Seeking out Redemption in the Beautiful World of Film. or My Excuse to Write About Movies

Monday, March 19, 2007

300

Frank Miller's graphic novel 300 is translated to the big screen by Zack Snyder in the recent film of the same name. It is the story of the battle of Thermopylae, circa 480 B.C. Xerxes, King of Persia, has taken over most of the "known world." He is now proceeding to conquer the Greek peninsula, including Sparta. Xerxes offers the Spartans the opportunity to live prosperously, all they have to do is bow down to Persia. But Sparta is proud, and values its freedom above all else. When Xerxes' messenger comes to deliver the news, King Leonidas (Gerard Butler) kicks him down a well, yelling "This is Sparta!." So Persia comes to defend its honor, and bring an iron fist. Their army is absolutely massive, and when they say that their arrows can blot out the sun, they aren't lying. So Leonidas wants to take the Spartans to face them, but is not allowed to because the law states that the oracle must approve. The oracle does not approve. Leonidas takes only 300 men, as a personal bodyguard attachment, to face Xerxes. They believe they can win, because they are Spartans (uber-highly trained soldiers, by the way - they value excellence). What ensues is a testosterone-fest of violence and bloodshed.
300 looks incredibly beautiful. The screen is meant to look like Miller's novel, and that comes across well. There are some scenes that make your jaw drop because they are so cool. In terms of the characters, I went in thinking I would dislike King Leonidas. I ended up really admiring him for his valor, courage, and devotion. He upholds bravery and honor. Yet, he achieves this through brutal violence. Enter Hollywood's "Myth of Redemptive Violence." 300 definitely buys in to the idea that violence can bring about redemption. Jesus did not solve his problems through violence, though he could have easily kicked the snot out of the Romans if he wanted to. Jesus thought there was a better way: forgiveness and reconciliation. Some people would say that those ideas are just not practical in an ancient society, but that is exactly the type of society that Jesus was a part of. In fact, the Romans in Jesus' time were even more powerful than the Persians in the film. And Israel had every reason to be proud and desire freedom, like Sparta in the film. 300 makes us want to fight for something greater than ourselves, and for that it should be applauded. But do we have to "fight" violently? The answer is no.
That brings me to the spiritual battle metaphor. This metaphor is prevalent throughout Christianity. We are at war with evil, with the devil. This is true. There is a battle raging for the souls of humanity. We should give all we have to this battle, to do right, to defend those who are defenceless. But we as Christ-followers are called to overcome evil with good, not "fight fire with fire." Let us uphold honor, courage, sacrifice, the values put forth in 300, but let us be careful, lest we translate those values into violence. God desires Shalom, a deep peace. In the church's history the spiritual battle metaphor has all too often been used to justify killing the "bad people" (ex. Spanish Inquisition). We need to understand that as glorious and exciting as war is, the spiritual battle we wage everyday is even more exciting and vital. Living for Christ, overcoming evil with good, this is the ultimate adventure.
Sparta parallels America in some ways. Sparta values its freedom and pride above all else. Moren than anything, freedom is our idol in America. We will do anything for freedom. That is a very good thing, but sometimes we end up worshiping our freedom, instead of the One who gave us freedom. Also, Sparta has an extreme nationalistic pride, that eventually led to their downfall. Do we (Americans) have that same pride? Sometimes yes, sometimes no.
Interesting side note, I saw a lot of similarities between this film and Eastwood's Letters From Iwo Jima, in terms of their honor code. Never retreat; never surrender.
300 is not necessarily historically accurate in terms of the details, but I think it captures the spirit and attitude of the people. This is the way people thought. They didn't get together and talk about their feelings, they didn't try diplomacy, they fought. For better or worse (ok, for worse) war was a way of life. The film is over-the-top gratuitous with violence, and to some extent sex. There is no sanitation here, it is unapologetic. 300 is a wild romp in the valley of death.

6 comments:

Ryan Oakes said...

Kyle,

Excellent review of 300. I just saw this movie last weekend. I must say the cinematography was amazing. I enjoyed the movie. It was a sort of 'guilty' pleasure. Anyway, I liked your perspective on the movie. Indeed it did promote the values of honor and duty, albeit through the perspective of Sparta. Though, Sparta is indeed similar to America in those perspectives. As for the spiritual battle, I didn't think of that. I was thinking of some of the references to some lines in the movie. "Freedom comes with a cost. That cost is blood."( I think that is the line). Another is Leonidas saying "You will see a God-King bleed." Indeed, Xerxes offers himself as a god-king but only through might and power. Though the Spartans get it right, a point is missed. A God-King did come, and shed His blood for freedom, from sin, and during this season of Lent we remember His death but also His resurrection. This stems from your statements that Christ comes in a different way, one of peace not violence. Excellent blog Kyle as always!!

Anonymous said...

This is one movie i want to see. I like graphic novels and it's cool to see one "moviefied".

Speaking of graqphic novels, I'm trying to start my own. The Idea is that it will be a 'User-Generated' graphic novel, where visitors can vote on things like plot lines and setting and contribute artwork and photographs. Eventually I hope to publish it. The site is Omegatribe.org (/drupal/ for the new version). (it's not done yet, and i'm having trouble keeping out spammers. but take a look.)

Anonymous said...

Hey thug--

Nice review.

Is it just me or was this movie like one big Bally's commercial?

"I shall now look at the camera and yell a line!"

Unknown said...

So, you know how my car screwed up and i basically sat at home all day? well i was working on something. and it just might pertain to this review.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBNCDLy-di0

thats what happens when you make a teen board.
loved the movie BTW

Anonymous said...

Mr. O.

For the most part I have little to no care on what kind of spiritual meaning, or anything relating to that, has for me in a movie. Unless the movie is just beyond bad and makes no sense like the movie "Shoot em Up".
Saying that, it doesn't mean I just won't try to look for those things in the movies we watch in class and I will do my best to be involved in the discussions we have in class regardless of my opinion.

Phil

Anonymous said...

Thought it was great, but very short...