The movie 300

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Mon Aug 06, 2007 5:07 am

I finally watched about half of it this weekend, and had been looking forward to watching some ancient history come to life. Well, I was quite disappointed in all the hype that went with this film, when it came to their portrayal of the Persians. Why did they have to make them all look like something out of a sci fi movie? The symbolism part of them being the "bad guys" went a little too far, and frankly made the film a big stinkeroo for me. I like The History Channel's version of events much better. Any thoughts for those who have seen this?

Galbally · Post by **Galbally** » Mon Aug 06, 2007 6:14 am

I went to see it alright, but that was when it came out so there wasn't much hype about it. It was very much what it was, a kinda cartoon comic strip version of the battle of thermopayle, and on that level it worked pretty well I thought. It certainly wasn't a sort of in-depth look at the realities of conflict or am accurate representation of the history of this enternal conflict between Europe and Asia.

I think that for a more subtle look at the reality of war then the "The Thin Red Line" was about as good as your going to get for that kinda movie. For documovies I saw that 1960s French classic "The Battle of Algiers" about the end of French rule in Algeria, thats a fairly amazing movie I have to say, you should check it out.

So 300, yeah, I liked it, but I kinda took it as it was intended, a bit of comic strip Western agit-prop (and sure why not everyone else does it!). The rendering was amazing I have to say, and the performances were good, particularly your man who played Leonidas, he's Scottish in real life!

YZGI · Post by **YZGI** » Mon Aug 06, 2007 6:28 am

I watched it over the weekend and thought it was ok. Obviously wasn't historically correct. I also watched the history channel show. I believe the history channel show was called "The Last stand of the 300" which was excellent.

[love]light · Post by **[love]light** » Mon Aug 06, 2007 6:47 am

I watched it for pure entertainment value. Strike me down dead if we ever look to Hollywood to teach us about history :wah:

I loved it. I thought it was a step aside from the ordinary and it was well made. I watched it knowing that the same dude that created "Sin City" made this movie as well.

WonderWendy3 · Post by **WonderWendy3** » Mon Aug 06, 2007 6:50 am

I saw, well I sat in the theatre while it was playing...I had my hand over my eyes more than anything....not my cup of tea....yes the guys were ripped....but well I can see that in my fantasies without blood and guts squirting all over the place!!:wah:

Galbally · Post by **Galbally** » Mon Aug 06, 2007 7:08 am

You know whats interesting, is that even by Roman times it was recognized that although, in general, the story is certainly true, even 2,000 years ago, the myth of thermoplyae had become far more important than anything else. Livy the Roman history of the 1st century AD (500 years after Thermopylae) mentioned this when discussing another battle fought at the same site against Antiochus (another persian king). He related to his Roman audience of how the dying of the 300 Spartans and their king was the most intersting and important thing about that particular battle, and dismissed the importance militarily of the events. And that argument goes on, well, history of course repeats itself doesn't it. Its still one of of the most potent founding events of Western civilizaion, probably that and the punic wars.

And no, not the Pubic wars, the Punic wars. :wah:

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Mon Aug 06, 2007 7:28 am

I agree Galbally, the myth is the most important part of the story. The strategic battle and the different ranks of Persians that came against the Spartans are shaded a second in remembrance. Even the Romans were in awe of the stand of Leonidas and his soldiers. (and yes, the actor who played Leonidas is a hunk!)

Punic Wars-yes, they drilled #2 into us thoroughly at school. I still remember the siege of Syracuse, since I had to "speak" on that for class.

Galbally · Post by **Galbally** » Mon Aug 06, 2007 7:49 am

chonsigirl;674904 wrote: I agree Galbally, the myth is the most important part of the story. The strategic battle and the different ranks of Persians that came against the Spartans are shaded a second in remembrance. Even the Romans were in awe of the stand of Leonidas and his soldiers. (and yes, the actor who played Leonidas is a hunk!)

Punic Wars-yes, they drilled #2 into us thoroughly at school. I still remember the siege of Syracuse, since I had to "speak" on that for class.

you had a better school than we did, we never did classical history, just Irish and Modern European history, they should re-introduce the classics more widely in the curriculum if you ask me, but thats just me.

Sheryl · Post by **Sheryl** » Mon Aug 06, 2007 8:23 am

For a Hollywood movie it was pretty good. Of course I didn't watch it all, and missed the best parts according to my husband. But I"m not a big gore fan.

I read about the Spartans on Wikipedia. Did you know Hitler thought the Spartans were the first National Socialist party.

Sheryl · Post by **Sheryl** » Mon Aug 06, 2007 8:24 am

Galbally;674912 wrote: you had a better school than we did, we never did classical history, just Irish and Modern European history, they should re-introduce the classics more widely in the curriculum if you ask me, but thats just me.

Just whatever you do do not take Oklahoma history. After you get past the Indians and Land Run it's a snoozefest. :wah:

YZGI · Post by **YZGI** » Mon Aug 06, 2007 8:31 am

According to the show "Last Stand Of The 300" Spartans began training at the age of 7. They were taken from their mothers and every day of their life from then till 18 yrs old they trained. They were flogged quite often to get them used to pain and fighting with pain.

mikeinie · Post by **mikeinie** » Mon Aug 06, 2007 9:12 am

I loved it! My wife couldn't even be bothered watching it.

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Mon Aug 06, 2007 9:14 am

That is what the primary sources tell us about Spartan upbringing...

http://classics.mit.edu/Plutarch/lycurgus.html

KB. · Post by **KB.** » Mon Aug 06, 2007 10:14 am

The movie was okay, you have to remember it is a graphic (comic) novel come to the movie screen. Read this:

i read that ten or more years ago. It beats the movie hands down. That is not the book that the movie was based upon. The same guy that did 300 also did Sin City the movie. It was visually appealing, but the story was lacking.

henrychalder · Post by **henrychalder** » Wed Aug 15, 2007 6:10 am

Its a fantastic movie, not to be taken too seriously though but pretty near to the actual event. My father told me of the 'battle of thermopylae' when I was a kid, it inspired me. The character of Xerxes upset the Iranians.. shame, the director of the explained that the film was for people to see who wanted to see some fantasy, but it did show the enemy looking rather like Muslims and the Spartan warriors answering to Leonidus who riled his men into action with the answer...'HO' just like American infantry, which makes me think there was possibly a bit of politics involved especially during a time when America was gearing up to attack Iran.