Should We Beware of Greek movies bearing bad history and jingoistic subtexts?

Question

Visually and aesthetically, 300 is an impressive movie. Unfortunately, it is also a jingoistic bastardization of history that, intended or not, reinforces our cultural prejudices against Iran and the Middle East.

“The film 300 is a work of fiction inspired by the Frank Miller graphic novel and loosely based on an historical event."

Ah, so that makes it all right, does it? Miller and Warner Brothers invoke the “it’s just entertainment” defence and we’re supposed to excuse deliberate inaccuracies?! If that holds for moviemakers, perhaps it should also hold elsewhere:

• “Excuse me, your honour, I did not commit perjury. I just meant to entertain the jury.”

• “I did not lie to Congress about uranium shipments to Iraq. I merely reimagined facts to fit my vision of what I wanted to happen.”

Answer 1

Hate to inform you but the battle of Thermopylae did take place and the movie is not so far from the true story as you think. And by the way it is not a greek movie, as you say in your question, it is an american one.

In the Battle of Thermopylae of 480 BC, an alliance of Greek city-states fought the invading Persian Empire at the pass of Thermopylae in central Greece. Vastly outnumbered, the Greeks held back the Persians for three days in one of history's most famous last stands. A small force led by King Leonidas of Sparta blocked the only road through which the massive army of Xerxes I could pass. After three days of battle, a local resident named Ephialtes betrayed the Greeks by revealing a mountain path that led behind the Greek lines. Dismissing the rest of the army, King Leonidas stayed behind with 300 Spartans and 700 Thespian volunteers. The Persians succeeded in taking the pass but sustained heavy losses, extremely disproportionate to those of the Greeks. The fierce resistance of the Spartan-led army offered Athens the invaluable time to prepare for a decisive naval battle that would come to determine the outcome of the war. The subsequent Greek victory at the Battle of Salamis left much of the Persian Empire's navy destroyed and Xerxes I was forced to retreat back to Asia, leaving his army in Greece under Mardonius, who was to meet the Greeks in battle one last time. The Spartans assembled at full strength and led a pan-Greek army that defeated the Persians decisively at the Battle of Plataea, ending the Greco-Persian War and with it the expansion of the Persian Empire into Europe.

The performance of the defenders at the battle of Thermopylae is often used as an example of the advantages of training, equipment, and good use of terrain to maximize an army's potential,and has become a symbol of courage against overwhelming odds. The sacrifice of the Spartans and the Thespians has captured the minds of many throughout the ages and has given birth to many cultural references as a result.

Answer 2

I think you just answered your one lopsided question.

“The film 300 is a work of fiction inspired by the Frank Miller graphic novel and loosely based on an historical event."

notice the word FICTION.

any one who takes the movie as truth is mentally deficient.

I study history rather religiously and I know the difference in historical drama and historical fiction.

did the movie "Valley of the wolves" (you know the cartoon that shows Americans soldiers as children killers that sell the organs of the dead to a Jewish doctor) affect you equally as negatively?

if you want historical accuracy in a movie, good luck, the closest thing I have seen to a real historically accurate film was "Tora Tora Tora" and even that had some faults.

the basics of the story were true. now if the Spartans were using ray guns I may have a problem with this film.

other wise your griping about nothing.

Answer 3

Are you people stupid, or just American??

I argue that you cannot call a distorion of history legitimate "fiction" yet none of you bothered to read my arguments.


I don't deny that the Battle of Thermopylae happened, as some of you have implied. I just object to Frank Miller's fabrications to make warmongering look noble.

Finally, your knee-jerk defences of the movie and attacks on me for criticizing it confirm that cinematic dreck is influential and that too many moviegoers have the mentality of popcorn.

Does honesty mean nothing to you people??!

Answer 4

As opposed to the incredibly accurate films "An Inconvenient Truth" , "JFK",or "Fahrenheit 9/11"?

The battle that the movie depicts happened.

Since when has Hollywood ever been worried about accuracy.

Answer 5

The battle depicted in the movie really did happen. Apparently you wish to change history. BTW, no movie is 100% accurate that is why they say 'based' on a true story.

Answer 6

It's just a movie based on a comic book. Perhaps you'd have a point if it was being represented as a documentary.

Answer 7

Ironically, 300 is the number of troops that Rumsfeld initially wanted to send to Iraq for the cakewalk.

Answer 8

It's entertainment. Get over it. You don't like the movie, exercise your constitutional right and keep your worthless butt out of the theater.

Answer 9

No, in free countries you have a choice not to believe everything you see in the movies.

Answer 10

300 was about as historically accurate as "My Big Fat Greek Wedding."