The 300 Spartans

Amazon.com

The futile yet inspiring stand of 300 Greek soldiers against the hugest army ever assembled in the ancient world inspired this typical example of Hollywood epic movie-making. King Leonidas of Sparta (Richard Egan, Demetrius and the Gladiators), prevented by political squabbling from sending his entire army to defend the narrow pass of Thermopylae, sets out with his personal bodyguard to fight off the ambitious Persian king, Xerxes. Along the way are a pair of young lovers, scantily clad dancing girls, and treachery though a secret mountain path. The 300 Spartans, made in 1961, has an overstated cold war subtext--there's much talk of freedom vs. slavery--and there are a few too many shots of armored men marching through the Greek countryside, but the historical conflict has a fundamentally stirring quality. Also featuring Sir Ralph Richardson (Dr. Zhivago, Dragonslayer) as a wily Athenian politician. --Bret Fetzer

Customer Reviews:

A good, but not great epic.......2007-06-24

I've watched this DVD 3 or 4 times, which I wouldn't have done if I didn't like it.

It's in between an A and B movie - Cinemasope, color and location shooting are the "A" part, mid-level actors and budget are limiting factors. The love story is a bit of a tack on, but it is handled reasonably well.

Notably, this is a fairly accurate account of the battle and the events that led up to it. The Greeks did ultimately defeat the Persians under Xerxes, and this was a key event in western history.

I actually like that that movie did not have a blockbuster budget, the battle has to be shown on a small scale, making it more personal. Note the final scene, which is historically accurate. If you are an American, you might remember the Alamo.

Well worth it if you like this this sort of movie. For the more casual viewer, try "Cleopatra", (Elizabeth Taylor, ca. 1963), or "Spartacus", also ca. 1963.

Do not confuse this with the ordinary "sword and toga" B Movies hollywood churned out in the late 1950's and early '60's.

Spartan portrayal of Spartans.......2007-06-02

The writers and producers of The 300 Spartans had their hearts in the right place when they set about to make this film in the swords and sandals era. They included many "facts" (history back then was as much an art form as a journalistic one) of the event and filmed on location. Overall, however, it reeks of limited budget. Film stock was not the best. The typical we-must-use-an-American-lead-and-all-other-Greeks-must-have-British-accents casting is the greatest weakness. But for those who can't be bothered picking up a history book or using their imaginations, this flick comes closer to the truth than the very stylized '300' of Frank Miller. That film is an exercise in pure, over-the-top entertainment that cares not a whit that the battle had no giants, rhinos, or African elephants (from Persia?). Better casting, more Tarentinoesque gore, and more of the bravado of the most macho battalion of soldiers the world has ever seen would have pushed this film to four stars in my estimation. If you're a reader and love ancient warfare, seek out my novel To Move the World.

300 spartans.......2007-05-19

i bought this movie to compare with the 300. not even in the same universe. this is so poorly acted and directed that its awonder anyone would put their names on it. the story of the spartans at Thermopylae is so big and compelling you wouldnt think a director and actors could make it so small and comical.

The 300 Spartans.......2007-05-14

This was a great movie to preview in conjunction with the current 300 movie. It showed the tremendous technoloy differences from the 1960's to the present time.

Good to OK.......2007-05-13

Good plot/history detail, bad combat action sequences. The SCA could have done much better in this film than Hollywood. 300 the movie is better.

300 Spartan Workout DVD- The Original Workout to Achieve the 300 Movie Body!

Average customer rating:

good marketing ploy
NOT THE REAL 300!!!! WORKOUT
How...commercial
Great Video not worth 40 dollars but its good
Good workout -am seeing results

300 Spartan Workout DVD- The Original Workout to Achieve the 300 Movie Body!
Starring: Steve Maxwell
Director: Paul F Viele
Manufacturer: Spartanseries.com
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Sports | Genres | DVD | Video

Sports | Independently Distributed | Stores | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

ASIN: B000T5P3VM
Release Date: 2007-04-20

Product Description

Be prepared for the most incredible full body workout you will ever experience! The 300 Spartan Workout is taking the world by storm and is widely acclaimed for producing amazing results within a short period of time. By using natural body weight conditioning exercises and a unique, non-stop superset concept, the 300 Spartan Workout unleashes your natural growth hormones and jump starts an incredible fat burning metabolism change that will create a powerful, ripped and chiseled look to your body. World Class strength and conditioning trainer, Steve Maxwell, has created 3 different workout levels for the 300 Spartan, so regardless of your present physical condition you can reap the benefits of this amazing workout routine and get started now! For each workout level basic, intermediate and advanced, Steve teaches all of the exercises individually so you can learn to perform them correctly during the actual 300 Spartan workout. Then Steve takes you through the entire 300 routine so you can see how the workout should be performed from start to finish. People all over the world are raving about the gains they are achieving by using this highly effective method of training. This DVD is region free and will work on any player in the World!

