"300" is based on Frank Miller's graphic novel, "300" concerns the 480 B.C. Battle of Thermopylae, where the King of Sparta led his army against the advancing Persians; the battle is said to have inspired all of Greece to band together against the Persians, and helped usher in the world's first democracy.
In the Battle of Thermopylae of 480 BC an alliance of Greek city-states fought the invading Persian army in the
mountain pass of Thermopylae. Vastly outnumbered, the Greeks held back the enemy in one of the most famous last stands of history. Persian King Xerxes lead a Army of well over 1 000 000 (Persian king Xerxes before war has about 1 700 000 army) men to Greece and was confronted by 300 Spartans, 700 Thespians and other Slave soldiers. Xerxes waited for 10 days for King Leonidas to surrender or withdraw left with no options he moved. The battle lasted for about 3 days and after which all 300 Spartans were killed. The Spartan defeat was not the one expected as a local shepherd named Ephialtes defected to the Persians and informed Xerxes of a separate path through Thermopylae, which the Persians could use to outflank the Greeks.
The losses of the Persian army alarmed Xerxes. When his navy was later defeated at Salamis he fled Greece leaving only part of his force to finish the conquest of Greece. It was defeated at the Battle of Plataea. However, historical records of the period are notoriously biased or inaccurate and the real number of casualties will never truly be known.
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 to maximise an army's potential, as well as a symbol of courage against overwhelming odds. The heroic sacrifice of the Spartans and the Thespians has captured the minds of many throughout the ages and has given birth to many cultural references as a result.
sources:
wikipedia.org
imdb.com
Check out my unoffical fansite for the upcoming 300 movie
http://www.300spartanmovie.com/
True Glory is in preparation, commitment, dedication, and absolute belief that victory can be acheieved no matter the odds. 300 vs 1,000,000 historical accuracy aside give way to "david vs goliah" creed where victory is acheived from standing ground and fighting no matter the odds, win or lose. Awesome Film.
Are you kidding me? Pick up a history book, even the greek historians of that time who exaggerated by a lot did not put the number any higher than 200,000. 1,700,000? Do you know what the population of the world was back then? WTF?
The population of the world was about 100 million back then. Do research before you write and sound like a complete idiot! You stupid moron.
Back then they really did fight that many. Xerces army was a total of 5 Million standing. Just because you can't count that high doesn't mean that the people that invented higher mathematics couldn't.
How many men would you find yourself couragious enough to fight and kill? one of you to three of them? more?
Is a popular movie based on a comic book created and distributed for emotional impact or perfect historical accuracy?
300 is a great movie to watch. The canvas is very good. It is true to the comic book of the same name.
The story may be talking only of the Spartans, though other Greek kingdoms also joined in the fight. It seems there were actually around 5000 in all.
Hats off to the director to create this master piece.
some philosopher like nietczhe or rousseau, were much more conteplatives for sparta puto yanquis putos
"numbers count for nothing!"
the point is, "men" used to stand for something. now we fall for anything.
The movie is based on a comic book that is loosely based on history. To argue numbers is silly, honestly.
The world will know that FEW stood against many ....!!! this is the story SPARTA !
Its what the movie symbolises you fools!
Honor and bravery!
stop argueing over numbers!! The few stood against the many and thats the important bit.
This is sparta! Lionadas is our leader!!!!!
The original "The 300 Spartans" movie was much much better. It had a better storyline, it was more historically accurate, and it had more realistic combat sequences.
But all in all, 300 isn't a bad movie to watch. Maybe not worth 8 bucks to see it right away, probably best to wait until it's in the cheap seats.
the movie was shit.
so were the brain-dead mouthbreating dipshits who clapped during the most inane parts.
sorry. that's how it is.
Yes this movie is full of historical inaccuracies, but who cares. It is based on a comic novel for crying out loud! I enjoyed it for what it is, a glorious bloodsoaked carnage fest with a hint of porn! The box office returns say it all. Sometimes we just want to check our brains at the door and be entertained. This movie delivers, 300 was great fun!
This is a great movie. The dick head who said the original "300 Spartans" movie was better is a total twat who says things like that to sound individual. You sir, are a cunt.
It's a nice movie, but a bit boring towards the end, it becomes very repetitive and only shows 1 side of the story.
Though im not saying its not inspiring.
