Thermopylae Film!

[Gaius Julius Caesar]

For me, the prime canditate was Steven Pressfields Gates of Fire.
Pity it got railroaded!

Of course! And yes that would be my first choice for an adaptation of an existing novel, but what if we had our say in what such a film would include?

We have had two stabs at this story and both have disappointed for one reason or other:

The 300 Spartans (1962) starring Richard Egan, Sir Ralph Richardson and Diane Baker - was typical sword and sandals fayre. Historically weak and militarily innaccurate; involving a very un-Spartan love affair; and other bollocks, but what you you expect of such product of that time?

This one was better than 300.

300 (2007) starring Gerard Butler, David Wenham and Lena Hadley - was a great cinematic version of Frank Miller's comic - but again not remotely history. Perhaps Wenham's involvement reinforced the feeling that this was more Tolkien than Herodotos? It is a very good film in its own right and genre, but little serves the subject.


There were plans for a Thermopylai film several years ago. Michael Mann had written a treatment. Third time lucky?

This was the screen rights to Pressfields Book!
Then the market was flooded by the poor contenders Troy and Alexander....and the abysmal 300! :evil: