300 (2006) MOVIE REACTION - THIS IS EPIC! - First Time Watching - Review

Welcome to our first-time watching 300 (2006). This awesome historical fantasy film was directed by Zack Snyder. Gerard Butler who plays Leonidas was so entertaining to watch! Didn't know this movie had other big names like Michael Fassbender. A pleasant surprise!
Zack Snyder brought a very unique style that was honestly visually stunning! Some of these frames looked like they could be paintings. The action sequences and the battles are breathtaking at times. It's safe to say we enjoyed a lot of the cinematography.
This film recounts the legendary Battle of Thermopylae, where 300 Spartan warriors, led by King Leonidas (Gerard Butler), face off against the massive Persian army. The film explores the themes of courage and sacrifice, that combined with the aesthetic and incredible action it's no wonder why this film' left a mark on cinematic storytelling.
300 also had some really good score by Tyler Bates to accompany both the awesome and the more emotional sequences in the movie.
We hope you enjoy our reactions, commentary and discussions as we immerse ourselves in the storytelling that this fantastic film has to offer. We'll delve into the elements that make this film standout to us.
If you'd like to support the channel and gain access to the full length reaction become a member of our patreon bit.ly/3ICVrJ6
Watch our reactions early:
/ @officialmediaknights

[@OfficialMediaKnights]

Hey guys! Last video of the year 😄 Thank you so much for all the love and support you guys have given us. If you enjoyed the reaction leave a like and subscribe! (It helps us out a lot) Thank you for watching and Happy New Year!🎉❤ If you'd like to support the channel and gain access to the full length reaction become a member of our patreon bit.ly/3ICVrJ6 Watch our reactions early: kzbin.info/door/iCUz1bHid4H9mu6g2IOjXgjoin

[@aRanDumBhobo]

I recently discovered and subscribed to you guys, you are both really cool and your reaction videos are awesome! I love watching movies with you guys (I've actually already watched all the movies you reacted to but I've rewatched them all with you 💯) PLEASE WATCH "FRAILTY" I NEED TO SEE YOUR REACTION!

[@The_Bermuda_Nonagon]

"Earthquake?" "No captain, reaction formations . . . " :D

[@OfficialMediaKnights]

@aRanDumBhobo Thank you! We’re so happy to hear you’ve been enjoying these ❤️ Adding “Frailty” to our list ❤️

[@OfficialMediaKnights]

@The_Bermuda_Nonagon 😂😂

[@aRanDumBhobo]

Wow, I'm completely excited! Thank you guys! I can't wait for both of you to be surprised!

[@OpenMawProductions]

So many people miss that this is literally a cinematic camp fire story. The entire thing is framed around Dilios hyping up the men. Which is why the Persians are all exaggerated monstrous things. The movie is a great adaptation of the graphic novel, which is in turn inspired by a classic "The 300 Spartans" which is in turn inspired by historical events. Its not setting out to be a "historical drama." Indeed, its meta narrative is almost exactly like how Ancient Greek and Rome would tell their tall tales. Hercules, Zeus, Hera, Aphrodite. All of those mythical stories. This is cut from the same cloth. The enemy is a billion strong and ten feet tall. This is honestly one of my favorite 2000s films. It's one of the few examples of a "modern" 80s action movie in so many ways... and a lot of that does come back to the historical truth. There were 300 Spartans, they did hold the hot gates, and the killed many. They also were renown for their epic one-liners. Well told to lay down their weapons Leonaidas did litrally say "Persians, come and get them!" Probably the first known example of someone saying "Come get some!"

[@beelzebub_jones]

Yes, it is lost on many that the whole movie is a retelling by someone gifted in storytelling and propaganda basically in order to get all the spartans and greeks pumped up for that charge at the end of the movie

[@aaronlane1391]

Good points. Mythology is how we maintain the spiritual essence and emotional depth of the actual events,

[@SSD_Penumbra]

Spartans were trained for war, and for insults. Like the classic "where does your walls lie, spartan?" "*Holds out a spear* About there"

[@marbella135]

@@aaronlane1391important to mention Leonidas and the story of the 300 is not mythology. It’s actual history.

[@johnplaysgames3120]

Yeah, when I first saw "300" in the theater, I was enjoying the visuals and vibe from an aesthetic standpoint but I still found myself thinking it was just another one of those movies that was translating an interesting story into an over-stylized music video, all style over substance (like "Suckerpunch" or a few of those medieval movies with rock soundtracks that came out in that same era and which, for me, were instantly forgettable). But when I reached the reveal at the end that it's *meant* to be hyped up and bigger-than-life - that there was an actual thematic reason for the over-the-top style - because it's the legend being told, not the exact history, and it's being told by Dilios to hype up the soldiers before the big battle... that's when this movie instantly went into my pantheon of classics. It's a twist ending that isn't a twist in the storytelling, it's a twist to our entire assumption about the filmmaking. I mean, it's just genius. People can complain about other Zack Snyder projects but he NAILED it with this one. I mean, obviously, he's working from the Frank Miller source material and a lot of the genius of the writing, story, and twist is Miller's, but Snyder's translation of the source material is so well done that I think he deserves his fair share of kudos. Yet another example of why filmmakers should honor the source material rather than dismissing half of it in order to put their own egotistic stamp on it.

[@Unisol542]

FYI, Dilios, the narrator is based on a Spartan named Aristodemus. When he returned to Sparta, he was ostracized by his people as a coward for leaving his king and his brothers-in-arms on the battle field. EVEN though he was ordered by Leonidas to leave. It wasn't until the battle of Plataea, when Aristodemus fought the Persians with such fury and charged the Persians in a berserker-like fashion, dying in the battle, that his fellow Spartans regarded him as having redeemed himself. So when King Leonidas is asking him to leave, to tell the tale of their sacrifice, he KNOWS what he is asking one of his fellow countrymen. He died at the Battle of Plataea, the battle at the end of the movie.

[@AniwayasSong]

I did not know (Remember) how his story ended. Thank you, so very much, for your reply and in sharing it! :-)

[@kurremkarmerruk8718]

Apparently he didn't redeem himself. He charged out alone, breaking rank; it was considered undisciplined and he died dishonored. He was just so depressed from being ostracised he wanted to die. At least that's how I leaned it.

[@beentheredonethat5908]

Thus was true, a major part of Spartans culture. When it came to this situation, I cant find anything that says he was held to this, as he was ordered by the king, yet I do believe he hated himself. He would have rather die beside his brothers , them return home to spread a tale. His return gave valuable Information about the persain army. With the legacy of the 300 left deep in the enemies soldiers minds, Greece was given a monster upper hand in battle, the Spartans flag , not the Greek nations flag, brought fear and turned once named immoral warriors into cowards.

[@nickyboy22071989]

He wasn't ordered to leave he was sick. That's why he didn't go.

[@LeongGunners]

When Leonidas told Ephialtes "May you live forever", that was actually the worst possible curse a person can hurl at a Spartan. For Spartans, their greatest joy is to die in glorious battle, and Leonidas was basically telling Ephialtes, may you NEVER share that joy till the end of times.

[@talisredstar1543]

Glad someone said this I remember this from history class. now says if you say to someone I hope you live forever, its meant more as praise and wishful thinking, but yeah. that is as bad now days as... well not days there isn't really an equivalent, but nothing in this world was more insulting to Spartan than telling them that. Something haven't seen other people also mention. "Come back with your Shield or On it." was a bit thing as well. Wounded men would be carried on shields as stretchers. Hence on it reference.

[@SwissTrippin]

No I think it's more contemporary than that. To live forever is to be infamous and spoken ill of as an example of shame. Ephialtes became the greek word for nightmare

[@LeongGunners]

@@SwissTrippin Wdym no? This is literally what was mentioned in history books and what was taught in history classes.

[@SwissTrippin]

@@LeongGunners yes but I'm disagreeing with his literal interpretation of ''may you live forever". I'm not doubting the quote.

[@nickyboy22071989]

I like the fact that the real Ephialtes got killed in a bar fight and the Spartans paid the dude for it.

[@propinor]

Fan fact! The traitor’s actions were considered so vile and horrendous that his name Ephialtes, had become and still is in Greek the word for nightmares

[@OriginalPuro]

Huh, much like how in Norway there was a person called Quisling who betrayed the country during WWII, now his name is used as the word "traitor" rather than the actual word. People will say "he's a Quisling" rather than "he's a traitor". The more you know.

[@propinor]

@@eatsmylifeYT it was for the fans bro;p

[@Grodstark]

@@eatsmylifeYT Stop crying

[@vishamr2000]

@@eatsmylifeYT oh usneaky rat-like nerd...always quite to correct...go back to the shadows from whence you came!

[@belekai2840]

Leonidas didnt miss his final throw. It was always intended to wound, not kill, just as he promised. Leonidas knew that killing Xerxes wouldnt cut it, it could be covered up, hidden and another would take his place. By wounding him he showed the entire empire that he was not a god, but flesh and blood, scarred for all his days and the remainder of his rule, he would always be tainted by doubt form his empire.

[@willbeonekenobi]

Yeah, everyone seems to forget this line Leonidas says to Xerxes "The world will know that free men stood against a tyrant, that few stood against many, and before this battle was over, even a god-king can bleed."

[@cra0422]

In the film "300: Rise of an Empire" (which is set before, during and after the events in 300), Xerxes is seen with his face stitched to treat the wound. Leonidas made sure that Xerxes would be scarred for life and always have that reminder that he's still just a man, and not a god.

[@Vesohag]

That is kinda weird, don't you think? To fail on purpose when he could have just killed Xerxes. I always saw it as him failing yet still fulfilling his promise on making him bleed. Both things can be true.

[@patrickevans9604]

​@Vesohag Persian leaders would have put someone else in place and probably would even have gone so far as to say their "god-king" was reborn. Showing he could bleed proved he wasn't really a God though and it decimated the ego of xerxes which is why he burned Athens to the ground and left to regroup. The Persian army didn't come back till about a year later and were soundly defeated because him running home to mend allowed the Greeks time to organize and form a united army to face them

[@Vesohag]

@@patrickevans9604 but that could have happend if he was killed too or worse. And don't you think the morale would be to the ground because a mere Greek mortal killed a god-king? And to be reborn would mean to have a baby in its place. He failed to kill him. But he succeeded in showing he was mortal and bleeds like anyone else.

[@AugustRushington]

From what I've read: 300 spartans, supported by a couple thousand other Greeks, really did face 1,000,000 Persians at Thermopylae. A lot of stuff for the movie is ripped from Greek accounts of the battle; they didn't lose a single Spartan the first day, etc. A lot of the lines are pulles from texts as well. Dudes were legitimate super heroes.

[@camouflage6245]

Actually it was 300 Spartans and around 7.000 other Greeks, facing around 200.000 Persians, as 1.000.000 soldier’s wouldn’t be able to be fed. Herodotos actually said it was 2.000.000 Persians but you need to divide his numbers by 10 and you get 200.000. Historian here

[@Tconl]

Well the movie is loosely based on the comic actually. And the comic is loosely based on the real thing.

[@MastaToSch]

​@@camouflage6245 And when the Greeks were flanked and most of them fled to safety, the citizen militias of the Thespians and Thebans died with the Spartans in their last stand. Sadly for most people, only the heroic deeds of the Spartans have stood the test of time.

[@insrtcowjoke]

Nope. It was actually closer to 3,000 Spartans, not just 300. Plus some 7,000-10,000 other Greeks. Likewise, it was against a few hundred thousand Persians, estimated, not as many as a million. Like all entertainment, it's based on real history but embellished in various ways for entertainment value.

[@rositasultana3958]

I remember 24 years ago when I first came to Greece, we passed the Thermopylae, I stood at the monument and saluted the indomitable heroes of Sparta ❤

[@andrewpeppin4769]

In Greek mythology, the Gods would bleed a gold colour. By making Xerxes bleed, it showed his blood was red, and therefore, not a God.

