... But the battle would be ferocious and bloody and the human cost so great…
Odds are you won't see another film that looks quite like "300" this year. Director Zach Snyder has taken the same tack as Robert Rodriguez's "Sin City", shooting almost entirely on green screen, without building ... Read review
Based on actual event occurring in 480 B.C. Greece. This scintillating drama stars Richard ... more
Egan as the Greek soldier Leonidas who led 300 Spartan soldiers against an overwhelming Persian army in the Battle of Thermopylae. Unable to recruit the soldiers he needs to defend a critical Greek mountain pass against Persia's King Xerxes Leonidas nonetheless prepares for battle. When warned that the number of arrows his tiny army will face "will blot out the sun" Leonidas replies that his army will "fight in the shade." With it's superb cinematography realism and musical score this story of courage and self-sacrifice is inspired filmmaking at it's best.
Postage & Packaging:£0.00 Availability:3-5 working days
Production Year: 2002 - Action/Adventure - Director: Vincenzo Natali - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring:Lucy Liu, David Hewlett, Anne Marie Scheffler, Joseph Scoren, Matthew Sharp, Jeremy Northam
Production Year: 1964 - Action/Adventure - Director: Cyril Endfield - Original Language: English - Classification: Parental Guidance - Starring:Stanley Baker, Jack Hawkins, Ulla Jacobsson, James Booth, Michael Caine, Nigel Green
Production Year: 1977 - Action/Adventure - Director: Clint Eastwood - Original Language: English - Classification: 18 years and over - Starring:Clint Eastwood, Sondra Locke, Pat Hingle, William Prince, Bill McKinney
Advantages: You won't see anything else quite like it. Disadvantages: It has the emotional depth of a puddle.
Given the choice between submitting his people to slavery under the Persian Empire and trying to hold the advancing army at Thermopylae, Spartan King Leonidas opts for the latter. Taking his tiny force of a mere three hundred men to stand against a force superior in numbers, his actions would inspire the city states of Greece to unite to repel the invading forces of Xerxes. But the battle would be ferocious and bloody and the human cost so great… ...that looks quite like "300" this year. Director Zach Snyder has taken the same tack as Robert Rodriguez's "Sin City", shooting almost entirely on green screen, without building sets. This gives him ample scope for creating an entirely consistent stylised world, but creates some unique acting challenges for his cast. You basically get the measure of the movie from the opening credits, where we are presented with a blood-spattered ... more
Given the choice between submitting his people to slavery under the Persian Empire and trying to hold the advancing army at Thermopylae, Spartan King Leonidas opts for the latter. Taking his tiny force of a mere three hundred men to stand against a force superior in numbers, his actions would inspire the city states of Greece to unite to repel the invading forces of Xerxes. But the battle would be ferocious and bloody and the human cost so great…
Odds are you won't see another film that looks quite like "300" this year. Director Zach Snyder has taken the same tack as Robert Rodriguez's "Sin City", shooting almost entirely on green screen, without building sets. This gives him ample scope for creating an entirely consistent stylised world, but creates some unique acting challenges for his cast. You basically get the measure of the movie from the opening credits, where we are presented with a blood-spattered title. It gives notice of the stylised brutality to come. Based on the graphic novel of the same name by cult artist Frank Miller, it replaces his ink-splattered visual style with a heightened, smudgy sepia-toned world. But it retains his bold, theatrical compositions that make many of the tableaux look like they've been ripped directly from the pages of a comic book. The best examples of these are a tree covered in twisted bodies and a sky turned black by arrows. This style is further enhanced by his use of slow-motion for key moments and deaths that results in a series of stagy poses. The dramatic backdrops of black cliffs and roiling clouds that feel like parts of an opera set painted by Rubens. Snyder's use of high-definition digital video adds to the idiosyncratic style. It gives shots a grainy texture that brings a sense of immediacy. It creates creamy haloes around the characters and allows the director to pick out the reds of the Spartans' cloaks and the ample claret being splashed about. Meanwhile background colours are desaturated, making startling contrasts and giving the impression of being in a hellish underworld.
