Historical Accuracies of Frank Miller's 300

Rating: 10/10 (4 August 2007)

Of course this is a Hollywood drama based off of a dramatic graphic novel, so certainly all artists involved took liberties with the historic premise of the story of the 300 Spartans. So critics who thirst for precise historical accuracy, or mock over current political themes can continue to pine and trash this film. Do not listen to them.
However much of this film is bathed in accuracy. The Spartan Agoge(a'go-gee), or military training of all boys over 7 years old. The discarding of offspring found to be puny, weak, misshapen, or sickly. The wrangling between Spartan Kings and the Ephors and the politicians. The elevated status of women within Spartan society. These are accurate portrayals of Spartan culture of the time. The set design is wonderful, reflecting an Ancient soldier society.
Facts of the Battle of Thermopylae are many. For the first time, Sparta aligned with other Greek city-states(Athens, Arcadia, Thespae), to form and initial defense against the Persian advance lead by Xerxes. The defense took place in a narrow crevasse just wide enough for a chariot or two to fit through, and the Greek phalanx dealt the Persians considerable losses in comparison to the Greek numbers, which at the beginning of the battle was roughly 5-6000 Greeks, and 500,000 Persian. The Greeks did rebuild the seaside wall, they were betrayed by a local resident of the area named Ephialtes, who did lead the Persians around the Greeks via a mountain goat path. Spartan King Leonidas, and his 300 Spartan soldiers then remaining, stood for the last stand against Xerxes. Their fight allowed the Greek states to complete the Olympic Games, an important Greek festival, and prepare to mount a defense against Xerxes, which ultimately paid off for Greece.
This film is a great modern restoration of these events, told in a way that will keep the average contemporary 18-35 year old movie goer entertained, enthralled, and hooked on the last stand of the Spartan 300. Definitely not for the very young, as it contains lots of graphic violence and nudity.