One thing that someone mentioned is very true: yes, in the end, the effects weren't entirely photorealistic and convincing (anytime a horse was on screen, for instance), and the eyes were "dead" (although much better than they were just a few years ago in CG animation), but...
 

I have no doubt realism was an original goal for the main characters. At least at first. As they say,,, the last 1% is the most difficult. The realism was at least 95% there in some scenes. The night he lay naked waiting for Grendal, for example. Or Grendal's mother as  her face cleared the water. Or the rocks on the beach with the cam a few inches over them... the 3D version got in the way sometimes, I guess. Fun though

I have no point here other than to say someday soon,,, what we call a "movie" will be redefined. The audience will not know anymore what was real or cgi.

An interview with Hopkins ( at release) revealed an interesting thought. One day,,, an actor could be digitally "saved" to act or make an appearance way beyond his living years. Get your scans soon.