This is probably the most overtly comic book-style movie of the past few years. Even the actors look like characters from a graphic novel. The Spartan warriors are chiselled and oiled to the nth degree. They wear the improbable costume of tiny red leather pants, gladiator boots and red cloaks that swish dramatically for effect. The women are bare-breasted sex objects. Meanwhile the Persians are led by the seven-foot tall, pierced, stereo-voiced Xerxes, who drips with gold jewellery and is caked in make-up. No prizes for guessing he's symbolic of the decadence and corruption of the invading nation. So it makes glimpses of the travelling orgy that is his entourage feel completely OTT. Then there is the horribly deformed Ephialtes, made flesh by rubbery full-body prosthetics. The melodramatic acting fostered by Snyder makes it impossible to take the movie seriously, but fits its comic book origins. So if you're a fan of Frank Miller's work or his gritty visual style, you'll doubtless get something out of the ultra-violent, frantically paced hundred-and-seventeen minutes.
The film glorifies violence thanks to the orgiastic portrayal of close combat hack-and-slash by oiled musclemen. The fights are slickly choreographed and confidently performed, making the Spartans look like the most proficient soldiers ever. Snyder revels in the brutality, using slow-motion to highlight the kills and a montage of battles to illustrate the extent of the butchery. The warriors even have time for flippant quips amidst the bloodletting and the director has added computer-generated arterial spray to raise the splatter quotient. To say the body-count is high is an understatement. There are fields of corpses strewn like dolls as far as the eye can see, walls of them and bodies displayed on pikes.
The screenplay by Snyder and Kurt Johnstad is true to the movie's graphic novel origins. That is to say that it's high on incident and low on character development. Every Spartan man is a macho stereotype - battle-hardened, constantly primed for a fight and incapable of subtlety or emotion. Leonidas is the cockiest man alive, willing to go against the wishes of the city's government and the advice of the oracle so he can have the ruck he desperately wants. The women (not that there are many) are either cold and hard or sexual slaves. The Persians are either ciphers for decadence and corruptibility or faceless soldiers. Although the history may be technically accurate, the writers aren't interested in the details. Essentially the film is one long string of fights. There is a political subplot that deals with attempts to depose Leonidas, but it never feels fully fleshed out. The dialogue is packed with endlessly quotable one-liners such as "This is Sparta!" (which has spawned a whole series of YouTube musical pastiches) and "Tonight we dine in hell!" Of course they might sound cool in a comic book, but sound ludicrous when coming out of a sane person's mouth. So it's probably a blessing that they demand the sort of hammy delivery that matches Snyder's overall style. The moment where a one-eyed man says of his misfortune "…but the Gods saw fit to give me a spare!" is hilarious. Most of the exposition comes through the florid voice-over narration that shows the writers' wide vocabulary, but seems an odd place to show it off.
Gerard Butler is rarely an arbiter of quality, but is used to the best of his limited abilities as King Leonidas. He has the right physique - all rippling abs and enormous pecs. His accent wavers throughout, unsure whether his Spartan king is English or Glaswegian. But he proves to have very good timing and a gleam in his eye when sarcastic. He handles the fight scenes well and delivers his lines with gusto. In fact his raspy bellowing is probably all you'll remember about him.
Lean Headey's enduring popularity with casting directors remains a mystery to me. As Queen Gorgo she is cold and hard and lacks chemistry with on-screen lover Butler. She's more convincing as the pragmatic politician the character becomes. But I couldn't get past her impassive staring and actually like the character. David Wenham wheels out his peculiar lisping English accent from "Van Helsing" as story narrator Delios. But he never raises the part above expository device status. Dominic West is wonderfully reptilian as duplicitous senate member Theron. Vincent Regan is intense and passionate in his turn as faithful warrior Captain, while Andrew Tiernan gets past the layers of prosthetics and gives a piteous turn as the malformed Ephialtes.
