The 300

Parent Cafe
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<p>There has been a lot of buzz about this movie and how its historically inaccurate and offensive to persians or things like that. </p>

<p>we know its embellished and greatly exaggerated (i’m sure there were no 40 foot tall elephants…) but regardless, i’m having trouble saying if the movie is a true story or not. Obviously is based on an actual event and the ‘framework’ is correct - that 300 spartans + 3000 or 4000 greek allies held off the persian army until they were betrayed. I put it up there with a John Wayne WWII movie - obviously the the war happened, and the basic plot is there, but all the inner workings are made so theres an actual story to make an interesting movie/comic book.</p>

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<p>The key to putting it together is remembering that the whole thing is NARRATED and, without spoiling it, remember who is speaking and to whom.</p>

<p>Then, y’know, that it’s a movie based on a comic book. IMDB trivia has a quote from one of the creators that admits they changed the Phalanx to make it “look cooler” or some such. Historical accuracy is so not the point.</p>

<p>All the same, given the historical accounts we have of it, it does what any good retelling does: keeps the important framework and ditches all the details that make it boring. :)</p>

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<p>^^What could look “cooler” than a real phalanx? According to ancient observers, when the hoplites in the first 6 to 8 rows of an advancing phalanx all lowered their spears in perfect unison, on command, at the beginning of an attack, it presented one of the most impressive (i.e. frightening if you were the enemy) sights of that era.</p>

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<p>Saw the movie yesterday with my son. Liked it. Its def. a guys movie. Really didnt care about the historical accuracy or lack thereof. </p>

<p>We talked on the way home about things as widespread as the necessary sharpness, weight, and force to swing a sword to completely sever a leg and send it sprawling end over end through the air spewing blood to how many takes it required to film the sex scenes…"CUT. need a little more swing of the boobs there Queen. CUT No No, swing them a lttle left then right then up and down. NOT just up and down!!!</p>

<p>Fun time with DS. He’s eighteen, and hasn’t asked for his Dad to take him to the movies for quite some time. And I don’t think it was just for Dad to spend the $5.75 for the matinee. He turned down the op. to go see the movie with his friends the night before. I felt honored.</p>

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<p>Actually, I own a press that will put the image of the Virgin Mary on a slice of toast. </p>

<p>It amazes our friends.</p>

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<p>^^ And how many have you sold on EbAY??</p>

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<p>my almost 16 year old son wants to see this…his dad told me it’s R but “just” for violence?
sounds like bad information…</p>

<p>loved the vivid re-enactment of the boob swinging Queen, pjp…</p>

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<p>Um I saw 300 yesterday and it was amazing</p>

<p>Im pretty knowledgeable about the battle and the time period, and I dont really think its historically accurate however that doesn’t take away from the amazingness of that movie</p>

<p>ya, the R rating definitly didn’t come from the just the violence, I think the orgy in Xerxes tent could have had something to do with it, along with the rape, the dancing oracle lady, and the vivid sex scene with Leonidas</p>

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<p>Iranian official lashes out at Hollywood movie “300” for insulting Persian civilization</p>

<p><a href=“http://english.people.com.cn/200703/12/eng20070312_356565.html[/url]”>http://english.people.com.cn/200703/12/eng20070312_356565.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Well I guess there are political overtones. May not rank up there with cartoons on Mohammed so hopefully the producers don’t have to worry about being murdered.</p>

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<p>Its a legend, so historical facts, eh</p>

<p>But I have no desire to see this movie…</p>

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<p>What’s a legend? The Marathon runner story or Thermopylae?</p>

<p>I don’t have a particular desire to see the movie either. More interested though in how big a hit this movie will be and why.</p>

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<p>^ Not really difficult questions there. Sex and Violence combined with visually appealing cinematography amid a historically based story line. Seems to have appeal for a rather large audience. Perhaps not many females.</p>

