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.
121 Reviews
"Go tell the Spartans...."
theowinthrop2 March 2006
Warning: Spoilers
It is only a vague memory of seeing this film four decades ago, but it impressed me for several reasons. It is (like ZULU DAWN, but more meaningfully) the story of a military defeat and massacre. It is also one of the handful of American or British films dealing with the history of ancient Greece. And, it is one of the few historical films that got the facts correct.
If one thinks about it, Hollywood only produced five other films dealing with ancient Greece between 1950 and 1990. They were "Alexander the Great" (directed by Robert Rossen), and "Jason And The Argonauts" and "Clash Of The Titans", the latter two not about classic Greek history but about the myths of the search for the Golden Fleece and of Medusa and Perseus. The fourth film was "Helen Of Troy" (which starred Cedric Hardwicke, but introduced Brigid Bardot to the U.S.). The fifth film was "The Trojan Woman", a film based on Euripides' tragedy and starring Katherine Hepburn. Italian productions were better, including "Ulysses" with Kirk Douglas and Anthony Quinn, and all those "Hercules" films with Steve Reeves. But the personalities of Golden Age Athens, like Pericles, Socrates, Plato, Alcibiades, never made it onto the big screen.
"Alexander The Great" was a fairly good film, and recently a new film on the conqueror was made. Also a new film about the Trojan War. Both flopped at the box office. That is why such films rarely are made - the bottom line is will it sell movie tickets (or DVDs). Neither did.
So it is a losing battle. But we are losing a great deal of history by ignoring it. So it is rewarding to see a production that dealt with a critical military turning point.
In 490 Darius of Persia attempted to conquer the free Greek states, as they were constantly causing trouble in his Greek possessions on the eastern shores of the Black Sea, Asia Minor, and the Eastern Meditteranean. His forces were defeated at the battle of Marathon. Marathon has been immortalized by a summer Olympic race that is named for an event in the battle: how Pheiddipides ran the twenty miles from Athens to Marathon and back without rest to report the victory, and dropped dead a moment after he announced it.
Darius died, and his son Xerxes decided to try again. He gathered the largest army in history (reputedly 2 million soldiers) from his empire, and crossed over into Greece, determined to smash Athens. However, this bulky army had to go through narrow mountain passes, and reached Thermopylae. Here a small Spartan army of 300 men, led by King Leonidas, repeatedly held off the attack. Besides showing superior military abilities to the Persian commanders, Leonidas had the added advantage of having a fighting area where the huge Persian forces could not manipulate their troop size in. He could have left several times, after each bloody repulse of Xerxes' men, but he refused because he wanted all of Greece to prepare for this onslaught. He finally told his last messengers to tell the Spartans that his men would never retreat and would die for Greece.
In the meantime, Themistocles (the leading political figure in Athens) had been arguing for the need of the sea port to take advantage of it's big calling card - it's huge fleet. Sparta was the great land power, and Athens the naval power. Themistocles started making arrangements for what would be the devastating blow to Xerxes' plans of conquest. Xerxes needed his ships to ferry his huge army back and forth across the Hellespont. Wipe out the Persian ships, and their huge size was not such an advantage anymore.
Eventually a traitor gave Xerxes the key to destroying Leonidas and his men - a secret path behind Thermopylae. Surrounded the last chance to retreat was rejected by the King, and the men of Sparta fought until all 300 were killed. But the death toll was like that at the Alamo, as the Spartans just kept killing Persian troops. We don't have the stats available but several thousand troops (mostly impressed slaves, unfortunately) were killed.
Xerxes moved onward, approaching Athens. On top of a hill overlooking Salamis Bay, he watched as his huge fleet was faced by a smaller Athenian one. But Themistocles had set up his ships in such a way as to get the larger, more cumbersome Persian ships jamming into each other. The Greeks destroyed most of them, thus making ferrying troops or supplying two million men impossible.
Xerxes himself went home - he could not bear to watch what was going to happen. A Spartan led Greek army destroyed his weakened army at the battle of Plataea in 279 B.C.E. Persia never again threatened to grab Greece.
The story of the 300 Spartans is now part of western legend - that against all odds, and in the face of death, a small force can make a difference and frequently does. Richard Egan was quite good as Leonidas, and Ralph Richardson did well in a supporting part as Themistocles. David Farrar played the arrogant, but ultimately humiliated Xerxes nicely.
A 19th Century Australian poet, Adam Lindsay Gordon, wrote this regarding the sacrifice of Leonidas and his army.
"We eat and drink or ere we die,
(The sunlight flashes on the sea.)
Three hundred soldiers feasted high
An hour before Thermopylae;
Leonidas poured out the wine,
And shouted ere he drained the cup,
'Ho! comrades, let us gaily dine --
This night with Pluto we shall sup;'
And if they leant upon a reed,
And if their reed was slight and slim,
There's something good in Spartan creed --
The lights are growing dim."
If one thinks about it, Hollywood only produced five other films dealing with ancient Greece between 1950 and 1990. They were "Alexander the Great" (directed by Robert Rossen), and "Jason And The Argonauts" and "Clash Of The Titans", the latter two not about classic Greek history but about the myths of the search for the Golden Fleece and of Medusa and Perseus. The fourth film was "Helen Of Troy" (which starred Cedric Hardwicke, but introduced Brigid Bardot to the U.S.). The fifth film was "The Trojan Woman", a film based on Euripides' tragedy and starring Katherine Hepburn. Italian productions were better, including "Ulysses" with Kirk Douglas and Anthony Quinn, and all those "Hercules" films with Steve Reeves. But the personalities of Golden Age Athens, like Pericles, Socrates, Plato, Alcibiades, never made it onto the big screen.
"Alexander The Great" was a fairly good film, and recently a new film on the conqueror was made. Also a new film about the Trojan War. Both flopped at the box office. That is why such films rarely are made - the bottom line is will it sell movie tickets (or DVDs). Neither did.
