La bataille des Thermopyles

This compelling picture results to be an enjoyable flick combining historic events , drama and breathtaking fights . Big production that blends historical battles , cross-swords , feats and spectacular images. Here are magnificently brought to life the heroics deeds about battle of Thermopylae , the only trail to arrive Athens . The events (480 B.C) are well developed , these are the followings : King Leonidas (Richard Egan) establishes an alliance with Greeks polis facing the invading Persian army . There appears Themistocles (Sir Ralph Richardson has only four scenes, despite being second billed) who was an Athenian politician and general , he was one of a new breed of non-aristocratic politicians who rose to prominence in the early years of the Athenian democracy ; Themistocles is forced to an unwilling alliance with the traditional rival of Athens, oligarchic Sparta whose might lies with its superior infantry troops . As Leonidas leading a small army formed by valiant warriors to carry out a mighty battle epic of a handful of men forming the invincible "flying wedge" . The army called Falange is constituted by 300 Spartans named Hoplitas wielding the shield Heplon and long lances , plus 700 Thespians, while the soldiers Phocios sent by Leonidas to protect separated pass flee. They fight against a killer horde five million strong soldiers . The 300 hold off an immense Persian army commanded by king Xerxes (the final film for David Farrar , after which he retired to South Africa), over 100.000, though the famous historian Heredoto, possibly excessive, wrote they were 1.700.000. Meantime in Sparta are happening intrigues surrounding the Greek council . Later on , a nasty traitor , actually a local shepherd , named Ephialtes (Kieran Moore) informed Persians of a hidden way that could utilize to besiege the Spartans . The real heroism of 300 Spartans helped shape the course of Western Civilization, allowing the Greek city states time to organize an army which repelled the Persians . The impact of the battle was enormous , as the Hellens lost their fright for the Persians and led by Themistocles created their proper defense and allowing the Greek city states organize their own army and retain the fearful enemy. Ultimately the Persians are vanquished in the battles of Salamina, Platea and Mycala.

This is an acceptable film produced and directed by Rudolph Mate with great cast as Richard Egan as king Spartan Leonidas and Ralph Richardson as Themistocles , Diane Baker as Ellas , Barry Coe as Phylon , David Farrar as Xerxes ,Donald Houston as Hydarnes , among others . The flick packs nice production design , characters with elaborate costumes and a seamless combination of natural sets as well as studios , including lots of battles . A spectacular and colorful version about Battle of Thermopylae between Leonidas leading his small army of Greeks spearheaded by 300 Spartans against Xerxes . Enjoyable movie blends historic events , drama and breathtaking fights . Every little scene has been given maximum detail, as gowns, environment and set design . Evocative and glimmer cinematography by Geoffrey Unsworth , being shot on location in Perachora, Athens, Gulf of Corinth, Loutraki, Greece . Vibrating and shaking musical score by Manos Hatzidakis . This historical picture was professionally directed by Rudolph Mate.

Other adaptations about this historic tale are the followings : ¨300¨ by Zack Snyder with Gerard Butler , Lena Headey , Vincent Regan , David Wedham ; when Comic artist Frank Miller saw ¨The Lion Of Sparta", as a boy and said : "it changed the course of my creative life". His graphic novel "300", about the Battle of Thermopylae, was the basis for 300 (2006) ¨. Its follow-up ¨300: Rise of an Empire¨ (2014) by Noam Munro with Sullivan Stapleton , Eva Greene , Rodrigo Santoro . And a phenomenal documentary, ¨The Last stand of the 300¨, produced by History Channel which is totally necessary seeing it along with 300 . The film will appeal to epic deeds enthusiasts and history lovers.

What is it about the tale of 300 Spartans holding off the whole of the Persian army that haunts us still?

At some point they'll make the great version of this story, until that day comes this film will do nicely.

The plot has the 300 Spartans going off with a small band of other Greeks to perform a delaying action in a narrow pass against the vastly superior Persian Army. They delay the Persians for several days before a final and terrible battle that assured them their place in history.

The battle scenes are wonderful, as is pretty much everything in this film. The problem is that they've shoehorned a love story into this testosterone charge film to the point it distracts from the rest of the film, it just doesn't belong. Actually most of the early part of the film, before the troops move out is rather soapy. However once the troops march the film picks up, and other than the damned romance is fine film.

See this movie. Forgive the soap and you'll have a rousing good time.

8 out of 10.

If you enjoy a lot of blood, then watch "300". But, if you want something closer to what history really tells us happened at Thermopylae, then "The 300 Spartans" is what you want. I enjoyed the fact that they showed what both sides had in that time as far as weapons and tactics were concerned. They also kept the focus on the bravery of the Spartans, and that all of Greece not only wished them well, but could help, as with the Athenian fleet, not some CGI generated storm.

This was also marked by good acting all around, from Richard Egan as Leonidas, and all the supporting cast. This movie is for those who crave real history, even if much of what occurred may be lost to the ages.