[@Deimos2k5]

But the Greeks already knew he wasn't a god so why does that matter? If Persian mythology had gods with gold blood, sure

[@petrospetromixos6962]

the color of Ichor is blue not gold

[@dredrini7820]

@@petrospetromixos6962 Ichor is gold my dude, I'm not sure where you even got that ichor is blue

[@petrospetromixos6962]

@@dredrini7820 Ichor is blue thats why nobles were called blue bloods , maybe you confuse it with ambrosia the food of the Gods

[@dredrini7820]

@@petrospetromixos6962 I'm not confused, though I am confused why you think ichor is related to why nobles were refferred to as blue bloods. Blue bloods is in reference to the blue viens that are visible in fair skinned people. I can't find any supporting evidence where ichor is related to the color blue but can find plenty of references for the color gold.

[@joshmorales770]

A fun fact among the other kinda/sorta historical facts being noted here by others, Ephialtes/Efialtis was an actual person (apparently a farmer who lived near the 'Hot Gates') who did indeed betray the allied Greeks by showing the Persians a hidden trail that allowed the Persian army to move some of their men around behind the Spartan position and break the defensive stalemate that the '300' had created in taking a cliffside location. It was later considered SUCH a betrayal of the Greek peoples that his name would eventually come to mean "nightmare/a demon who comes in the night to deliver nightmares". So Ephialtes did indeed live forever in the worst way possible.

[@johnwstruhar]

Which is why his portrayed in the movie as he is, grotesque.

[@insideoutsideupsidedown2218]

The goat trail was not a secret. Leonidas had the Theban some 700 strong to defend the path. They abandoned their position, which allowed the Persian to use the path,

[@georgeizcazu152]

If you liked the visuals in this, you should watch Sin City(2005), which is also based on a graphic novel by Frank Miller.

[@MentalLiberation]

Great movie

[@t.dig.2040]

I can't stand comic book movies, but Frank Miller's translate to screen very well.

[@Davemented]

@@t.dig.2040 With Sin City it helped that Miller was a co-director.

[@TheNotedHero]

💯

[@MrEtown87]

Yea Sin City is fantastic

[@Dented745]

The Persian army was called 'the immortals' because they all dressed the same and when one died the man behind him would take his place so it looked like he didn't die.

[@skotos000]

Immortals myfriend it was a division nto all army called immortals

[@Dented745]

@@skotos000 I don't know what you're trying to say, but the only thing I was saying was that's why the Persian army was called immortals.

[@Rebel8MAC]

Damn with all of King Leonidas quotable lines, him saying "no words need be spoken" when giving the thing to the messenger for his wife hits deep

[@agentsculder2451]

The training for this film was pretty brutal. Gerard Butler worked out like mad, ended up hurting himself and with a dependence on pain pills (to get through filming) that took a while to shake. While some actors abs were famously air-brushed on, his weren't. I remember him saying he got in the best shape of his life, not realizing how it would end up harming his health.

[@jikretsc]

This movie came out my first year of college. Loved it so much that I decided to take some ancient Greek history classes. Decided to change my major to history, graduated with a history degree, and have been teaching high school history ever since. Despite all its historical inaccuracies, I still love the movie and appreciate that it got me wanting to learn more about the actual history.

[@JoyoSnooze]

When I went to see this movie as a teenager I left feeling emboldened, and full of bravado. When I watch it now at 32, and watch reactors watching it, I still feel all of that but now I also tear up.

[@brooksysdead]

Thought I was the only one😂😂

[@marbella135]

I didn’t know they made a comic book out of Leonidas and the 300 history. In Greece we are taught all this in school along with what the culture was, their war tactics, philosophy, education even their diet. Leonidas is a common name even in modern Greece and Sparta still exists and is known for its strong fearless women and the rich history.

[@wttao39]

I'm Greek and i can assure you that besides a few inaccuracies the General Story, the Strategic decision to defend them selfs on a bottle neck location and the Words of Spartans like their answer "COME AND GET THEM"to Persian order "Throw down your weapons"... are 100% Historical Facts!!! Loved your reaction and greetings from Greece!

[@TheSocratesian]

They aren't historical facts. We can't know for sure what was said or even if any Spartans spoke Persian or vice versa to communicate at all. And Spartans didn't go around looking like they just came from a float at a Gay pride parade.

[@wttao39]

@@TheSocratesian i wondered when a party pooper like you gonna popped out like fart..... The phrase "Μολών Λαβέ" is a Historical Fact prooved by the historical texts from ancient Greek Historians like Πλούταρχος and Θουκυδίδης and others.... There's more but It's really boring to explain well known and undisputed historical facts to people like you especially to arrogant clowns with user name Socratesian.....🤪

[@jamesrein648]

I believe there's a statue of King Leonidas in Sparta with a plaque at his feet with the words in Greek come and get them

[@TheSocratesian]

@@jamesrein648 I've been there many times. And just because it says it on a statue does not make it a fact.

[@TheSocratesian]

I wasn't referring to the general story. I have been to the site many times. Not much to see there really. Thermopylae was fought as a delaying action to give the Athenians time to prepare their fleet for the action at the Battle of Salamis. The strategic decision in the movie was just more comic book, cartoon history.

[@TheViceCitySaint]

"Stelios - It's an honor to die at your side. Leonidas - It's an honor to have lived at yours." Gets me every time. 😔💔

[@3monthbender]

It was fun watching you realize it was Michael Fassbender, but did you miss that the narrator, dude who lost an eye, was Faromir in Lord of the Rings? Maybe it just didn't make the edit...

[@4everhealthwellness344]

You know you're from a badass culture when the women, wives, mothers and daughters, say to the soldiers "come back with your shield or on it" meaning win or die, instead of some mushy goodbye words. The "on your shield" part of the phrase is because that's how a Spartan warriors dead body would be carried back. Another thing I admire is Spartans never left their dead on the battlefield and were always carried home. In fact the US Marines, who in my opinion are the modern day equivalent to the great Spartans, adopted the policy of never leaving their dead behind from the Spartans

[@Uriel77200]

Over 2000 years later we still honor the 300 Spartans. They're death was NOT for nothing.

