Sunday, September 30, 2007

300

While it might be a bit unconventional, I feel that the Zach Snyder film released earlier this year, "300" is rife with Marxist beliefs. For one, take a look at the tag line and the most quoted quote of the film: "THIS IS SPARTA!" What that quote refers to is the united Spartans who always fight and never surrender (when asked to by the Persian messenger early on in the film). Most of this movie is about the three-hundred Spartans united as one fighting against the massive Persian army, as they fight was one solid unit rather than 300 men killing a whole bunch of people. That sounds a lot like the proletariat (Spartans) rising up against the bourgeoisies (Persians). One particular line uttered by King Leonidas as the Spartans are about to enter battle echoes this idea: "The world will know that free men stood against a tyrant, that few stood against many...". This quote sums up the main idea of the film, ergo, this film is basically a Marxist film.
There is a scene early on the film where the Spartans are marching towards the Hot Gates (to defend them from the Persian army) and encounter the Arcadian forces who wish to serve as back up in battle. After asking a few Arcadians what their profession was (who replied to the question with answers such as "sculptor" and "potter", while the Spartans answered the question with a loud battle cry, united as one. United with a purpose. Much like the proletariat united against the bourgeoisies.

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