Customer Reviews:

good marketing ploy.......2007-08-26

For those who are looking the original 300 workout that the stars of the movie used are on mens health website or just put 300 workout on google and the workout is there for free. Now on to the review he does mention the spartans in the beginning section but what marketing I am sure he got his money out of everybody with this workout routine. The reason I gave it two stars is because I finally found an alternative to the hindu push up when I get tired of doing them the regular way. Steve maxwell clearly tricked everyone his kettlebell dvd's were fairly good and then this dvd comes out shame on you. I wish I had seen some reviews of this overpriced dvd before I bought it my mother watched it as I have some of my packages go to their house and she even said that this man was full of it. Bad dvd buy mark delisle, semperfit, or the pit workout much better.

NOT THE REAL 300!!!! WORKOUT.......2007-08-25

For some strange reason people believe that it is okay to TRICK people into buying their products. Usually I am more of a discerning shopper, I actually read the reviews before I purchase any item that costs 40.00. However, I was so caught up in the excitement of 300 that I didn't do my research and find the real one for free online. (men's health) I am pissed, this is NOT THAT WORKOUT, if you are looking for something that you may have not done before and are not sure about the results, and/or you have some time to waste or are not already serious about your workout by all means purchasse this dvd.

How...commercial.......2007-08-21

The film 300 has been nothing short of sensation (and rightly so). Still, there are always freeloaders willing to take advantage of another's success, and this video is most certainly one. I don't know who Steve Maxwell is, and while I'm sure he's a talented martial artist and athlete, this guy most certainly is NOT one of the trainers that worked with the cast of the 300 picture.

The truth is, just about any solid workout if done properly (with correct technique and holding nothing back) will give you results. Much to the general public's dismay, looking good takes discipline and a lot of hard work, and that's really about it. I'm sure this workout is a solid one; I just find its parasitic, almost false advertising, offensive.

For those interested in the trainers that ACTUALLY worked on the film, 300, their website is: [...]

Great Video not worth 40 dollars but its good.......2007-08-14

This is a great DVD, Steve Maxwell explains it better than you can imagine and from different angles, it is just overall great, its not worth 40 dollars but i split it with 3 of my friends so its ok.

Good workout -am seeing results.......2007-08-09

This type of training has really taken the fitness world by storm and is highly effective for men as it raises the testosterone levels. This is the same style of training that was used to get the actors in 300 is such great shape. It is important however to do the right type of exercises in the right sequence or you will not be able to sustain the correct level of intensity for maximum effect. Maxwell in fact does a great job on this DVD teaching this same style of Spartan training because he really knows this type of training and is a highly regarded strength coach. I have some of his Kettlebell DVDs and the guy is very knowledgeable and in amazing shape. Steve breaks the training down into three levels with superset exercises. He takes a very kinetic approach and I have seen some awesome results using this workout. In only about 3 weeks, I have jumped from being able to perform 7 pull ups in a row to 15. That's double! My endurance has also jumped quite nicely. I am still working on the first level and will not most likely not see level 3 for quite some time. If you can get past the whole Spartan thing, you will really like the workout. I am waiting for a more in depth DVD at this type of training to come out after the 300 movie dies down.

Average customer rating:

Death of Illusion
A good premise for a movie, but poor execution
One of A Kind
More anti-Vietnam war propaganda than "best movie"
comes around again...

Go Tell the Spartans
Starring: Burt Lancaster , Craig Wasson , Jonathan Goldsmith , Marc Singer , and Joe Unger
Director: Ted Post
Manufacturer: Hbo Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Action & Combat | Military & War | Genres | DVD | Video

Drama | Military & War | Genres | DVD | Video

4-for-3 Action & Adventure | 4-for-3 DVD | Stores | DVD | Video

4-for-3 Drama | 4-for-3 DVD | Stores | DVD | Video

4-for-3 Television | 4-for-3 DVD | Stores | DVD | Video

4-for-3 All DVDs | 4-for-3 DVD | Stores | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( G ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

ASIN: B0007TKNDI
Release Date: 2005-08-30

Description

Burt Lancaster delivers one of the finest performances of his career as a hard-boiled major in command of a Vietnam outpost. A classic of wartime confrontation.

