Description
Based on the graphic novel by Frank Miller and Lynn Varley, 300 takes over the screen like an invading horde. With all the gushing blood of a horror movie and the scope of a classic epic, the second film from Zack Snyder (who helmed the 2004 remake of DAWN OF THE DEAD) is an impressive visual spectacle. Gerard Butler (THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA) plays Leonidas, the king of ancient Sparta. The city is famous for its warrior philosophy, and Leonidas won't kneel to the demands of Persia's King Xerxes (LOST's Rodrigo Santoro). Instead, Leonidas leads his 300-strong army against Xerxes's army of millions. Meanwhile, his wife (Lena Headley, THE BROTHERS GRIMM) campaigns in Sparta for the city to send reinforcements as she butts heads with the treacherous Theron (Dominic West, THE WIRE).
With its gore and scale, 300 marks director Snyder as a possible successor to Peter Jackson's throne. Jackson also got his start in horror with BAD TASTE and DEAD ALIVE, and the two men share a penchant for ambitious battle scenes. The huge fights in 300 rival Jackson's efforts in the LORD OF THE RINGS films. David Wenham, who starred in two of the Tolkien-based films, plays Dilios, one of the Spartan soldiers. Though the cast doesn't boast any A-list stars, the actors ably fill their larger-than-life roles. In a film filled with men, Headley stands out as Queen Gorgo. She matches her warrior husband in strength, while showing love toward Leonidas and their son. Though there are scenes that demonstrate the humanity of the characters, 300 is undeniably about bravery and blood, and it succeeds because of the stylish depictions of both.
USA Today, p.1D:
03/07/2007 "The surreal ode to extreme combat is part Fellini freak show, part LORD OF THE RINGS-style blood feast, and all adrenaline rush....Its bruised beauty is enhanced by an inky palette..."Rolling Stone, p.90:
03/22/2007 3 stars out of 4 — "[Director Zack Snyder] keeps the action roaring....300 dazzles as spectacle..."Ultimate DVD, p.86:
03/01/2007 3 stars out of 5 — "Everyone is loving 300 for perfectly valid reasons. It is a visual feast....The style exceeds mere competence and satisfies all promise."Total Film, p.38:
05/01/2007 3 stars out of 5 — "[I]t looks incredible....Not real, not surreal, 300 is something else, a hyperreal realm where myth gasps to life."Box Office, p.76:
05/01/2007 "[W]ith a visual style that injects new energy into the sword-and-sandals epic."Sight and Sound, p.50:
05/01/2007 "[I]ts technical achievement is beyond question....The film's presentation of the cities and battlegrounds of ancient Greece can only be considered a marvel, vividly rendered through a digitised expressionist palette..."Entertainment Weekly, p.53:
08/10/2007 "Snyder uses every trick in the bloodletting playbook, and invents a few new ones, to stage one of history's greatest last stands." — Grade: B+Film Comment, p.39:
01/01/2008 "[I]t is less spectacle than blood rite in which history and myth almost literally bleed into each other."
CAST
| Vincent Regan | TV Actor/"A Touch Of Frost" |
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| Gerard Butler | Scottish actor, 300 |
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| Lena Headey | American actress, RIPLEYS GAME (2002) |
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| Michael Fassbender | German actor, HUNGER |
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| Andrew Pleavin | Actor, 300, (2007) |
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| Andrew Tiernan | Actor/"Edward Ii" |
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| Tom Wisdom | Actor in MILE HIGH |
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| Rodrigo Santoro | Actor, BEHIND THE SUN (2001) |
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| Dominic West | Actor, 28 DAYS, THE WIRE, CHICAGO (2002) |
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| David Wenham | |
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CREW
| Screenwriter | Zack Snyder (Director, DAWN OF THE DEAD (2004)) |
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| Source Writer | Frank Miller (Director, SIN CITY (2005)) |
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| Executive Producer | Benjamin Waisbren (Exec. Producer, 300, (2007)) |
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| Composer | Tyler Bates (Composer) |
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| Screenwriter | Kurt Johnstad |
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| Executive Producer | Scott Mednick (Executive producer, SUPERMAN RETURNS (2006)) |
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| Director of Photography | Larry Fong (Dir. of Photography, 300, (2007)) |
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| Source Writer | Lynn Varley (Source Writer, 300, (2007)) |
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| Executive Producer | Deborah Snyder (Exec. Producer, 300, (2007)) |
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| Producer | Jeffrey Silver (Producer) |
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| Producer | Mark Canton (Producer) |
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| Executive Producer | Craig J. Flores (Exec. Producer, 300, (2007)) |
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| Producer | Gianni Nunnari (EXECUTIVE PRODUCER) |
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| Producer | Bernie Goldmann (Executive Film Producer, SAVING SILVERMAN (2001)) |
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| Executive Producer | Thomas Tull (Executive Producer, SUPERMAN RETURNS (2006)) |
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| Executive Producer | William Fay |
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| Screenwriter | Michael B. Gordon (Screenwriter, 300, (2007)) |
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Video: Color
Original release:
116 min
, English (Original)
Weight factor: 1 item(s)
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| Area |
Runtime |
Box |
| USA |
116 min |
(normal) |
| Rating |
R (MPAA) (for graphic battle sequences throughout, some sexuality and nudity.)
for graphic battle sequences throughout, some sexuality and nudity. |
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Catalog #: 3041527
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UPC: 883929061563 |
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Release NotesBlu-ray Disc Features: Region [unknown] Additional Release Material: Audio Commentary: Director Zack Snyder, Writer Kurt Johnstad and Director of Photography Larry Fong Deleted Scenes: Introduction by Zack Snyder
Title NotesTheatrical Release: March 9, 2007
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