Ancient history's Alamo was the Spartan guard of King Leonidas who held the Persian army at Thermopylae, 300 men against the army of King Xerxes which numbered in the thousands. It's the oldest last stand story in recorded history and an inspiration for all that followed.
The plot in fact is remarkably similar to John Wayne's version of The Alamo and a little bit of Fort Apache thrown in as well. Richard Egan as the Spartan King and a bit more of a modern constitutional monarch in the film than he was in real life. The Greek city states prize their precious independence so much so that they cannot unite in the face of overwhelming danger. Egan is similarly boxed in when he tries to mobilize Spartan opinion as it conflicts with some religious festival. Only the 300 men of his personal guard can he command and off he goes to save Greece itself knowing full well they all might die.
Doing his best to help is Themistocles of Athens played by the erudite Ralph Richardson. He shares Egan's view of a united Greece, but who's to do the uniting, always a problem in these situations.
You could not make a film today that is such an embrace of the Spartan militaristic culture as The 300 Spartans. Still this was the society this particular city/state developed.
Director Rudolph Mate an old hand at action films staged the battle scenes impressively. I would also like to single out David Farrar as King Xerxes, a single minded adventure/conqueror as the world ever has seen.
The 300 Spartans, a rousing tribute to some very brave men in the ancient Greek world.
The plot in fact is remarkably similar to John Wayne's version of The Alamo and a little bit of Fort Apache thrown in as well. Richard Egan as the Spartan King and a bit more of a modern constitutional monarch in the film than he was in real life. The Greek city states prize their precious independence so much so that they cannot unite in the face of overwhelming danger. Egan is similarly boxed in when he tries to mobilize Spartan opinion as it conflicts with some religious festival. Only the 300 men of his personal guard can he command and off he goes to save Greece itself knowing full well they all might die.
Doing his best to help is Themistocles of Athens played by the erudite Ralph Richardson. He shares Egan's view of a united Greece, but who's to do the uniting, always a problem in these situations.
You could not make a film today that is such an embrace of the Spartan militaristic culture as The 300 Spartans. Still this was the society this particular city/state developed.
Director Rudolph Mate an old hand at action films staged the battle scenes impressively. I would also like to single out David Farrar as King Xerxes, a single minded adventure/conqueror as the world ever has seen.
The 300 Spartans, a rousing tribute to some very brave men in the ancient Greek world.