Anyone Seen the Trailer Yet for 300?

Operation Ripper · #1 01-14-2007, 06:49 PM

Just saw it for the first time on TV. Apparently it's an adaption of a Frank Miller graphic novel about the Battle of Thermopylae, so I don't know how historical it will be, but it looks wicked. Here's its website for any interested. Being a history buff, I'm looking forward to it, don't know squat about Miller though.

Hey, It's That Guy! · #2 01-14-2007, 07:58 PM

Miller wrote and drew the Sin City graphic novels and codirected that movie, so if you saw it, you're familiar with his hard-boiled prose, love of violence, and unique visual style.

He also wrote memorable storylines for Batman and Daredevil for DC and Marvel Comics, respectively.

Queen Bruin · #3 01-14-2007, 08:48 PM

Despite the utter divergence from historical truth, I'm really looking forward to it. I feel (on the basis of the trailer) that the general badass spirit of Sparta is conveyed pretty well.

Also, half naked hotties, woohoo!

liirogue · #4 01-14-2007, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Queen Bruin

Despite the utter divergence from historical truth, I'm really looking forward to it. I feel (on the basis of the trailer) that the general badass spirit of Sparta is conveyed pretty well.

Also, half naked hotties, woohoo!

Can you shed some light on it's historical inaccuracies?

Queen Bruin · #5 01-14-2007, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by liirogue

Can you shed some light on it's historical inaccuracies?

1. Half naked hotties. Hoplites wore cuirass, greaves, and a leather skirt.
2. Hello, battle rhinos? Give me a break.
3. Dunno about the rest, but this is based on a graphic novel, not Herodotus, so I imagine it's going to be about a "3" on the historicity scale.

Operation Ripper · #6 01-14-2007, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Queen Bruin

battle rhinos

OMFG, yes!

sturmhauke · #7 01-14-2007, 09:16 PM

The trailer also seemed to show some giants or ogres or something, which I think we can agree didn't actually exist. Some of the dialogue is taken from historical texts though, like Xerxes saying the Persian arrows would darken the sky, and Leonidas saying the Spartans could then fight in the shade.

Hey, It's That Guy! · #8 01-14-2007, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sturmhauke

The trailer also seemed to show some giants or ogres or something, which I think we can agree didn't actually exist. Some of the dialogue is taken from historical texts though, like Xerxes saying the Persian arrows would darken the sky, and Leonidas saying the Spartans could then fight in the shade.

I think the giant/ogre was one of the malformed or disfigured Spartan castoffs that joined the Persian forces, but I'm not sure because I haven't read the graphic novel.

Tuckerfan · #9 01-14-2007, 09:31 PM

Yeah, I've seen it, and I've showed it to some friends, and we all agree, even if the story sucks, it's going to look damned cool on the screen. No doubt the success of Gladiator and Sin City are responsible for this being made. I bet that this film has got Ridley Scott a bit steamed since he wanted to have a rhino fight in Gladiator, but couldn't.

Odesio · #10 01-14-2007, 11:41 PM

Didn't these people wear armor? Heh. I used to admire the Spartans a lot until I read more about them. Man, those guys were a bunch of crazy bastards. I especially loved the part wher Leonides (I think) talks about a new age of freedom. Heh heh, pay no attention to the Helots behind the curtain.

Marc

Diogenes the Cynic · #11 01-14-2007, 11:54 PM

I'm probably going to see this just because I like the subject matter but I think Steven Pressfield's Gates of Fire was richer and more accurate treatment of this battle and of the Spartans in general.

Bobotheoptimist · #12 01-15-2007, 12:00 AM

What the...? I didn't see any half-naked hotties, just a bunch of dudes

That said, looks deeply cool.

Queen Bruin · #13 01-15-2007, 12:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobotheoptimist

What the...? I didn't see any half-naked hotties, just a bunch of dudes

That said, looks deeply cool.

You obviously have the wrong orientation then, 'cause I just see hotties.

Jonathan Chance · #14 01-15-2007, 08:15 AM

PLEASE tell me they'll include the hairdressing scene.