So it is a losing battle. But we are losing a great deal of history by ignoring it. So it is rewarding to see a production that dealt with a critical military turning point.
In 490 Darius of Persia attempted to conquer the free Greek states, as they were constantly causing trouble in his Greek possessions on the eastern shores of the Black Sea, Asia Minor, and the Eastern Meditteranean. His forces were defeated at the battle of Marathon. Marathon has been immortalized by a summer Olympic race that is named for an event in the battle: how Pheiddipides ran the twenty miles from Athens to Marathon and back without rest to report the victory, and dropped dead a moment after he announced it.
Darius died, and his son Xerxes decided to try again. He gathered the largest army in history (reputedly 2 million soldiers) from his empire, and crossed over into Greece, determined to smash Athens. However, this bulky army had to go through narrow mountain passes, and reached Thermopylae. Here a small Spartan army of 300 men, led by King Leonidas, repeatedly held off the attack. Besides showing superior military abilities to the Persian commanders, Leonidas had the added advantage of having a fighting area where the huge Persian forces could not manipulate their troop size in. He could have left several times, after each bloody repulse of Xerxes' men, but he refused because he wanted all of Greece to prepare for this onslaught. He finally told his last messengers to tell the Spartans that his men would never retreat and would die for Greece.
In the meantime, Themistocles (the leading political figure in Athens) had been arguing for the need of the sea port to take advantage of it's big calling card - it's huge fleet. Sparta was the great land power, and Athens the naval power. Themistocles started making arrangements for what would be the devastating blow to Xerxes' plans of conquest. Xerxes needed his ships to ferry his huge army back and forth across the Hellespont. Wipe out the Persian ships, and their huge size was not such an advantage anymore.
Eventually a traitor gave Xerxes the key to destroying Leonidas and his men - a secret path behind Thermopylae. Surrounded the last chance to retreat was rejected by the King, and the men of Sparta fought until all 300 were killed. But the death toll was like that at the Alamo, as the Spartans just kept killing Persian troops. We don't have the stats available but several thousand troops (mostly impressed slaves, unfortunately) were killed.
Xerxes moved onward, approaching Athens. On top of a hill overlooking Salamis Bay, he watched as his huge fleet was faced by a smaller Athenian one. But Themistocles had set up his ships in such a way as to get the larger, more cumbersome Persian ships jamming into each other. The Greeks destroyed most of them, thus making ferrying troops or supplying two million men impossible.
Xerxes himself went home - he could not bear to watch what was going to happen. A Spartan led Greek army destroyed his weakened army at the battle of Plataea in 279 B.C.E. Persia never again threatened to grab Greece.
The story of the 300 Spartans is now part of western legend - that against all odds, and in the face of death, a small force can make a difference and frequently does. Richard Egan was quite good as Leonidas, and Ralph Richardson did well in a supporting part as Themistocles. David Farrar played the arrogant, but ultimately humiliated Xerxes nicely.
A 19th Century Australian poet, Adam Lindsay Gordon, wrote this regarding the sacrifice of Leonidas and his army.
"We eat and drink or ere we die,
(The sunlight flashes on the sea.)
Three hundred soldiers feasted high
An hour before Thermopylae;
Leonidas poured out the wine,
And shouted ere he drained the cup,
'Ho! comrades, let us gaily dine --
This night with Pluto we shall sup;'
And if they leant upon a reed,
And if their reed was slight and slim,
There's something good in Spartan creed --
The lights are growing dim."
Oasis of freedom against desert of slavery
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
marcin_kukuczka21 October 2007
- 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
I like this better than "300"
Col_Hessler18 March 2007
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 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.
Not bad for 40 years ago.
MChittum-California1 October 2002
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.
The 'original' film about Thermopylae
richardchatten7 February 2020
Another old Hollywood epic recalled today because it was redone recently as a CGI spectacular; this version benefitting from photography by veteran British cameraman Geoffrey Unsworth, attractive Greek locations (against which the scarlet cloaks of the Spartans dramatically stand out) and the presence of Sir Ralph Richardson as Themistocles.
As usual the hero Leonidas is played as an all-American hunk by Richard Egan and nasty Xerxes is a sybaritic English-accented villain as played by saturnine Brit David Farrar (with a saucy partner in crime in the form of English rose Anne Wakefield as Queen Artemisia); while the supporting cast ranges from Welshman Donald Houston as Xerxes' henchman Hydarnes to the novelty of an actual Greek, Anna Synodinou as Queen Gorgo.
As usual the hero Leonidas is played as an all-American hunk by Richard Egan and nasty Xerxes is a sybaritic English-accented villain as played by saturnine Brit David Farrar (with a saucy partner in crime in the form of English rose Anne Wakefield as Queen Artemisia); while the supporting cast ranges from Welshman Donald Houston as Xerxes' henchman Hydarnes to the novelty of an actual Greek, Anna Synodinou as Queen Gorgo.
A real story of how Leonidas led a small army of Spartans to do battle with the whole invading Persian army commanded by Xerxes
ma-cortes20 February 2016
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.
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.
The Original 300
gavin694210 April 2016
A small army of Greeks spearheaded by 300 Spartans do battle with the whole invading Persian army.
When it was released in 1962, critics saw the movie as a commentary on the Cold War, referring to the independent Greek states as "the only stronghold of freedom remaining in the then known world", holding out against the Persian "slave empire". This is interesting, as I absolutely do not see it. What is the parallel? Comic artist Frank Miller saw this movie as a boy and said "it changed the course of my creative life". His graphic novel "300" is about the Battle of Thermopylae, and in 2007, was adapted into a successful film. What I like about this is that it might be assumed that the movie "300" is a remake of this film (albeit a very different one). But, in fact, "300" comes from a graphic novel that was inspired by the original movie... so there's that extra step, giving it a more interesting lineage.
