NationStates Jolt Archive

Tell Sparta, Stranger passing by,
that here, obedient to their laws, we lie

Prepare to wet yourselves, Ladies and gentlemen (mostly gentlemen)

300 Trailer (http://download.ifilm.com/qt/portal/2773266_300.mov)

For those who don't know of this movie, it's based off the Frank Miller Graphic Novel of the same name which depicts the Spartan stand at Thermopylae against an overwhelming number of Persians to the very last man.

That looks fucking great.

Hell yeah.
We will fight in the shade.

Samurai Jack had an episode loosely based on the events.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=naD2ZVyDWKM

Didn't work for me, but I dug up a seperate source.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xP5VTDuR6s

I became "aroused" watching it. In a manly way of course.

I think this will show the idiots who did "Troy" and "Alexander" how to really do classical themes.

Didn't work for me, but I dug up a seperate source.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xP5VTDuR6s

I became "aroused" watching it. In a manly way of course.

That's Maddox arousal.

Of course, they're not making use of authentic Hoplite combat styles, instead, opting for some sort of bizarre hybrid martial art, that is heavily derived from Philipino martial arts. Which is immensely frustrating from my point of view.

Didn't work for me, but I dug up a seperate source.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xP5VTDuR6s

I became "aroused" watching it. In a manly way of course.

It's funny you put it that way. I had a friend that was a Marine Officer Recruiter, or OSO I think. He joked that they'd get a group of college kids together and show them a war movie. The ones that got "aroused" were the ones they recruited actively.

Tell Sparta, Stranger passing by,
that here, obedient to their laws, we lie

Prepare to wet yourselves, Ladies and gentlemen (mostly gentlemen)

300 Trailer (http://download.ifilm.com/qt/portal/2773266_300.mov)

For those who don't know of this movie, it's based off the Frank Miller Graphic Novel of the same name which depicts the Spartan stand at Thermopylae against an overwhelming number of Persians to the very last man.I've been watching and rewatching that trailer over and over again since I first heard about it :D

I've been watching and rewatching that trailer over and over again since I first heard about it :D

So have I.

Let's be friends. I have cake.

*waits impatiently*

Stupid dial-up connection...

*grumbles*

*waits more*

*waits impatiently*

Stupid dial-up connection...

*grumbles*

*waits more*

lol

I weep for your kind...

So have I.

Let's be friends. I have cake.I have an exam instead :(

lol

I weep for your kind...

LOL...the worst part is, no matter how good it is, I'll probably be disappointed.

*still waiting* :p

LOL...the worst part is, no matter how good it is, I'll probably be disappointed.

*still waiting* :pOnly someone who hasn't seen the trailer would say that :)

Only someone who hasn't seen the trailer would say that :)

Indeed. Im watching it again as we speak. The soundtrack to it is awesome.

Just Like you Imagined - Nine Inch Nails just in case anyone was wondering.

Only someone who hasn't seen the trailer would say that :)

Well...

Of course, they're not making use of authentic Hoplite combat styles, instead, opting for some sort of bizarre hybrid martial art, that is heavily derived from Philipino martial arts. Which is immensely frustrating from my point of view.

THIS comment does not inspire me with hope, let me tell you.

I was really hoping they'd finally stop dragging their asses on making a film based on Gates of Fire by Steven Pressfield...now that this will be released first, I doubt it will ever be made. :(

*still waiting* :p

*waits impatiently*

Stupid dial-up connection...

*grumbles*

*waits more*

Not too long ago, I suffered as you do now. Then I let the light in (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broadband).

That's Maddox arousal.

That didn't even descend to 10,000 feet as it went over me....

Not too long ago, I suffered as you do now. Then I let the light in (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broadband).

LOL...believe me, I am aware of the wonders of Broadband.

Sadly, as I am working my way through college, it is currently prohibitively expensive.

*OMG...it's almost done!* :p

LOL...believe me, I am aware of the wonders of Broadband.

Sadly, as I am working my way through college, it is currently prohibitively expensive.

*OMG...it's almost done!* :p

C'mon C'mon!

Dammit I really want to know your opinion now and I don't even know why!

LOL...believe me, I am aware of the wonders of Broadband.



So was I, as I had it in work. But that only makes it worse......

So was I, as I had it in work. But that only makes it worse......

Same here. :(

FINALLY watched the trailer...three times in fact.

I have to say I have mixed feelings.

I haven't read the graphic novel, so I can't speculate as to how true it is to THAT medium. As I stated before, I was hoping for a movie based on Gates of Fire.

