In Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey, Benny Safdie portrays Agamemnon. Although Safdie is best known to cinema buffs as the co-director of Uncut Gems and Good Time, over the past few years, he has developed an amazing acting career. Safdie reunites with the renowned director for another significant supporting part, this time as one of the most significant characters in Greek mythology, following his appearance as Edward Teller in Nolan's Oppenheimer.

With the release of the film and every detail scrutinized to the minutest hair, a question arises as to whether the actor really justifies his book counterpart, especially in terms of height.

As far as height is concerned, Benny Safdie is known to be 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) tall. For Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey, he gained some muscle to play the Greek leader. On the other hand, Agamemnon’s height details remain ambiguous. Homer’s books do not mention Agamemnon to a specific height, but there is an indication. 

Trojan elders characterize Agamemnon as being a head above the rest of the Achaean host in Homer's The Iliad (Book III). As per the description in the book, Agamemnon's height comes between 6 feet 2 inches and 6 feet 5 inches (188–195 cm), as the typical height of an ancient Greek man during the Bronze Age/Homeric period was between 5 feet 5 inches and 5 feet 8 inches (165–172 cm).

Safdie's current height roughly resembles what would have been thought of as that heroic, towering figure in antiquity. However, this comparison is not based on real numbers or hard facts, so it cannot be substantiated. The large and imposing visual impression of Agamemnon in Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey was an artistic choice and not a factual datum.

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If the criteria for height to be excluded, what would then be the assessment of the decision to let Safdie bring the mythical character to life on screen?

Benny Safdie's casting carries on Christopher Nolan's practice of reuniting dependable partners with a cast of well-known Hollywood figures. He is a perfect choice for Agamemnon, a ruler whose tale is characterized by triumph, treachery, and tragedy, because of his capacity to play complex, nuanced characters. Examples of his characters, in fact, stretch from Edward Teller in Oppenheimer and Licorice Pizza's Joel Wachs, to Nick Nikas in 2017's Good Time. 

Given Safdie's increasing stature as one of Hollywood's most captivating character performers, Agamemnon may end up being one of the movie's most memorable supporting roles despite having little screen time. Anyhow, it is totally up to the audience to judge for themselves, as The Odyssey is already in theaters starting July 17. 

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Do you stand by Christopher Nolan’s decision to cast Benny Safdie as Agamemnon in The Odyssey? Do let us know in the comments.