Directed by

Jeff Kanew
Made by

National Lampoon Productions
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Read the complete plot summary and ending explained for National Lampoon’s The Legend of Awesomest Maximus (2011). From turning points to emotional moments, uncover what really happened and why it matters.
Awesomest, a rather dim-witted general in the city of Troy, Will Sasso, finds himself embroiled in a series of bizarre and humorous events that threaten to change the fate of Troy forever. His father-in-law, Rip Torn, plays the comically eccentric King Looney, who is secretly conflicted about his heir, Orlando, the king’s gay son, played by Gary Lundy. Awesomest’s loyal right-hand man, Quantus, constantly wins battles for him and keeps him alive, but Awesomest’s personal life is fraught with dissatisfaction, leading him to frequent strip clubs seeking entertainment.
Hotessa, played by Kristanna Loken, is Awesomest’s wife and the princess of Troy. She harbors worries that her father might choose Orlando to be the next ruler of Troy, an idea that causes her significant anxiety. In an effort to prevent war and keep Orlando safe, King Looney sends Awesomest on a diplomatic mission to the Greeks—an unprecedented task for him, as it’s his first solo assignment of such importance. Hotessa warns him not to mess up, as she aspires to become Queen herself.
The Greek King Erotic, portrayed by Khary Payton, is a peculiar character with a bizarre obsession with sex, making him quite a controversial and unsettling figure. His top warrior, Testachillies, played by Ian Ziering, is a cocky and irritating man who believes himself to be indestructible thanks to a legendary origin involving a goddess dipping him into a magical river—but with an unfortunate vulnerability in his testicles, born from his mother’s carelessness.
Orlando is enjoying himself in Troy, particularly with Ellen, played by Sophie Monk, who is Erotic’s wife. Orlando, eager for adventure and motivated by his sizable trust fund, invites Ellen to accompany him to Troy, promising her excitement over the possibility of a future war that would give her a story to tell. Ellen agrees, and Awesomest, ever eager to please, agrees to escort her, especially after she exposes her breast to him.
King Looney, pleased that Orlando isn’t a fairy, grants refuge to Ellen, while Erotic’s ambitions grow—he desires to fight in the war to gain glory, especially through his warrior, Testachillies. Testy, as he’s called, seeks his mother Milfia’s approval to leave for Troy, but she warns him of imminent death if he goes. Despite her warnings, Testachillies chooses to leave to escape her suffocating clutches.
Meanwhile, Hotessa fears that Looney might declare Orlando the next king, prompting her to send Awesomest to the F’Ers, a group of diseased priests eager to exploit their supposed divine powers. The F’Ers, high on drugs and perversion, tell Awesomest to pick a number—he chooses 300—and that he must fight with 300 men, throwing him into a whirlwind of chaos and comic mishaps.
In Troy, Testachillies is eager to prove himself but is hindered by poor equipment supplied by Erotic. During the treaty negotiations, Erotic takes a liking to Orlando’s wife Ellen, complicating diplomatic efforts. The talks falter, and Erotic retaliates with an attack. The iconic fight ensues, with the famed 300 troops bravely repelling the Greek invaders, pushing them off the cliffs, as Awesomest falls during the chaos, much to the relief of Quantus.
King Looney bestows Orlando with the legendary sword of Troy, entrusting him with its safety. Ellen, embracing her liberated identity, gives Hotessa a dildo in a humorous gesture, while Erotic cunningly seduces Minorities, a dwarf played by Tony Cox, with nudity and allure to facilitate a covert escape over Troy’s walls.
Surviving the initial battle, Awesomest is captured and sold into slavery, forced to participate in a gladiator event. Under the ownership of a brutal event organizer, who has a contract with Erotic, Awesomest undergoes rigorous training. Among the revelations he uncovers about his own past, he learns that his father once discarded him in a thunderstorm to adopt the child of his maid, shaping his sense of identity.
In the arena, Awesomest proves his mettle by defeating Testachillies’s cousin, who arrives to challenge him, culminating in a brutal fight where Awesomest exploits Testachillies’s weakness in his balls—delivering the decisive blow and bringing the Greek warrior’s reign of arrogance to an end. This act ultimately helps save Troy from destruction.