The original music by Tyler Bates is suitably epic. It opens with cacophonous strings and female vocals. The percussion is as big as the rolls of thunder that characterise the opening moments. There are tons of reverberating electric guitars and insistent drums, when there aren't imposing male choirs. There are plenty of brassy arrangements with cymbals and choruses. It's very bombastic, but suits the style of the movie. It is contrasted with rather sentimental swelling strings and brass when the warriors leave for battle and syrupy strings and woodwinds when Delios is sent to spread news and the film closes with emotive oboe, reed flutes and clarinet arrangements, which are joined by string undertones and wavery vocals that are designed to underline the sacrifice the Spartans made.
"300" is a very violent, silly film in many ways but it looks absolutely amazing. It's an excellent example of a movie with a strong directorial style. The performances may be loaded with ham and the dialogue overripe, but it is a really good homage to the comic book origins of the story. It's the sort of film you'll enjoy if you're able to disengage your brain and just let the visuals was over you. It's not a good choice for the squeamish, with its gory and gratuitous violence and its depiction of women is suspect. But it is also a glorious pseudo-historical romp that will make you want to go out and take up arms against invaders.
Advantages: Exciting film; good acting; nice special effects Disadvantages: Not a true reflection of history(see review); quite glorified
...the novel by Frank Miller, 300 is a film that depicts the defiance of the Spartans against the Persian Empire. After a messenger comes with demands of Sparta's submission and an Oracle from Delphi warns that war will end in disaster, King Leonidas decides that he must fight for freedom, whatever the risks. He gathers together a fearless army of 300, plus allies, and sets out to challenge Xerxes, the Persian "God-King". Against many thousands, the ... ...ready and willing to die. Meanwhile, Leonidas's wife struggles to gain the support of the Spartan council and defend her reputation from the traitor among them, Theron. This film has not been produced with the intentions of educating or revealing the truth behind the story. Therefore there are lots of inaccuracies to be found. It is, instead designed to entertain and inspire, so everything 'film-worthy' has been included. As I did not know the story ...
Ayesha- 26.04.2009
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of 300 (DVD)
Advantages: Entertaining, great CGI Disadvantages: Poor script, simple plot
...is about a group of 300 Spartan soldiers led by King Leonidas. After King Xerxes of Persia sends a messenger demanding the Spartans submit to him, Leonidas decides to go to war in order to defend Greece and keep his people free from slavery. Unfortunately for him he doesn't receive the support of the Spartan Council or the Ephors (priests), so according to Spartan Law isn't allowed to send an army to war. Instead he takes 300 men posing as his bodyguard ... ...focuses around this battle.
300 begins by describing what young Spartans have to go through, making good use of voice over techniques to describe King Leonidas' growing up. It is intended to show the culture and life style of Sparta, which happens to be survival of the fittest, no retreat, no surrender and so on. Basically, the film is trying to say that Spartans are tough. From here everything jumps quite quickly to the Persian invasion and into ...
GJRendall 05.01.2009
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of 300 (DVD)
Advantages: A very enjoyable movie with lots of action Disadvantages: May stray from the original battle
...on my top ten list. 300 is one of those movies that I believe will hang amongst the classics in days to come. Director: Zack Snyder Novel By: Frank Miller King Leonidas: Gerald Butler Queen Gorgo : Lena Headey King Xerxes: Rodrigo Santoro Corrupt Politician: Dominic West Leonidas Captian and Friend:Vincent Regan Narrator and Solider:David Wenham ==The Making Of A Warrior== From the very beginning of the movie you are taken through the grooming of ... ...his own plan. He gathers 300 of his best men and labels them body guards. He knows that this will bring about war but Spartans can do no less. He knows that he and his men will surely die but he is Spartan and Slavery is not an option. The 300 that he chooses have sons to carry on their names. While they are out walking the council stops him and ask his intentions, of course he said that he and some of his body guards were just walking. Along his ...
loveofnight 08.09.2009
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of 300 (DVD)
Advantages: excellent story, amazing effects, hunky half dressed men! Disadvantages: Bit far fetched with creatures at the end
...He gets an army of 300 Spartans prepared, only men who have sons are allowed to fight so that their name can continue if they were to die in battle. The 300 set off in the face of danger whole hearted and ready to defend Sparta and their king. Will the 300 be able to take on the whole of the Persian Army and just what will become of King Leonidas and Sparta?
