I like Spartan culture and I respect the fact that most of Greece respected it and many highly thought of Greeks, still well thought of today, felt it was a pinnacle of a style of government and raising of its children. Men of the stature of Xenophon and Socrates lauded it.
I've been to Thermopolye and I have been very interested in that battle. As far as the movie was concerned it was a joke. They should have called it something else because it had little or nothing to do with that battle and its representations were completely off base.
Cool special effects but that doesn't do it for me. There has to be more substance to a movie and this one had none.
Yeah, I thought this movie was great. The fight scenes were the bomb. And it's a good reminder that no society enjoys freedom without blood shed. I think a problem that a lot of liberals have with this movie is that they neither appreciate nor remember the fact that freedom costs blood, it's not handed to the people by politicians. It's always been that way and always will be that way.
Originally posted by graymouser: I've been to Thermopolye and I have been very interested in that battle. As far as the movie was concerned it was a joke. They should have called it something else because it had little or nothing to do with that battle and its representations were completely off base.
The movie wasn't really based on reality, it was based on a comic book limited series that adapted the historical story into a visual feast.
I'm always surprised by the number of people disgusted at Hollywood for getting history wrong. It's why they always make sure to say "BASED on a true/actual story/events". While there are some who would rather see it historically accurate, there are most who've never even heard of it. The movies, at the very least, introduce people to it. THEN, if it intrigues 'em, they can go to their local library and learn more! It's there that they'll learn what really happened. Hey, it worked on me when I first saw "Jaws"!
I'm just saying, stop looking to movies for reality. They're for ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY, unless they say otherwise.
I gotta ask, did you really expect historical accuracy when you first saw the trailer? The movie is called "Frank Miller's 300", NOT"The History Channel Presents: The Battle of Thermopolye"
"I can't live the buttoned down life like all of you! I want it all: the terrifying lows, the dizzying highs, the creamy middles! Sure, I might offend a few of the blue-noses with my cocky stride and musky odor - oh, I'll never be the darling of the so-called 'City Fathers' who cluck their tongues, stroke their beards, and talk about what's to be done with this Monkey_Boy?!"
Posts: 2580 | Location: Springfield, Oh! Hi ya, Maude! | Registered: 01 January 2007
"Based on" is a lame disclaimer and I can't tell you the amount of times I've had to listen to someone relate about the history of some movie adapted off a historical event, and claim the movie was historically accurate. This is even though the person in question never read anything about the event but based his opinion on the movie itself.
The best way to be misinformed about history is to watch a movie and most people mistakenly believe the movie is an accurate depiction of historical events. I hope that explains why I get a bit peeved when some director makes a movie based on an event only in name. Call it something else. It is even worse when it is a novel.
Perhaps I see it for what it really is, a way to try and make money off the fame or interest of some event/novel.
Originally posted by graymouser: "Based on" is a lame disclaimer and I can't tell you the amount of times I've had to listen to someone relate about the history of some movie adapted off a historical event, and claim the movie was historically accurate. This is even though the person in question never read anything about the event but based his opinion on the movie itself.
Well, if that person was TRULY interested in the FACTS, I'm sure they'd learn the truth from their local library. Who goes to the movies for educational reasons? Honestly? Especially a movie advertised the way this one was. It's like when a friend of mine went to see Michael Bay's "Pearl Harbor". He was pissed about the inaccuracies! Same when my father-in-law saw "Alexander". He was extremely pissed off about it! I just laughed. I remember when I went to see "Deep Blue Sea", I scoffed when the marine biologist hadn't realized the mako sharks had been genetically enhanced. These sharks don't grow any larger than around 9-12 feet, and they had one that was 25! (See? I know that because of "Jaws". After seeing it, I ran to my local library and learned everything about sharks!) How were they able to keep their experiment a secret from the rest of the scientific community if their results were that extreme?! Of course that movie wasn't "Based on a true story", but they still screwed up the facts. My point is: Movies don't recreate real life, they exaggerate it.
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The best way to be misinformed about history is to watch a movie and most people mistakenly believe the movie is an accurate depiction of historical events. I hope that explains why I get a bit peeved when some director makes a movie based on an event only in name.
I completely agree, if you're going to the movies to "learn what actually happened", you're gonna be sorely disappointed most of the time. (However, you could look like a brainiac by pointing out the flaws! ) At the same time, because this movie came out, they did a special on The History Channel about the ACTUAL EVENT. I ended up learning what really went down and still enjoyed the movie for what it was. The program probably never woulda seen the light of day if not for this movie. So there's something to be grateful for, right?