Can Handle the Truth · #15 01-15-2007, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Queen Bruin

1. Half naked hotties. Hoplites wore cuirass, greaves, and a leather skirt.

Actually, a lot of hoplites fought naked except for helmet and shield.

Gordon Urquhart · #16 01-15-2007, 04:40 PM

I've seen a trailer for 300 a couple of times (both times that I saw Casino Royale, IIRC); it looks absolutely stunning.

There's a lot of interest from graphic novel readers in how Zack Snyder, the director and screenwriter, handles 300: his next project is Watchmen. (Of course, he's not the first to be attached to a film version of Watchmen; this movie's had a lot of starts and stops.)

Quartz · #17 01-15-2007, 04:49 PM

I too am looking forward to this film. I have no expectation of any historical accuracy, but I'll be looking for all the good lines. Hopefully it'll be resounding success and they'll follow it up with the Battle of Salamis.

Queen Bruin · #18 01-15-2007, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Can Handle the Truth

Actually, a lot of hoplites fought naked except for helmet and shield.

Do you have a cite? Not being snarky, just genuinely curious.

Tangent · #19 01-15-2007, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quartz

Hopefully it'll be resounding success and they'll follow it up with the Battle of Salamis.

The Battle of Salamis? I guess that's an appropriate name for a fight between a bunch of naked men.

Miller · #20 01-15-2007, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quartz

I too am looking forward to this film. I have no expectation of any historical accuracy, but I'll be looking for all the good lines. Hopefully it'll be resounding success and they'll follow it up with the Battle of Salamis.

I don't think Frank Miller's done a comic about that.

DigitalC · #21 01-15-2007, 08:33 PM

I have to say thats probably the best trailer i've ever seen. I was already interested in watching this when i heard about this, but now i can't wait for it to come out.

Improv Geek · #22 01-15-2007, 11:13 PM

I saw the trailer and then went out and ordered the graphic novel. Miller takes some license with the story, but it is historically based. He cites references at the end of the graphic novel. Think 'Kingdom of Heaven,' it's got a loose tie to the "true" history. Heck, 300 might even be more factual than KoH.

Here is the storyline, spoilered. When I say spoilers, I mean BIG HONKING NO DOUBT LEFT TO THE STORY SPOILERS:

SPOILER:

Leonidas is the King of the Spartans. Sparta is a state within the Greek empire, but the Greek empire is not centralized and it's more of an alliance / union than a true empire. Word comes down that Persia is advancing and they're a fearsome power. Persia sends emissaries to all the different states of Greece and offers them the deal - join the Persian empire, pay a tribute, and go on living your life. Many Greek states accept, others do not. Guess what, Leonidas does not. In fact, Leonidas kicks the emissary into the pit, as shown in the trailer.

Up to this point, it is all factual according to historians.

The religious rulers of Sparta, due to a religious holiday, refuse to let Leonidas march out with his full army. So Leonidas finds a way around this by deciding to take a long walk, with his personal guard of 300 soldiers. He knows he can't wait for the holiday to pass and still make any sort of stand against Persia, he has to march out and choose the point where they will meet. So instead of bringing thousands of soldiers to a less than good field of battle, he brings 300 soldiers to the prime field of battle.

He is met by groups from other Greek states. 700 Thespians and 6000 other Greeks remain. So in total the Greek force is 7000 strong, to face a Persian army that is popularly believed to have been over 200,000 strong. The number varies depending on the historian.

Here is where Frank Miller's story breaks from history. His story says that the Greek traitor, Ephialtes, was malformed and rejected from the Spartan army by a very kind Leonidas. It was Ephialtes life dream to fight with the Spartans, but due to his deformed body, he was unable to do the most basic of movements required to fight in the phalanx. Leonidas is kind in his refusal of Ephialtes' service, but Ephialtes is crushed and being local to the field of battle - a chasm called "The Hot Gates."

Leonidas had set up an inpenetrable defense with Xerxes, the Persian commander, sending thousands to their death as he tried to push through the gate. The Spartans mowed down all who he sent to them with very few casualties of their own. They also decimated a force of Persians called "The Immortals" who were the elite fighting force.