[@glen5188]

Except 2500 years later and the iranians are still starting shit

[@NickLongFilmmaking]

except in reality it was 300 spartan hoplites + 7000 greeks that the spartans had allied with for this battle.

[@Uriel77200]

@NickLongFilmmaking Spartans, what is your profession? See old friend, I brought more soldiers than you did.

[@NickLongFilmmaking]

@@Uriel77200 one of my favourite lines hahah

[@tonygriffin_]

"So many stills that you could just hang up as artwork". That's probably because they were shots based on the gorgeous artwork by Frank Miller in the original graphic novel (that he also wrote). The movie of his other great work, Sin City, followed the same format, using the style he used for that particular brilliant graphic novel (monochrome with occasional splashes of colour, which is the same aesthetic that Sumi-e, the Japanese ink painting style, uses).

[@OfficialMediaKnights]

Saw some of that artwork and it is beautiful! They did such an incredible job translating it to film 😃

[@danielpopp1526]

Killing Xerxes was never the goal. If he did kill him, Xerxes subordinates would've claimed he ascended to full Godhood and made him a martyr that would've lead to Geece being decimated. By making Xerxes bleed, even if they tried to silence all witnesses, Xerexes people would see he is not a God king. Making Xerxes bleed over straight up killing him did way more damage.

[@chadlynch1551]

"Come back with your shield or on it" is something Spartan women would say to their men as they went off to battle. Supposedly, "we will fight in the shade" is something actually said. Spartans were basically like special forces long, long before the birth of Christ or the beginning of Rome. There are a few things they either get wrong or ignore in this movie. Spartans fought in a phalanx - a tightly packed group of men with heavy armor, shields, and long spears. They were used to fighting in the more narrow, mountainous regions of Greece. Persian soldiers were more lightly armored and used to fighting on an open field with lots of maneuvering. When the more lightly armored soldiers of Persia smashed against the Spartans, they couldn't break through, and because they were attacking on a narrow front, they couldn't out maneuver the enemy. The Spartans didn't charge out individually like in the movie. They stuck together and speared their enemy over and over again. The other thing the movie never addresses is that Spartans were a slave owning society. Unlike other Greek city-states that only owned non-Greek slaves, the Spartans kept an entire other Greek people in bondage; the Helots. Helots did all the work, and Spartan women managed them. This freed up the Spartan men to do nothing but train for war and fight. The fact that they kept Greeks as slaves didn't really endear them to the other Greek people. Lastly, there was a tradition among Spartan men that, before they were considered real warriors, they had to kill a Helot without being caught. This taught them to be stealthy and clever, and it kept the Helots in a constant state of fear of their masters.

[@yvonnesanders4308]

There were no Greeks. They were independent city states

[@chadlynch1551]

@@yvonnesanders4308 They were independent city states, but they did believe that they were also a distinct people in the larger sense. An Athenian was an Athenian and a Spartan a Spartan, but both were also Greek; or Hellenes. The city-state distinction resided within the broader category of "Greek". For instance, the word "barbarian" comes from the fact that, to the Greeks, all non-Greek speaking people sounded like they were saying "bar-bar-bar". Sure., the city states often fought with one another, but they still considered themselves a separate race of people.

[@Sonic62920]

For all of the badass lines in this movie, none can hope to match the response to Philip II of Macedon. Philip: "If I invade Laconia, I shall turn you out." Spartans: "If."

[@TheGoIsWin21]

Laconia, source of the word "laconic", meaning concise to the point of rudeness or mystery 😂

[@user-bi5vl2mf6u]

If

[@patrickevans9604]

If I were to conquer you

[@laba3423]

but sparta was a dying city i those times if I am not wrong , after persian wars they fought with other greek cities and won but eventually became losers in proud of all that success

[@Jordan-mj7kz]

the son and father being on the battle field together is extreamly rare in spartan history its against their laws incase they both where to die the bloodline would end.

[@Jordan-mj7kz]

Also, there were around 7 thousand Greek warriors. One tribe chose to stick by the 300 Spartans, and their 1000 helots at the end who died an honorable death, but they are not mentioned here. Unfortunately, 1100 Boeotians were killed, along with Leonidas.

[@adrianfuegoscuro6308]

Leonidas pointed with his Spear and said, -"You there, Ephialtes, may you live forever" This is not only a Burn, It`s a Sentence from the King. I feel compassion for Ephialtes in a certain way

[@byronthecimmerian]

I went to the movie theater 4 times to watch this movie. I took my best friends, my brother and sister-in-law, I went by myself twice. This movie got me because I learned about them when I was a kid, back in 1985. And I always thought about the Thermopilas battle. It is my dream battle to see since I was a kid.

[@philmead7977]

Another spot on reaction guys. It was a real battle which took place at Thermopylae in Greece, and you are able to visit the site where the Spartans and others held off the massive Persian army, it's understandably changed quite a lot and the sea has receded, but you can still make out the lie of the land and see the narrow pass the Spartans held, there is also a huge statue of King Leonidas nearby. It's on my bucket list of places to visit✌

[@Tyranidlord556]

That location has seen so many defensive battles and last stands throughout history. So much blood has been spilt on one small spot. One of the numerous battles for example was during the second World War where an ANZAC unit (Australian and New Zealand Army Corp) held off german forces coming south during the invasion of Greece.

[@theonewhoknows2]

Not to mention the battle didnt happen like the movie...

[@josepablobonillajimenez6297]

@@theonewhoknows2I mean does that even need to be said? Of course 300 spartans didn't resist waves of tens thousands of persians that had horrible monsters all while wearing nothing but a helmet and their underwear, it's pretty clear it's not a historical docummentary

[@thatgirl4633]

Favorite line: "our arrows will blot out the sun" ... "then we will fight in the shade" ... Epic

[@gregkoss]

Facts: 1. King Leonidas was around 60 years old when he fought this battle..!! 🔥⚔ 2. Efialtis (Εφιάλτης) (The traitor who told Persians the secret passage), actually means "Nightmare" in Greek 3. The phrases below, were actually told by Spartans in that battle a) Get back with your shield, or on it. (᾿Ή τὰν ἢ ἐπὶ τᾶς) b) Then we will fight in the shade. c) Come and get them. (Μολὼν λαβέ)

[@billdoor3140]

The "we will fight in the shade" retort was actually said by the Spartans at Thermopylea. The Greeks umited and led by Sparta eventually beat the Persians.

