Lena Headey (The Cave, Waterland) plays Leonida’s wife, Queen Gorgo, who provides strong support for her husband and wisely represents “voices that can’t be heard” in the local government. “Let your choices reflect their bravery,” she pleads to the all male regime, including the conniving Theron, played by Dominic West (The Forgotten, The Wire television series).

The beginning sets the tone of a harsh world where babies are discarded if not deemed strong and then become “baptized in the fire of combat.” Once you understand the warrior point of view, filmmakers quickly delve into Leonidas’ important progression of decision-making. Leonidas trusts reason instead of the corrupt, creature-like Ephors who’ve always approved every major Spartan military campaign, and their future telling “oracles”.

Once the battle begins, director Zack Snyder creates some amazing on-screen action, which definitely speaks louder than words in this one hour and 56 minute epic, full of graphic violence, including a stab through the bicep and several beheadings.
Filmmakers use high speed-low speed combinations in several of the fighting sequences, creating an effective emotional window that puts the audience in the heat of the battle.

300 serves as a decent remediation of previous battle films like Gladiator, Braveheart and even Hero while touching on predictable themes of democracy, tyranny, materialism, self sacrifice and honor.

This film was shot in 60 days, mostly in Montreal, Canada, and involved several special effects green screen shots (actually mostly blue screens) blending the real actors and pseudo sets. After filming ended, the film required almost one full year of post-production. Recommended and rated R for graphic battles, nudity, violence and sexuality, including a forced act, which filmmakers rightly portray as an ugly act without any beautiful visuals.