300 (2006)
One of the most visually impressive
films I have ever seen, 300 is based on a comic
book’s interpretation of the battle between the Spartans
and the Persians in 480 B.C.
The life of a Spartan is that of a
soldier. From infancy, they raise their sons to know and
train with the blade, then send them into the wilds to
prove themselves worthy of joining the army. That is the
story of King Leonidas (Gerard Butler), who rules Sparta
with strength and courage. But forces are stirring
beyond their borders and a messenger comes to inform him
the King of Persia, Xerxes, intends to claim these lands
as part of his ever-increasing kingdom. Bolstered in
courage by his outspoken wife Gorgo (Lena Headey), the
response from Leonidas is to seek the wisdom of the
oracle in whether to go to war. Corrupt and well-paid by
those who would secretly support Xerxes, the oracle’s
servants warn him against such an action. According to
the laws of Sparta, the king cannot take his armies to
war without their consent, so he forms a legion of 300
willing men to accompany him as an “escort” to the
mountain pass where the Persians will attempt to enter
their shores.
There, they engage in fierce combat
that might put an end to Xerxes’ ambitions to conquer
Sparta once and for all, little realizing there is a
potential traitor lurking on the outskirts. While this
is a testosterone-driven movie, I found much to enjoy
about it. The cinematography and backdrops were all
computer-animated, but the audience doesn’t care because
it is so rich and unique to anything we have seen before
that it opens our imagination to an entirely new world.
While I’m not easily impressed, this movie impressed me,
not only with the visual graphics, but the seamlessness
in which the actors are incorporated into it. The
designers emphasize the culture with the garments. The
armor and absence of more than a single garment on most
of the men is not historically accurate, but done to
underline the principles of their society, which is an
emphasis on masculinity. Those intrigued by ancient
history will find it interesting that this is the same
Xerxes mentioned in scripture (although this one is nine
feet tall!).
The acting, hairstyling, and makeup
are excellent, particularly on the servants of the
oracle and the hunchback. The religious symbolism is
striking in the parallels between Xerxes and Satan. Both
tempt the hero with fame and riches if they will “bow to
me.” It’s not a cheerful story, but it is all about
courage. 300 men hold off the entire Persian army with
minimal casualties, proving to the audience it only
takes a few standing up for right to make a difference.
Sexual Content:
A fair amount of nudity, including a graphic scene of lovemaking between Leonidas and his wife that involves movement. We see bare-breasted women in a harem; two of them sensuously kiss one another; the oracle's sheer toga falls open to reveal her breasts and naked backside; nude, dead bodies are displayed nailed to a tree with their gentiles visible; it's implied that in order to gain assistance for her husband in battle, Gorgo allows a man to have his way with her (she drops her dress and we see her bare shoulders, before he shoves her against a wall). Her garments are often revealing; the men wear only loincloths throughout the film.
Language:
None.
Violence:
There's no bad language in the film, but an abundance of graphic violence. Thousands of corpses litter the battlefield, are used to build a wall, are found in trees, etc. The Spartans hack their way through enemy ranks, severing heads, limbs, and other body parts, in a shower of blood. Spears, swords, and arrows are used to dispatch adversaries; they are also pushed off cliffs and buried in avalanches. Animal lovers should be forewarned that massive elephants are run off cliffs and shot with arrows; horses are sometimes speared to take down their riders (or struck across the legs with knives), and an early scene has Leonidas spearing a giant wolf in the chest and then through the mouth (we see the shadow of it, not the direct contact).
Other:
The religious aspect relies on astrology (through the oracle) although there is one reference to Zeus.
