Go tell the Spartans, passer-by. That here, by Spartan law, we lie!!!

Rating: 10/10 (12 May 2007)

Based on Frank Miller's novel this epic masterpiece, directed by Zack Snyder, retells the Battle of Thermopylae in 480 B.C., the well known struggle of 300 Spartans and 700 Thespians (whose heroic sacrifice unfortunately is passed over, both in the novel and the film) under Spartan King Leonidas' leadership in Thermopylae, ("Hot Gates" in English) versus the huge 1.000.000 army of Xerxes who attempted to conquer Greece. Although typically the Persians won, morally they lost. The battle became known for the bravery shown from the hopelessly outnumbered Greeks and particularly from Spartans and their king, Leonidas, who won the moral victory and glory as the eternal symbol of heroic death, because of their "last stand", the first known "last stand" in History. Frank Miller's novel was partly inspired by another 1962 film based on the Battle of Thermopylae, "The 300 Spartans". The fact that free men died for their country's law and honor, enthused him.
Movie's plot is the same as the novel, but some extra material has been added, including new villains, sex scenes between Leonidas and Gorgo, a political subplot involving new characters and a significantly expanded role for the Queen of Sparta. The film itself is an innovative cinematic achievement (graphics, special visual effects etc.). Battle scenes are simply outstanding and exhibit Spartan phalanx's fighting power. Tyler Bates' music features Azam Ali's exotic vocals.
Gerard Butler is brilliant as Leonidas. He's incredibly convincing, as Sparta's hero who resolved to face Persians and hold the pass of Thermopylae with 300 Spartans, where he was joined by a 7000 Greek force, despite Ephors' domestic opposition. He brings acting skill and athletic exuberance. Incontrovertibly he was the best choice as Leonidas and in my opinion he surpassed Richard Egan's great performance in the same role in 1962 version. Great performances too, from: Tom Wisdom as the young but unlucky Astinos, Vincent Regan as his brave father, the Captain, Michael Fassbender as Stelios the bravest of all "300" (based on historical Dienekes who quoted the famous "we'll fight in the shade", when threatened that Persian arrows would blot out the sunlight) and David Wenham as Dilios the story-spinner narrator (based on historical Aristodemos who suffered an eye injury, was sent away and so survived).
Lena Headey as Queen Gorgo, Leonidas' beloved wife is story's key character. Beautiful Gorgo is given much bigger presence in the film than in the graphic novel, with a story arc centering on her rallying the Spartan Council of the Elders to support Leonidas' choice to stand against Xerxes. She has to confront and finally kill, the corrupted from Persian gold and villain traitor Theron (a fictional character, added in the film and played by Dominic West), so as to persuade the Spartan Council to declare war on Persia. Actually, both Herodotus and Plutarch mention Gorgo for her political activity, acumen and wisdom shown at various other occasions. So, Gorgo's political struggle to help Leonidas could be historically possible, even if it didn't happen that way.
Although its box office success, controversy arose over 300's historical accuracy and it's depiction of Persians. Some labeled it as racist or fascist art. Various critics, historians, journalists, and officials of the Iranian government, including President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, denounced the film, for presenting Persians as bloodthirsty zombies or "black" people.
Actually, the "baddies" in the movie are not presented as "african" or "black" people only three Xerxes' emissaries and a decapitated general are portrayed as "black" or Africans in order to portray that time vast Persian Empire's multiracial and multinational character. Xerxes and the rest of Persian troops are portrayed as "whites" or Caucasians, as they were indeed. So it's not racist. Furthermore, Mr. Ahmadinejad and his Islamic regime is the ideological descendant of 7th century's AD, Muslim conquerors of Iran, who destroyed ancient Persian civilization. Thus it's ridiculous to pretend to be Ancient Persia's advocate, while he's actually an Ancient Persia-hater.
The historical events are depicted very accurately, such as: the cruel Spartan law for weak and sick male babies, the "Agoge" system for the education, the "Krypteia" (young Spartans' survival into the countryside), the Spartan women's social status, the Spartan war code, fleet destroying hurricane, battle details etc., plus the famous quotes: such as Gorgo's (to Leonidas) "Come back with it, or on it (his shield)" or Leonidas' (to Persians) "Come and Get Them (Molon Labe)"etc. The film demonstrates a specific affinity with the original material of Simonides, Aeschylus, Herodotus in that it represents Thermopylae as a "clash of civilizations" and a battle of "the Greek idea of the free citizen of an autonomous polis" against "Eastern centralism and collective serfdom". It's just in the visualization that it's surrealistic, because the intention was to entertain first and teach second.
Of course it's needless to say that filmmakers in artistic license, added fictional elements to the story, such as: a) the grotesque Persian Immortals (which are not part of the original graphic novel), b) Xerxes' (played by Rodrigo Santoro) surreal appearance as a bald tall androgynous, c)Ephialtes (played by Andrew Tiernan) the Greek traitor, as a vengeful Spartan Quasimodo-like hideous hunchback, whereas in reality was a Malian of unknown external appearance d) Ephors as gnarled and black souled, bribed by Xerxes, old priests who "keep" a beautiful oracle girl in their temple, whereas in reality they were annually elected by and from the people powerful officials, etc. However we shouldn't forget that Xerxes was really a vicious and extreme arrogant who claimed to be divine and ruled in an authoritarian manner (he had the sea whipped because it wasn't calm), and that according to Aristotle the Ephors were corrupted tyrants.
"300" is a war film, where battle, death and sacrifice are celebrated. It preserves the Thermopylae's spirit and captures the martial ethos of Sparta. If some critics believe that simplifies the meaning of freedom vs. tyranny, then they should reread Herodotus, Plutarch and Diodorus again.