I have seen the movie "300" twice now!?

Question

I love this movie! Can anyone tell me if this is true that there once was this army of 300 that so bravely fought against so many during this time.

Answer 1

Of course it's true!!The movie is based on true hystorical events!that happened during the Persians Wars.

Answer 2

Once the Spartans, being greatly outnumbered, did stand up to the Persians but remember that it's a historical fact that's been distorted in the telling and retelling until, now, it's a legend and can't be considered to be historical fact.

Secondly, the story was made into a graphic novel (comic book for adults) and so it was further distorted (such as adding mutant Persian warriors with swords as arms or whatever).

Thirdly, the graphic novel was then made into the movie and they wanted an artistic rendering not a literal and historically accurate rending of the battle and times.

Lastly, keep in mind the movie is told from the narrator's viewpoint. The guy who lost his eye and was sent back to Sparta with the King's necklace is telling the tale and, naturally, his own perceptions and emotions are coloring what he tells and, consequently, what we see because it's meant to be as if he's telling us and the rest of the Spartans the story

So, is it "true?" It's based on fact but it's fictionalized fact.

Answer 3

It's a great movie but it's almost COMPLETELY fictional. Almost everything about it is fictitious except for the fact that the battle took place and was won. All other details were fabricated. My history professor was laughing at the fact that some people are actually taking it as history.
Enjoy it, but it's no more accurate than Harry Potter (another fantastic set of movies).

A Greek friend of mine who's a historian sent me this article written by a history scholar and professor who was born in Greece from Persian parents and had extensilvely studied both histories. Here's what he wrote about the liberties taken with the truth in the making of the movie. It's still a great movie, but this is more to address the uneducated people like the "classy" person who posted after me! ;o)
http://www.payvand.com/news/07/mar/1246.html

Answer 4

Is it true? Well that is kinda a mixed bag. Yeah it is loosely based on a real battle. As was said there were MORE then 300. Although most movies aren't really historically accurate, doesn't make for as good of a story.

Answer 5

Actually, it was closer to 1000 (the 300 Spartans and 700 other greeks).

It is the Battle of Thermopylae (480 BC)

Answer 6

According to historical legend it is true. The movie is based on a graphic novel, however, so you shouldn't use it as a history lesson by any means.
I LOVED the movie, too!

Answer 7

You can go to IMDb.com, and go to the 300 page and see their FAQ's. It's user edited, like Wikipedia, so I don't know how reliable it is.

Answer 8

TJTB I GUESS YOUR PROFESSOR IS A ***** IDIOT! THE MOVIE IS BASED ON A NOVEL BY FRANK MILLER, THE NOVEL IS BASED ON AN ACTUAL BATTLE, THE BATTLE OF THERMOPLYAE.