Huge demonstarions world wide against "The 300"
That is what Iran says is sure to result from the Hollywood attack on Iran in releasing the movie "The 300"
The movie is based on a comic book rendition of one of the greatest against the odds in military history and Iran claims people all over the world will be outraged and protest the indignation heaped on the Iranian people so unfairly.
While I have no seen the flick but it supposedly depicts the Persians as demons and sub human which (those of us that study history) know is certainly not true.
They were a great empire very cultured and advanced but lacking what the 300 had; Freedom!!!!
I doubt the left wing fantasy Hollywood was looking to prop up GWB and go after the Iranians but it looks like they did a good job ignorantly.
There is really no way to tell that story without making the Persians look bad.
300 men standing in front of all the armies of the known world and saying you will not pass through me and then for a week kicking their butts all over Thermopylae and they only were over come by a traitor that allowed the Persians to get around them or the battle might still be going on today!!!
Few men ever lived that were as brave and none were ever braver, that is just not possible!
Exaggerated, embellished and twisted no matter how that story will always be a good one
Wulfmann
The movie is based on a comic book rendition of one of the greatest against the odds in military history and Iran claims people all over the world will be outraged and protest the indignation heaped on the Iranian people so unfairly.
While I have no seen the flick but it supposedly depicts the Persians as demons and sub human which (those of us that study history) know is certainly not true.
They were a great empire very cultured and advanced but lacking what the 300 had; Freedom!!!!
I doubt the left wing fantasy Hollywood was looking to prop up GWB and go after the Iranians but it looks like they did a good job ignorantly.
There is really no way to tell that story without making the Persians look bad.
300 men standing in front of all the armies of the known world and saying you will not pass through me and then for a week kicking their butts all over Thermopylae and they only were over come by a traitor that allowed the Persians to get around them or the battle might still be going on today!!!
Few men ever lived that were as brave and none were ever braver, that is just not possible!
Exaggerated, embellished and twisted no matter how that story will always be a good one
Wulfmann
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was it just me or did they make zerses seem queer 0 -
History says the 300 Spartans were not alone. There were between 1000 - 1500 other Greek soldiers that stayed to fight with them. They mostly gaurded the Spartans rear defense. The "Traitors" were actually about 3000 soldiers that guarded a mountain pass that lead around the Spartan defense. These men believed that the 10,000+ Persians that were making their way through that pass, were going to attack the city state to which these men were citizens. They withdrew from the pass to protect the people and property of their homeland.
The Spartans stayed to give the rest of the Greek States time to gather defenses and prepare for attack. The Spartan King Leonidis, fully believed he was destined to die in the battle as he had been told that his life was the price of a Greek victory. The other Spartans (as well as the other 1000 - 1500 greeks) chose to stay with him.
Just watched it on the History Channel. [:D] But as everything you see on T.V., it's open to interpritation.0 -
upon the conquest of Persia, Alexander the Great sent to Athens 300 suits of Persian armour with the following inscription "Alexander son of Philip, and the Greeks - except the Spartans - from the barbarians living in Asia".
"The Genius of Alexander the Great", Nicholas G. Hammond, p. 690 -
The term Barbarian is actually the Greek word for stranger and originally had no ill meaning.
After the Persian wars using it with a "tone" denoted something along the lines as our modern meaning.
The Spartans bore most of the fighting until encircled allowing the other Greeks their chance to die.
Leonidas has hoped the entire Spartan army would come to Thermopylae but they betrayed him and stayed in Peloponnesus. After Salamis they did march north and those 5,000 decimated the 100,000 Persians at Platea with help from the other Greeks who when the Spartans alone were engaging the entire Persian army---again--- they did not fear the death of the Spartans, they feared the Spartans would kill them all before they got some of the glory so double timed it to get in on the rout!!
Interestingly, after the famous retreat of the 10,000 it was Sparta that came up with the theory that a small mobile army could conquer all of the Persian Empire. After 10,000 Spartans had conquered all of Asia Minor the Persians bribed Athens into declaring war on Sparta forcing the army to make for home and sparing Persia; until Alexander, of course.
This was considered the worst act of betrayal in the history of Athens and in those times she never lived down the shame.
Greek history is a like a Greek play!!!
Wulfmann0 -
I want to see it in an I-Max theatre.....but I rarely get to go to ANY type of theatre...so who am I kidding? 0 -
going to watch it tonight! 30 minutes left to the download[:D] 0 -
I rather enjoyed the movie. My kid brother and I lucked out and saw the very first showing in my city.
They went a little overboard with their portrayal of the Persians, but it is not supposed to be a historical movie. It is a comic book version of the battle (all a "graphic novel" is is a comic book with adult themes)0 -
If you read about the Spartans I don't think the word "freedom" would be a word you would choose to use. There really wasn't much of anything about their culture that could be admired except their fighting prowess. 0 -
The Spartans were the very purpose of the expression, "Unfortunately, after long stretches of war there must occasionally be peace."
