'The Odyssey' was shot on Kodak film made in Rochester

Christopher Nolan's 'The Odyssey' was shot on Kodak film made in Rochester

On July 16, Christopher Nolan’s highly anticipated epic “The Odyssey” arrives in theaters as the first major motion picture to be shot entirely with IMAX cameras — and those cameras were loaded with Kodak 65mm motion picture film made here in Rochester.

The shoot, which unfolded over 91 days across six countries, used more than 2 million feet of Kodak celluloid, Nolan told Empire magazine in November 2025.

Most movies are now shot digitally. In a 2023 interview posted to Kodak’s YouTube page, Nolan talked about his insistence on using film. “The way a film camera records light onto its emulsion, that's as close as you can get to the way the eye sees,” he said.

His Oscar-winning “Oppenheimer” (2023) also was shot on Kodak stock, including a black-and-white version the company developed just for the movie.

In addition, Kodak has taken a role in promoting “The Odyssey” on its social media channels, including YouTube.

Based on Homer’s ancient poem of the same name, “The Odyssey” follows Greek king Odysseus on a harrowing 10-year journey home after the Trojan War. The movie’s all-star cast includes Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, Zendaya and Tom Holland.

Where is 'The Odyssey' playing in the Rochester area?

Cinemark Tinseltown at 2291 Buffalo Road in Gates will show the film in 70mm, the highest-resolution format in existence, in its IMAX theater starting July 17. Screenings start as early as 8 a.m.

The movie's running time is two hours and 52 minutes.

Theaters showing “The Odyssey” in 35mm or 2D formats include Apple Cinemas in Greece and Pittsford, the AMC Webster, Movies 10 and the Little Theatre.

The Little sells tickets on its website, thelittle.org, and will be giving away collectible “The Odyssey” 35mm Kodak filmstrips at the first screenings while supplies last.

For showtimes at other theaters and to buy tickets, go to fandango.com.

Earlier this month, IndieWire editor at large Anne Thompson wrote that her “high expectations were met” with the “stunningly mounted” film, which she said is the movie to beat for best picture at the 2027 Oscars.

Los Angeles Times film editor Joshua Rothkopf praised the movie as “pure cinema,” writing, “Obviously the story is about returning home, but in a larger sense, this is also a return home to the robustly entertaining action movies that cinema was invented to tell.”

Polygon deputy editor Jake Kleinman wrote on X that while “The Odyssey” is Nolan’s “most straightforward movie ever,” it's “also maybe his most impressive,” noting that “both the epic scale and attention to detail are absolutely stunning. The closest comparison I can think of is Peter Jackson’s ‘Lord of the Rings’ trilogy.”

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This story includes reporting by Brendan Morrow of USA TODAY.

Reporter Marcia Greenwood primarily covers the grocery business and consumer-focused grocery news, as well as retail development, openings and closings. Send story tips to mgreenwo@rocheste.gannett.com. Follow her on X @MarciaGreenwood.