Movie Rewind -300
October 7th 2007 00:55
Historical background
In the Battle of Thermopylae of 480 BC, an alliance of Greek city-states fought the invading Persian Empire at the pass of Thermopylae in central Greece. Vastly outnumbered, the Greeks held back the Persians for three days in one of history's most famous last stands. A small force led by King Leonidas of Sparta blocked the only road through which the massive army of Xerxes I of Persia (Xerxes the Great) could pass. After three days of battle, a local resident named Ephialtes is believed to have betrayed the Greeks by revealing a goat path that led behind the Greek lines. Dismissing the rest of the army, King Leonidas stayed behind with 300 Spartans, 700 Boeotian volunteers and some 900-1,000 Helot slaves. The Persians succeeded in taking the pass but sustained heavy losses, extremely disproportionate to those of the Greeks. The fierce resistance of the Spartan-led army offered Athens the invaluable time to prepare for a decisive naval battle that would come to determine the outcome of the war.[3] The subsequent Greek victory at the Battle of Salamis left much of the Persian Empire's navy destroyed and Xerxes was forced to retreat back to Asia, leaving his army in Greece under Mardonius, who was to meet the Greeks in battle one last time. The Spartans assembled at full strength and led a pan-Greek army that defeated the Persians decisively at the Battle of Plataea, ending the Greco-Persian War and with it the expansion of the Persian Empire into Europe.[4]
The performance of the defenders at the battle of Thermopylae is often used as an example of the advantages of training, equipment, and good use of terrain as force multipliers,[5] and has become a symbol of courage against overwhelming odds.[5] However, ancient writers first used the Battle of Thermopylae as an example of the superior power of a patriotic army of free men defending native soil.[6]
There is also a large political significance of the Battle of Thermopylae, in that it was the first occasion in which the independent Greek city-states formed a significant alliance. The Battle of Thermopylae also possibly signified the beginning of the end for the Persian empire–drawing strength from the outcome of the battle, the Greeks as a national body began assaulting the Persian Empire.
(net sourced)
Movie synopsis
Based on the epic graphic novel by Frank Miller, 300 is a ferocious retelling of the ancient Battle of Thermopylae in which King Leonidas (Gerard Butler) and 300 Spartans fought to the death against Xerxes and his massive Persian army. Facing insurmountable odds, their valor and sacrifice inspire all of Greece to unite against their Persian enemy, drawing a line in the sand for democracy. The film brings Miller’s (Sin City) acclaimed graphic novel to life by combining live action with virtual backgrounds that capture his distinct vision of this ancient historic tale (net sourced)
Now after Sin City, I was looking forward looking forward to seeing the next visual adaptation of a Frank Millar graphic novel and I was not disappointed. Straght from the start, the imagery and visuals were very powerful and you just wanted to see what happened next.
This is innovative film making at its best, with fantastic attention to detail, a mixture of slow/fast motion that draws you into the scenes. The directing and acting was spot on and my only regret was that I didn't see it on the big screen at the movies as some of the landscapes and battle scenes woulf have been stunning. This is a top notch movie and well worth having in your collection.
kiwiauthor rating 9/10
Check out this for a laugh
300 Spartans on a plane | Paradise PhilippinesThe Spartans of 300 have defeated Xerxes and are getting some well deserved R&R via a vacation to hawaii when suddenly...Hijack!
Really Long Link - 45k
In the Battle of Thermopylae of 480 BC, an alliance of Greek city-states fought the invading Persian Empire at the pass of Thermopylae in central Greece. Vastly outnumbered, the Greeks held back the Persians for three days in one of history's most famous last stands. A small force led by King Leonidas of Sparta blocked the only road through which the massive army of Xerxes I of Persia (Xerxes the Great) could pass. After three days of battle, a local resident named Ephialtes is believed to have betrayed the Greeks by revealing a goat path that led behind the Greek lines. Dismissing the rest of the army, King Leonidas stayed behind with 300 Spartans, 700 Boeotian volunteers and some 900-1,000 Helot slaves. The Persians succeeded in taking the pass but sustained heavy losses, extremely disproportionate to those of the Greeks. The fierce resistance of the Spartan-led army offered Athens the invaluable time to prepare for a decisive naval battle that would come to determine the outcome of the war.[3] The subsequent Greek victory at the Battle of Salamis left much of the Persian Empire's navy destroyed and Xerxes was forced to retreat back to Asia, leaving his army in Greece under Mardonius, who was to meet the Greeks in battle one last time. The Spartans assembled at full strength and led a pan-Greek army that defeated the Persians decisively at the Battle of Plataea, ending the Greco-Persian War and with it the expansion of the Persian Empire into Europe.[4]
The performance of the defenders at the battle of Thermopylae is often used as an example of the advantages of training, equipment, and good use of terrain as force multipliers,[5] and has become a symbol of courage against overwhelming odds.[5] However, ancient writers first used the Battle of Thermopylae as an example of the superior power of a patriotic army of free men defending native soil.[6]
There is also a large political significance of the Battle of Thermopylae, in that it was the first occasion in which the independent Greek city-states formed a significant alliance. The Battle of Thermopylae also possibly signified the beginning of the end for the Persian empire–drawing strength from the outcome of the battle, the Greeks as a national body began assaulting the Persian Empire.
(net sourced)
Movie synopsis
Based on the epic graphic novel by Frank Miller, 300 is a ferocious retelling of the ancient Battle of Thermopylae in which King Leonidas (Gerard Butler) and 300 Spartans fought to the death against Xerxes and his massive Persian army. Facing insurmountable odds, their valor and sacrifice inspire all of Greece to unite against their Persian enemy, drawing a line in the sand for democracy. The film brings Miller’s (Sin City) acclaimed graphic novel to life by combining live action with virtual backgrounds that capture his distinct vision of this ancient historic tale (net sourced)
Now after Sin City, I was looking forward looking forward to seeing the next visual adaptation of a Frank Millar graphic novel and I was not disappointed. Straght from the start, the imagery and visuals were very powerful and you just wanted to see what happened next.
This is innovative film making at its best, with fantastic attention to detail, a mixture of slow/fast motion that draws you into the scenes. The directing and acting was spot on and my only regret was that I didn't see it on the big screen at the movies as some of the landscapes and battle scenes woulf have been stunning. This is a top notch movie and well worth having in your collection.
kiwiauthor rating 9/10
Check out this for a laugh
300 Spartans on a plane | Paradise PhilippinesThe Spartans of 300 have defeated Xerxes and are getting some well deserved R&R via a vacation to hawaii when suddenly...Hijack!
Really Long Link - 45k
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