300 is a American
action film adaptation of the
graphic novel of the
same name by
Frank Miller, and is a fictionalized retelling of the
Battle of Thermopylae. The film was directed by
Zack Snyder, while Miller served as
executive producer and consultant. The film was shot mostly with a
super-imposition chroma key technique, to help replicate the imagery of the original comic book.
Spartan
King Leonidas (
Gerard Butler) and 300 Spartans fight to the last man against
Persian "God-King" Xerxes (
Rodrigo Santoro) and his army of more than one million soldiers. As the battle rages, Spartan
Queen Gorgo (
Lena Headey) attempts to rally support in Sparta for her husband. The story is framed by a
voice-over narrative by the Spartan soldier
Dilios (
David Wenham). Through this narrative technique, various fantastical creatures are introduced, placing
300 within the genre of
historical fantasy.
300 was released in both conventional and
IMAX theaters in the United States on March 9, 2007, and on
DVD,
Blu-ray, and
HD DVD on July 31, 2007. The film's opening was the 24th largest in
box office history, although critics were divided over its look and style. Some acclaimed it as an original achievement, while others criticized it for favoring visuals over
characterization and its controversial depiction of the ancient Persians.
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