As the Greeks retreat, inspired by the absurdity and heroism of the battles, Erotic is defeated, and he and Orlando declare their love for each other, ending the war in an unconventional but humorous resolution. Ellen, embracing her sexuality and independence, moves in with Hotessa and Awesomest, celebrating their bizarre yet victorious life together.
Throughout all the chaos, the movie delivers a satire-filled parody of classic war stories, filled with absurd characters, exaggerated action, and comedic moments that challenge traditional hero tropes with vulgar humor and over-the-top antics.
Follow the complete movie timeline of National Lampoon’s The Legend of Awesomest Maximus (2011) with every major event in chronological order. Great for understanding complex plots and story progression.
Introduction of Awesomest and his family
Awesomest, a not very bright general in Troy, is introduced along with his father-in-law King Looney and his right-hand man Quantus. The story highlights Awesomest's dissatisfaction with his marriage and his tendency to visit strip clubs for entertainment. Looney's family dynamics hint at political tensions over potential succession.
Looney assigns Awesomest to diplomatic mission
King Looney sends Awesomest on an important mission to help Orlando, his son, negotiate with the Greeks and avoid provoking a war. This is Awesomest's first solo assignment, and Hotessa, his wife, warns him not to mess up, as she aspires to become Queen.
Introduction of Greek characters and conflicts
The Greek king Erotic is depicted as a strange, sexually wild character, and his best warrior Testachillies is presented as an indestructible but vulnerable warrior due to his birth circumstances. Erotic insists on involving Testachillies in the conflict for glory, but Testachillies is reluctant, especially after consulting his mother Milfia.
Orlando's liaison with Ellen
Orlando, Loony's son, enjoys time with Ellen, Erotic's wife, and invites her to Troy, promising her a large trust fund and excitement over the impending war. Ellen is eager for the chaos and agrees to come with Orlando, leading to her refuge in Troy upon Loony's intervention.
Hotessa's fears and consultation with the F'Ers
Hotessa worries that Loony might crown Orlando as king and sends Awesomest to consult the F'Ers, diseased priests who indulge in perversions. The F'Ers tell Awesomest to choose a number and predict a battle involving 300 men, foreshadowing the Greek attack.
Testachillies' risky decision to leave
Testachillies, seeking to escape his overbearing mother Milfia who disapproves of his plans to fight in Troy, departs early with his cousin. His crew attempts to delay him, but they are all killed by arrows from the beach once he reaches Troy.
Initial military confrontation at Troy
Testachillies refuses to fight initially due to poor accommodations. The treaty talks between Troy and the Greeks fail when Erotic attacks, and the 300 Spartans fight valiantly to push the Greek forces off the cliffs, causing chaos in Troy.
Earning and safeguarding the sword of Troy
Loony gives Orlando the treasured sword of Troy, emphasizing its importance. Meanwhile, the Greek leader Erotic seduces Minorities with his tactics to breach Troy's defenses, expanding the chaos within the city.
Awesomest's capture and escape
Awesomest survives Troy's fall when he is captured and sold into slavery in a gladiator show. Under Erotic's orders, he's trained for the entertainment event, learning about his troubled past and proving his strength by killing Testachillies' cousin during the contest.
Testachillies' return and final battle
Testachillies arrives at the arena intending to kill Awesomest but finds him being tortured. He retreats to Troy. In the chaos, Erotic constructs a giant phallus with Greek soldiers inside, leading to the city's destruction as Greek forces emerge from it.
Climactic duel and the fall of Testachillies
Awesomest challenges Erotic to a one-on-one duel, with Testachillies as a substitute. During the fight, Awesomest exploits Testachillies' vulnerability in his testicles, leading to Testachillies' fall and ultimately saving Troy.
End of war and romantic resolutions
With Testachillies defeated, Erotic and Orlando declare their love, ending hostilities. Ellen, revealing her sexuality, moves in with Hotessa and Awesomest, indicating a resolution of personal and political conflicts.
Explore all characters from National Lampoon’s The Legend of Awesomest Maximus (2011). Get detailed profiles with their roles, arcs, and key relationships explained.