When it was released in 1962, critics saw the movie as a commentary on the Cold War, referring to the independent Greek states as "the only stronghold of freedom remaining in the then known world", holding out against the Persian "slave empire". This is interesting, as I absolutely do not see it. What is the parallel? Comic artist Frank Miller saw this movie as a boy and said "it changed the course of my creative life". His graphic novel "300" is about the Battle of Thermopylae, and in 2007, was adapted into a successful film. What I like about this is that it might be assumed that the movie "300" is a remake of this film (albeit a very different one). But, in fact, "300" comes from a graphic novel that was inspired by the original movie... so there's that extra step, giving it a more interesting lineage.
Soapy Bravery in Ancient Greece
dbborroughs12 September 2004
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.
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.
We'll fall back you stay behind and play dead
sol-kay13 August 2006
(Minor Spoilers) Spectacular recreation of the historic battle of the Thermopylae Pass in 480 b.c that had a contingent of 300 Spartan Warriors, together with another 700 Greek volunteers, hold off the entire might of the Persian Army numbering as much as 500,000 battle harden soldiers. With the Persian hoards sweeping into Northern Greece the Greek Parliament, consisting of some dozen city or nation states, can't seem to get it's act together and form a unified front, spending most of it's time bickering to who's to lead a untied Greek armed force into battle.
King "Heart of a Lion" Leonidas,Richard Egan,of the Spartans takes charge of the defense of his beloved Greece by getting his army of Spartan Warriors on the march to the valley of Thermopylae in order to establish defensive positions in an attempt to hold off the enemy. In what's to become a number of bloody and vicious rear-guard actions. There's also young Phylon, Barry Coe, a brave young Spartan who suffered disgrace when it was discovered that his father Grellas, Yougos Moutsios, was in the enemy camp and is suspected of being a spy for the hated Persians.
kicked out of the Spartan Army for his father's misdeeds Phylon together with his girlfriend Ellas (Diane Baker),who opted to go into exile with him, plans to rejoin his Spartans comrades in battle even it kills him. Ellas a young woman with a family of, unlike Phylon's, good standing in the Athens Greek community comes back together with her patriotic boyfriend to fight and die for a free and democratic Greece despite the fact that he may very well be put to death by King Leonidas for doing so. It turns out that Phylon not only redeems himself in combat which was really no surprise to anyone, including the strict and by the books King Leonidas, but that his dad Grellas was later discovered to be a double-agent for the Greek nation. Grellas came back to the Spartan camp with vial information about the Persian army's tactics and troop movements that greatly helped in slowing down it's almost unstoppable advance.
The brave Spartans holding off attack after attack by the far superior, in numbers, Persians has their leader King Xerxes, David Farrar, pulling his beard out. Having has his most elite and crack army unit the so-called "Immortals" get the living sh*t kicked out of them by the far less numerous Spartans leads a frustrated King Xerxes to about to call it quits. Savin face King Xerxes falsely tells his people that he just got an express letter from the God's telling him to cool it and back off from the plucky Spartans and fight them another day, if not year, if at all. It's only later with the help of a sleazy Greek traitor the scuzzy mountain goat-man Ephialtes (Kieron Moore), who also tried to rape the sweet and innocent Ellas, that King Xerxes Persian army gets the drop on King Leonidas' Spartans by using a secret passage, that Ephialtes revealed to King Xerxes , to outflank the brave and courageous Greeks and force them into a circle where there were all, to the very last man including King Leonidas himself, shot and run through with wave after wave of deadly Persian spears and arrows.
The battle of the Thermopylae Pass ended in defeat for the 300 Spartans and their some 700 Greek allies with almost all of then ending up killed and those few that were captured ended up, if not executed by King Xerxes' men, sold into slavery. To even things or the score up King Leonidas' Spartans took over 20,000 of King Xerxes' best fighters along with them. It wasn't that long after the Spartan defeat at Thermopylae that the Greek people rallied and united around the exploits of bravery and self-sacrifice of the now fabled 300 Spartans and their martyred leader King Leonidas. That sacrifice inspired the Greeks in a series of bitter and bloody battles against overwhelming odds to drive the Persian armies out of civilized Greece and into Barbarian Asia. Within just one hundred years in was little Greece, not big bad Persia,that was destined to become, under Alexander the Great, the only country in recorded history to actually conquer and rule the entire world or the world known by European man to exist at that, the 4th century b.c, time.
King "Heart of a Lion" Leonidas,Richard Egan,of the Spartans takes charge of the defense of his beloved Greece by getting his army of Spartan Warriors on the march to the valley of Thermopylae in order to establish defensive positions in an attempt to hold off the enemy. In what's to become a number of bloody and vicious rear-guard actions. There's also young Phylon, Barry Coe, a brave young Spartan who suffered disgrace when it was discovered that his father Grellas, Yougos Moutsios, was in the enemy camp and is suspected of being a spy for the hated Persians.
kicked out of the Spartan Army for his father's misdeeds Phylon together with his girlfriend Ellas (Diane Baker),who opted to go into exile with him, plans to rejoin his Spartans comrades in battle even it kills him. Ellas a young woman with a family of, unlike Phylon's, good standing in the Athens Greek community comes back together with her patriotic boyfriend to fight and die for a free and democratic Greece despite the fact that he may very well be put to death by King Leonidas for doing so. It turns out that Phylon not only redeems himself in combat which was really no surprise to anyone, including the strict and by the books King Leonidas, but that his dad Grellas was later discovered to be a double-agent for the Greek nation. Grellas came back to the Spartan camp with vial information about the Persian army's tactics and troop movements that greatly helped in slowing down it's almost unstoppable advance.
