Fantasy Sword And Sandals Tale Delivers

Rating: 6/10 (30 April 2007)

I was fortunate enough to study Ancient Greek at school, but was not familiar with Frank Miller's cartoon books in general, or his work on this story in particular. I have to confess that I thoroughly enjoyed this imaginative take on a famous tale.
The Spartans were a legendary warrior state, and the battle of Thermopalae arguably one of the most famous ever. The fact that Herodotus faithfully recorded these events in some detail provides a firm base for a fantasy with two feet firmly placed in fact.
Boldly, the majority of the films almost two hour running time is indeed taken up by action sequences. As such, the blood and gore count is of Tarrantinoesque proportions - but it's fantasy portrayal allows much more to be shown than might otherwise be acceptable.
Gerard Butler gives a Mel Gibson inspired "Braveheart" performance as King Leonidas and is ably supported by Lena Headley as his wife and Queen in what amounts to a cameo role. Don't be put off by the snobbish put downs of some commentators - she has a role to ply and does it in caricature style. His opponent, Xerxes, is curiously played by a Julian Clary lookalike,Rodrigo Santoro,in comic book style.
The music and imagery coasts dangerously into "Gladiator" territory, but the battle set pieces are tremendous with the fantasy portrayal allowing maximum scope for dramatic license. And lets not forget that the Greeks loved a good story. Leonidas response to the Persians threat that they will block out the sun with their arrows -"Then we shall fight in the shade then" is stirring stuff and reflects a mock pompous script which is lively without taking itself too seriously.
Not as epic as "Gladiator", or as Fantastical as "Lord of the Rings", this film still scores within its own agenda - don't let the purists from either the Historic or Comic Book factions put you off. Great story - well told.