I went to see 300 last night and I wanted to turn around and go back in to see it again. I will definitely own this when it hits DVD.

300 is based on the Frank Miller Graphic Novel 300. It is a highly stylized version of the Battle of Thermopyle where 300 Spartan Hoplites and troops from several other Greek City-states stood against the vast armies of the Persian Empire under Xerxes I. In the end the Greeks lost the battle due to treachery. The Spartans and Thespians fought to the last while the others retreated from the pass before the trap closed. The Sacrifice of these men bought the rest of the Grecian States time to muster and meet the Persians in force, defeating Xerxes and pushing his armies out of Greece.

Years ago, when I was guarding the Subway system in NYC, my Brigade CSM handed me a book. It was entitled Gates of Fire. It was a historical novel based on the battle as well and I read the entire thing in one sitting. I highly recommend this book if you are interested in the subject at all. It gives you a fairly detailed peak into the lives of the boys who become Spartan Hoplites.

Molon Labe