Plot: What’s it about?
In the history of warfare, perhaps no battle is as storied and memorable as The Battle of Thermopylae. IN 480 B.C., the Persian army boasted incredible numbers, enough soldiers and warriors to run roughshod over most empires. The leader of the Persians was named Xerxes and when he took his legions to battle Greek soldiers, the battle seemed over before it began. The Greek forces were headed by a band of three-hundred Spartan warriors, not the kind of numbers needed to even challenge the massive Persian forces about to attack. But the Spartans weren’t just skilled soldiers, trained in combat styles of all kinds, they also had strategy and cunning, which they used to the fullest. As the Persians swarmed, the Spartans held off their advance for seven days, at impossible odds and constant peril. How did such a small force of soldiers fend off the epic Persian army? In Last Stand of 300, you’ll see how the real Battle of Thermopylae unfolded and how the 300 beat the odds.
The success of 300 has The History Channel hopeful that fans will want to learn more, so they’ve released Last Stand of the 300, a documentary on the real life events. This is not an archival title dusted off either, you can tell it was designed to go hand in hand with the feature film. Not just the artwork on the case either, even the visual approach used in the re-enactments is similar to that of 300, which is both good and bad. If you’re a history buff, this is more flash and less substance than most History Channel pieces, but it will appeal to audiences who aren’t the normal documentary types. There is still a lot of great information here, but this is far removed from the studio’s usual approach, which is going to please some and disappoint others. The battle scenes are well done by History Channel standards, but don’t expect Hollywood production values. All in all, Last Stand of the 300 is a slick, informative piece that fans of the movie should check out.
Video: How does it look?
Last Stand of the 300 is presented in 1.78:1 widescreen, not enhanced for widescreen televisions. I am unsure why this transfer isn’t anamorphic, but that is a disappointment. The image is still solid, but I think this material, especially the battle scenes could have benefited from anamorphic enhancement. Even so, the visuals look clean and clear, with no serious concerns. I did see some shimmering from time to time, however. The colors depend on what is being shown, as most look natural, while the battle scenes reflect the same visual design as the 300 feature film. So in the end, this is an adequate transfer, but I would like to know why an anamorphic version wasn’t included.
Audio: How does it sound?
The 2.0 surround option is quite good, with more power and presence than I expected. Of course, the battle scenes offer the most audio dynamite, with a good deal of surround use to immerse you in the conflict. The basic elements come across well also, from the music to the dialogue. So a very good soundtrack and not many documentaries provide this kind of active experience.
Supplements: What are the extras?
This disc includes no bonus materials.