The brave Spartans holding off attack after attack by the far superior, in numbers, Persians has their leader King Xerxes, David Farrar, pulling his beard out. Having has his most elite and crack army unit the so-called "Immortals" get the living sh*t kicked out of them by the far less numerous Spartans leads a frustrated King Xerxes to about to call it quits. Savin face King Xerxes falsely tells his people that he just got an express letter from the God's telling him to cool it and back off from the plucky Spartans and fight them another day, if not year, if at all. It's only later with the help of a sleazy Greek traitor the scuzzy mountain goat-man Ephialtes (Kieron Moore), who also tried to rape the sweet and innocent Ellas, that King Xerxes Persian army gets the drop on King Leonidas' Spartans by using a secret passage, that Ephialtes revealed to King Xerxes , to outflank the brave and courageous Greeks and force them into a circle where there were all, to the very last man including King Leonidas himself, shot and run through with wave after wave of deadly Persian spears and arrows.
The battle of the Thermopylae Pass ended in defeat for the 300 Spartans and their some 700 Greek allies with almost all of then ending up killed and those few that were captured ended up, if not executed by King Xerxes' men, sold into slavery. To even things or the score up King Leonidas' Spartans took over 20,000 of King Xerxes' best fighters along with them. It wasn't that long after the Spartan defeat at Thermopylae that the Greek people rallied and united around the exploits of bravery and self-sacrifice of the now fabled 300 Spartans and their martyred leader King Leonidas. That sacrifice inspired the Greeks in a series of bitter and bloody battles against overwhelming odds to drive the Persian armies out of civilized Greece and into Barbarian Asia. Within just one hundred years in was little Greece, not big bad Persia,that was destined to become, under Alexander the Great, the only country in recorded history to actually conquer and rule the entire world or the world known by European man to exist at that, the 4th century b.c, time.
300 Spartans Abysmal Portrayal of Spartans
matt-slonetsky26 March 2007
Warning: Spoilers
For having them as the name of the movie, the historical accuracy of Spartans as shown in the movie is shockingly awful.
Some key points they got wrong about Spartan Phalanx fighting:
-Spartans would NEVER wear their red cloaks into battle. The cloaks were for warmth in travel, and as a symbol of their prowess, but utterly useless in battle. A cloak is heavy, and will wrap around your arms, your shield, your spear, or the spears of those around you. Most Spartans in fact removed all unnecessary clothing and fought as naked as they could underneath their armor to be free to move and not overheat in the middle of the 'push fest' their battles inevitably became.
The movie has Spartans standing with gaps between their shields, and over 50 metres between their ranks, which would make NO logical sense at all.
We watched this movie in our Ancient Civilizations class after studying Ancient Greece, and our professor used it as sort of a test of our knowledge on Spartan warfare, pausing each time an inaccuracy came up.
Some key points they got wrong about Spartan Phalanx fighting:
- Spartans stood almost shoulder to shoulder, overlapping their round shield over the edge of the shield on their left to form a wall of overlapped shields. They then held their spears overhand at head level to strike over their shields. Ranks of Spartans would line up immediately behind the row in front, and would push forward with their shield on the back of the Spartan in front of them in the effort to topple and trample whoever was opposing their front line.
-Spartans would NEVER wear their red cloaks into battle. The cloaks were for warmth in travel, and as a symbol of their prowess, but utterly useless in battle. A cloak is heavy, and will wrap around your arms, your shield, your spear, or the spears of those around you. Most Spartans in fact removed all unnecessary clothing and fought as naked as they could underneath their armor to be free to move and not overheat in the middle of the 'push fest' their battles inevitably became.
The movie has Spartans standing with gaps between their shields, and over 50 metres between their ranks, which would make NO logical sense at all.
We watched this movie in our Ancient Civilizations class after studying Ancient Greece, and our professor used it as sort of a test of our knowledge on Spartan warfare, pausing each time an inaccuracy came up.
A Tale of Courage, Heroism and Idealism
claudio_carvalho6 April 2007
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")
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")
The Oldest Last Stand Story In Recorded History
bkoganbing30 July 2012
Ancient history's Alamo was the Spartan guard of King Leonidas who held the Persian army at Thermopylae, 300 men against the army of King Xerxes which numbered in the thousands. It's the oldest last stand story in recorded history and an inspiration for all that followed.
The plot in fact is remarkably similar to John Wayne's version of The Alamo and a little bit of Fort Apache thrown in as well. Richard Egan as the Spartan King and a bit more of a modern constitutional monarch in the film than he was in real life. The Greek city states prize their precious independence so much so that they cannot unite in the face of overwhelming danger. Egan is similarly boxed in when he tries to mobilize Spartan opinion as it conflicts with some religious festival. Only the 300 men of his personal guard can he command and off he goes to save Greece itself knowing full well they all might die.
Doing his best to help is Themistocles of Athens played by the erudite Ralph Richardson. He shares Egan's view of a united Greece, but who's to do the uniting, always a problem in these situations.
You could not make a film today that is such an embrace of the Spartan militaristic culture as The 300 Spartans. Still this was the society this particular city/state developed.
Director Rudolph Mate an old hand at action films staged the battle scenes impressively. I would also like to single out David Farrar as King Xerxes, a single minded adventure/conqueror as the world ever has seen.
The 300 Spartans, a rousing tribute to some very brave men in the ancient Greek world.
The plot in fact is remarkably similar to John Wayne's version of The Alamo and a little bit of Fort Apache thrown in as well. Richard Egan as the Spartan King and a bit more of a modern constitutional monarch in the film than he was in real life. The Greek city states prize their precious independence so much so that they cannot unite in the face of overwhelming danger. Egan is similarly boxed in when he tries to mobilize Spartan opinion as it conflicts with some religious festival. Only the 300 men of his personal guard can he command and off he goes to save Greece itself knowing full well they all might die.
Doing his best to help is Themistocles of Athens played by the erudite Ralph Richardson. He shares Egan's view of a united Greece, but who's to do the uniting, always a problem in these situations.
You could not make a film today that is such an embrace of the Spartan militaristic culture as The 300 Spartans. Still this was the society this particular city/state developed.