Customer Reviews:

Death of Illusion.......2007-08-20

Based on the fine novel INCIDENT AT MUC WA by Daniel Ford, here is a gem of a war movie; full of insights, barbs, politics, exciting battle scenes, and caustic wit. Burt Lancaster played Maj. Asa Barker, a 30 year career officer, long ago adjusted to being assigned to "garbage details"--after a disastrous incident, a youthful and macho escapade, left him vulnerable and in need of being "punished" for the rest of his career. His terrific one-liners and anti-hero weariness initially created a kind of M.A.S.H. environment, whereby it seemed that all the foul-up in the U.S. Army was sent to his outfit. But in no time the film shifts its serio-comic aspects into a grim primer about the price of arrogance and ignorance strutting around in some else's country.

A young Marc Singer, fresh from his theatrical triumph as Petrucio at ACT San Francisco, played Capt. Olivetti -a very brash second-in-command who felt that "a little combat" put him on the fast track for career advancements. The delicious scene between him and Lancaster, as Maj. Barker explained why "after 30 years and a bucket of medals" he was still a major is priceless; a real high point to be added to Lancaster's lexicon of great scenes in great films.

Craig Wasson played Cpl.Courcey, a draftee who "volunteered for combat", who felt the need to reach out to the people, the villagers, until he was disastrously betrayed by his own naiveté -having to accept the fact that no one was trustworthy, not women or children. Jonathan Goldsmith, a very good actor who spent most of his career doing television roles, shined as Sgt. Oleonowski. For a time, his take-charge non-com saved everyone's bacon, until the terrible ghosts of his past and PTSD caught up with him and pulverized him emotionally first into lethargy and then into suicide. Goldsmith's character stole every scene he was in. We wanted to see more of this sergeant, and to let this character have more focus; like a shining story within a story. In just a few brief scenes it was obvious that his back story was very clear to this actor.

Dolph Sweet was Gen. Harnitz, who was determined that by God no Americans would ever face the humiliating defeats that the French had experienced. We watch as America's great mistakes in Southeast Asia were planted as seeds of hubris, underestimating the enemy, and attempting to fight a conventional war against guerillas -against an indigent population who had fought all their lives, first against the Japanese, then the Chinese, the French, and now the ugly Americans.

The movie was directed by Ted Post, a veteran TV director from the golden age of television who did not graduate to feature films until the 60's; but he never had the verve or style of say a Robert Altman, John Frankenheimer, or Sydney Pollack. His directing on GO TELL THE SPARTANS (1978) was a bit lackluster at best. Some of his earlier efforts included HANG `EM HIGH (1968), BENEATH THE PLANET OF THE APES (1970), and MAGNUM FORCE (1973). He did have a good but uninspired cinematographer, Harry Stradling Jr., and with a modest budget, a brilliant script, and a powerhouse cast, Ted Post gave use a very good military film that paved the way for other anti-war films to follow it. One of my favorites was HBO's A BRIGHT SHINING LIE (1998) with Bill Paxton.

A good premise for a movie, but poor execution.......2007-06-08

"Go Tell the Spartans" is important in the genre of Vietnam war films primarily because, unlike Platoon or Full Metal Jacket, it looks at the earliest phase of American military involvement in Vietnam. The production values of the film suffer from its low budget (supposedly Burt Lancaster kicked-in his own money to get it made) and third-rate actors. It has the feel of a made-for-TV movie from the 70's. I think that the story would be a good subject for a higher-quality remake. I'm not sure why, but I still like the movie, although I think of it as a very rough cut of what the film could have been.

One of A Kind.......2007-01-20

This is the one movie that covers this period of the Viet Nam war adequately.
First, you must get past the haircuts...minor. Then you must get past the poor quality of the DVD. It seems to be a direct transfer from the VHS version. As a member of one of these advisory teams, I found this movie to provide the most accurate portrayal of the Advisor's frustrations.

The characters were people I knew. The experienced WWII, Korean war Vet who also served as liaison with the British in Malayian insurrection, who lived to fight. The old sergeant who was essentially a expatriate who never wanted to go back to the stateside peacetime army, The young guy who was good at what he did, and wanted to see what war was all about. The Captain who had to be there to get his ticket punched, afraid that it would all be over before he could get his Combat Infantryman's Badge.
The surprise at seeing a 2d lieutenant sent to a place where experience was needed more than "just a body". , however, the "Idealistic West Pointer" was missing.

If you want to know what it was like...watch this movie.