It was the peace they weren't so hot at. They really bent over backwards to ensure that the actual full-blooded Spartan males (called peers) knew nothing but war.
They had a massive hierarchy of non-citizens (running the gamut from the "pretty much citizens without the blood rights" perioeci class down to the chattel slaves) to handle everything and ensure that the Spartan peers had no need to do anything but drill for war, all day, every day.
They were true monsters though, make no doubt. Easily 9/10ths of the reviews I've read for 300 commented on how "unrealistic" and pointlessly macho it was for the Spartans to be so muscular and bloodthirsty. Like they were Sly Stallone or Arnold or something. I hate to tell them, that's pretty much how they were.
These days men arm wrestle to see who's tougher. The Spartans used to take turns flogging each other to the point of unconsciousness. Saying uncle wasn't even considered. The one who stayed conscious the longest was the winner.
PS- Xerxes was quite a wuss when compared to Leonidas. He had never actually fought anybody, had been pampered as an emperor from birth, and was worshipped as a living god by the Persians.0 -
What a surprise: Iran upset about the truth.
I've seen it. Pretty good, but not quite as good as I was expecting. I think one (unstated) reason this may be going on is that the story is told in a way that COULD remind one of the current conflict in Iraq with the good guys and villians lining up on unexpected sides, at least by modern Hollywood standards.0 -
As the Spartans were devising their military state, they realized that they needed someone to work the fields so that all the Spartan men could train for war. The Spartans conquered the neighboring city-state of Messenia, and forced the entire population into slavery. These slaves were called helots. While slavery was commonplace in the Greek world, it was going against the grain to enslave fellow Greeks.
For centuries the Messenians toiled in the fields to provide food for the Spartans. Even though the Messenians outnumbered the Spartans by ten to one, the Spartans held them in subjugation by use of terrorism. If word got out that a Messenian was getting out of line, a Spartan would sneak in under cover of dark and murder the upstart slave. Likewise, the Spartan rite of passage to manhood was the murder of a Messenian. The teenaged Spartan would sneak into Messenia and strangle a helot with his bare hands. Once the young Spartan had accomplished this he was considered a full fledged warrior.0 -
There were many odd things about this culture. The fact ancient Greece (Hellas, Greece is from olive oil and a modern term derived as the land of oil) was divided by mountains the individual city states took on unique societies. Athens became the beacon for the model of modern civilization for sure but the others added many interesting things particularly the warrior Spartans.
With rare exceptions husbands did not father their children, studs were brought in the impregnate the wife so the children could be of the best physical breeding. Other Greeks (Hellenes) were aghast but the Spartans thought if breeding the best live stock was important than man was surely even more important.
History says they had the strongest best looking people of the era.
However, because only land owners could be citizens and the men were always at war by 200 BC there were barely 200 Spartan warriors left as the women, by law. inherited their husbands land so women became the dominant power by then and, with no offense intended, even Spartan women in control of a society is not a good thing and the Hellots revolted thus ended forever the greatest warrior race in history.
The nice thing about Greek history is America (IMO) is the modern version of the diversity of ancient Greece and we gravitate to that history as we see ourselves in it.
It matters not if one is black, white, brown etc we can feel a tie to our blood lines and to Greece as well for we are the Hellenes of the modern era. Bumbling, diverse, free to look at new things with the sense we decide what our life will be not some king..
That was why Alexander was so loved, he brought Greek thought to people that had never tasted freedom of thought of all being equal no matter what, of Kings being but men. It is hard to want to give up freedom when it has been tasted and free men thankfully prevailed in 480BC to blossom into what would later become the USA
I doubt there will ever be a period in our history that the story of the 300 will not be admired if not revered.
Wulfmann0 -
quote:What a surprise: Iran upset about the truth.nemesis,
That has got to be about as idiotic a statement as anyone could muster.
I don't think "300" came anywhere near the truth as:
- Greek hoplites wore bronze armor - they didn't run about in gay-bar fashion stripped to the waist. That's Frank Miller's homosexuality talking, not historical fact.
- The Persian Immortals were not undead minions with mouthfuls of sharpened teeth... which did look pretty darned cool in the movie.
- There were several thousand other Greeks at Thermopylae. 300 Spartans held the pass, but they had a lot of help.
- No mention was made of the naval battle that forced the Persians to land at Thermopylae. Having conquered a world-spanning empire, the Persians weren't stupid enough to land at a choke point by choice.
Personally I enjoyed the movie for what it was - an awesome war flick. But given how much it resonates with both the Greek and Persian cultures, I can understand any upset feelings they may experience.
After all, how many folks here got their panties in a bunch over "The Alamo"?[;)]
Pot, kettle. Kettle, pot.[}:)][:D]0 -
"That's Frank Miller's homosexuality talking, not historical fact."
