- I've never seen a spear thrown like that. An impossible throw.
A long beat until Andromache breaks the silence.
ANDROMACHE
Briseis was in Apollo's temple this morning.
Hector stares at Andromache.
HECTOR
Are you sure?
She nods, swallows hard, and closes her eyes. After a moment Hector, his eyes full of sorrow, runs his hand through her long hair.
HECTOR
I need to see my brother.
ANDROMACHE
Don't go.
HECTOR
I need to speak with him.
ANDROMACHE
I mean tomorrow. Don't go. You've fought enough. Let other men go out there.
HECTOR
You think I want to fight, my love? I want to see my son grow tall. I want to see the girls chasing after him.
ANDROMACHE
Just like they chased his father?
HECTOR
He's much more handsome than I ever was.
For a moment they sit quietly, watching their son.
ANDROMACHE
I lost seven brothers in the Spartan Wars. You'd think I'd be good at losing by now.
(beat)
I can't lose you. I won't survive.
Hector stares at her for a beat before pulling her close and kissing her. Everything is in this kiss, their entire past. Andromache finally lets him go and Hector walks out the door.

Slightly different version of Hector's escape plan

Andromache follows Hector into the palace's dark recesses.
ANDROMACHE
Where are you taking me?
Hector leads her until they reach a bronze-banded oak door. He opens the door, revealing the mouth of a dark tunnel.
HECTOR
You remember how to get here?
ANDROMACHE
Yes.
HECTOR
Next time you come, follow this tunnel. There's nowhere to turn, so you can't get lost. Keep walking.
ANDROMACHE
Hector --
HECTOR
When you get outside you'll be on the south side of the Scamander River. Follow the river till you see Mount Ida. Keep Ida to your west, walk south, and you'll get to Lyrnessus.
(beat)
The Greeks won't go that far inland.
ANDROMACHE
You're frightening me.
Hector stares into the darkness of the tunnel.
ANDROMACHE
Hector.
(beat)
Why are you telling me this?
HECTOR
If I die --
ANDROMACHE
No --
HECTOR
If I die, I don't know how long the city will stand.
ANDROMACHE
Don't say that.
HECTOR
If the Greeks get inside the walls, it's over. They'll kill all the men. Doesn't matter how old, they'll pull grandfathers from their beds and carve their lungs out.
ANDROMACHE
Please --
HECTOR
Doesn't matter how young. They'll throw the babies from the city walls.
Andromache closes her eyes.
HECTOR
The women they'll take for slaves. And that will be worse for you than dying.
ANDROMACHE
Why are you saying these things?
HECTOR
I want you to be ready. I want you to get our boy, get him, and come here. Save as many others as you can, but you get here, you go down these stairs, and you run.
(beat)
Do you understand?
She nods. The flickering flame of the taper throws giant shadows on the stone walls.
HECTOR
I killed a boy today.
(beat)
He was too young. Much too young.

Extended ending with Andromache and Astyanax

A small band of Trojans marches east toward the rising sun. Helen and Paris, Andromache and Scamandrius, Aeneas and the others -- alive. They walk toward Mount Ida. Briseis walks behind the others. She stops for a moment and looks back toward the ruins of Troy.
CLOSE on Briseis for a beat. And then we see what she sees: the black smoke from Achilles' pyre rising above the smoldering city, rising above the circling crows, and finally fading away into the deep blue sky.

Evidence that this scene was filmed:
 

The Trojan Women, a movie based on the play by Euripides made in 1971 and directed by Michael Cacoyannis, features Andromache as one of the 'women' who is awaiting her fate at the destruction of Troy.In this adaptation Andromache is portrayed by Vanessa Redgrave.

Coming soon.

...back