Their sacrifice serves to unite the Greeks, and a few months later the Persian army is annihilated at the Battle of Plataea.īased on the true story of the tiny force of Greek warriors led by Sparta's King Leonidas that held off the Persian invasion at the pass of Thermopylae in 480 B.C., the 1962 The 300 Spartans was Frank Miller's inspiration to create the graphic novel 300 (which Zach Snyder subsequently adapted into a hit 2006 movie).

After sending Phylon and Ellas back to Athens to warn the Greeks and tell them of the Spartans' resistance, he and his men form a wedge of shields and hold their ground until they are totally overwhelmed by the Persians. Though warned of the imminent danger, Leonidas chooses to make a stand. But the Spartans are betrayed by a goatherd, Ephialtes, who tells the Persians of a little-known trail by which they can traverse the mountain and attack the Spartans from the rear. The Persians attack, and great numbers of their soldiers are slaughtered in the narrow pass. As they make their way to Thermopylae, they are followed by a young Spartan soldier, Phylon, who has been falsely accused of being a traitor's son, and his beloved Ellas, the niece of Leonidas. But Sparta's ultimate ruling body, the Council of Euphors, decrees that there can be no fighting during the religious festival in progress and Leonidas is left with only his personal retinue of 300 men. Themistocles of Athens calls an emergency meeting of all the Greek rulers and King Leonidas of Sparta suggests that his legions check the Persians at the narrow pass of Thermopylae, thereby giving the other Grecian states time to mobilize. Emperor Xerxes of Persia plans a massive invasion of Greece. With History movies like that next we will have the Hobbits fighting the Napoleonic Wars! Each film changes times and seasons where people today would not know what is truth and fiction, pretty soon it will be like a star Trek episode were the History of World is Fantasy with Elves Dwarfs and Goblins, because someone watched an old History movie called Lord of the Rings.In 480 B. This film is 100% more accurate than the trash film 300 recently released. I suggest people having a problem with this movie because of the lack of special effects and Cartoon action and think the acting isn't good should watch Khartoum, 4 feathers (1930s version), Pollyanna to see a couple of the actors in other roles and then come back and say they cannot act.

This film has REAL actors in it that were well known at the time and CAN act. I cannot believe anyone wouldn't like this film, but then again if people like the NEW 300 film that is why. Great Classic Movie worth every penny of $5-$10!

Watch the 300 spartans free