This movie looks loaded with historical inaccuracies...apparently the Spartans had never heard of breastplates. :rolleyes:

While Spartan society was certainly one of the harshest in history, I have a feeling this movie will overrepresent that fact to the point of comical stupidity.

If the guy with the beard is supposed to be Leonidas, he is FAR too young.
If the guy making the "in the shade" comment is supposed to be Dienekes, he is also far too young.

The Persian Immortals are not dressed correctly...and what's with the "monsters"? The big fat guy with the blades for arms, and the Igor lookalike?

Are these people aware that this was an actual event? That there were no such creatures?

It looks far too comic-bookish...for a movie that ought to be done as close to realistic as possible, given the epic scope of the subject matter, and it's relevance in ALL our lives.

I doubt I'll see it to be honest, but we'll have to wait and see.

EDIT: I dug the Nine Inch Nails playing during the trailer, though. :p

It looks far too comic-bookish...for a movie that ought to be done as close to realistic as possible, given the epic scope of the subject matter, and it's relevance in ALL our lives.Let's put it this way, the thing is based on a comic book. And as you've just pointed out, it's very true to the original material. Blame Frank Miller for the inaccuracies ;)

Let's put it this way, the thing is based on a comic book. And as you've just pointed out, it's very true to the original material. Blame Frank Miller for the inaccuracies ;)

Perhaps...but now that this has been made first, I doubt a movie based on Gates of Fire will ever be made, especially if it doesn't do well...

..and you have NO idea how much that saddens me. :(

Yeah, I know it's very innacurate in terms of actual history, but that's not what I want to see. If I wanted that I'd watch a documentary.

What I want to see is exaggeration! I want to see armourless Spartans with a gung-ho attitude take on limitless amounts of Persian soldiers! I want to see amazing visuals, sweeping battlefields and crazy costumes! Most of us know what happened in the battle of Thermopylae, this movie is going to show us what we all WISH happened... ;)

Yeah, I know it's very innacurate in terms of actual history, but that's not what I want to see. If I wanted that I'd watch a documentary.

What I want to see is exaggeration! I want to see armourless Spartans with a gung-ho attitude take on limitless amounts of Persian soldiers! I want to see amazing visuals, sweeping battlefields and crazy costumes! Most of us know what happened in the battle of Thermopylae, this movie is going to show us what we all WISH happened... ;)

+1

Yeah, I know it's very innacurate in terms of actual history, but that's not what I want to see. If I wanted that I'd watch a documentary.

What I want to see is exaggeration! I want to see armourless Spartans with a gung-ho attitude take on limitless amounts of Persian soldiers! I want to see amazing visuals, sweeping battlefields and crazy costumes! Most of us know what happened in the battle of Thermopylae, this movie is going to show us what we all WISH happened... ;)

*sigh*

If this is the attitude of the majority of people who are anticipating this movie, then I will most certainly NOT be seeing it.

Anyone who's read anything about this battle knows that exaggeration is NOT needed to tell a story that rivals anything Hollywood has done previously.

Instead, we're going to get another special-effects laden wank-fest.

If we're really lucky, it will follow in the footsteps of Sin City and actually be a good film...but I am guessing that lightning will NOT strike twice.

It looks far too comic-bookish...

Ding ding ding, we have a fuckin' winner. Welcome to the world of graphic novels. It is based on a graphic novel based on the real event.

They better not ignore the Thespians either. For, even though the Spartans organized and directed the defense at Thermopylae, the Thespians deserve special recognition. Whereas the Spartans were beholden by law to defend Leonidas until the last, the Thespians were just volunteers. Average people who had set aside their normal lives to defend their homes. Citizen-soldiers, such as Demophilus, who was an architect. In the end, the Thespians all voluntarily chose to stand by the Spartans, rather than allow them to be destroyed alone. While they did not prove decisive, their courage must not be forgot.

Ding ding ding, we have a fuckin' winner. Welcome to the world of graphic novels. It is based on a graphic novel based on the real event.

Well...forgive me for prefering substance to style then.

They better not ignore the Thespians either. For, even though the Spartans organized and directed the defense at Thermopylae, the Thespians deserve special recognition. Whereas the Spartans were beholden by law to defend Leonidas until the last, the Thespians were just volunteers. Average people who had set aside their normal lives to defend their homes. Citizen-soldiers, such as Demophilus, who was an architect. In the end, the Thespians all voluntarily chose to stand by the Spartans, rather than allow them to be destroyed alone. While they did not prove decisive, their courage must not be forgot.