This film did not appeal to me at first but after watching t many months ago I thought I ... ...about the Spartans and the Persians. The first time I watched this I was constantly asking hubby questions about who was who and why they were fighting but this time I understood all of this and it did make it much easier for me to watch. The storyline to the film was in fact good and put across in an excellent way which made for some wonderful viewing. Did enjoy how the Spartans were portrayed in this film and though they came across as very powerful ...
sewbizzie 25.09.2009
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of 300 (DVD)
Advantages: Another Miller classic brilliantly brought to life. Disadvantages: Errrrm..... there won't be a sequel.
...focuses on the stand of 300 Spartan warriors against the Persian army numbering over 1 million, not good odds. At the time the Persians also ruled most of the known world and seemed unstoppable having absorbed the warriors and technology of countries they'd conquered so becoming stronger with each conquest. The Spartans were no push over either. A tough warrior race trained from childhood in combat and survival, each and every one a dedicated soldier ... ...hands officially tied Leonidas takes 300 of his best warriors under the pretence of them being a 'personal bodyguard' and goes to meet the Persians at the one place he knows he has a chance, Hell's Gate, a narrow mountain pass near the coast where the Persians vast numbers will be much less effective. Bravely they hold the pass against wave after wave of Persians as soldiers, elephants, magical fire and the feared legion of 'immortals' are thrown ...
richb90 14.10.2007 (11.10.2007)
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of 300 (DVD)
Did you enjoy it?
Story
Characters / Performances
Special Effects
Soundtrack
Similar reviews »
Reviews which might be of interest for "300 (DVD)"
Advantages: The story!!! Disadvantages: somewhat rigid performances
the Greeks. The Spartans realising what was happening offered the remaining Greek forces the opportunity to retreat. By the time the Persians attacks on 300 Spartans and 1000 other Greeks remained. They formed a defensive circle on high ground and were massacred.
There is great debate as to why Leonidas did not retreat with the other Greeks. Firstly it was against Spartan institution to do so. An oracle had earlier stated that either Sparta or her king would be killed, consequently by dying, Leonidas saved his city. By making a final stand he allowed the remaining Greek troops to retreat allowing them to make a defensive stand later. This battle proved to be decisive and lead to the eventual defeat of the Persian army shaping western civilisation dramatically.
--- Plot ---
The plot follows the historical retellings of Herodotus ...
Advantages: Battle scenes, true story, not too long Disadvantages: Could be too much fighting
A very enjoyable film and educational to boot. The story is a true one of a historical battle between the Leonids and the Persians in 480BC. There are just 300 spartans fighting against an army of Persians almost twice as large. It is a true story of a battle between the Greeks and the Persians and has an emotional storyline to add to its apeal as a modern film. This film is old but still a good watch as it is all about courage, defiance and valour.
The fight takes place in the narrow pass of Thermopylai, which allows the Spartans to lessen their dissadvantage of fewer numbers. The king is betrayed by his politicians and this film is about his fight for freedom against incredible odds.
It is a good watch, but avoid if you do not like too many battle scenes. ...
Advantages: 3 very good films! Disadvantages: The box itself
This dvd boxset contains what i feel are te best films that have been released as a box set. The film '300' retells the Battle of Thermoplyae. It has good scenes which use super imposition chroma key, which makes it have a comic effect. The overall story line is good and the battle scenes are awesome!