Director Rudolph Mate an old hand at action films staged the battle scenes impressively. I would also like to single out David Farrar as King Xerxes, a single minded adventure/conqueror as the world ever has seen.
The 300 Spartans, a rousing tribute to some very brave men in the ancient Greek world.
One of the Best Examples of Hollywood's Absolute Worst Schlock
im_veritas_photo30 October 2007
Warning: Spoilers
This "sword-and-sandal" pseudo-epic film did one interesting thing for me: I will now perform careful research to prove my personal theorem that the absolute worst era of Hollywood Movies covered the late-1950's to mid-1960's, when the "Star System" had broken down completely, but the ultra-stupid Hollywood execs refused to accept it. No originality at all occurred then in Hollywood, I think; I'm out to prove it. "The 300 Spartans" will form Exhibit A.
Awful. Just Horrible. Wooden acting. Soapy, over-the-top "dramatic" Only-Hollywood-Would-Dare-Do-It music. Flimsy, obviously fake spears and shields. Gratuitous, unnecessary exposure of female "starlettes" in cameos adding nothing to the film. Dialog that just has to make any intelligent person vomit. Anyone who thinks this was a "good movie"... Really? Really? I fear for your sanity.
1 out of 10 is too good for this film. It needs a Great Big Zero.
Awful. Just Horrible. Wooden acting. Soapy, over-the-top "dramatic" Only-Hollywood-Would-Dare-Do-It music. Flimsy, obviously fake spears and shields. Gratuitous, unnecessary exposure of female "starlettes" in cameos adding nothing to the film. Dialog that just has to make any intelligent person vomit. Anyone who thinks this was a "good movie"... Really? Really? I fear for your sanity.
1 out of 10 is too good for this film. It needs a Great Big Zero.
Fantastic Film
Eireann24 May 2004
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.
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.
Slightly Dull...
fearfulofspiders3 September 2008
Warning: Spoilers
Compared to the testosterone-induced slaughter-fest that is the 2007 release titled 300, this first telling of the Battle of Thermopylae has a good story, and yet the characters are uninteresting and the action is dull.
The acting is pretty good, though there isn't a single performance I could highlight.
The music is forgettable.
The battles are just dull. The laziest looking fights I've ever seen -- no matter how they fought in the times, there's gotta be some variation or thrills -- each time the Spartans and Persian army collide, it seems as if it's the same battle over and over again.
All in all, this is just too dull for me to recommend to some people. This is a film a teacher could show to their 8th-grade class, compared to the gruesomeness of 300 (2007).
The acting is pretty good, though there isn't a single performance I could highlight.
The music is forgettable.
The battles are just dull. The laziest looking fights I've ever seen -- no matter how they fought in the times, there's gotta be some variation or thrills -- each time the Spartans and Persian army collide, it seems as if it's the same battle over and over again.
All in all, this is just too dull for me to recommend to some people. This is a film a teacher could show to their 8th-grade class, compared to the gruesomeness of 300 (2007).
Faithful, strong-arm retelling of the Battle of Thermopylae
Leofwine_draca7 June 2015
An early film version that retells the classic story of the Battle of Thermopylae, in which King Leonidas and his 300 loyal Spartan warriors fought the Persian forces of King Xerxes, who were said to number over a million. This was a childhood favourite of comic book author Frank Miller, whose comic book version of the same story, 300, was made in a 2006 film by Zach Snyder.
It's hard to compare the two films because they're so very different. 300 is a heavily stylised comic book film filled with garish violence and green-screen effects. By contrast, THE 300 SPARTANS is a traditional sword and sandal adventure in which the battle doesn't even take place until the last half hour of a two hour film. If I'm honest, this has too much back story while 300 has too little.
Still, there's much to recommend in THE 300 SPARTANS, not least some solid acting in the likes of rugged lead Richard Egan and Ralph Richardson in a minor role. The movie was actually shot in Greece, which adds plenty of authenticity to it, and the action scenes are handled with aplomb and just as exciting as those in 300. The first half is quite slow and there's a tacked-on romantic sub-plot which drags things down alongside a couple of those needless dancing scenes to pad out the running time, but it's still a solid, able production that provides a fairly faithful retelling of the source material. If you want a fantastic adaptation of the story that blows away both film versions, check out Steven Pressfield's gritty novel, GATES OF FIRE.
It's hard to compare the two films because they're so very different. 300 is a heavily stylised comic book film filled with garish violence and green-screen effects. By contrast, THE 300 SPARTANS is a traditional sword and sandal adventure in which the battle doesn't even take place until the last half hour of a two hour film. If I'm honest, this has too much back story while 300 has too little.
Still, there's much to recommend in THE 300 SPARTANS, not least some solid acting in the likes of rugged lead Richard Egan and Ralph Richardson in a minor role. The movie was actually shot in Greece, which adds plenty of authenticity to it, and the action scenes are handled with aplomb and just as exciting as those in 300. The first half is quite slow and there's a tacked-on romantic sub-plot which drags things down alongside a couple of those needless dancing scenes to pad out the running time, but it's still a solid, able production that provides a fairly faithful retelling of the source material. If you want a fantastic adaptation of the story that blows away both film versions, check out Steven Pressfield's gritty novel, GATES OF FIRE.
"Mere cities don't matter now. It is Greece that counts!"
classicsoncall11 May 2019
Warning: Spoilers
I became aware of this movie after seeing the Zach Snyder directed film "300" but it's taken a long while to get around to seeing it. You might consider this the 'realistic' portrayal of the siege at Thermopylae as opposed to the highly stylized treatment of the later movie, which itself was based on the graphic novel work of Frank Miller. Miller saw "The 300 Spartans" when he was a mere five years old, and the impression it made remained firmly etched in his mind. It gave Miller the luxury of years of research into the customs, traditions, training, weaponry and military strategy of the ancient Greeks, which he adapted into his award winning writing.