[@shawnkroll3950]

Again, both your reactions are amazing. My favorite line is between Xerxes's and Leonidas. Xerxes's "I would sacrifice any of my men for victory." Leonidas, "and I would gladly die for any one of my men." This tells you all you need to know who a good leader is actually. Denise is right that both men and women together in Spartan were strong. The women were just as battle ready. BTW even though this is fictional some parts are based on real history and just a note Leonidas was 60 years old when he fought this battle. Denise caught it to show world Xeroxes' was not a god but a man...to make him bleed. :) Finally funny part is the US military has certain ideals that stem from Spartans and history - the idea that solider is a job/career and the brotherhood to be there for person beside you in the trenches. :)

[@visualartsbyjr2464]

For all the bravado in this movie, I like that you can see emotions on their faces (happiness, passion, closeness, etc) and not the seemingly endless depictions of emotionless stoicism in modern action movies. Enjoyed your reaction! PS: a lot of the lines were not only taken from the graphic novel but from ancient Spartan history.

[@OfficialMediaKnights]

Thanks for the little fact about some of the lines being taken from actual history! We noticed that as well. We were expecting all of them to be more one dimensional but we believe they did a pretty good job giving all of them a strong and personal objective and they all delivered with their performances!

[@Heru_Iluvatar]

Please research Stoicism better.

[@Teddy-zr8yv]

​@@Heru_Iluvatar "A true Stoic does not deny his emotions, but accepts and works to master them?

[@itamivaldes1427]

Not a legend but pure real history that leaved a mark for eternity about the glory of ancient Sparta and Greece that remains till today, truly shows how powerful people can be, even against all odds.

[@Geth-Who]

One little stylistic detail I love is that the sky is bronze. In the language of the original story, there's no word for blue; the tale describes the sky as bronze because it was bright.

[@steveallen8987]

In reality the Spartans were into poetic phrases. The fighting in the shade of arrows blotting G out the sun is a direct quote from history.

[@MrQuaiven]

Most of the great quotable lines in this movie were actually spoken at the real events. Spartans were well known for their dry humor there's even a term for it, Laconic Wit.

[@sputnikalgrim]

“Spartan, come back with your shield… or on it” goosebumps every time

[@AskiFin]

most of the famous quotes in this movie are actual spartan words, recorded in history.. they add some more but mostly they are on the same level. Most famous spartan quote was: Philip II of Macedon(father of Alexander the Great) : "When I am coming to Sparta, will I come as friend or a foe" Sparta : "Neither" Later message, "If I invade you, should I show mercy" (paraphrasing, doesn't really translate to english) Sparta: "If" They are originators of Laconic Phrase or Laconisms.. which, like in the movie results in true words "Enemy has so large of an army their arrows plot out the sun" "Good, then we will fight in the shade"-- or the fact when spartan king was shown a great city, "look at my walls, nobody can invade me" "Looks like fine, womens quarters" "Where is your wall then?" "*points to his soldiers*".. There's also the great story about how spartans seem weak.. they get their hair done before battle...... yes they did.. because they wanted their hair to look good in a funeral, not like they just want to look good randomly, they were prepared to die. (Also, Sparta is the earliest female led society, it wasn't because they wanted females to lead, it was because men cannot inherit, they earn their place in army.. so all rich ppl were females.)

[@paulineandrushuk8923]

NEVER have I seen you 2 so incredibly hyped over a movie. It was pure entertainment watching you guys. Having seen the film before, my only regret today was missing the soundtrack. Many epic lines, and even a new one : "give me some abs and a cape".

[@antonyrod1003]

Another great review, guys. Im glad you liked the movie. Definitely need to check out 300:Rise of an Empire. It's a prequel/ sequel, as it takes place concurrently during the events of 300. Also, if you are looking for another Zack Synder film, you have to check out Watchmen. It's the greatest graphic novel of all time. Zack Synder does a great job adapting it to screen. At the time of its release, didnt get a lot of love, but in the years sinc it has grown very much in popularity. Even Christopher Nolan saying its was ahead of its time.

[@MentalLiberation]

And again, adapted from the graphic novel. Great stuff all around

[@5ilver42]

I remember when it was in theaters every boy in school was quoting it non-stop. It got plenty of love.

[@Heru_Iluvatar]

Imo 300: Rise of an Empire is a severely underappreciated film.

[@johnnypickens9228]

That film is also based on historical events. That was the first wave. It was repelled by the Spartan Navy. The battle of Thermopoly is what 300 is based on

[@AnxiouslyGaming]

Watchmen is one of the greatest movies of all time. Rorschach & The Comedian were God Tier. Seriously couldn't have picked better actors.

[@jomojojo6603]

Happy New Year, Knights. Wishing you both the best in the coming year. When Leonidas told the hunchback "May you live forever", I never considered that it might mean that he'd never have the honor of dying like a Spartan. I thought it meant that he would live with the shame of what he did for eternity. It's always nice to see a different perspective.

[@OfficialMediaKnights]

That's the beauty of films! We can all have slightly different takeaways 😄

[@HerpMcDerp89]

@jomojojo6603 most people miss how insane of an insult it was. But when you think about it, it makes perfect sense. Spartan culture embraced the opportunity to die on the battlefield. To them, there was no higher honor in life. Ephealties (the hunchback) spent his entire life wanting to be included among the Spartan ranks. So when Leonidas says to him "may you live forever" he's not just saying he hopes Ephealties never dies in battle. Leonidas is essentially telling him he will never be a Spartan. He will never have that one thing he has been pining for his entire life. It's such a well crafted insult when you can understand all the context behind it.

[@lembnic]

After the betrayal of Ephialtes, the name "Ephialtes" received a lasting stigma; it came to mean "nightmare" in the Greek language and to symbolize the archetypal traitor in Greek culture.

