The 300 Spartans

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.

In 480 BC, the ambitious, cruel and merciless King Xerxes (David Farrar) of Persia invades Greece with his huge army to extend his vast slave empire. The brave Spartan army is the great hope to free and unite Greece, and Ling Leonidas (Richard Egan) promises to the council of the Greek Stats to defend the passage of Thermopylae, the only way by land to reach Athens. However, he is betrayed by the politicians of Sparta and stays alone with his personal body guard army composed of three hundred warriors only. Using courage and great knowledge of strategies of war, he defends Thermopylae until a treacherous goatherd tells King Xerxes a secret goat passage leading to the back of Leonidas's army.

The epic "The 300 Spartans" is a great tale of courage, heroism and idealism. This story has romance, action and drama, with great interpretations and choreography in the battle scenes. I laughed a lot with the witty line of the old goatherd to Phylon: - "Who can understand the way of gods? They create lovely girls and then turn them into wives." The use of red clothes by the Spartan army to hide the blood from the enemies shows how this warriors were war oriented . My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): "Os 300 de Esparta" ("The 300 from Sparta")

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.

I was a teenager when I first saw this film. I was raised on the ancient spectacle films of the 50's and 60's and feel this one holds up quite well. No, it's not perfection with respect to history. The Spartans were hardly democratic or benevolent. But, they were fiercely proud, great warriors and very independent. The film does a fine job choreographing the 2-3 day battle, given the budget and FX limitations of the early 60's. Very similar to "Helen of Troy" in these respects. Richard Egan was excellent as Leonidas but the script was very limiting for him and the rest of the cast. I will look forward to seeing the film that results from Steven Pressfield's "Gates of Fire". Hopefully 40+ years of technology will create a true epic, as befitting an action (unknown to most school kids today) that helped preserve and push Western Civilization.

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.