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“We are Sparta!”

This is the constant declaration of Leonidas, the laconic warrior king of Sparta, in 300. A man who does not and cannot say much, Leonidas is the hero in this film, a man’s man who bows to no one and leads a fight to the death with his 300 men against the advancing Persian forces. The Battle of Thermopylae actually took place in history, but this version is fantasy. The Spartans are buffed out and fight scantily clad (a definite gay fantasy) and the advancing Persian forces are composed of elaborately dressed soldiers and freaks (most of them are both). Amongst the freaks includes a giant executioner with blades for forearms, a contingent of masked men who look like zombies when unmasked, and the traitorous hunchback Ephialtes (whose name is synonymous with treachery in Greece). Xerxes here does not have the long Persian locks or elaborately coifed beard of his historical likeness. Instead, he’s a bald, clean-shaven, scantily clad giant with excessive gold jewelry (eyeliner and arched eyebrows), borne on a litter that would put a gay pride float to shame.

Given that 300 is based on the graphic novel more than the historical battle, historical accuracy isn’t (nor is it intended) to be a strong point of the film. But is any film about the classical period authentic in any detail, even when it tries to be? Gladiator has lots of rich detail, but it too look liberty (e.g. Commodus did not die in the arena at the hand of the gladiator as depicted in the film). The graphic novel 300 alrady takes liberties with the historic details, so the film’s aim is the be faithful to its source.

The film is epic and mythic, right at home in the sci-fi realm. The visuals are fantastic. The freaks are a part of that, but the landscapes, the sky, and the locations are breathtaking. The characters, especially the hero, aren’t that round at all. Even though Leonidas has a back story, is characterized as a lover, a fighter, and a father, and is the central character, there isn’t really much to show him as a realistic human being. With characters like these, it becomes even more important for the actor to project his emotions through what he does not say. Gerard Butler does exactly that, because there are things King Leonidas can’t or doesn’t want to say, but is conveyed through the eyes. One would expect more eloquence from Xerxes, who tends to be equally laconic, especially when he makes a deal with Ephialtes. He only says a few few words as he listens to the hunchback propose his treachery, and punctuates his responses with “I am kind.”

While the Iranian governernment may object to the film’s portrayal of Persians in the film, that Xerxes recognizes diversity and what it has to offer is a positive. Unlike the heroic Spartans of 300, who toss their genetically unfit children over a cliff (this type of eugenics was practiced in Sparta), Xerxes’ army came from various cultures and races and even employed the disabled and the differently abled. In his entourage, there were trannies and women from his harem kissing each other. While this goes with the traditional casting of the villain as effeminate and decadent, Xerxes is inclusive, whereas the Spartans were not (the helots and the non-citizen artisans are rarely shown and would not have been fit by Spartan standards for battle). However, his interest is assimilation. This makes them the Borg of 300, who only wish to add the Greek’s distinctiveness to their own.

Overall, I did enjoy this film. I came to this one with low expectations, so I didn’t come away feeling too disappointed. The one merit of this film is that it will spark interest in classical history. Since the fantasy element is obvious, hopefully this will prompt viewers to read up on the Battle of Thermopylae and learn how the Spartans were different from other Greeks. And then they should read up on Greek history in general. As long as people don’t rely on 300 as an accurate historical source, the film is OK.