Lessons Of 'The 300'

Post-Gazette.com ^ | March 25, 2007 | Jack kelly

[RDTF]

A society that does not value its warriors will be destroyed by one that does.

A low-budget movie with no recognized stars that presents a cartoonish version of an event that happened long ago and far away is a surprising box office hit.

The movie is "The 300," about the battle in 480 B.C. at Thermopylae between Greeks and Persians. Its opening grossed more than $70 million, more than the next 10 highest grossing movies playing that weekend combined.

"The 300" has been denounced by the government of Iran, and the battle it describes was cited by former Vice President Al Gore in his congressional testimony Wednesday as inspiration for Americans to fight global warming. That's a lot of buzz.

"The 300" has plenty of violence, sex and the largest number of ripped abdomens ever seen on the silver screen, which doubtless counts for much of its appeal. But there is more to it than that.

"The 300" is a simple story of good versus evil. A handful of valiant Spartan warriors, inspired by love of country and love of liberty, fight to the death against a foreign oppressor. (Go tell the Spartans, stranger passing by, that here, obedient to their laws, we lie.)

-snip-

"300" is soaked with the masculine virtues of courage, honor, patriotism and self-sacrifice, and the camaraderie that exists among fighting men who have been through a shared ordeal. These are little valued in Hollywood or contemporary society, and there is a hunger for them. This, I think, is the key to the movie's appeal.

We need to rediscover these virtues. At once the most preposterous and the most dangerous of contemporary beliefs is "nothing was ever settled by violence."

-snip-

[processing please hold]

A proper Christian DIES to advance his faith he does not kill to advance it.

LOL Against islam, it's kill or be obliterated. I rather the poor bastard DIES defending his cult.

'The meek ain't gonna inherit nothing west of the Mississippi'. Great line from a movie.

[7thson]

I think you need to reread's RDTF's sentence. RDTF stated "heroic underdog." There is nothing heroic in putting children in front of you while advancing, blowing up families, murdering children and women, etc. The key point is the heroic concept - the lone man/army/nation state standing up against overwhelming odds and squarely facing off against the enemy. And it is not just in war or fighting. It surpassses war and the hero concept can be found in sports and everyday life. How many of us on FR like so many sports movies because of the hero concept. Most of the sports movies are unrealistic yet we love them - the first Rocky, The Natural, Hoosiers, et al. It's why we loved the Greek and Norse mythic stories when we were children. Why a lot of us gravitated to comic books (even though most of them suck now). We love hereing the story of the young boy or girl, acting beyond their years in saving their loved ones. I will remember to my dying day about the young wrestler who charged the shooter at his high school. He took two in the chest but still tackled the shooter and disarmed him. What a man, even if he was only 17! If he did that in battle, he would get the Silver Star or higher.

So, RDTF, include me in your opinion because I believe in the hero concept.

[USMMA_83]

I think you missed the point. You do know that "300" is an adaption of a comic book series don't you?

[Conservomax]

That first extended scene of Leonidas fighting in slow motion, with perfect form and efficiency, was one of the greatest special effects sequences I have ever seen.

[Longinus]

The campaign Julian the Apostate died on was against a Zoroastrian regime not a Christian one.

[Androcles]

Discussing history over '300' would be like arguing about WW2 via Captain America comics.

It is such a relief to see I am not alone in this viewpoint. I am eagerly awaiting it and am sure I'll enjoy it, but it is sickening that I know too many who assume it is 100% correct and that they have no need to read Herodatus, etc.

[Longinus]

WW2 was not fought for Christian values. So spare me the Nazi comparisons - or was Stalin on the side of Jesus?

[Androcles]

The Crusades were similarly a defensive fight against muslim oppression.

How do you count that one where the Venetians sacked Byzantium and critically weakened the city in the longterm?

[webstersII]

That's right, the so-called "greatest socialist generation."

There, that's better.

[processing please hold]

Where the hell did you get the notion that I am sympathetic to Islam?

A feeling.

[CJ Wolf]

the whole movie was awesome. But yep the effects and director really made this movie a big hit. More so then the message.

[subterfuge]

A proper Christian DIES to advance his faith he does not kill to advance it.

Is there anything you DON'T know noobie? You spout a lot of opinions, and you back up none of it. Take a friggin' hike.

[Androcles]

LOL Against islam, it's kill or be obliterated. I rather the poor bastard DIES defending his cult.

An understandable and many would say admirable attitude. But it wasn't Christ's according to those teachings he graced us with.

[webstersII]

"I think you missed the point. You do know that "300" is an adaption of a comic book series don't you?"

See post 57.

[subterfuge]

That's right, the so-called "greatest socialist generation." There, that's better.

Well done.

[USMMA_83]

What bothers me most about the FReepers who have taken "300" as gospel is the fact that Xerces was a great ruler. He had, as did his father, a great way of getting and acquiring kingdoms. They simply offered lower taxes, you get to keep your religion, language, customs, and rulers. The mere feat of moving over 600,000 troops from Persia to Sparta has to be, for me anyway, a tremendous achievement.

[webstersII]

"WW2 was not fought for Christian values."

But you put forward a doctrine of pacifism and martyrdom for Christians.

According to you, shouldn't they have all been Conscientous Objectors?

[Longinus]

LOL Against islam, it's kill or be obliterated. I rather the poor bastard DIES defending his cult.

The Orthodox know all about Islam - go see their monasteries filled to the brim with decapitated skulls of monks. Even so, the Orthodox teach to willingly accept martyrdom - which is the more sacred response than armed revolt - even if the armed revolt is justified - death on the battlefield against Islam does not forgive an orthodox Christian of his sins - but martyrdom does do that. Again, I am not saying armed resistance is not justified - I am against attributing holiness to an armed struggle.

[Names Ash Housewares]

Liberals hate it. Iranian regime hates it. Stuffy condescending profs and film critics hate it.

U.S. Marines LOVE it.

Bout says it all doesn't it? LOL

300 reminds us of the lessons of history. Those lessons map onto the current struggle today.

Someone once said, history does not repeat itself, but it does rhyme.

And even through the artistic prism of this film, history still whispers to us.

[Longinus]

But you put forward a doctrine of pacifism and martyrdom for Christians.

I don't think I did.

Again, I am not saying armed resistance is not justified - I am against attributing holiness to an armed struggle.

I am against imparting the notion that death on the battlefield against evil like say fighting a jihadist Islamist forgives a Christian of his sins - it does not - martyrdom does do that.