So facing this impregnable defense, Ephialtes is Xerxes' savior who shows him the goat path which goes around the gate. Leonidas knew about the path and stationed the 700 Thespians there as a stop gap to slow them in hopes of the Spartans mounting defense on both sides. It was fruitless, the Thespians were not prepared and were decimated with little trouble.

Leonidas had no illusion of victory, his was only a dream of the grandest of battles and one which would slow the Persians enough to make them re-think the conquest.

There is more to the story, but that is it in broad strokes, according to Frank Millers graphic novel - they may take more freedom with the story in its movie form, but according to the trailer I don't see much.

Oh! The scene with the boy and the wolf refers to a trial young Spartans face to make them a man, where they are thrown out in the wilderness as children and they must survive. Leonidas not only survives, he slays the wolf and thus goes on to become the Spartan leader.

-- IG

Can Handle the Truth · #23 01-15-2007, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Queen Bruin

Do you have a cite?

Here is one from Arms and Armour by F. Wilkinson.

Queen Bruin · #24 01-16-2007, 12:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Can Handle the Truth

Here is one from Arms and Armour by F. Wilkinson.

Anything primary?

sturmhauke · #25 01-16-2007, 01:22 AM

This isn't a primary source either, but it says that the hoplites present at Thermopylae, at least, wore armor:

Quote:

Their hoplites wear bronze Corinthian helmets, a cuirass of bronze or several layers of fabric, a hoplon, or shield that weighed eight kilograms, a pair of bronze greaves for the legs and handled a long spear (Moerbeek 13)... The Immortals were scantily armored for their reputation and compared to the amount of armor seen on a Spartan/Athenian hoplite, the Immortals looked naked. An Immortal wears a corset of metal plates under his tunic for some protection. His shield, called the gerron, is made of wicker and leather. While the gerron might be able to guard an Immortal from arrows, this could not stop a well-aimed attack from a sword. Their main weapon was the bow but it was useless in this battle and they instead used a short spear (Moerbeek 20). The Immortals wore soft caps made of fabric called tiaras which was more useful in guarding his face from sand storms in a desert march than in battle. However, the Immortals were considered the elite part the Persian army; they proved themselves against the Spartans.

Tuckerfan · #26 01-16-2007, 02:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tangent

The Battle of Salamis? I guess that's an appropriate name for a fight between a bunch of naked men.

I've heard that's where Biggus Dickus really made a name for himself.

cbawlmer · #27 01-16-2007, 12:49 PM

I saw the full film last month with the director in attendance. Our cut was 99% complete, Snyder said it just needed some FX tweaking in a few spots. It's very faithful to what I remember of the graphic novel, especially as far as the look of the film. Therefore as historical accuracy goes, it's about as reliable as the comic.

It's really cool, though. Full of awesome battle scenes with plenty of gnarly R-rated violence. As a bonus: barely-dressed buff guys and a few half-naked ladies too.

saoirse · #28 01-16-2007, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Improv Geek

SPOILER:

-- IG

Huh. So they just

SPOILER:

then. Interesting.

scott62 · #29 01-16-2007, 03:43 PM

[quote=cbawlmer]It's very faithful to what I remember of the graphic novel, QUOTE]

Where could I get a copy of the graphic novel?

I've watched the trailer a few times but only on my pc which is way less than HD or even good. Visually stunning, I can't wait for it be released in the U.K.

Can Handle the Truth · #30 01-16-2007, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Queen Bruin

Anything primary?

Just a whole lot of naked hoplites painted on vases or carved in marble. The drawing that I posted was actually copied from an original greek relief.

cbawlmer · #31 01-16-2007, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scott62

Where could I get a copy of the graphic novel?

A comic book shop would be your best bet.

lexan · #32 01-16-2007, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cbawlmer

A comic book shop would be your best bet.

I've noticed that Barnes & Noble and Borders have both had it in stock recently--they tend to stock up on graphic novels or comic anthologies when movie adaptations are going to be released soon.

scott62 · #33 01-16-2007, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lexan

I've noticed that Barnes & Noble and Borders have both had it in stock recently--they tend to stock up on graphic novels or comic anthologies when movie adaptations are going to be released soon.

Thanks, think I'll pick me a copy up asap