"300" Movie Review (Advanced Screening Focus Group)(Some Spoilers)

[Storm Raven]

Tonight I saw the movie "300" at the very first advanced screening that this studio has allowed.

Studio synopsis: "Film tells the true story of 300 elite Spartan fighters who, led by King Leonidas (Butler), fought to the death against King Xerxes' massive Persian army during the battle of Thermopylae in 481-480 B.C. According to lore, their valor inspired all of Greece to rise up against the invading Persians, planting the seeds of democracy."

Well, while the descriptions of the battle seem at least reasonably accurate by Hollywood standards, about everything else seems ridiculously silly. The Spartans did not "plant the seeds of democracy", they were ardently anti-democratic in most ways, and later went to war with Athens over this issue (the Spartans made sure their allies had kings, like a good city-state should). There was no "persuading the council" to send a bigger army, the army was to be sent when the religious observance that was occurring at the time ended. The whole "we have better soldiers because they are soldiers" thing runs counter to Hellenistic beliefs at the time, which was the citizen-soldiers serving a civic duty to go to war were the best at fighting for their homes.

And, I'm guessing that, as usual, Hollywood will "action-up" the fight sequences so that the Spartans don't fight as a phalanx, but rather fight in "superhero movie guy" style.

 

[Meloncov]

The Spartans did not "plant the seeds of democracy", they were ardently anti-democratic in most ways, and later went to war with Athens over this issue (the Spartans made sure their allies had kings, like a good city-state should).

Compared to nearly anyone but the other Greek city states, the Spartan political system was quite democratic. They had a pair of kings, but their power was checked by an assembly and a ruling console.

Additionally, I wouldn't say that political systems were the central conflict that caused the Peloponesean War. They were part of it, but only a small one.



In any case, if the Spartans had failed at Thermopolae, and Persia had conquered Greece, the flowering of Athenian civilization would not have occured. The summary never said that Sparta itself laid the seeds of democracy, it said that Greek victory did.

 

[Storm Raven]

Compared to nearly anyone but the other Greek city states, the Spartan political system was quite democratic. They had a pair of kings, but their power was checked by an assembly and a ruling console.

At best, Sparta could be described as an oligarchy. The Homioi theoretically had a voice, but in relaity, the government was controlled by a handful of elders. The Spartans had a government that was filled with checks on power, but that doesn't make them democratic, just conservative.

Additionally, I wouldn't say that political systems were the central conflict that caused the Peloponesean War. They were part of it, but only a small one.

Athens insisted that members of the Delian League have democratic governments. The Spartans insisted that members of the Peloponnesian League be rules by selected monarchical oligarchies. The form of government was a major issue in the wars, and after the war, when Athens had been defeated, their democracy was dismantled and replaced by a ruling oligarchy.

In any case, if the Spartans had failed at Thermopolae, and Persia had conquered Greece, the flowering of Athenian civilization would not have occured. The summary never said that Sparta itself laid the seeds of democracy, it said that Greek victory did.[/]

That is a real stretch. of course the delay at Themopylae allowed the Hellenes time to prepare, but Athens was abandoned and the Persians burned it anyway. The real battle was at Salamis. And, of course, the Spartans were not alone at Thermopylae, they made up a tiny core of a larger force. The Spartans were not even the only ones to stay to the bitter end, 400 Thebans and 700 Thespians also stayed after the rest of the Greek force withdrew.

But the connection between democracy and the Spartans is very tenuous.

 

[Mistwell]

It's based on a comic that's based on the actual event and

Spoiler

shockingly the hunchback has a bit of a grudge that leads him to betray his countrymen, if you can call it that.

That spoilers not that surprising, but there are people who won't want to know.

The spoiler I am not revealing is not in the comic apparently (though I have not read it yet), and is not part of known history. It's not huge, but it is unexpected.

 

[Mistwell]

There's a great bit in the graphic novel where a whole bunch of other troops, having heard about Leonidas' march to the Hot Gates, show up to lend aid.

Foreign commander: "Leonidas! I have come with soldiers to aid your small army"

Leonidas: "I believe I have more soldiers than you."

Foreign commander; "Are you blind? I have 1,000 here ready to lend aid."

Leonidas: "You there, Arcadian. What is your profession?"

