La bataille des Thermopyles

This movie just came out on DVD, and it's something to get your hands on, no doubt.

The Battle Of Thermopylae is a great story of heroism, and captured here with great acting and breath-taking battle scenes sans special fx. I have no doubt this movie will be remade, especially since it's been ripped off endlessly (especially in recent times.)

Let's just start with the acting. Richard Egan and Ralph Richardson are, on their own, great actors. The chemistry between the two actors is endearing and honest. Richardson plays the older, wiser Themistocles while Egan plays the strong, respectful lionhearted King Leonidas. Both of them are wonderful to watch, and with Egan, it's nice to see an actor who plays a role as a human instead of a Shakespearean caricature. He's stoic, yet totally sympathetic. Wonderful.

Geoff Unsworth and Rudolph Mate succeeded in capturing the landscape of an ancient land, though I obviously was not there to verify that this is in fact what the land looked like. Come to think of it, neither were any of us! So, to try to criticize the movie on details with such vitriol that its as if you lived it yourself is, in all honesty, laughable and pathetic. Great, you derive joy from nit picking a MOVIE meant to stir discussion and above all, entertain. Bully for you.

Regardless, 300 Spartans is a great story of courage, sacrifice, and selflessness. Oh, and it was well done. Period.

Anyhow, if you've got wits, get this movie.

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.

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.

Zack Snyder's 300 based on Frank Miller's graphic novel may perhaps be the interpretation that's etched on the modern moviegoer's mind, with its slow motion, stylized battle sequences leaping out from the panels of the comic, and plenty of wailing WWE style with Gerard Butler leading the charge as King Leonidas of Sparta, his troops severely outnumbered against the mighty Persian army in the Battle of Thermopylae, but morale running high nonetheless for being able to fulfill a warrior's calling of an honourable death on the battlefield while defending their homeland from foreign invaders.

Naturally the 1962 film version directed by Rudolph Mate will be dated, but the spirit and scheme of things remain on the agenda, with the story given a more holistic coverage of the same battle with its sea component mentioned, a pity that it wasn't filmed. In my opinion when I look back with nostalgia, Swords and Sandals epics in the 60s were always about grandeur with its scale and countless number of extras suited up with equipment and logistics to portray an era long past, without resorting to modern day trickery with computer programs to make up the numbers. Logistics, I can imagine, could be quite the nightmare.

For a tale that's been told since 480 BC, you can bet that interpretations will defer depending on the source, and if compared with 300, there are some aspects here in the story that held more potential. For instance, it would have been great if the sea battles made it to the film, and Leonidas (Richard Egan) conducted a daring raid of the Persian camp with a handful of merry men, which made them go on the offensive instead of just depending the narrow pass at Thermopylae, for a reason none other than to spread chaos and panic, and also to buy the Greeks time to set up their defences.

More importantly, this film doesn't over romanticize the Spartan warriors. Yes they are great in their fighting prowess and their fearsome reputation is legendary, but The 300 Spartans take time off to dwell on the need for unity amongst the squabbling Greek contingents, where unity is strength should everyone stand up and be counted when faced with a collective aggressor. Superstition and religion also played a key role in the methods of the Spartans, as with the key turning point of their betrayal which turned the tides for them. Battle sequences aren't as stylized, and some of the strategies were quite weakly executed to have imagined the Persian army led by Xerxes (David Farrar) himself, also beefed up with his Invincibles troops, couldn't outfight the Spartans since almost all fights are close quartered mêlées.

Dialogue is slanted 60s styled, so don't expect pompous lines screamed across the screen by any character wanting to rouse their troops. Even Richard Egan's Leonidas wears an optimistic smile now and then, and seemed relatively more friendly than the Gerard Butler version who looks like a murderous butcher eager to shove his spear into the rear of his enemies. For all the lean and meanness of Butler's very toned and muscular Leonidas and his Spartan troops, the lack of physique gets camouflaged here through the use of battle armour, and while 300 was essentially a King Leonidas story, this one somehow had a romantic subplot spun between the characters of Ellas (Diane Baker) and Phylon (Barry Coe), with the former persuading her beau to abandon duty for romance and the quieter life.

Still for those who prefer a break from the flashy, exaggerated treatment gladiator style of Snyder's 300, this version may be the more accurate account given its mention and time devoted to the sea component and other Greek troops joining the Spartans, and also without making Xerxes look androgynous. But if you're more of an action junkie, then stick to Snyder's stylized version as the battle sequences here couldn't withstand the test of time compared to what's on offer by filmmakers today.

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.