The thing that always impresses me with these older films is the elaborate and ostentatious presentation of the ancient armies and their colorful military gear. Those bright red war cloaks and fancy tunics of the Spartans makes me wonder if that's how fashionably attired a Greek army might have been back in 480 B.C. It doesn't seem quite possible to me, but who's to say. As the story progresses, a degree of emphasis is placed on the idea of the Greek city-states coming together to face the threat presented by King Xerxes (David Farrar) and the Persian army, even if Leonidas (Richard Egan) was less than successful in establishing that union.
As for the battle action, I thought it was just a bit too organized in the sense of the military on both sides marching in lockstep to face each other for each individual skirmish. Everything occurs right out there in the open with the sheer numbers of the winning side dictating victory. Though in this case, the Spartan defeat won some time for the Greeks to stave off the Persian threat at Salamis and Plataea, thus successfully ending the Persian invasion.
The thing that always impresses me with these older films is the elaborate and ostentatious presentation of the ancient armies and their colorful military gear. Those bright red war cloaks and fancy tunics of the Spartans makes me wonder if that's how fashionably attired a Greek army might have been back in 480 B.C. It doesn't seem quite possible to me, but who's to say. As the story progresses, a degree of emphasis is placed on the idea of the Greek city-states coming together to face the threat presented by King Xerxes (David Farrar) and the Persian army, even if Leonidas (Richard Egan) was less than successful in establishing that union.
As for the battle action, I thought it was just a bit too organized in the sense of the military on both sides marching in lockstep to face each other for each individual skirmish. Everything occurs right out there in the open with the sheer numbers of the winning side dictating victory. Though in this case, the Spartan defeat won some time for the Greeks to stave off the Persian threat at Salamis and Plataea, thus successfully ending the Persian invasion.
Victory or Death.
brogmiller21 March 2022
Despite its $9m budget this film lacks a sense of scale and grandeur whilst its effectiveness is weakened by too many plot threads that lead nowhere, under-written characters and undeveloped relationships. There has of course to be an obligatory love interest and that between the Spartan lad and lass is both feeble and superfluous.
There are some positives however. The heroic stand to hold the narrow pass at Thermopylae against the Persian hordes which accounts for the Third Act of the piece, is brilliantly conceived and edited whilst the hand-to-hand fighting, at which the Spartan army traditionally excelled, is truly visceral. We are treated to a larger than life megalomaniacal portrayal of Xerxes by David Farrar, whose last film this was to be and as a bonus we have the superlative Ralph Richardson as wily statesman Themistocles, surely one of the most fascinating characters in Hellenic history who certainly fulfilled his tutor's prophecy that he would be 'nothing small' but who was eventually to be exiled by an ungrateful Athens and spend his last years in Persia! Geoffrey Unsworth is behind the camera and there is a fabulous score by Manos Hadjikakis, probably best known for 'Never on Sunday'.
Unsurprisingly derided by the critics it proved to be buffo box office, raking in roughly eight times its cost. Some observers have viewed it as an allegory of the Cold War with the invading Medes representing the Red menace. That would be the ultimate irony of course as Sparta was the least democratic of states, run on the principle of military supremacy, rigid discipline and unquestioning obedience whilst maintaining a standing army so as to subdue its massive slave population. Although Sparta and Athens are here united in the face of a common enemy their intense rivalry would lead to an attritional war that lasted over twenty years and result in the subjugation of Athens.
Capably directed by Rudolph Maté this is basically a Sword and Sandals movie aspiring to be an epic.
There are some positives however. The heroic stand to hold the narrow pass at Thermopylae against the Persian hordes which accounts for the Third Act of the piece, is brilliantly conceived and edited whilst the hand-to-hand fighting, at which the Spartan army traditionally excelled, is truly visceral. We are treated to a larger than life megalomaniacal portrayal of Xerxes by David Farrar, whose last film this was to be and as a bonus we have the superlative Ralph Richardson as wily statesman Themistocles, surely one of the most fascinating characters in Hellenic history who certainly fulfilled his tutor's prophecy that he would be 'nothing small' but who was eventually to be exiled by an ungrateful Athens and spend his last years in Persia! Geoffrey Unsworth is behind the camera and there is a fabulous score by Manos Hadjikakis, probably best known for 'Never on Sunday'.
Unsurprisingly derided by the critics it proved to be buffo box office, raking in roughly eight times its cost. Some observers have viewed it as an allegory of the Cold War with the invading Medes representing the Red menace. That would be the ultimate irony of course as Sparta was the least democratic of states, run on the principle of military supremacy, rigid discipline and unquestioning obedience whilst maintaining a standing army so as to subdue its massive slave population. Although Sparta and Athens are here united in the face of a common enemy their intense rivalry would lead to an attritional war that lasted over twenty years and result in the subjugation of Athens.
Capably directed by Rudolph Maté this is basically a Sword and Sandals movie aspiring to be an epic.
A Nutshell Review: The 300 Spartans
DICK STEEL17 December 2010
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.
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.
Colourful and credible story of an heroic last stand
shakercoola5 May 2019
An American historical war film about the Battle Of Thermopylae in 480 B.C. in which the Spartans defend themselves against Persian invaders led by evil King Xerxes. This is a spectacular film with an emphasis on a theme about defending one's rights against all odds, leaving the historical accuracy for historians to debate.
The battlefield scenes are captivating in their depictions of bravery during the terror and action of close combat. It is a rather stiffly acted drama, and an unevenly paced play between romantic scenes and warfare, but it is a credible production. The Spartans are led by a muscular Richard Egan as Spartan King, Leonidas with good support from a good English theatrical cast: Ralph Richardson as Themistocles of Athens state, and David Farrar as dastardly foe, King Xerxes of Persia.
Don't waste your time.