Besides, if EVERY movie were historically accurate, some woulda SUCKED!
By the way, for those who were wondering about this question:
quote:
Originally posted by Goose: Also, just as an aside, how exactly can one "submit to being raped"?
To "submit to being raped" is to just let the offender take you without a fight. You didn't want "it" to take place, but you know you can't stop it. In this film, I wouldn't say "she submitted to being raped", it was more of a payment, just NOT the price she really wanted to pay. I hope that clears it up.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: Monkey_Boy,
"I can't live the buttoned down life like all of you! I want it all: the terrifying lows, the dizzying highs, the creamy middles! Sure, I might offend a few of the blue-noses with my cocky stride and musky odor - oh, I'll never be the darling of the so-called 'City Fathers' who cluck their tongues, stroke their beards, and talk about what's to be done with this Monkey_Boy?!"
Posts: 2580 | Location: Springfield, Oh! Hi ya, Maude! | Registered: 01 January 2007
Forgive me for being too simplistic, but most movies seem to fall into the "entertainment/ social statement" categories. Of course there are movies that accomplish both. I like movies that make me think. However, I thought 300 was pure entertainment, employing new technology for special effect. I wasn't moved at all by the story, but was mesmerized by the visuals. I say this in light of my initial response was not that good and I rated it mediocre. However, I have since watched it twice more and find the depiction of this ancient story fascinating. I am easily tempted myself to read more into a movie than was intended. I think 300 is just entertainment; violent entertainment, but entertainment nevertheless.
Boy, you got to carry that weight a long time!
Posts: 401 | Location: Georgia | Registered: 14 October 2005
Originally posted by Rev. Rikard: I wasn't moved at all by the story, but was mesmerized by the visuals. I say this in light of my initial response was not that good and I rated it mediocre. However, I have since watched it twice more and find the depiction of this ancient story fascinating.
I have a friend that went through the same thing! He liked it alright the first time, but the more he watched it, the more he enjoyed it!
quote:
I think 300 is just entertainment; violent entertainment, but entertainment nevertheless.
My feelings exactly! To tell you the truth, I didn't even know it was "based on a true story" until I saw The History Channel special the night before I went to see it in theaters. I just took it for what it was: an action flick. And it had bloody good action!
"I can't live the buttoned down life like all of you! I want it all: the terrifying lows, the dizzying highs, the creamy middles! Sure, I might offend a few of the blue-noses with my cocky stride and musky odor - oh, I'll never be the darling of the so-called 'City Fathers' who cluck their tongues, stroke their beards, and talk about what's to be done with this Monkey_Boy?!"
Posts: 2580 | Location: Springfield, Oh! Hi ya, Maude! | Registered: 01 January 2007
Leaving the historical inaccuracies and moral quibbles to one side, it's still an awful film. Vile digital photography, horrendous acting all around and one howler of a script. But more than anything else, it's boring.
Posts: 2 | Location: England | Registered: 14 November 2007
Welcome to the site Lewisss and I would have to say that I completely agree with you. Even with all of the other stuff to the side, it just isn’t a good film at all and I was heavily disappointed with it.
----- If you don't love me, I'm sorry.
Posts: 6007 | Location: Texas | Registered: 27 December 2005
Originally posted by FraggleRockA: Welcome to the site Lewisss and I would have to say that I completely agree with you. Even with all of the other stuff to the side, it just isn’t a good film at all and I was heavily disappointed with it.
Oh, go watch "Finding Nemo"!
"I can't live the buttoned down life like all of you! I want it all: the terrifying lows, the dizzying highs, the creamy middles! Sure, I might offend a few of the blue-noses with my cocky stride and musky odor - oh, I'll never be the darling of the so-called 'City Fathers' who cluck their tongues, stroke their beards, and talk about what's to be done with this Monkey_Boy?!"
Posts: 2580 | Location: Springfield, Oh! Hi ya, Maude! | Registered: 01 January 2007
) At the same time, because this movie came out, they did a special on The History Channel about the ACTUAL EVENT. I ended up learning what really went down and still enjoyed the movie for what it was. The program probably never woulda seen the light of day if not for this movie. So there's something to be grateful for, right? 
