The 300

I saw the movie last weekend. I don't see many movies these days. My four year old likes to watch the movie Cars on a loop and my wife and I don't get out for dates too much these days.

I liked it. But I had a long discussion with close friends who don't like it. I understand why. One of my good friends noted immediately that the discussion about the Spartans being free and democratic was a half-truth of the worst kind. The Spartans, I have read operated in a part-democratic, part-feudalistic, part-totalitarian society. Aside from the serfs, some were also slave owners. The society was obviously organized along martial lines, which is clearly depicted in the movie.

Another friend, who is a brilliant movie critic, thought there was nothing redeeming in the movie. He believed it bordered on pro-fascist propaganda. He noted, correctly I think, that the main democratic body depicted in the film was incompetent and that only the strong leader could cut through that bodies inaction to command his society and organize it for war.

I don't disagree with any of their comments. We also discussed the fact that the Persians in the movie were depicted as deformed, homoerotic, mystical and perverted. Such a depiction was obviously heavy-handed with no basis in historical fact.

I value the opinions of my friends. Unfortunately, one of my first comments was - is anybody going to realize where Persia is? (and equate this film with the current political climate).

I think our conversation was right and wrong at the same time. What have we reduced ourselves to when our argument becomes (1) will people be stupid enough to realize what this movie means? or (2) will people be stupid enough to be influenced by this movie? How are either one of these positions persuasive?

Hopefully, the movie can be isolated and enjoyed for what it is. A fictionalized account of a single battle. Most good histories will note that the significance attributed to the battle has long been overemphasized. I avoided the political and philosophical implications of the movie, because I think they do not translate well. Sparta after all did not develop into a lasting world power. My only coherent comment, was that perhaps people will watch the movie and start asking questions about the Greeks and the Persians and history. They will learn that history has a tendency to repeat itself.

If all else fails, watch this film once and follow with V for Vendetta.