
[1962]
DIRECTED BY: Rudolph Mate
RELEASE DATE: 09.05.2005
STARRING:
Based on actual events occurring in Greece in 480 B.C, this scintillating drama stars Richard Egan as the Greek soldier Leonidas, who led 300 Spartan soldiers against an overwhelming Persian army in the battle of Thermopylae. Unable to recruit the soldiers he needs to defend a critical Greek mountain pass against Persia's King Xerxes, Leonidas prepares nonetheless for battle. When warned that the number of arrows his tiny army faces will "blot out the sun", Leonidas replies that his army will "fight in the shade." With its superb cinematography, realism and musical score, this story of courage and self-sacrifice is inspired film-making at its best.
While most of the Spartans wear the correct headgear in the film, Leonidas (Richard Egan) and his officers wear Roman legionnaire style helmets that wouldn't be around for about 200 years.