<p>Talking about it with DS a couple days later…he didnt seem to find the nudity the least bit appealing. He (and his friends upon further discussion at school on Monday) thought the queens breasts werent attractive, while small in relative size…they took up about a 10’ diameter on the large screen. Didnt have the heart to tell him that they resembled very closely…His mothers. Didnt feel the need to share that with him.</p>

<p>Admittedly, at first the somewhat “grainy” imagery used was a little hard to appreciate. It grew on me. It was actually a visually appealing flick</p>

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<p>Islamic Republic of Iran News Network (IRINN TV) on “300”: “Zionist Warner Company” Propaganda Against Iran</p>

<p>To view this Special Dispatch in HTML, visit:
<a href=“Islamic Republic of Iran News Network (IRINN TV) on "300": "Zionist Warner Company" Propaganda Against Iran | MEMRI”>Islamic Republic of Iran News Network (IRINN TV) on "300": "Zionist Warner Company" Propaganda Against Iran | MEMRI; .</p>

<p>The recently released Hollywood film “300” has stirred a great deal of negative reaction from the Iranian government and media, which is accusing it of “intentional insults to the country’s ancient culture” and “serving the policy of the U.S. leadership.”(1) </p>

<p>Further, Iranian government spokesman Gholam Hossein Elham called it a “cultural intrusion against Iran” and reiterated that “the Iranian nation and those involved in cultural activities will respond to such a cultural aggression.” (2)</p>

<p>On March 13, 2007, IRINN TV included commentary which called the film part of a Zionist conspiracy. The following is the transcript. </p>

<p>TO VIEW THIS CLIP VISIT: <a href=“MEMRI TV | MEMRI”>MEMRI TV | MEMRI; .</p>

<p>Reporter: “Tonight, IRINN commentary also sheds more light on the conspiracy behind the screening of this anti-culture Hollywood film.” </p>

<p>Voiceover: "The screening of the movie ‘300,’ which has depicted war between the Persians and the Greeks, using an unreal and fabricated story, is facing a wave of protests and criticism by Iranians both inside and outside the country. Warner Bros., which belongs to the famous and rich American Jew, is the company that has made the movie. </p>

<p>"This movie, which is totally against Persian culture and civilization, could be considered a production by Zionists and a group of American extremists. </p>

<p>"The film ‘300’ shows the historical war between Persians, at the time of King Xerxes, with the Spartans. The director wrongly depicts the Persians as being violent and warmongers. This film is a complete distortion of history. It shows the Spartans, who were warmongers and racists and violent, as peace lovers, and the Persians as uncivilized ? which is nothing but a lie. </p>

<p>"In addition to distortion of history, the Zionist Warner Company is also pursuing cultural and political objectives by producing such a film which has a very shallow script. From the cultural point of view, the Zionists and the elements affiliated to the U.S. have tried to launch a propaganda front against ancient and historical roots of Iranians, and the hasty production of this film is an indication of its propaganda aspect. But the political intentions of Warner have been more important than anything else. </p>

<p>“This film tries to paint a violent image of Persians who are against peace in today?s world, in order to increase the international political pressure on Iran. This is while films should be made of crimes committed by the Americans, throughout history, all around the world, and it should be shown what the so-called civilized Zionists and Americans are doing today with human rights and humanity.”</p>

<p>Endnotes:
(1) Fars news agency (Iran), March 15, 2007 <a href=“MEMRI Blogs | MEMRI”>MEMRI Blogs | MEMRI; .
(2) IRNA and Fars news agencies (Iran), March 13, 2007 <a href=“MEMRI Blogs | MEMRI”>MEMRI Blogs | MEMRI; .</p>

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<p>All 230 years of it.</p>

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<p>Wonder if they would have preferred a movie about the Battle of Tours? Charles the Hammer lays it on Abdul Rahman Al Ghafiqi.</p>

<p>Chuck resurrected the Greek Phalanx for that one and it still worked quite well It made Shish Kabob of the Muslim cavalry.</p>