Graphic Novel to Silver Screen

300

Written by Frank Miller

Illustrated by Frank Miller & Lynn Varley

Frank Miller’s 300 is a fictionalised account of the leading up to and the Battle of Thermopylae, told from the perspective of Leonidas the Brave, King of Sparta. In 480 BC, Leonidas assembled three-hundred of his greatest warriors.

He was preparing for what was considered a suicide mission to cut-off the Persian King Xerxes’ planned invasion of Greece via the ‘Hot Gates’ (or Thermopylae). Before the battle Leonidas declines to draft an eager hunchback named Ephialtes, who pleaded to be recruited, because he could not lift his shield high enough.

After two days of ferocious fighting, the Spartans had strongly held off the multitudes of the Persian Army.  During a break in battle, Xerxes offers Leonidas privileges and wealth in return for his army’s surrender.Leonidas declines. As the war continues Ephialtes betrays his king to Xerxes, with dire consequences for the Spartan army and its allies.

300 won three Eisner Awards in 1999.

Dark Horse Comics

88 pages

Colour

Hardcover

Citation: Miller, Frank (writer/illustrator) & Varley, Lynn (illustrator). 300, reprinted edition, Milwaukie, Oregon, USA : Dark Horse Comics, 1999.

300 (2006)

Director: Zack Snyder

Stars: Gerard Butler, Lena Headey, Domonic West, David Wenham, Vincent Regan, Michael Fasbender.