Blog Entry #11 – 300 (Historically Incorrect)

After watching “Pocahontas” in class we discussed how inaccurate the movie was. A few examples were Jamestown being one giant forest, the Indians spoke English (most movies do this), Pocahontas and John Smiths were adults when they met (more like 11 and 28 years old), or John Smith being tall, handsome, blond, and blue eyes (the complete opposite).  This is not the only movie that is very historically incorrect, but several. One movie with some pretty awesome graphics is the movie “300″. A film based on the comic book by Frank Miller. Notorious for that one liner everyone quotes and the fast to slow motion then back to fast movements. I think the movie “300″ is another movie where Hollywood changes its historical background for cinematic appeal.

One obvious thing viewers can pick out in the movie is how the Spartans were nothing but underwear and a cape. The real Spartans actually had on full body armor. Of course, to barely have any armor with ridiculous six packs gives the Spartans a greater affect. If the Spartans had on full body armor, then the movie would not have been more appealing because of its plot. How only 300 Spartans took on an entire Persian army. To have them with nothing but their swords and spears with just a helmet and shield makes the Spartans more impressive.

Another historical inaccuracy is the way the Persian army looked. While watching the movie, the Persian army looked like dark creepy monsters. Their animals looked like something that came out of Lord of the Rings or how the soldiers had a face like Freddy Krueger. Some people comment that the way they depicted the Persians seemed racist. Once again, Hollywood does this to have a cinematic appeal. In the movie, the Persians looked like monsters, but in reality, they were people like the Spartans (wearing nothing but underwear and a ripped six pack)

When thinking about the villain Xerxes in “300″. Accurately, Xerxes is a Persian ruler looking like any person. But in the film, they made him into this eight foot tall giant with several piercings and looking very feminine. They do this for a reason being to look down on the Persians as lower beings. As Spartans, they were seen as these noble people fighting for what was right. All in all, there are several flaws in the movie, but for the reason to make it visually appealing. There was the “300″ documentary that did come out TV which explains what really happen. “300″ or “Pocahontas” are not the only movies that are historically incorrect and future films will probably do the same. In a way, you have to remember, it’s just a movie.

I commented on Cory Finch’s and Mike Giffith’s