That's exactly the kind of thing you WON'T see in this film...

...the more I hear about this thing, the more it's pissing me off. I'm going to have to get my hands on the comic, though I suspect it will confirm my worst fears.

*sigh*

If this is the attitude of the majority of people who are anticipating this movie, then I will most certainly NOT be seeing it.

Anyone who's read anything about this battle knows that exaggeration is NOT needed to tell a story that rivals anything Hollywood has done previously.

Instead, we're going to get another special-effects laden wank-fest.

If we're really lucky, it will follow in the footsteps of Sin City and actually be a good film...but I am guessing that lightning will NOT strike twice.

Fair enough, that's a valid point, and yes it does look like another "wank-fest", and I know that it will most likely offend the true story of what actually happened at Thermopylae, but it's a movie based on Frank Miller's graphic novel. If it's anything like Sin City like you said we will be granted a rip-roaring thrill ride of action and excitement. If not you can moan about it after you see it. Until then, let's not judge a book by it's cover, even if it such a glossy and slick cover...

EDIT: Just read the synopsis of the Graphic Novel here Graphic Novel summary (http://www.night-flight.com/fmiller/fmiller300.html) And while it is largely accurate, the Thespians have been sadly left out. It would've been cool to see them exchange cloaks and proclaim themselves allies for eternity. A very symbolic last stand it would have made.

Same here. :(

FINALLY watched the trailer...three times in fact.

I have to say I have mixed feelings.

I haven't read the graphic novel, so I can't speculate as to how true it is to THAT medium. As I stated before, I was hoping for a movie based on Gates of Fire.

This movie looks loaded with historical inaccuracies...apparently the Spartans had never heard of breastplates. :rolleyes:

While Spartan society was certainly one of the harshest in history, I have a feeling this movie will overrepresent that fact to the point of comical stupidity.

If the guy with the beard is supposed to be Leonidas, he is FAR too young.
If the guy making the "in the shade" comment is supposed to be Dienekes, he is also far too young.

The Persian Immortals are not dressed correctly...and what's with the "monsters"? The big fat guy with the blades for arms, and the Igor lookalike?

Are these people aware that this was an actual event? That there were no such creatures?

It looks far too comic-bookish...for a movie that ought to be done as close to realistic as possible, given the epic scope of the subject matter, and it's relevance in ALL our lives.

I doubt I'll see it to be honest, but we'll have to wait and see.

EDIT: I dug the Nine Inch Nails playing during the trailer, though. :p

You see, you're going for "Gates of fire" (and having read it, I know what you're getting at). But it isn't "Gates of fire" - its "300" from frank miller and therefore an entirely different kettle of stuff.

As for "too comic-bookish" - hollywood has destroyed/watered down/neutered the majority of the comics that it comes across - because they are too "adult" for the 'car chase-cheap laugh-explosion-brief flash of breast of main female lead' fodder their calculators prefer. This could well stay true like Sin City.

Wooooooohoooooooooo! Spartans!!!

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y223/GermanNightmare/Spartan.gif_http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y223/GermanNightmare/Spartan.gif_http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y223/GermanNightmare/Spartan.gif_http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y223/GermanNightmare/Spartan.gif_http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y223/GermanNightmare/Spartan.gif_http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y223/GermanNightmare/Spartan.gif_http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y223/GermanNightmare/Spartan.gif_http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y223/GermanNightmare/Spartan.gif_http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y223/GermanNightmare/Spartan.gif_http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y223/GermanNightmare/Spartan.gif

(Can you believe that?!? There wasn't a single Spartan smiley on the interwebtubenet! Well, now there is!)

You see, you're going for "Gates of fire" (and having read it, I know what you're getting at). But it isn't "Gates of fire" - its "300" from frank miller and therefore an entirely different kettle of stuff.

I'm aware of that...

...my main concern has nothing to do with THIS movie. It's a popcorn movie, and that's fine.

My true worry is that a Gates of Fire movie has been in the pipeline for years. If this movie does poorly, it'll NEVER get made.

And that would be a damn shame.

(The same thing happend to Scorcese's Alexander the Great project after Stone beat him to the punch with Alexander)

German Nightmare: You stretched the thread like 300 stretches the truth! :p

The trailer looks good, but so often the only parts that are good in the movie are the ones in the trailer.

And yeah, the Spartan armor seemed a little light. Hoplites generally wore around 1/3 their body weight (figuring an average of 150 pounds in those days) in bronze armor, topped off by a bronze helmet. To approximate the feel of this, get some sacks, fill 'em with rocks to 1/3 your weight, and stick the heaviest bucket you can find on your head. Oh, and then get an eight to ten foot ash pole and try to run with it.

