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.
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.[/spoiler]
– IG
Here is one from *Arms and Armour * by F. Wilkinson.
Anything primary?
This isn’t a primary source either, but it says that the hoplites present at Thermopylae, at least, wore armor:
I’ve heard that’s where Biggus Dickus really made a name for himself.
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.
Huh. So they just
acted like soldiers
then. Interesting.
[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.
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.
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.
Thanks, think I’ll pick me a copy up asap
Or Amazon, if there’s no local comic shop.
Duh, yeah. Them too. Thanks, Miller. 
Most of the ones I know of dating back to the 7th century BCE show fully armed hoplites, but then I haven’t seen everything yet. No matter.