[@caribbeanman3379]

It's both. He will never have the honor of dying in battle and he will have suffer the shame and guilt forever.

[@Tyranidlord556]

As the story goes, after the defeat of Leonidas and the 300 Spartans, Xerxes placed Leonidas' head on a spear at the mouth of the hot gates and marched his army past it. The idea being to show that even an enemy such as the spartans could be defeated. Instead apparently not a single soldier of the persian army could meet Leonidas' gaze even in death.

[@JG19709]

The Spartans would have loved this movie, as it is exactly how they saw themselves, historically correct or not.

[@boqndimitrov8693]

the movie that made gerard butler a star. the role he will be remembered for. butler - the actor without whom the movie wouldn't be the same!

[@Elfsthirdnut]

There was major irony when young Leonidas killed the back wolf by falling back between the cliffs and fast forward to the Persian war and they were fending them off between two cliffs and a small opening

[@Elfsthirdnut]

Or foreshadowing I guess

[@IncoGnito-ji5du]

Fun facts. -Leonidas was in his 60s when the battle of Thermopylae took place. -Ephialtes, though exaggerated did exist (Ephialtes was the son of Eurydemus (Greek: Εὐρύδημος) of Malis). He also, did live forever afterall, as a traitor. -Spartas' sacrifice of her men and King, had a monumental effect on every city-state that resided in ancient greece (every city operated pretty much independently, constantly fighting with each other, and what we now conceive as a 'country' did not exist back then). Not only did the spartans delay Xerxis' advance by at least a few days (which gave everyone time to prepare for the invasion) but they all literally put aside any quarells, and concolidated into a massive naval and ground force. Spartans in the thousands, and Athens' greatest generals and admirals, proceeded to oblitarate the Persian force (battle of Marathonas, battle of Plataea, battle of Salamina). Xerxis was forced to retreat, and the persian empire slowly entered its decline. -The actual shoreline the battle took place, has been rather eroded, after so many eons. It has moved a mile or two inland, but still, a few yards away from the highway that now runs through, in a quiet opening, there s a small shrine. "Go tell to Sparta, thou who passest by, that here, obedient to her laws, we lie." As per the wishes of King Leonidas. -I wonder sometimes, whenever i get the chance to drive through the 'gates', stop for a smoke, gaze at the shrine, then at the sea. Would the Spartans have fought so valiantly, if they had a chance to see the world they died for, as it is today?

[@OlivePittsOnDesk]

Sparta is long gone and yet they are ALIVE IN OUR MINDS. It reminds me of another Sparta story where a massive army approached and the general sent a message. "If we invade Sparta, your civilization will be destroyed." The Spartan king sent a one word reply, "IF" and the enemy never advanced against them.

[@GTalis]

Alexander the Great's father, Phillip the 2nd was preparing for the campaign against Persia and invited Spartans to be part of what is know as the Hellenic Koinon, basically the first unification of the Hellenic City States as one nation nowdays known as Greece(the proper name is Hellas and the people are called Hellenes not Greeks). Spartans responded by saying we only lead in battle, not follow so they did not join.Then Phillip reminded them what happened to the city of Thebes who revolted against him thinking he was weak, only to be burned to the ground, and also responded to the Spartans by saying if you make me come down south and fight you, you will be erased from the face of the earth , to receive the laconic answer, IF.

[@joeybossolo7]

Great reaction, guys. The Spartan “one-liners” are historically accurate, giving rise to the term “laconic speech”. Laconia was the region inhabited and ruled by the Spartans, who were known for their brevity in speech. Some historic examples: after invading southern Greece and receiving the submission of other key city-states, Philip II of Macedon turned his attention to Sparta and asked menacingly whether he should come as friend or foe. The reply was "Neither." Losing patience, he sent the message: If I invade Laconia, I shall turn you out! The Spartan ephors again replied with a single word: “If”. After the battle of Thermopylae the Persians recovered Leonidas' body, and Xerxes, in a rage, ordered that the body be decapitated and crucified. The battleground to this day has an engraved epitaph on a commemorative stone placed on top of the burial mound of the Spartans at Thermopylae. It simply reads: “O stranger, tell the Lacedaemonians that we lie here, obedient to their words.” True badassery.

[@Falcun21]

Let's be precise with the quote. "Tell them in Lacedaemon, passer-by. That here, obedient to their laws, we lie."

[@Deimos2k5]

You fail to mention that Philip absolutely kicked the living crap out of Sparta and did indeed devastate Laconia. So that "if" turned out to be true. Spartan military prowess has been greatly exaggerated

[@gregm3406]

It was recorded in several historical documents that Xerxes 1 was actually around 7ft tall. Which helped his whole god king persona no doubt

[@beautifulbliss5883]

You guys gotta watch 300 Rise of an Empire. Eva Green absolutely nails her role, total badass, I'm straight but she was my first girl crush.

[@rickwelch8464]

I am (embarrassingly perhaps) borderline addicted to reactions to movies and music. I just found you guys and have watched probably 5 -7 reactions and you have taken over the top spot of reactors in my book. Outstanding reaction as usual.

[@jareeohs]

I love this film and it’s always a trip seeing Cersei not being the antagonist 😂😂😂

[@OfficialMediaKnights]

Haha! What a great actress isn’t she? So versatile 😃

[@cloveless18]

Wish i could upvote you more❤ i had such a lady crush on the Spartan queen. Then came Cersei and my lady boner jumped back up into my stomach😂😂😂 Gods, I despised Cersei😡

[@patrickevans9604]

She's amazing in the sequel as well. She's also pretty good in the purge too

[@DanielMcGregor]

I just remembered you mentioned how you love Dead Space. The Persian Messenger played by Peter Mensah who gets kicked in that famous "This is Sparta!" scene, also played Sgt. Zach Hammond in Dead Space.

[@kingblaze7992]

Literally watched this so many times and just realized the great plan to fight in the narrow pass was first foreshadowed with the wolf in the beginning 😮

[@donnawills8316]

This is my all time favorite movie. Leonidas was an incredible man. To see him portrayed this way by this man was totally glorious 😊

[@Yora21]

The way it is put into pictures is super stylized and over the top. But the sequence of events is really close to the historical accounts.