Secondof524 November 2014
This is a truly awful film which is not worth the time or trouble to watch. The acting is terrible, stiff and wooden, ( and that includes Ralph Richardson ). It's badly written with laughable dialogue that comes across almost as a spoof. You get the impression that the director, if that's the correct term, used every first take just to get it over with. There's no tension or excitement or anticipation engendered. There is no sense of epic scale or epoch changing import to the unfolding events. The battle scenes are pedestrian and unconvincing, the locations hardly spectacular. The costume design is passable, the soundtrack is not. It's impossible for me to think of any redeeming features for this feature. Do not waste your time on it. It is truly awful.
It's always about the Spartans. What about the Thespians?
fheiser116 March 2007
This is a great movie but it steps into one of my pet peeves, the 700 Thespians. They never get the same press as the Spartans. They died with the Spartans, citizen soldiers and professional warriors fighting side by side for the freedom of others. If you want drama, pathos and tragedy, the story of some sculptor, farmer or smithie with a comfortable life, a wife, kids and a career sacrificing himself for freedom would impress me a lot more than a professional warrior taught to treat life with contempt from the earliest age.
Not that I'd call Sparta a "free" state. Democracy does not equal freedom. Yes they did elect their governing council but free states don't take your male children from you at age 7 to turn them into killing machines, don't murder slaves as a rite of passage and don't kill imperfect babies as a matter of law. The slaves in Sparta (the Helots) outnumbered the citizens by a wide margin and could never become citizens themselves. Even those who became emancipated (but still could never be citizens) were held in contempt and fear and were often massacred. Sparta lived in perpetual fear of a Helot revolt.
The Thespians were a free people who worshiped Eros and the Muses and lacked a warrior class. Their version of "slavery" was closer to indentured servitude where you had legal rights and could earn your freedom. Thespia was burned despite the sacrifice of its people at Thermopylae. The survivors still managed to muster another 1800 for the final battle at Plataea.
Incidentally, there were about 5-7000 Greek troops total. It was realistic that such a force could have held the pass indefinitely. Most were dismissed when the Persians threatened to surround them. The Spartans and Thespians remained behind to cover their retreat. (Apparently some Thebans also stayed behind but surrendered before the final battle.)
Not that I'd call Sparta a "free" state. Democracy does not equal freedom. Yes they did elect their governing council but free states don't take your male children from you at age 7 to turn them into killing machines, don't murder slaves as a rite of passage and don't kill imperfect babies as a matter of law. The slaves in Sparta (the Helots) outnumbered the citizens by a wide margin and could never become citizens themselves. Even those who became emancipated (but still could never be citizens) were held in contempt and fear and were often massacred. Sparta lived in perpetual fear of a Helot revolt.
The Thespians were a free people who worshiped Eros and the Muses and lacked a warrior class. Their version of "slavery" was closer to indentured servitude where you had legal rights and could earn your freedom. Thespia was burned despite the sacrifice of its people at Thermopylae. The survivors still managed to muster another 1800 for the final battle at Plataea.
Incidentally, there were about 5-7000 Greek troops total. It was realistic that such a force could have held the pass indefinitely. Most were dismissed when the Persians threatened to surround them. The Spartans and Thespians remained behind to cover their retreat. (Apparently some Thebans also stayed behind but surrendered before the final battle.)
surprisingly good period piece
funkyfry6 August 2007
Warning: Spoilers
"The 300 Spartans" is a rousing melodrama drawn from the skeleton of a historical story recounted in Herodotus history of the Peloponnesian War. Historical authenticity is not the tantamount concern here the soldiers look more like Romans in their gold armor with red plumes (as far as I recall, Spartans only wore rudimentary armor and certainly not anything made from plates of steel or bronze) and the Greeks do a lot of talking about how the Greeks will defeat the Persians because they are "free men" while the Persians are "slaves" (that part's true
. If you accept the contemporary definition that the vast majority of people living in Greece at the time were not actually Greeks
because they were slaves). However, it does feel true in spirit to the nature of the times, and the film has a relatively realistic understanding of the difference between Spartans and Athenians so we at least have to give them that much. The film approaches the Greek people with a respect bordering on reverence. Its attitude towards the clash of cultures might already seem "politically incorrect" (a narrator reminds us that these Spartans died for "our" way of life). In the end though the film should probably be judged on its strengths gripping action scenes and unusually strong characterization for a period film.
Rudolph Mate does accomplish something very rare in directors he manages to infuse characters from a long-gone era with some feelings of life and emotion. This is particularly true with regards to the few short sojourns we witness between King Leonidas (Richard Eegan) and his Queen Gorgo (Anna Synodinou), photographed like the caress of the moon on flesh by the exceptionally talented Geoffrey Unsworth. Meetings between the film's two younger lovers (are photographed in a starkly contrasting, and somewhat less effective, exterior daylight style that feels a bit silly within the context of the war about to take place. The film's direction and photography really reach their peak in 2 scenes the war council between the Hellenes and the battle scenes at the film's climax. The council scene is a lesson in master acting I'm not sure who the actor that was playing the guy who debated Themistocles (Ralph Richardson), but the back-and-forth between them was classic. And even better is the scene just after this, where Themistocles and Leonidas confer about the results of the council in a courtyard outside right from the moment Richardson breathes out a hearty sigh of relief and confesses that he thought the other man had bested him by mentioning the oracle's dire prediction for Athens. Here, again, we see the use of contrast between interior/exterior as an expression of psychological differences. In the case of the lovers it was a difference between the public relationship between Leonidas and Gorgo as compared to the private relationship between the two young lovers; in this case it is the contrast between the public face shown by Themistocles and Leonidas in council and the private nature of their friendship which we see in the scene in the courtyard.
