300 (2007)
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The tale of Battle of Thermopylae, where 300 Spartans fought against the might of the Persian Empire in a doomed but heroic last stand has been the inspiration for many stories over the years and is credited as being a crucial event in history (it is claimed that the heroism of the Spartans inspired the rest of the Greek states to unite together to fight against – and ultimately defeat – the Persians), but it has been largely ignored by Hollywood aside from 1962’s “The 300 Spartans”.
The film starts by focusing on King Leonidas (Gerard Butler), the warrior King of the Spartans, first showing his harsh upbringing as he is raised in the Spartan tradition, separated from his mother at a young age and forced through brutal warrior training. He grows into a strong and proud King whose furious reaction to the arrogance of an emissary from the Persian King Xerxes sets his nation on the path to war with an enemy whose army hugely outnumbers Sparta. Leonidas has a plan to stop the Persian army at the ‘Hot Gates’, a narrow pass through the mountains, but both the Priesthood and the politicians of the Spartan senate refuse him permission to take the army beyond Sparta, a decision largely influenced by some hefty Persian bribes and the influence of corrupt senator Theron (Dominic West). Leonidas rebels against the decision and takes 300 of his best warriors to hold the pass. Most of the rest of the movie follows the three days of the battle as the highly-trained Spartans stand firm against the hordes of the Persian Empire.
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Zack Snyder’s film doesn’t have any pretensions to be an accurate portrayal of history. An adaptation of Frank Miller’s graphic novel adaptation of the battle it is at times absurdly over-the-top as the film chooses entertainment value over historical accuracy. The portrayal of the Spartan’s side of the battle is not too unreasonable, despite the bizarrely skimpy clothing given to the Spartans and their frequent willingness to abandon their extremely effective Phalanx battle formation for more cinematic hand-to-hand combat. However, the silliest parts of the film, which almost tip it over into being a Fantasy film, involve the Persians who are largely portrayed as a race of mutants with some odd fetishes and a bizarre range of troops include the Ninja-like immortals, elephants and war rhinos. The overall effect seems more like Lord of the Rings rather than Greek history, and it is questionable whether it was necessary to go so far over the top, since the basic story is compelling enough without adding in fantastical elements. Portraying the Persians in such a negative over-the-top way does also feel a bit like propaganda at a time when the modern-day descendants of the Persians in Iran seem increasingly in conflict with America. However, the film doesn’t ignore the unpleasantness of the Spartan society as well, its militaristic traditions make it effectively Fascist and the film’s claim that the Spartans were fighting for freedom does seem a bit difficult to accept. This isn’t really a problem for the film in the same way the portrayal of the Persians was, since the film can’t be criticised for portraying Spartan society unpleasantly when it was unpleasant and no matter what the problems their society has, it doesn’t make the sacrifice of Leonidas and his men any less brave or heroic.
It is best not to take 300 too seriously. While some of the more dubious aspects of the setting can’t be ignored this is not intended to be a film that is taken seriously because it is at times ridiculously over-the-top. Visually the film does look excellent with a unique other-worldly look caused by Snyder’s decision to shoot all the landscape and scenery and sets in CGI. Only the actors are real, everything else is computer generated and it all looks very impressive. The battle scenes are thrillingly portrayed, and although they may not always entirely make sense they are compelling. Gerard Butler does manage to make his character command the screen, even despite the often clunky and simplistic dialogue he is given to say. While the supporting characters may not be given much to do except fight and shout the actors do their jobs well enough. Butler is also at the centre of all of the film’s most iconic scenes, from his defiance against the Persian emissary at the start to his final confrontation with Xerxes.
In summary, 300 is a film best regarded as a Fantasy film which has taken some inspiration from history. Some aspects of the plotting, particularly making the Persians into a race of mutants are ill-advised, and they do detract from what is otherwise an extremely entertaining film. Judged as an action film it is very well made, but it is best not to think about it too much.
Rating : 8 / 10
All content ©2007 William Marnoch.
Comments? Agree/Disagree with the Reviews? Suggestions? Random Ramblings? Whatever you might want to say, feel free to e-mail me at william@wmarnoch.freeserve.co.uk .