Beowulf was based upon an old English poem and stars Angelina Jolie as 'Grendals mother'. I really liked this movie, the story lines are good, and there are some really strong characters that have been cast.
A Must see - '10,000 BC' is one of the best films i have ever seen! The main characters seem to be cavemen...chasing and killing mammoths and befriending a sabre-tooh tiger...but then towards the end it seems confusing as the film seems to have skipped a few hundred thousand years to the Egyptians! I wont let on to too much more ...
Leonidas is the king of ancient Sparta. The city is famous for its warrior philosophy, and Leonidas won’t kneel to the demands of Persia's King Xerxes. Instead, Leonidas leads his 300-strong army against Xerxes's army of millions. Meanwhile, his wife campaigns in Sparta for the city to send reinforcements as she butts heads with the treacherous Theron.
Release details
DVD Region
DVD
Studio(s)
WARNER HOME VIDEO; CINRAM LOGISTICS, BOULEVARD ENTERTAIMENT; D3 DIRECT
Languages
Main Language
English
Technical information
Special Features
Audio commentary with director Zack Snyder, writer Kurt Johnstad and director of photography Larry Fong, 300 Spartans - Fact or Fiction? featurette, Who Were the Spartans? featurette, Frank Miller's Vision Realized on Film featurette, Deleted scenes, Behind the scenes - Webisodes with cast and crew, Interactive menu
Aspect Ratio
16:9 Anamorphic Wide Screen
Sound
Dolby Digital 5.1, Dolby Digital
Professional reviews
Review
Director Zack Snyder keeps the action roaring....300 dazzles as spectacle... (Rolling Stone, 03/09/2007)
It looks incredible....Not real, not surreal, 300 is something else, a hyperreal realm where myth gasps to life (Total Film, 03/09/2007)
Everyone is loving 300 for perfectly valid reasons. It is a visual feast....The style exceeds mere competence and satisfies all promise (Ultimate DVD, 03/09/2007)
The surreal ode to extreme combat is part Fellini freak show, part LORD OF THE RINGS-style blood feast, and all adrenaline rush....Its bruised beauty is enhanced by an inky palette (USA Today, 03/09/2007)
DVD Description
Based on the graphic novel by Frank Miller and Lynn Varley, 300 takes over the screen like an invading horde. With all the gushing blood of a horror movie and the scope of a classic epic, the second film from Zack Snyder (who helmed the 2004 remake of DAWN OF THE DEAD) is an impressive visual spectacle. Gerard Butler (THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA) plays Leonidas, the king of ancient Sparta. The city is famous for its warrior philosophy, and Leonidas won’t kneel to the demands of Persia's King Xerxes (LOST's Rodrigo Santoro). Instead, Leonidas leads his 300-strong army against Xerxes's army of millions. Meanwhile, his wife (Lena Headley, THE BROTHERS GRIMM) campaigns in Sparta for the city to send reinforcements as she butts heads with the treacherous Theron (Dominic West, THE WIRE). With its gore and scale, 300 marks director Snyder as a possible successor to Peter Jackson's throne. Jackson also got his start in horror with BAD TASTE and DEAD ALIVE, and the two men share a penchant for ambitious battle scenes. The huge fights in 300 rival Jackson's efforts in the LORD OF THE RINGS films. David Wenham, who starred in two of the Tolkien-based films, plays Dilios, one of the Spartan soldiers. Though the cast doesn't boast any A-list stars, the actors ably fill their larger-than-life roles. In a film filled with men, Headley stands out as Queen Gorgo. She matches her warrior husband in strength, while showing love toward Leonidas and their son. Though there are scenes that demonstrate the humanity of the characters, 300 is undeniably about bravery and blood, and it succeeds because of the stylish depictions of both.
Compare 300 (DVD) to other similar Action & Adventure »
![The 300 Spartans [DVD] [1962]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/80205939.jpg "The 300 Spartans [DVD] [1962]")
![300 [Special Edition]-DVD](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/97235127.jpg "300 [Special Edition]-DVD")
