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300, Part Two
Mar. 14th, 2007 11:02 amI mentioned in my last post that I went and saw the movie 300 and enjoyed it. I also mentioned that critics didn't like it.
Besides the issue discussed in the last post, one of the critic's "problems" with the book is the way Leonidas treats a Greek hunchback. In the movie, the hunchback was born in Sparta, and smuggled out by his parents instead of being left to die. He tells Leonidas about a backdoor to the pass, and offers to fight with the Spartans.
Alas, he is physically unable to do so. Leonidas says "we can't all be warriors," and in as nice a way as possible, offers to have him help with the wounded. A needed task, but not combat.
Now, in a politically-correct Hollywood movie, Leonidas would find a combat slot for the hunchback. He would play a critical role - maybe saving Leonidas' life - and we'd all leave the theater with a new appreciation of the different abilities of the handicapped. Or something like that.
In this movie, the hunchback sells out the Greeks to the Persians, in part for an offer of "a life of pleasure" with the king's harem. It may not be politically correct, but it's a much more realistic response.
Besides the issue discussed in the last post, one of the critic's "problems" with the book is the way Leonidas treats a Greek hunchback. In the movie, the hunchback was born in Sparta, and smuggled out by his parents instead of being left to die. He tells Leonidas about a backdoor to the pass, and offers to fight with the Spartans.
Alas, he is physically unable to do so. Leonidas says "we can't all be warriors," and in as nice a way as possible, offers to have him help with the wounded. A needed task, but not combat.
Now, in a politically-correct Hollywood movie, Leonidas would find a combat slot for the hunchback. He would play a critical role - maybe saving Leonidas' life - and we'd all leave the theater with a new appreciation of the different abilities of the handicapped. Or something like that.
In this movie, the hunchback sells out the Greeks to the Persians, in part for an offer of "a life of pleasure" with the king's harem. It may not be politically correct, but it's a much more realistic response.
