The 300 Spartans (1962)Starring: Richard Egan, Ralph Richardson Director: Rudolph Mate Format: Color, Widescreen Rated: NR Studio: Fox Home Entertainment DVD Release Date: May 11, 2004 Run Time: 114 The futile yet inspiring stand of 300 Greek soldiers against the hugest army ever assembled in the ancient world inspired this typical example of Hollywood epic movie-making. King Leonidas of Sparta (Richard Egan, Demetrius and the Gladiators), prevented by political squabbling from sending his entire army to defend the narrow pass of Thermopylae, sets out with his personal bodyguard to fight off the ambitious Persian king, Xerxes. Along the way is a pair of young lovers, scantily clad dancing girls, and treachery though a secret mountain path. The 300 Spartans, made in 1961, has an overstated cold war subtext--there's much talk of freedom vs. slavery--and there are a few too many shots of armored men marching through the Greek countryside, but the historical conflict has a fundamentally stirring quality. Also features Sir Ralph Richardson (Dr. Zhivago, Dragonslayer) as a wily Athenian politician.
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