Awesomest Maximus (Will Sasso)
A clueless but proud general in Troy, Awesomest is motivated by personal pleasure and a desire for recognition. Despite his incompetence, he remains confident and ultimately plays a heroic role, driven by comedic flaws and stubbornness.
King Looney (Rip Torn)
The eccentric ruler of Troy, Looney is a humorous and unpredictable monarch. His decisions influence the story's chaos, and his favoritism, especially towards Orlando, adds to the comedic conflicts.
Princess Hottessa (Kristanna Loken)
Awesomest's wife, Hottessa is concerned about her status and the potential of Orlando becoming king. She exhibits ambition and jealousy, playing a pivotal role in the political intrigue with comedic undertones.
Ellen (Sophie Monk)
A playful and bold character, Ellen is Orlando's companion who enjoys dressing up and mocking traditional gender roles. Her relationship with Hotessa and Orlando adds layers of humor and romantic subplots.
Testachillies (Ian Ziering)
A powerful but arrogant Greek warrior, known for his indestructibility and vulnerability. His disdain for Erotic and loyalty to honor create comedic tension, especially given his sensitive testicles.
Learn where and when National Lampoon’s The Legend of Awesomest Maximus (2011) takes place. Explore the film’s settings, era, and how they shape the narrative.
Time period
Ancient Greece/Mythological Era
The movie takes place in a mythical version of ancient Troy and Greece, blending historical and legend elements. This period is characterized by legendary wars, gods influencing mortal affairs, and heroic battles, all exaggerated for comedic and satirical effect.
Location
Troy
Troy is an ancient city famously associated with the Trojan War and the legendary Greek siege. The city is depicted as a strategic and fortified location with significant cultural and mythological importance. It serves as the central setting for the conflicts and comedic events in the film.
Discover the main themes in National Lampoon’s The Legend of Awesomest Maximus (2011). Analyze the deeper meanings, emotional layers, and social commentary behind the film.
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War and Conflict
The film satirizes epic warfare by portraying exaggerated battles and humorous conflicts, highlighting the absurdity of war. The story's over-the-top combat scenes and war strategies parody traditional epic narratives.
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Comedy and Satire
The movie underlines comedic elements through its absurd characters, humorous dialogues, and parody of historical and mythological tales. It uses satire to critique heroism, political ambition, and mythic storytelling.

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Discover the spoiler-free summary of National Lampoon’s The Legend of Awesomest Maximus (2011). Get a concise overview without any spoilers.
In a wildly exaggerated version of ancient Troy, the city hums with a chaotic mixture of pomp, politics, and outlandish humor. The world feels like a parody of classic war epics, where grandiose speeches clash with absurd bureaucracies and every corner hides a punchline. The atmosphere is saturated with salty wit, over‑the‑top sexuality, and a relentless willingness to lampoon heroic tropes, setting the stage for a comedy that never lets seriousness settle in.
At the centre of this madness is Awesomess, a well‑meaning but clueless Trojan general whose lack of tact is matched only by his boundless enthusiasm. He leans heavily on his ever‑reliable right‑hand man, Quantus, whose competence keeps the kingdom from collapsing. Awesomess’s personal life is equally tangled: his wife, Hotessa, the proud princess of Troy, worries about the future of the throne, especially with the enigmatic Orlando—the king’s flamboyant son—looming as a possible heir. Adding to the familial circus is King Looney, a ruler whose eccentricities make every council meeting feel like a farcical performance.
Across the Aegean, the Greeks are led by King Erotic, a monarch whose preoccupations lie far from traditional governance, and his champion, Testachillies, a warrior proclaimed invincible by mythic origins. Their presence injects a rival brand of absurdity into the already volatile political landscape. Ellen, a figure from the Greek side, becomes an unexpected bridge between the two cultures, hinting at the tangled diplomatic entanglements that are about to unfold.
The story promises an unlikely encounter: the bewildered Trojan general must face the supposedly unbeatable Greek warrior on a battlefield that feels more like a carnival of mishaps than a grim war zone. As both sides prepare for the inevitable clash, the film teases a cascade of vulgar jokes, outlandish set‑pieces, and a satirical take on glory and destiny that will keep audiences laughing while the absurdity escalates.
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