[@LIGHTNING132YTG]

I don't know how historically accurate this film is, but it is one of the most inspirational films of the generation. Also, one of the most tragic war stories in human history. I think this came out right after or maybe a year or 2 after Zack Snyder's remake of Dawn of the Dead, another great Snyder film. 300 is what gave Snyder his signature in filmmaking. Everything about this film is a 10. So glad you two got to experience it

[@LIGHTNING132YTG]

Films like this remind me a lot films that have an artsy feel to it. A big example for myself is the 1977 film Suspiria. It's one of my all time favorite horror films. I recommend a watch. Another film I'm reminded of is Midsommar from A24 studios, another great film! I highly recommend it to those who haven't seen it. But these are the two main films I think of when it comes to filmmaking being a piece of visual art.

[@OfficialMediaKnights]

It’s not too historically accurate but it does offer some pretty badass moments and great visuals. Loved that Snyder made this movie his own. There’s a very distinctive and strong visual style here as well as the visual storytelling that normally I’d perceive as a bit over the top yet Snyder manages to make it work with how he directed the performances and how he shot the action! Honestly great work on his end👏

[@chuckh4077]

😂 Persians dislike this movie. They don't like how Xerces was portrayed.

[@Tconl]

The movie is based loosely on a comic. And the comic is based loosely on the real thing. @@OfficialMediaKnights Which is fine since the movie aint a documentairy.

[@tonyyul703]

​@@OfficialMediaKnightsthere is a sequel to this but it's not as great as this was and you do get to see that battle

[@cjperry2731]

What is so great about all the epic lines and comebacks, is that they're real.. no joke.. The Spartans were notorious for their quips and comebacks, and those lines that were so great, really were real quotes from history.. Look it up 👍

[@chu2ks2dfutur]

This was why many of us were so psyched for Snyder to helm the DCEU movies. Didn't pan out as great as we thought it would, but at least we have 300. Salute, Zack Snyder!🙌

[@meadmaker4525]

One of my all-time favorite films. The dialogue...the cinematography...the sepia tone of everything but the blood...the fight choreography...it's a masterpiece. It really is. There's a reason Zack Snyder has a following. If you haven't done so already, I really hope you make it to Sin City and Zack Snyder's Superman trilogy.

[@cptchaotic]

Do you remember being in school and going on a field trip to the museum? Seeing all the old paintings of great battles. Thats how this movies was for me. Like if I had looked at 1 of the painting long enough this movie would have played out.

[@diannaellis4708]

Thank you. You are the first who understood what the King meant when he said may you live forever. 👍

[@StaneGhost]

Great reaction as always guys, thanks! As others have already said, since you enjoyed the writing, pacing, and visuals of this one so much, you GOTTA check out 2005's 'Sin City'. Another Frank Miller comic adaptation with similar style and an incredible cast!

[@dc1939]

Rodriguez absolutely slayed it with his one of a kind cinematography. Securing a killer cast , getting Miller himself to co-direct & cameo, & even letting Tarantino bang out one of the movies best scenes didn't hurt either. Where tfs the Sin City 4K special edition blu ray ?

[@acerfaser]

This movie is great at hyping you up! It gives a real good feeling. Despite the sad ending. I want to recommend DREDD with Karl Urban. An often overlooked movie that also hypes the viewer up. And an absolutely fantastic performance by Lena Headey.

[@yvonnesanders4308]

Love DREDD

[@GuilFernandes]

UP! UP! UP!

[@renzero9206]

"THIS IS SPARTA!" - one of the most iconic lines in cinema history.

[@jurgenschmidt2759]

Keep in mind, it's the Narrator telling the story, how he thought the final battle went, he only knew Leonidas died and Xerxes lived and he made the end as heroically as he could..

[@SeanRyan_83]

the commentary and analysis from you guys is great. real fun to watch along

[@OfficialMediaKnights]

Thank you for watching this with us! It means the world ❤️

[@auronixd]

Another great reaction, guys! I had a lot of fun watching this movie again with you 😊 You've quickly become one of my favorite channels, so I felt the need to join your community when I saw you were reacting to 300. I wish you Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! 🎉 Keep being yourselves, because you're awesome! ❤

[@OfficialMediaKnights]

Thank you for your support! It truly means a lot to both of us. We're so happy to hear you've been enjoying these 😄 Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you as well! ❤️

[@66JesterDeath]

The shot at 29.54 with the rock over the top is one of the best shots I've ever seen, with them walking towards you, how terrifying that must be to see😂

[@JoshuaSmith1986]

That showing of the partnership between a strong king and a strong queen. Always loved the moment he looked back at her. A good king doesn't make decisions without consulting his queen. A great show don't tell moment shown in one instance. We instantly understand their unspoken love language.

[@JulioCoudio]

I think that Watchmen from Zack Snyder and Sin City from Robert Rodriguez would be great choices to follow this reaction. Great as always!

[@TimothyC.84]

Y'all are dope. Your chemistry makes these videos. Happy New Year!

[@OfficialMediaKnights]

This is such a kind comment, thank you!! We're so glad you're enjoying our content! Happy New Year to you as well!

[@seansteyer8851]

The battle of Thermopolae is one of my favorite fights ever. 300 vs 1 million (in lore) is amazing

[@clarissa182]

300 is my favorite Snyder movie. It's so good. I just love it.

[@B1-Han]

Check out Michael Mann's "Heat" (1995). An iconic movie, one of the best in its genre. The most spectacular and realistic shootout in the history of cinema. And yeah, Al Pacino and Robert DeNiro at their finest.

[@user-np2dp8ck4j]

Second this.

