That Film’s Real Message? It Could Be: ‘Buy a Ticket’ (Liberals upset about 300 movie)

New York Slimes ^ | 3/5/2007 | MICHAEL CIEPLY

[Donald Rumsfeld Fan]

But then, "what is history," asked Napoleon, "but a fable agreed upon?"

The historical "factoids" can usually be determined with reasonable accuracy. But how those factoids are wedged into an historical narrative depends on the historian's biasis and world view.

[Donald Rumsfeld Fan]

I was interested in Roman history during the reign of Julius Caesar. In particular I wanted to know what kind of man Caesar was. So I investigated by Googling various Julius Caesar sites. I got two characterizations, all historically referenced.

One historian said that there are basically two opinions on Caesar. One opinion is that he was a "blood thirsty tyrant" and the other says he was a "great statesman and warrior".

Now what I found interesting was the historian's conclusion. He said "the truth probably lies somewhere in-between".

Think about that statement for a minute. "The truth probably lies somewhere in-between".

What I concluded was not that "the truth lies somewhere in-between" but that both characterizations were true. And that One's opinion on Caesar depended on where one stands.

[Antoninus]

He was defending perhaps the larger Hellenic culture, but Sparta itself was hardly a free society. It was Geriocentric, autocratic, had a caste system of slavery, was xenophobic, and was highly regimented. It had many practices that have more in common with North Korea than say, the United States.

Not to mention the whole homosexual grooming of pre-pubescent males thing. Sparta's military prowess was about the only thing admirable about that particular society.

[justshutupandtakeit]

That is funny since I see no reason to claim either description was wrong. Caesar WAS a great warrior NO one disputes that. He was a great statesman that is also indisputable. Are you claiming that a bloodthirsty tyrant cannot be both?

But what is important about history is the things which CANNOT be denied about Caesar. He DID conquer Gaul (no disputes), he DID cross the Rubicon, he DID adopt Augustus, we WAS assassinated.

I am less interested in the interpretations of motives and personalities than in the concrete indisputable facts.

Athens was the leading light in world culture for two hundred years. Sparta was a hovel in comparison which disappeared from the history books for good reason.

There are MANY things in history which are undisputed. Most of the FACTS are not.

[Pete from Shawnee Mission]

"Not to mention the whole homosexual grooming of pre-pubescent males thing."

And wouldn't we then have the Namblites drooling and pointing to this as evidence of a superior culture worthy of emulation? Athenians liked little boys, but it was not prescribed or enforced like Sparta.

[Pete from Shawnee Mission]

It started out with 7000. When the Persians came in through the back way and started to fill the plain, 300 Spartans and (If I remember correctly) 400 Locratians (?) stayed in a rearguard action to hold the Persians as long as possible. Spartans who did not have children and the other allied Greeks returned and awaited additional reinforcement at Marathon.

[Windcatcher]

As one of Spartan descent (first generation Greek American) I'll be *very* angry if this film butchers history like a lot of other films based on history have. Of course, since I've already stopped supporting Hollyweird, there's little else I can do to them if it does...

[Proud_USA_Republican]

I do not believe this story will be hollyweird crap like Troy and Kingdom of Heaven was. I've heard the movie keeps to the real story very well.
But,
This movie is based on a graphic novel by Frank Miller. The look and effects of the movie will be very much a part of everything. From what I have heard from people who have seen advanced screenings, they are very impressed with it and many were cheering and clapping after it finishes.
And,
I don't think you should go in believing this going to be a completely acurate potrayal of how the battles happened. Even watching the previews, you see there is a heavy emphasis on the visual look.

[jonascord]

Saw it last night. In one of the first scenes in the movie where you see Leonidas as an adult, he is sneering at Athens as a city of boy-loving cowards. There is one segment of Leonidas and his wife, getting it on, with a lot of skin showing. That's as sexy as it gets. In fact, the Greeks are Skins, the Persians are Shirts. Makes them easier to keep track of in all the slashing and stabbing and blood sprays.

In sum, if 300 has some gay agenda, you really have to dig DEEP for it.

[ichabod1]

OK, glad to hear it. There is just an awful lot of shiny leather and man sweat in the trailers.

[ctdonath2]

It probably does ... but that's because it's a comic book. It's not trying to be historically accurate (though it may be), and it knows that - unlike other historical movies which are indeed trying to portray fiction as truth.

It's an idealized, stylized account of something that happened a long time ago.

[ctdonath2]

It's not. At all. That one thinks that is far more a statement about our culture - or the person making such an observation - than about the movie which is a stylized take on historical events where such dress was not uncommon.

[ctdonath2]

Action is romance for men. To me it's the way men express love on screen. Love for a woman, a country, a dog - by kicking the living $*** out of anybody who dares do those objects of his simplistic adoration wrong.
- Director of _Equilibrium_

[Lando Lincoln]

Yes, but Ghost Rider did it for "all the right reasons" and he pledged at the end to "fight the devil wherever he goes".

[rmlew]

The Spartans were armed and armored Hopolites.
The did not prance naked.

[murdoog]

Also, according to the trailer, it looks as if the Greek forces are trying to win the battle with incessant shouting.

I just got back from seeing it. Trust me, they do a lot more than shout. You should see it.

[Sans-Culotte]

I watched a program about the movie on the History Channel a few nights ago. I realize it's based on comic book, and I have liked a lot of Frank Miller's work, but it really annoys me that they wear no armor in the film. They look like a bunch of buff gay boys. They could have made some sort of close-fitting rubber armor painted to look metallic for mobility, but they look ridiculous with just loin cloths and capes.

Xerxes looked like some sort of S/M she-male creature. I may see it, but I doubt it will have as strong an impact on me as Steven Pressfield's remarkable novel of Thermopylae Tides of War.

[Sans-Culotte]

Sorry, meant, "Gates of Fire". "Tides of War" was his novel on the Peloponesian War.