This was one of the last of the great sword-and-sandal epics. Unlike many before it or since, it managed to get the facts generally correct. The story, recorded in Herodotus, concerns a small band of troops from Sparta who held off the advance of the Persian army in the 5th century B.C. In doing so, they gave their fellow Greeks time to organise a larger army. Themes include: democracy vs. despotism, and sacrifice for the sake of the common good. Ever stoic Richard Egan (star of "Pollyanna," "Esther and the King," and other fun films) does a great job of projecting the inner strength of Spartan leader Leonidas. This film is not to be missed and ranks with other memorable epics of the 1960s, such as "The Long Ships". Note: this is newly remastered and should not be confused with the botched version released some months prior.

• Persia: "Our arrows will blot out the sun!"

• Sparta: "Good! Then we will fight in the shade..."

With these famous lines from the movie THE 300 SPARTANS, I decided to begin my comment since the words best resemble what clash really took place a long time ago at Thermopylae - one of the most known and captivating battles in history when a mere wave of a few free men dared say "NO" to the ocean of "immortal" Asian hoards. But there are other, more important words that immediately direct our attention on the right track:

"Oh, Stranger, tell the Spartans that we lie here obedient to their word."

For centuries, the sublime words written at Thermopylae addressed to a stranger, anyone who is passing by have touched people. Artists drew paintings, writers wrote stories, and, in 1962 Rudolph Mate used perhaps the most powerful medium of our times, cinema. At the heyday of epic movies, he made THE 300 SPARTANS keeping to all significant "commandments" of a spectacle but also maintaining other important cases that have been noticed in time.

It's true that THE 300 SPARTANS is a visually stunning spectacle. But it is very important to mention that this film, besides the lavish sets, costumes, magnificent crowd scenes made in accordance with the spirit of a colossal movie, is a very captivating and absorbing insight into the historical characters. King Leonidas (Richard Egan) also carries human responsibilities, has a wife whom he loves, owns a very balanced view of his people, is aware of strengths and weaknesses, knows the lack of loyalty, the bitterness of treason but despite all of these, he is equally ready to return on the shield or with it for his people, for Sparta. Phylon (Barry Coe) is a simple Spartan soldier who is, for the time being, deprived of honor to join the army. Although he loves his beautiful woman Ellas (Diane Baker), he is ready to march a huge distance to become one of those who fight. Being granted the right to defend his country is of ultimate importance to him, that's how he was brought up, that's what he has been living for. The family shame (his father's treason) is something he has to cope with for long but individual effort and straightforward desire make him worthy dying for ideals at last. Therefore, we can as well state that THE 300 SPARTANS differs from the latest movie 300 exactly in that character development - the characters here are not only strong men who only fight well and are directed towards dining in hell but human beings with the feelings that they are bound to control, psychological strength that they must retain, and ideals that they live and die for.

The performances are absolutely terrific though some people may not appear to be cast well to their parts. Richard Egan is marvelous as Leonidas. He has that nobility in his manners and that undeniable courage which Leonidas must have had. His best moments include the final sequence when he talks to his men: We must fulfill our duty so that Sparta can be free. Ralph Richardson is very appealing as Themistocles, a remarkable diplomat for whom truth is a heady wine and according to whom there are no hopeless wars but only hopeless cowards. Barry Coe, in spite of his youthful face and gentle manners, does a fine job as persistent Phylon. And David Farrar as Xerxes...here opinions may differ, even more intensely in the latest year when we have seen Rodrigo Santoro in this role. Despite possible comparison, one thing is true, Farrar is too old and through his acting, he rather reminds me of some experienced, tired, and not a very convincing ruler than the exotic, vital, desirous of power and honors master of Persia. Moreover, the pair of Xerxes and Artemisa (Anne Wakefield) makes it all a bit humorous. Yet, I leave that open to everyone's view.

Another factor, except for character development, that goes outside the rules of a spectacle are powerful moments and script. They make THE 300 SPARTANS more similar to SPARTACUS than THE TEN COMMANDMENTS. The absolutely memorable conversation of Leonidas and Hydarnes (Donald Houston) I entailed at the beginning became a symbol of the movie in years. Another brilliant moment is at the cottage of a mountaineer: "Gods create beautiful women and later transform them into wives." Moreover, except for many other terrific script moments, Xerxes is showed at the beginning on his throne saying memorably "At Marathon, my father sent a mere wave, now I lead an ocean." The final scene, though a bit too short, has an unforgettable feeling that can hardly be expressed: the shields kill all Spartans but they are not afraid, they are with their king. I usually reflected on the fact what really made those Spartans immortal in history: was it their tragic end or the absolute loyalty and obedience that they retained to the last breath?

THE 300 SPARTANS is a must see not only for history buffs but for all viewers. The film is made in an accurate way, constitutes a nice history lesson that also talks to modern times and explains much from human ideals universal throughout the world history. It's a captivating story of courage, loyalty, ideals protection and death in dignity. No wonder why this is the film which also moved Frank Miller in his youth and prompted him to write a graphic novel and finally to make a movie.

Indeed, it was the time when an oasis of free patriots clashed with the desert of warriors in captivity and the oasis won in human hearts. 8/10