[@beelzebub_jones]

I must say I've been watching you for a while now, I have about 5 reactors that I like to watch on a regular basis. And you two are tied for first in my opinion :) keep up the good work

[@jbrbears]

Ari and Denise, i ran across your reactions looking for a clip from this movie, and I've been hooked for the last two weeks! Both of you are awesome, i love how you almost flawlessly complement each other. Please keep up the great work, and Denise, your smile is amazing! 😁

[@Vecturion]

One of the greatest films ever produced hands down. A must see for every military history lover

[@barr790]

This is such a beautifully violent film, seen it so many times its definitely a 'go to' its still visually stunning today. Oh, and how stunning is that emissary who got kicked down the hole in the beginning? He is amazing to look at. Very cool reaction guys ❤

[@OfficialMediaKnights]

The visuals are impeccable! Thank you for joining us 😃

[@elestrabicodebellavista]

Hi guys! Excellent review. They both have a beautiful voice, very clear and magnetic. Every year since I saw this movie, I write to Santa, asking him for the Spartans' abdominal muscles. But it seems like he doesn't listen to me...

[@nikknackmickattack320]

When the father says "my son!" during the battle, that's when it was over. The narrator mentioned about pride earlier, and how everything belongs to the Spartans, not as individuals. That's when he screamed before he died "my wife, my queen!" he fully accepted his death.

[@mr2gti]

One of the greatest movies made this side of 2000.

[@randy7831]

Leonides did not want to kill the Persian king for the same reason he said why the Persians would not kill him when he went to see Xeres. All of Persia would have rosen up if Leonides killed Xeres, just like Sparta ended up doing when the Persians killed Leonides. By making the God king bleed, he put doubt in the "god"s mind and his soldiers.

[@michaelnolan6951]

I love how the stylized shot arrangements emphasize that this is Dilios (David Wenham) telling a propaganda tale to fire up the troops. While the story glosses over some of the more problematic aspects of Sparta, (Helots, anyone?) some of the epic dialogue is direct translations of millenia old quotes, reported from the battle. "Then we shall fight in the shade!")

[@fredfredburger5150]

Yep. In a time when slavery in Greece was commonplace to be a slave in Sparta was thought of as being especially bad.

[@yvonnesanders4308]

Problematic? 😂 they're not living down the road causing trouble. Understand the Spartan mentality and you understand their reasoning. If you're not Spartan and defeated you are now a slave. With it or on it.

[@michaelnolan6951]

@@yvonnesanders4308 Yeah, "problematic". The regular ritualistic murder of non Spartan residents of Sparta by civilians is not a feature of democracy. Or civilisation. It is in fact just like random people living down the road causing random trouble on certain nights of the year. Being randomly ritually murdered by their neighbours probably struck them as "problematic"at the time. It's not like all the Helots were thinking, "yeah, all my family for the last couple of generations were slaves to the Spartans, so of course we deserve to be randomly murdered!" No matter how cool they were, the Spartans were not automatically the good guys.

[@Yora21]

Some ancient accounts say that the Spartans actually did have 10,000 soldiers for the Battle of Plataea that was one year later. Probably with some 70,000 other Greeks with them. The Persian Army was probably similar size, though the Greeks said they were outnumbered 3 to 1 or 5 to 1. Still a massive battle, and after that the Persians gave up the campaign to conquer Greece.

[@evieleftheriadou7623]

Fun fact this movie took only 60 days for filming and had a 60 mil budget. Leonidas charge is iconic, Snyder used 3 cameras to shoot this scene and they didn't use a stunt, that was Gerald Butler. Awesome reaction guys :)

[@jillfromatlanta427]

You must read Gates of Fire by Pressfield.....he brings Thermopolae to life with Leonides and the warriors.

[@dongilleo9743]

Great book. It would have been a great movie or mini series.

[@crazyfvck]

It truly blows my mind that you two haven't seen this before! :) This was an EPIC theater experience :) The sequel is also good :)

[@stmichelob]

"IS THAT MICHAEL FASSBENDER???" "If they're wearing metal, it's over". EPIC!

[@timneale5657]

Really love how you guys break down the movies. Awesome, Have a Great New Year! Looking forward to seeing more from ya'll

[@OfficialMediaKnights]

Thank you so much, this is so kind! It's great to have you with us and your support means the world to us! Have a great new year!

[@padaoamandacha8036]

Love your reactions. You guys always make me smile. This was an awesome movie. Love Man of Steel too. Hope you guys react to it.

[@michaelpanagakos2324]

one of the few if not the only channel that makes thoughtful insights without interrupting the movie

[@SaraBearRawr0312]

I've been a history nerd my entire life and while anyone with any minor depth in history will know that obviously this movie is a highly fantasized telling of the actual battle of thermopylae but most of us will also tell you: We don't care because this movie is awesome!

[@piphead]

Just completely epic from start to finish. Visually stunning, poetic dialogue, badass fight scenes, unforgettable quotes. Most testosterone fuelled movie ever made. Wanting to be like a Spartan. Wanting that 8-pack. Wanting to hit the gym. Then finding out they spray painted those abs on. So don't feel bad now, having my dad bod 😆😆 Happy new year guys 🎉🎉 Looking forward to ur next reaction already. THIS IS MEDIA KNIGHTS!!!

[@OfficialMediaKnights]

Such an epic journey but that ending was perfect! Good to know all we gotta do is use some spray paint 😂 Thanks for always showing up ❤️ Happy New Year!

[@carisma9924]

Great reaction like always. I hope you will give "300 Rise of an empire" a shot, too. Even if some people say its not a good as the first part. I liked the 2nd part aswell. I wish you a happy new year from germany.

[@aweigh1010]

I liked the sequel too.

[@AnotherFacelessDigitalNoOne]

"Then we will fight in the shade" is a historical quote. Badass af

[@the_last_centurion]

Occasionally I see movies being reacted to buy the reactors I follow and think I'm not fused on seeing a reaction to a particular movie so I might not bother right away. This is an epic movie but it's your guys reaction I enjoy. The enthusiasm and joy you both have is amazing and a joy to watch. Be it a comedy, romcom , action or whatever you guys give it your full attention and appreciate all the details no matter how insignificant they may seem to most people. That is what loyal fans keep returning to the channel for. Keep up the great work. Hope 2024 is good to you both.

[@Wash869]

Movie recommendation for you to react to: PREDATORS (2010), this is the third film in the predator franchise, and the most underrated too, which has an interesting and creative plot, you'll like it