Last Stand of the 300: The Legendary Battle at Thermopylae

Last Stand of the 300: The Legendary Battle at Thermopylae
by David Padrusch

Last Stand of the 300: The Legendary Battle at Thermopylae
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DVD details

Actor: Erin Bennett, Jeffery A. Baker, Joshua Bradley, Kristopher Blount, Orion Barnes
Director: David Padrusch
Brand: A&E
Producer: David Padrusch
Writer: David Padrusch
Producer: Gabriel Gornell
Producer: Linda Beck
Producer: Matt Koed
Writer: Matt Koed
Producer: Michael Impollonia
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, NTSC, Widescreen
Picture Format: 1.78:1
Running Time: 91 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2007-07-31
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: A&E Home Video

DVD Reviews of Last Stand of the 300: The Legendary Battle at Thermopylae

DVD Review: slow moving spartens
Summary: 4 Stars

Waiting 3 weeks for a single video to arrive can't be considered a timely turn around transaction.

DVD Review: Last Stand of the 300: The Legendary Battle at Thermopylae
Summary: 5 Stars

I have always been curious about the story of the 300 Spartans. When I viewed the movie, "300," my curiosity was satisfied, but not completely. Watching a segment of the above title on The History Channel one evening, which, unfortunately, I could not finish, I had to see more. So, I bought the above title, and was not disappointed. It is an amazing tale of superior strategic warriorship for that time in history. Leads me to wonder how long the 300 Spartans would have held off Xerxes' army if they hadn't been betrayed...

DVD Review: 300 Times Better Than 300
Summary: 5 Stars

Unfortunately I saw this shortly before I saw the 2007 release of 300. This Documentary ruined the movie for me. Leaving out the amazing story of the Navies heroic and vital part of the story was a big mistake. IMHO
The more reality based version was so much more accurate and fascinating. Sometimes the truth is more interesting than the fantasy. It was almost like reading a good book before you see the movie. Ninety percent of the time the movie doesn't do justice to the book. I highly recommend this version for entertainment & education. Well done History Channel!

DVD Review: On the whole...good
Summary: 4 Stars

On the whole this was an interesting and accurate description of one of the most important battles in history. I especially liked the telling of how this event helped unite the various city states of Greece, the country that planted the seed of democracy.

I only wish the film maker had shown us the actual site today, rather than giving us just maps and computer graphics. It would have been helpful to see just how side the space was between the mountain cliffs and the sea--also that trail around the heights. Since I will never be able to go there, this would have given me a better idea of just what the Spartans and Persians faced.

There was considerable repetition of information, as this was apparently made for television with all its commercials and the lack of attention span, as opposed to those who see the DVD in one fell swoop.

Nonetheless, I would recommend this as an interesting and important depiction of history.

DVD Review: Absorbing documentary on the Battle of Thermopylae
Summary: 4 Stars

Easily inspired from the smash theatrical film, "300," this documentary by "The History Channel," is as entertaining as it is informative. Using a panel of historians and actors in sophisitcated, digitally enhanced reenactments, this disc will clearly appeal to the younger set. With a concentration on the battle itself, and to the History Channel's credit, a significant amount of the 91 minute documentary is spent discussing the Spartan philosophy and way of life in contrast to the other Greek city states and the political rivalies they shared.

Considerable air time is also devoted to the weapons and armor used by the Persians and the Greeks as well as the naval battles and the tactical expertise that allowed the Greeks to stave off Xerxes and the Persian army--said to be over 300,000 strong--against a force of about 1,500 men; roughly the legendary 300 Spartans themselves, and a loose confederation of other soldiers from other city states. The commentators and the program itself, in a highly engaging and entertaining manner, illustrate how the Battle of Thermopylae not only changed the course of Western Civilization, but preserved the the concepts of democracy and freedom in the ancient world.

While this installment carries, by no means the depth of Sir Kenneth Clark's "Civilization," (see my review), it is, an acceptable, albeit, glitzy, action-packed, high-tech extravaganza of a documentary no doubt many high school teachers will find useful for the classroom on a slow Friday morning.

I was fortunate to find my copy at Ross-Dress-For-Less for only $4.99 compared to the list price of $12.99 here at Amazon.

Description of Last Stand of the 300: The Legendary Battle at Thermopylae

The legendary battle of Thermopylae is still acknowledged today for its brilliant military maneuvers and the well-trained and fearless soldiers who fought to the death. The History Channel? presents a detailed account of this legendary battle, examining the events leading up to the conflict, the tactical expertise that allowed the outnumbered Greeks to stall their mighty foes, and the bloody encounter itself. Find out how an army of a few hundred men overcame impossible odds and witness the conflict that altered the course of Western civilization.
Last Stand of the 300 is an interesting 90-minute documentary from the History Channel explaining the details of the ancient Spartans' showdown with the Persian army at the battle of Thermopylae. It's long been a fascinating subject, but it hit popular culture in a big way with the 2007 feature film 300, based on the graphic novel by Frank Miller. Last Stand of the 300 helps explain the background behind the battle as well as many of the details not covered in the movie, including how the Ionian Revolt and the famed battle of Marathon led to Themopylae, the naval front led by Thermistocles, and what happened afterward. Numerous scholars and authors (including the writers of Gates of Fire and Empires at War) explain the rigorous Spartan training, military strategy, the Oracle at Delphi, the Persian technological advantage, different kinds of weaponry and vessels (the Spartan hoplon, dory, and xiphos, and the trireme), and how one of Miller's famous lines came from Herodotus ("Then we shall have our battle in the shade"). The maps are extremely helpful for showing how the geography affected the battle (one detour would have cost the Persians an extra two years of travel time), but the reenactments look kind of simple compared to the extremely stylized feature film. --David Horiuchi

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