The Hawk

Issue date: 3/14/07 Section: Entertainment

King Leonidas (Gerard Butler) leads the 300 to victory.

Glory. Honor. Duty.

In the midst of turmoil, war, and almost certain defeat, one man's inspiring valor convinces numerous Spartans to fight for democracy, hope, and the future. King Leonidas, leader of the Spartans, instills fear within the hearts of the Persians with his small, yet dedicated army of 300 soldiers during the Battle of Thermopylae.

Many of the valiant and the wicked lost their lives during this battle, but the tale of sacrifice will never be forgotten.

The newest epic film, "300", released March 9, is a mind-blowing account of the Battle of Thermopylae between the outnumbered Spartans and the relentless Persians.

In 480 B.C., Xerxes (Rodrigo Santoro), king of the Persians, sends a colossal army to conquer Greece. Leonidas (Gerard Butler), king of the Spartans, not willing to allow his city to succumb to slavery, gathers an army of 300 brave soldiers to thwart the attack. The mission is successful for some time as the Spartans form a blockade in the mountain pass of Thermopylae, holding the Persians back.

However, fighting persists and a great deal of blood is shed during this heroic effort as King Leonidas and his new brothers struggle to end the Persians' march to Sparta.

Meanwhile, home in Sparta, Queen Gorgo (Lena Headey) attempts to take over her husband's duties and encourage the council to send the rest of the city's army to help the gallant band of soldiers defeat Xerxes and the Persians, for good. Queen Gorgo demonstrates her strength in an incredibly refreshing event during her speech to the council, but you will just have to see the film for yourself to experience the drama.

Although a dark cloud has seemed to settle over Sparta at the close of the film, a glimmer of hope actually brightens the screen as the end credits begin to roll.

Period pieces, especially those dating back thousands of years, are not usually my cup of tea, but this film had its good moments. Of course, it also had its bad.

First of all, the fact that every Spartan is ripped with a six-pack or more and has bulging biceps like Popeye, is just too unrealistic. Everyone is cut the same way. Is it just a coincidence that the 300 soldiers all happen to be perfectly buff regardless of what they were doing prior to the surprise mission?

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