There's a very good description of all this in Victor Davis Hanson's Western Way of War: Infantry Battle in Classical Greece.

German Nightmare: You stretched the thread like 300 stretches the truth! :p
I did? Now, is that good or bad?!? :p

I did? Now, is that good or bad?!? :p

Neither; it's awesome!

Tell Sparta, Stranger passing by,
that here, obedient to their laws, we lie

Prepare to wet yourselves, Ladies and gentlemen (mostly gentlemen)

300 Trailer (http://download.ifilm.com/qt/portal/2773266_300.mov)

For those who don't know of this movie, it's based off the Frank Miller Graphic Novel of the same name which depicts the Spartan stand at Thermopylae against an overwhelming number of Persians to the very last man.

Totally fucking awesome, dude! The Spartans understood that it's far better to die in a great cause than to pass away in your bed. I gotta see this movie! :)

Hmmmm. The fanboy in me is jumping for joy at the initial accuracy of the transfer from graphic novel to film, while the classicist in me is screaming at the historical innacuracies. Sigh.

Looks a lot better than most film adaptations though.

EDIT>> And I've always had a bit of an uneasy feeling about the Spartans. Same with the Romans. I don't quite get this whole love of the Roman empire... facism anyone? As if in 3000 years everyone will forget about Lebensraum and concentration camps, the BBC will start to make docu-dramas about the life of Goebbels, and people will say things like: "Oh, look at the legacy the Third Reich gave us! Volkswagens and Autobahns were just so ahead of the times!"

Neither; it's awesome!
http://www.section.at/img/smiley/hurra.gif Yay! Thanks!!!

(It took me about 10 minutes to get from the original (http://www.sikyon.com/sparta/images/spartan_helmet.jpg) to the smiley)

Can't wait to see the movie! (As if making a smiley doesn't already show my enthusiasm!)

It looks very pretty.... somewhere between Troy, Sin City and Hero.

Sufficient for me to watch it, anyway.

Hopefully the apparent beauty of the piece will be enough to overwhelm the taste of machocrap.

Hopefully the apparent beauty of the piece will be enough to overwhelm the taste of machocrap.
Say hello to Frank Miller, lol.

Hmmmm. The fanboy in me is jumping for joy at the initial accuracy of the transfer from graphic novel to film, while the classicist in me is screaming at the historical innacuracies. Sigh.

Looks a lot better than most film adaptations though.

EDIT>> And I've always had a bit of an uneasy feeling about the Spartans. Same with the Romans. I don't quite get this whole love of the Roman empire... facism anyone? As if in 3000 years everyone will forget about Lebensraum and concentration camps, the BBC will start to make docu-dramas about the life of Goebbels, and people will say things like: "Oh, look at the legacy the Third Reich gave us! Volkswagens and Autobahns were just so ahead of the times!"


The Roman legionary sandal=well ventilated jackboot. However the problem is not so much the Romans, or indeed Greeks, as they did what they did responding to the times. The problem is the agenda laden need to associate and to make fallacious parallels by whoever be the power of the day for the next 2000 years.

Of course, they're not making use of authentic Hoplite combat styles, instead, opting for some sort of bizarre hybrid martial art, that is heavily derived from Philipino martial arts. Which is immensely frustrating from my point of view.

Nor is it even remotely historical accurate. It only enforces the myth that the Spartans were the only greeks forces at Thermopylae, and that there were only 300 men.

Sad really, because the truth is far from this false "fact".

Yeah, I know it's very innacurate in terms of actual history, but that's not what I want to see. If I wanted that I'd watch a documentary.

What I want to see is exaggeration! I want to see armourless Spartans with a gung-ho attitude take on limitless amounts of Persian soldiers! I want to see amazing visuals, sweeping battlefields and crazy costumes! Most of us know what happened in the battle of Thermopylae, this movie is going to show us what we all WISH happened... ;)


Actually, very few people know what really happened at Thermopylae. Infact, I have never even met one who knows that the Spartans had 4-5 thousand allied forces combined on their side. Most people think there were only three hundred spartans in the battle.

Nor is it even remotely historical accurate. It only enforces the myth that the Spartans were the only greeks forces at Thermopylae, and that there were only 300 men.

Sad really, because the truth is far from this false "fact".

Page 4, several hours later, and people are still under the impression this is the documentary of the events that occurred.