This is more than a cosmetic distinction in this film, particularly concerning Leonidas. We see very little of the "private" Leonidas; really only the scenes with Gorgo and the 2 scenes with Themistocles. Leonidas and Themistocles present an interesting contrast in types Richardson's performance is more reserved, his manner suggesting that each word he speaks is carefully chosen. Eegan on the other hand seems to almost radiate confidence and a contrastingly guileless bravado. That's not to say that the film implies Leonidas is less intelligent than Themistocles, simply that his manner is more straightforward and honest. But it's also not to say that Themistocles is underhanded or in any way immoral, even though his gift of control over the Athenian Navy to the Spartans was an empty gesture bordering on a lie I think the implication is that both the diplomatic and reserved and the more aggressive and reactionary types were required to successfully win the war against the mighty Persians. The clue is in the fact that the film-makers have given us this wonderful scene in the courtyard where we see how much in sympathy the two men's goals truly are, even if they differ greatly in their methods and styles. The other interesting aspect of that is that Themistocles seems to gain confidence only in his machinations, his schemes involving coercing others to do what needs to be done -- note how quickly he becomes unnerved in the scene in the tent when Leonidas tells him that only 300 Spartans are coming to Thermopalae, but how quickly he relaxes when he sees that the other Greeks are inspired regardless. This contrasts with Leonidas' style strongly Leonidas is confident in his personal judgment and his own personal abilities, to the extent that he's not only willing to commit his Spartan troops before consulting with the Spartan legislature and that he's willing to personally commit to the battle regardless of their decision. Thus the film gives us more than the usual 2 dimensional picture of the brave soldier, by contrasting him with the diplomat and the loving wife who doesn't want him to leave home.
As far as the final battle sequence, there's not that much to say about it, but it's an impressive piece of film-making. Music by Manos Hatzidakis (whom I'd never heard of before) is extremely effective in setting the tone for the apocalyptic confrontation. The very ending of the battle is handled in such a way as to make it surprisingly tragic the Spartans were too noble and too powerful to be dispatched in such a way, and it made me uncomfortable to watch it happen even though of course I knew what would happen from the history books.
Rudolph Mate does accomplish something very rare in directors he manages to infuse characters from a long-gone era with some feelings of life and emotion. This is particularly true with regards to the few short sojourns we witness between King Leonidas (Richard Eegan) and his Queen Gorgo (Anna Synodinou), photographed like the caress of the moon on flesh by the exceptionally talented Geoffrey Unsworth. Meetings between the film's two younger lovers (are photographed in a starkly contrasting, and somewhat less effective, exterior daylight style that feels a bit silly within the context of the war about to take place. The film's direction and photography really reach their peak in 2 scenes the war council between the Hellenes and the battle scenes at the film's climax. The council scene is a lesson in master acting I'm not sure who the actor that was playing the guy who debated Themistocles (Ralph Richardson), but the back-and-forth between them was classic. And even better is the scene just after this, where Themistocles and Leonidas confer about the results of the council in a courtyard outside right from the moment Richardson breathes out a hearty sigh of relief and confesses that he thought the other man had bested him by mentioning the oracle's dire prediction for Athens. Here, again, we see the use of contrast between interior/exterior as an expression of psychological differences. In the case of the lovers it was a difference between the public relationship between Leonidas and Gorgo as compared to the private relationship between the two young lovers; in this case it is the contrast between the public face shown by Themistocles and Leonidas in council and the private nature of their friendship which we see in the scene in the courtyard.
This is more than a cosmetic distinction in this film, particularly concerning Leonidas. We see very little of the "private" Leonidas; really only the scenes with Gorgo and the 2 scenes with Themistocles. Leonidas and Themistocles present an interesting contrast in types Richardson's performance is more reserved, his manner suggesting that each word he speaks is carefully chosen. Eegan on the other hand seems to almost radiate confidence and a contrastingly guileless bravado. That's not to say that the film implies Leonidas is less intelligent than Themistocles, simply that his manner is more straightforward and honest. But it's also not to say that Themistocles is underhanded or in any way immoral, even though his gift of control over the Athenian Navy to the Spartans was an empty gesture bordering on a lie I think the implication is that both the diplomatic and reserved and the more aggressive and reactionary types were required to successfully win the war against the mighty Persians. The clue is in the fact that the film-makers have given us this wonderful scene in the courtyard where we see how much in sympathy the two men's goals truly are, even if they differ greatly in their methods and styles. The other interesting aspect of that is that Themistocles seems to gain confidence only in his machinations, his schemes involving coercing others to do what needs to be done -- note how quickly he becomes unnerved in the scene in the tent when Leonidas tells him that only 300 Spartans are coming to Thermopalae, but how quickly he relaxes when he sees that the other Greeks are inspired regardless. This contrasts with Leonidas' style strongly Leonidas is confident in his personal judgment and his own personal abilities, to the extent that he's not only willing to commit his Spartan troops before consulting with the Spartan legislature and that he's willing to personally commit to the battle regardless of their decision. Thus the film gives us more than the usual 2 dimensional picture of the brave soldier, by contrasting him with the diplomat and the loving wife who doesn't want him to leave home.
As far as the final battle sequence, there's not that much to say about it, but it's an impressive piece of film-making. Music by Manos Hatzidakis (whom I'd never heard of before) is extremely effective in setting the tone for the apocalyptic confrontation. The very ending of the battle is handled in such a way as to make it surprisingly tragic the Spartans were too noble and too powerful to be dispatched in such a way, and it made me uncomfortable to watch it happen even though of course I knew what would happen from the history books.
Good but not the best.
twoDotzero828 September 2003
Although this film does stick to the main facts of the historical battle I was a little disappointed to see such a 'tacky' excuse for a film that should have explored the more heroic aspect of Leonidas and his men. I believe if there were a film made now the story would be told much better. I'll try not to be picky but some of the smaller historical facts were ignored, for example the 'cast away' Spartan had a love of his life, where as in actual Spartan culture women and men would rarely meet. The Spartan formations on the hill side appeared to be long lines where as the hoplites fought best in tightly packed deep formations. This film does appear to do it's best at recreating this particular moment in history, however personnaly I do not think it is enough to honor the men who gave their lives there. Don't let my comments put you off, it is a good film but just remember the actual men gave a little bit extra.
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