- No, Frank Miller was showing the Spartans as the Greeks viewed themselves. The 'Heroic Nude' was actually very common in Greek art.
However, yes, the greeks would fight heavily armored. They're spears were also much longer and breaking ranks would be a no-no.
But then again, this movie is not about bringing Herodotus' (sp?) account to the screen, but Frank Miller's graphic novel. Big Difference.
Yes, there were Boetians, Thesprians, etc. with the Spartans at the pass.0 -
quote:Originally posted by ElMuertoMonkey
quote:What a surprise: Iran upset about the truth.nemesis,
That has got to be about as idiotic a statement as anyone could muster.
I don't think "300" came anywhere near the truth as:
- Greek hoplites wore bronze armor - they didn't run about in gay-bar fashion stripped to the waist. That's Frank Miller's homosexuality talking, not historical fact.
- The Persian Immortals were not undead minions with mouthfuls of sharpened teeth... which did look pretty darned cool in the movie.
- There were several thousand other Greeks at Thermopylae. 300 Spartans held the pass, but they had a lot of help.
- No mention was made of the naval battle that forced the Persians to land at Thermopylae. Having conquered a world-spanning empire, the Persians weren't stupid enough to land at a choke point by choice.
Personally I enjoyed the movie for what it was - an awesome war flick. But given how much it resonates with both the Greek and Persian cultures, I can understand any upset feelings they may experience.
After all, how many folks here got their panties in a bunch over "The Alamo"?[;)]
Pot, kettle. Kettle, pot.[}:)][:D]
Shows what you know. I can make WAY more idiotic statements that that.[:D]0 -
quote:Originally posted by SG_Niner
going to watch it tonight! 30 minutes left to the download[:D]
do you have a link you can post or email??????????????0 -
I have not heard any news about the massive anti American-Hollywood-The 300 demonstrations the Iranian president, Handjobhedoes said would occur at the world wide outrage of this flick.
Is the US media suppressing the news about all the strive being caused by this movie. BTW it is rated 4 stars and took in over $70 million this past weekend so I am guessing Hollywood paid the Iranians to slam it to increase world wide demand.
Any president that gets this worked up about a comic book movie should never be taken seriously about anything rational.
Wulfmann0 -
quote:Originally posted by Wulfmann
I have not heard any news about the massive anti American-Hollywood-The 300 demonstrations the Iranian president, Handjobhedoes said would occur at the world wide outrage of this flick.
Is the US media suppressing the news about all the strive being caused by this movie. BTW it is rated 4 stars and took in over $70 million this past weekend so I am guessing Hollywood paid the Iranians to slam it to increase world wide demand.
Any president that gets this worked up about a comic book movie should never be taken seriously about anything rational.
Wulfmann
the only thing resembling a protest here is: accrding to my brother a bunch of highschoolers are going to this Friday's night showing with "lambda" shields and red togas [:D]
But that is more of a pro-300 demonstration.0 -
KSU, the reason that is funny to me is when the old movie The 300 Spartans, came out in 1961 (with Richard Eagan as Leonidas) some of us painted the Greek L (upside down V) on garbage can lids and put arm straps to hold our shields, wore red t-shirts and red gym shorts with red capes to do the Spartan thing for Halloween.
I remember wearing our get ups to sneak up to the anti aircraft missile emplacement near our house (Cuban missile crisis) to spy on the Hawk batteries.
They would never dare mess with Spartan warriors!!! LOL
Wulfmann0 -
quote:Originally posted by nemesisenforcer
quote:Originally posted by ElMuertoMonkey
quote:What a surprise: Iran upset about the truth.nemesis,
That has got to be about as idiotic a statement as anyone could muster.
I don't think "300" came anywhere near the truth as:
- Greek hoplites wore bronze armor - they didn't run about in gay-bar fashion stripped to the waist. That's Frank Miller's homosexuality talking, not historical fact.
- The Persian Immortals were not undead minions with mouthfuls of sharpened teeth... which did look pretty darned cool in the movie.
- There were several thousand other Greeks at Thermopylae. 300 Spartans held the pass, but they had a lot of help.
- No mention was made of the naval battle that forced the Persians to land at Thermopylae. Having conquered a world-spanning empire, the Persians weren't stupid enough to land at a choke point by choice.
Personally I enjoyed the movie for what it was - an awesome war flick. But given how much it resonates with both the Greek and Persian cultures, I can understand any upset feelings they may experience.
After all, how many folks here got their panties in a bunch over "The Alamo"?[;)]
Pot, kettle. Kettle, pot.[}:)][:D]
Shows what you know. I can make WAY more idiotic statements that that.[:D]
nemesis,
As can I, if the past is any indicator.[;)][8D]0 -
I've saw the previews, it looked pretty lame to me....it seems almost an injustice to reduce what may be the most critical battle in the history of western civilization to a "graphic novel"
IMHO, an adaptation of "Gates of Fire" would have been much more fitting....0
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