Oh and for you guys who were arguing earlier:
-Arguing over the internet is like the special olympics, even if you win, you're still retarded.
Wow.....
Weather it's historically accurate or not has nothing to do with it. Did any of you actually watch the film or were you too busy oogling at the big naked dudes all over?
Come on, the film is about the STORY of the 300. How they fought impossible odds, and yet were brave, honorable, and glorious etc.
But it is a story. And it is being TOLD by the one guy Lionidas sent away. He was sent to make people remember. He is the narrator, we are the listeners, and he is telling the story to the Spartan Council, in hopes they shall send their armies to fight the Persians.
So of course it's not accurate. It's wildly exxagerated, and captures the entire essence of the mythology, the values, the honor etc that was so important.
I mean, there is NO pretense of accuracy in it at all. Even if he had 1 700 000 men, would King Xerxes be an 8 foot tall, golden, god, who is carried on huge platform by slaves? No! The film is ABOUT the romantic images we have of the past, the mythology that surrounds the ancient times, the whole rose tinted way we view history. And I think it does it perfectly.
This is a movie about mindless killing and is awesome as a result. Any attempt to bring a history book near it will result in a time paradox. This is not a good thing. Trust me.
So in other words, the movie is just that. A movie, and a good laugh. So in other words, don't take it seriously!! Just enjoy it.
And as for the above comment, I'm inclined to agree. An eloquent positive review is hard to come by on the internet.
Oh, and I can't resist the temptation to contribute to the anarchy.
THIS IS SPARTAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!
Hi there.
You mean 300 is not accurate?
A vew things are really wrong. The children were taken away from there mother not with seven. They were 3.
Here a few numbers:
sparta:300 men + other greeks= 4200
Persia: 170.000
sparta cost persia over 20.000 warriors.
thats ratio 1:5 nearly.
take a look in your greek books,boooons.
The film is great.
why didnt the king of sparta kill xerxes , was it because that leonidas ( THE KING OF SPARTA ) wanted to show the known world that even a GOD KING can bleed. But wouldnt it be easier if he had killed xerxes and show the known world that even a GOD KING can die. anyway my friend is half spartan and his grandpa was always proud of being spartan but the whole thing of the battle of Thermopylae is only myth but there was a war there but the historians were inacurate or biased and its history what more can i say there is no way we can find out what had really happened or if there was really 300 spartans who stood against xerxes. anyway the film was fantastic and it illistrates the way men at times will do anything to protect there way of life and culture, inturn inspires many of us to do the same. the film was da best in a long time.
Actualy the film is quite historically if any one wants to pick up a history book.
FACTS
1:The messenger did come and ask for "Earth and Water" exact words
2:He was pushed down a well and told he would find plenty of it there.
3:King Leonidas did consult the Oracle and the oracale said that either Sparta would be conquered and left in ruins or one of her two hereditary kings, descendant of Heracles, must sacrifice his life to defend her.
4:The first historians did mention the figure 1.7 million but modern historians say it is likely to have been somewhere between 100,000 to 200,000. There were about 5000 soliders with leonidas 300 of which were Spartians
5:When the Persians told the Spartians to lay dow their weapons King Leonidas recorded reply was "mo'lon la've" which means "come and get them"
6:The first assalt according to Ctesias (a Greek historian)was lead by the Persian General Artapanus with 10,000 against the 300 Spartians. Artapanus' men were cut to pieces" with only two or three Spartans dead.
Ive run out of space...but apart from the obvious (monsters etc..) the film is actually quite acurate....about 90%
just wanted to say
THIS IS SPARTAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA........................Wait yes its still is..............................AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
Oh man..... This movies is great and Gerard Butler is absolutely superb as Leonidas... His confidence is much appreciated. The Persian messenger would definitely have found "Earth and Water" down there... And GUYS Let us say together..... "THIS IS SPARTAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA"
what do all the spartan soldiers say after the king of sparta gives them a "pep-talk"?
Its based on Frank Miller's book, not history.
It doesn't even pretend to be history.
VERY loosely based on history. And glosses over the fact that Sparta was not a free society. Freedom only came to a minority. It was a military state and was run like you'd expect a military state to be run. The closest thing we're familiar with in modern times is Nazi Germany. Do some research...you'll see what I mean.
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