The Odyssey Runtime | Total Viewing Time Including End Credits
The runtime of the movie The Odyssey is recorded at around three hours. The New Zealand classification office's records list it as 172 minutes, while the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) lists 173 minutes 23 seconds for its cinema 2D version.
| Recording body | Listed runtime |
|---|---|
| New Zealand Office of Film and Literature Classification | 172 minutes |
| UK BBFC (cinema 2D version) | 173 minutes 23 seconds |
What each record tells us
The New Zealand record is rounded to minutes at 172 minutes, while the BBFC record is measured down to the second at 173 minutes 23 seconds. Although the two figures differ by about a minute, the precision and standards of notation can vary between certified versions and bodies, so this difference cannot be definitively attributed to an error on either side.
Whether end credits are included — what the records alone cannot determine
Neither of the two records above specifies whether the listed runtime includes the end credits. So based on the records alone, it is impossible to determine what portion of the film the 172-minute or 173-minute-23-second figures measure, or whether they include the credit roll.
The same goes for your total visit time with advertisements and trailers. Both classification records do not cover trailers or ads shown before the film starts in theaters, so the total time you actually spend at the cinema cannot be known from the records.
In short, what has been confirmed goes only as far as the classification record figures for the two overseas versions. Whether credits are included and the total time at the theater fall outside the scope of the records, so it is safer to allow extra time for your viewing based on the theater's listings and the actual screening.
The original story behind this runtime
This film is based on Homer's epic poem, the Odyssey. The original work is built on two pillars: the wanderings of Odysseus, who drifts across the sea unable to reach home after the fall of Troy, and the story of his family — Penelope and Telemachus — waiting for him in Ithaca.
If you are curious about which events of the original the film covers and in what order, first get an overview in the Odyssey story summary. You can check the context of the sea god who blocks Odysseus's return in the Poseidon story, and of the goddess of wisdom who helps him in the Athena story.
What to check when planning your viewing schedule
Since the film's runtime is recorded at around three hours, if roughly three hours or more have passed since the start time, consider it near the end and plan any later engagements with plenty of leeway. For the exact end time, it is safest to follow the actual screening information for that showing.
Before booking, check the times based on the screening information for that showing in your theater's app or website, and if you plan to watch through the credits, add extra time beyond the listed duration when planning your schedule.
FAQ
Q. How long is the total time if I watch through the end credits?
A. The runtime records do not specify whether credits are included, so the exact total time through the credits cannot be calculated from the records alone. Since the listed time is around three hours, watching through the credits may take longer, so it is best to allow extra time in your schedule.
Q. How much extra time do trailers and ads add?
A. Trailers and ads vary by theater and showing, and this information is not included in the classification records. If you want to know your actual visit time, it is more accurate to check the screening guide at your theater separately.