300 -
Widescreen Standard Edition
(Warner Region 1 NTSC DVD)
(2007)
review by Suicide Blonde

It’s easy to forget that what movies are about is telling stories, and that all stories start out as one person with a tale to tell. And despite its technical dazzlement and focus on action, 300 is at its core a movie about the power of storytelling.

Based on Frank Miller’s graphic novel (itself based, I’m not sure how faithfully, on historical events), the movie is set in ancient (I’m ignorant of history so excuse my lack of dates) Sparta, a society where physical superiority and skill in battle is highly prized, and death in combat is seen as a glorious thing. The Spartans prize their independence and when their king, Leonidas (Gerard Butler, physical perfection personified) is told by an emissary from the Persian Empire that Sparta must submit to Persian rule or be destroyed, he is less than pleased. In fact, he tosses the emissary down a well - oops! Clumsy!

The Persian army is coming, and the government of Sparta will not commit to a battle against such superior numbers. So Leonidas takes 300 of his best soldiers for “a walk” – to the Hot Gates, a narrow mountain pass where the Spartans can use their dedication and superior fighting skills to hold off the invasion. What follows is a stunning display of carnage and grace, a ballet of brutality.

Many movies based on historical events try to view the past through modern eyes, but 300 asks us to view the events as one of the participants would. It accepts the more distasteful aspects of the Spartan society, such as the ruthless killing of infants deemed imperfect, as well as ideas (such as the gloriousness of death in battle) that don’t fit in with our society.  It’s soon clear that the movie’s voice-over by David Wenham (Faramir in the Lord of the Rings movies, in case you’re wondering where you heard his voice before) is not just to provide us with narration – he’s telling the story of Leonidas’ brave stand, as an inspiration to Sparta and the other Greek nations to finally defeat the Persians. 

Many have criticized the stylized aspects of 300, or taken issue with the portrayal of both Spartan and Persian society. But the style suits the story perfectly – this is a tale told to rally the troops, and its appropriate for this tale to glorify the Spartans and to portray the enemy as decadent and barbarous. In fact, the Spartan point-of-view leads to some intentionally funny moments – sorcerers wielding “magic” are actually gunpowder weapons, and a hideous beast from the darkest depths of the Persian empire is a rhinoceros (which of course none of the Spartans would have seen before). 

The cast is uniformly excellent – they understand that the film could easily veer into camp, and to avoid this every actor delivers lines with strength and sincerity. This could not have been easy, because every line is not so much dialogue as a declaration (“THIS! IS! SPARTA!”), and even the women get to join in: “Only Spartan women give birth to real men,” declares the Spartan queen. Most of the 300 soldiers are there to be battle fodder, but those allowed a little characterization make the most of it.

The irony of 300 is that its greatest strength – the presentation of the story from a Spartan point of view – keep it from being emotionally involving. One can respect Leonidas and his soldiers for their bravery but their sacrifice is not moving. We’re not given a clear view of what is at stake, and the Spartans are downright happy about death in combat. We can’t feel sadness, because these men are getting their heart’s desire.

Despite its lack of emotional resonance, 300 is an always compelling, often dazzling feast for the eyes. Let historical accuracy or lack thereof slide, worry about the political subtext later (though the situation may seem similar to our current state, the societies involved are so different that comparisons go no deeper than the surface), and watch some visual poetry of bodies and battles.

The standard edition DVD from Warner Brothers features a commentary track by Director Zack Snyder, Writer Kurt Johnstad and Director of Photography Larry Fong, as well as a preview of the film "Trick 'r Treat", but pales in comparison to the two-disc set which boasts several featurettes, photo galleries, and more.