Leet me clear it up

THIS IS NOT THE BIOGRAPHICAL THEATRICAL ADAPTATION OF THE EVENTS THAT TOOK PLACE. THIS IS A MOVIE ADAPTED FROM A GRAPHIC NOVEL SOMEWHAT BASED ON ANOTHER MOVIE BASED SOMEWHAT ON THE EVENTS THAT TOOK PLACE.

Thank you, the thread may now continue

It needed to be said, eh?

Looks like Conan with better lighting and a beard.

Page 4, several hours later, and people are still under the impression this is the documentary of the events that occurred.

Leet me clear it up

THIS IS NOT THE BIOGRAPHICAL THEATRICAL ADAPTATION OF THE EVENTS THAT TOOK PLACE. THIS IS A MOVIE ADAPTED FROM A GRAPHIC NOVEL SOMEWHAT BASED ON ANOTHER MOVIE BASED SOMEWHAT ON THE EVENTS THAT TOOK PLACE.

Thank you, the thread may now continue

Well no crap. I'm just a little peeved that so many people believe that the battle of Thermopylae was only fought by 300 spartans. It gets irritating some times. That being said, it does appear to be entertaining movie, but I can tell right now that many people will walk out the movie and think or say "Wow, I can't believe that only 300 spartans did all that!" But oh well... I digress.

Since it's supposed to be based on the graphic novel, if the movie stays true to what actually happened and deviates from the comic, then we will have a much more sinister breed of geek spring up and start howling for blood.

The COMIC BOOK GEEK *cheesy lightning*

But I do understand that people uneducated in the true story of Thermopylae will believe that that is actually what happened, that 300 Spartans and ONLY 300 spartans defended that pass to the last man, which of course wasn't the case.

The true number of Persians they fought and killed are in all likelihood much less than Greek accounts. The legends say a million, but even 1% of that (10,000) would be impressive for 300 to hold up.

The true number of Persians they fought and killed are in all likelihood much less than Greek accounts. The legends say a million, but even 1% of that (10,000) would be impressive for 300 to hold up.

In actuality, there were close to 6000 Greek forces. The number Persians, however was quite daunting, with numbers ranging from as low as 200,000 to well above the five million mark. However, the reason why the Greeks held so long was largely due to terrain, as the vast Persian forces could not surround and flank the Greeks, making sheer numbers practically useless. Having a numeric advantage is only useful if you can flank the enemy, and nothing more. Against a spear wall, with no way to flank, numbers are, for all intensive purposes, useless.

But bah. Whatever. I'm just irked by people who think that there were only 300 Spartans(There are so many who believe this), and that pure verocity and skill of the Spartans was what won the day(Although the Spartans lost the battle, they succeeded in the point of the battle, which kind of makes it a greek Victory.)

In actuality, there were close to 6000 Greek forces. The number Persians, however was quite daunting, with numbers ranging from as low as 200,000 to well above the five million mark. However, the reason why the Greeks held so long was largely due to terrain, as the vast Persian forces could not surround and flank the Greeks, making sheer numbers practically useless. Having a numeric advantage is only useful if you can flank the enemy, and nothing more. Against a spear wall, with no way to flank, numbers are, for all intensive purposes, useless.

But bah. Whatever. I'm just irked by people who think that there were only 300 Spartans(There are so many who believe this), and that pure verocity and skill of the Spartans was what won the day(Although the Spartans lost the battle, they succeeded in the point of the battle, which kind of makes it a greek Victory.)


Indeed, there was never only 300 Spartans, there was 300 Spartans and 700 Thespians, and that was only after the Greek traitor Ephialtes (I think that's his name) led the Persian army through a path around the mountain pass, causing Leonidas to dismiss the bulk of the Greek army. In fact, there were the Thebans too, but no-one acknowledges them because of the fact that they were forced to stay, being slaves and all.

I love historical movies with a mythological twist. Everyone knows the whole "then we shall fight in the shade" line...but does everyone know the significance of kicking the Persian Emissary down a well? Thats a good story too :)

The true number of Persians they fought and killed are in all likelihood much less than Greek accounts. The legends say a million, but even 1% of that (10,000) would be impressive for 300 to hold up.
Heh - the Finns in World War II did about as well as that, so meh.

Plus this looks extremely over-dramatised. Bleh. It will doubtless actually be quite rubbish, from the looks of it.

I love historical movies with a mythological twist. Everyone knows the whole "then we shall fight in the shade" line...but does everyone know the significance of kicking the Persian Emissary down a well? Thats a good story too :)
This film is only historical in the "it's set in the past" sense and nothing more.