Arcadian: "Me sir? I'm a shipwright, sir."

Leonidas: "And you?"

Other Dude: "I'm a carpenter, sir."

Leonidas: "And you?"

2nd Other Dude: "A blacksmith, sir."

Leonidas: "SPARTANS! WHAT IS YOUR PROFESSION!!"

The Spartans, as one man, raise their spears into the air.

Leonidas: "You see, I have many more soldiers than you."

Random dude in the background; "Stupid Spartans. Always know what to say."

That scene, pretty much word for word, is in the movie Great scene.

 

[Mistwell]

My review (with additional edits and fleshing out of some areas) was read by the powers that be over at WB, and approved for front-page posting over at comicbookresources.com (run by a friend of mine). He forwarded it to them on a whim, assuming they would say no to an early review, but on reading it apparently they were quite enthusiastic to get it up right away.

Sweet! I've never had an article over at CBR. This will make my master scheme to become a graphic novel reviewer for them (enjoying the fruits of reviewer copies of books I hope) a bit easier!

http://comicbookresources.com/news/newsitem.cgi?id=8202

By the way, the film is not supposed to be based precisely on history. It is supposed to be based on Frank Miller's 300 graphic novel, which itself is Frank Miller's artistic reinterpretation of the battle rather than a stictly historical rendition. This is not meant to be a documentary, and if a documentary is what you are looking for there are many fine cable stations that cater to your desires on that front.

If you like interesting action films, you will probably like this movie. But if you are going in to see a historically accurate depiction of this particular battle, you will obviously be disappointed. Much like some folks were disappointed with the Lord of the Rings trilogy of movies because they did not match the books.

 

[DanMcS]

Cool. I liked that comic, and didn't know a movie was being made of it. According to IMDB, it will be out in 2007? I'm looking forward to it.

 

[Meloncov]

At best, Sparta could be described as an oligarchy. The Homioi theoretically had a voice, but in relaity, the government was controlled by a handful of elders. The Spartans had a government that was filled with checks on power, but that doesn't make them democratic, just conservative.

By the standards of the day was the key part of that sentance; I realize it was far from being a true democracy.

Athens insisted that members of the Delian League have democratic governments. The Spartans insisted that members of the Peloponnesian League be rules by selected monarchical oligarchies. The form of government was a major issue in the wars, and after the war, when Athens had been defeated, their democracy was dismantled and replaced by a ruling oligarchy.

I suggest you read Donald Kagan's On the Origins of Wars. It explains that the causes of the Peloponesian War were very complex, and only a small part of them was the difference in political systems.

It is true the war ended Athenian democracy, though it also fatally wounded the Spartan social system. It would be innacurate to say that Spartan ethics were forced onto the Athenians; rather, the war destroyed their way of life.

But the connection between democracy and the Spartans is very tenuous.

Addmittedly true, but it's proably just a case of the film marketers playing up the story for modern audiences. It doesn't necesairly translate over to the film itself.

 

[Mistwell]

It is true the war ended Athenian democracy, though it also fatally wounded the Spartan social system. It would be innacurate to say that Spartan ethics were forced onto the Athenians; rather, the war destroyed their way of life...

Addmittedly true, but it's proably just a case of the film marketers playing up the story for modern audiences. It doesn't necesairly translate over to the film itself.

The word "Democracy" is not used in the film, and it isn't portrayed as a true Democracy. There is a council (unclear if they are elected or not), and the council has some authority, and in particular there is a law (unclear what method was used to draft or approve the law) that forbids going to war during a particular holiday, and the oracle (which also has some large amount of influence over certain events) confirms that they should not go to war during this holiday (though the oracle has been bought off by the Persians, and perhaps so has some of the council). "Freedom" is an important issue to Sparta, but what the freedom means, beyond "not slaves", is unclear.

I do think the use of the word Democracy in the studio description is not entirely accurate and more to identify the concepts more with the audience rather than reflect what is actually in the film.

 

[Shag]

You also have to take into account that 'Democracy' is a word that describes a concept that means different things to different people at different times.

Rome was considered a democracy during the republic, but would be considered fascist by todays standards for example.
Or as a progressive woman in 19th century US if she was living in a democracy.

Perhaps we could return to talking about how cool this movie is going to be, before this thread is poli-jacked.