"300" is a 2007 epic historical action film directed by Zack Snyder, based on the 1998 comic book series of the same name by Frank Miller and Lynn Varley. Both the book and the film are fictional retelling of the Battle of Thermopylae during the Persian War, and are often seen as a historical drama.

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300 OVERVIEW

Set around 478-481 BC, the film follows King Leonidas (Gerard Butler) of Sparta, who leads 300 Spartan fighters to join the battle against the Persian "King-God" of Xerxes (Rodrigo Santoro), with an invading army of more than 300,000 people.

As the battle rages on, Leonidas's wife Queen Gorgo (Lena Headey) tries to rally support in Sparta to aide her husband's battle but failed. The story is told through the words of Dilios (David Wenham) - the only warrior who survived the battle.

THE THREAT FROM PERSIA AND THE TREASON OF THE EPHORS

The story begins with a description of Leonidas I's life from childhood to his slaying a beast and becoming king of the Spartans. Persians, who had now taken over most of Asia, sends a messenger (Peter Mensah) to threaten and demand Sparta's submission to King Xerxes. Leonidas responds by throwing the emissary and his escort into a deep well.

Afterwards, Leonidas gets to the Ephors - members of the Council that have the power to decide on important Spartan political matters. He proposes a strategy of building a wall to push the Persians down a narrow path between the rock and the sea: nullifying the Persian numerical advantage, while taking the advantage of the Greek heavy infantry.

The Ephors consult the Oracle, and decide that Sparta should not enter the war. In fact, the Ephors had received the bribe by the Persians before.

LEONIDAS AND HIS 300 SPARTANS' INITIAL VICTORY

Because the Ephors did not allow him to mobilize his army, Leonidas gathers 300 of his best soldiers and sets out, legally describing them as his "guards" instead of army. On the way, they are joined by a force consisting of several thousand Arcadians and other Greeks, most of them are not professional warriors. At Thermopylae, they build the wall, using slain Persian scouts as mortar.

Ephialtes - a disfigured Spartan asks to meet Leonidas, begging to join Leonidas' army to redeem his parents' reputation, and warns Leonidas of a secret route the Persians could use to spill out and besiege the Spartans. Though feeling sympathetic with him, Leonidas rejects Ephialtes due to his deformity making him unable to join the shield formation.

Into battle, the Spartans' advantage of the Hot Gate and their superior fighting skills help them overpower and repel each wave of Persian attacks.

King Xerxes personally meets Leonidas, offering him wealth and power in exchange for his submission. Leonidas refuses and mocks at Xerxes, prompting him to mobilize his elite guards, the Immortals, to attack the Spartans. Again, the Spartans with the little help of the Arcadians also manage to stop them.

On the second day, Xerxes sends a large army gathered from all over Asia including fighting elephants, but to no avail.

EPHIALTES' BETRAYAL AND LEONIDAS' FORESEEN FAILURE

Meanwhile, the vengeful Ephialtes turns to Xerxes, revealing a secret path leading to the Spartans in exchange for wealth, status, beautiful women, and the Persian uniform. The Arcadians withdraw upon learning of Ephialtes' betrayal and the impending danger, but the Spartans are determined to engage in the final battle.

On the third day, the Persians, led by Ephialtes, pass through the secret passage, surround the Spartans, demanding their surrender. Leonidas seems to kneel in submission, but only as a way for Stelios to jump over him and kill the vanguard general. Enraged, Xerxes orders his troops to attack. From a distance, Leonidas throws his spear at Xerxes, but only grazes his face, leaving a slight wound.

Leonidas and the remaining of the 300 Spartans fights to their last breathe under a rain of Persian arrows.