More anti-Vietnam war propaganda than "best movie".......2007-01-16

Yes, there were many, many failures in Vietnam. Truthful writers/directors should portray them and help us examine the reality and complexity of that war. But truthful authors should also show the successes, innovations, sacrifices, and honorable motives that are an equal part of the Vietnam story. This overdone movie errors by heavily playing up the negatives, often stereotypical as well as actual. It does show some individual heroism and sacrifice, but the overall purpose of the film is very clear. I've read a lot of memoirs and battle records of the Special Forces in 'Nam; this movie cheapens the professionalism and cross-cultural successes of many of those "advisors," not so much by what it includes but what it leaves out. Wayne's "Green Berets" may be one extreme. This movie heads the other direction. I picked it up on the chance that it would be a solid story; instead, I got one director's profane, crude hostility toward the war. Well-acted? Sometimes. Worth keeping? Ask my garbage can.
NOTE: Let me add the following after seeing how "non-helpful" I've been :) and the comment below. There is almost always a point of view, an agenda, built into a movie - especially a war movie. For any objective viewer, this movie has a clear anti-Vietnam war bias, and this purpose drives the crafting of the characterizations and the plot. The political and social history of Burt Lancaster supports this. Lancaster was renowned as a left-wing activist. He strongly supported the ACLU, vocally opposed many Republican politicians, refused to work with John Wayne in a movie because of their opposite political views, and was known as a Vietnam war opponent. As to the movie itself, even though the Department of Defense praised some portrayals of self-sacrifice in the film, the Army refused to cooperate in making the film (and straightening out some inaccuracies) because they felt it incorrectly portrayed the specially-chosen advisors of the era as unprofessional "losers." (They also objected to Lancaster's crude story of oral sex with a general's wife as the reason his character had not been promoted.) My point? Every film has a cultural context. If you want to watch something that is designed to support criticism of the Vietnam War, have at it. If you want a war film built on historical facts, watch something like "Black Hawk Down," which manages - all at once - to question war, question policies, truthfully show the stories of real men who deliberately sacrificed themselves for hurt comrades, and immerse the viewer in the intensity of street combat. "Black Hawk" is realism. "Spartans" is well-made, selective propaganda.

comes around again..........2006-10-01

story line of the film is the early 1960's in vietnam, when the u.s. presence was still an advisory one. a lowkey budget enhances the story w/o the distracting flash and bang of special effects. the subtext of the movie is that as with the greeks of thermopylae from which the title is taken, the american military had as much to fear from its allies and leadership as they did from the enemy, a story line thousands of years old and unfortunatley just as relevant today. despite ones view of politics, an excellent film of the professional soldier if not the obedient one.

Average customer rating:

Good brainless fun.
Val, you rock!
Best viewed as a parable
Hello Operator?
One riot, One Ranger.

Spartan
Starring: Tia Texada , Derek Luke , Val Kilmer , Jeremie Campbell , and Bob Jennings (II)
Director: David Mamet
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

Suspense | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

Thrillers | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

Mystery | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

Adventure | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Indie & Art House | Stores | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( S ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

ASIN: B00022XE6S
Release Date: 2004-06-15

Amazon.com

Writer-director David Mamet (House of Games, The Spanish Prisoner) applies his gift for con games to the world of politics with Spartan. A super-duper Secret Service agent (Val Kilmer, Wonderland) is assigned to find the kidnapped daughter of the President of the United States; was she kidnapped because of who she is, or as part of white slavery ring? Is she dead or alive? To find out the answers, Kilmer puts on disguises, engages in elaborate ruses, and kills ruthlessly--only to discover that he himself may be the one being fooled. Mamet pushes his macho/cryptic dialogue into laughably bad territory and some plot twists seriously test one's suspension of disbelief, but that's part of the game; like any con artist, Mamet knows how to hook you and reel you in, no matter how absurd things get. Also featuring Derek Luke, William H. Macy, and Ed O'Neill. --Bret Fetzer

Description

FBI. CIA. Secret Service. Black Ops. Robert Scott (Val Kilmer) is all of these. When he is recruited to find Laura, the daughter of a government official, Scott is paired with novice Curtis (Derek Luke). Scott and Curtis stumble upon a white slavery ring, which may have some connection to Laura's disappearance.

DVD Features:
Audio Commentary:Commentary by Val Kilmer
Scene Access
Theatrical Trailer

Customer Reviews:

Good brainless fun........2007-08-01

Spartan (David Mamet, 2004)

For the past twenty years, I have been waiting for David Mamet to direct another film that's even half as good as House of Games. While Spartan is, once again, not that film, it does come closer than any other Mamet movie I've seen. (Except, of course, for House of Games.)

Laura Newton (Veronica Mars' Kristen Bell) is a Senator's daughter who has a reputation for being somewhat wild. She disappears one night, and a team of Rangers headed by Scott (Val Kilmer) are brought in to try and find her. It's a simple plot, but this is David Mamet-- there's nothing simple about the details. Double-crosses, cover-ups, spin, incompetent government officials, red herrings, white slavery rings, ex-boyfriends, lecherous professors, the smell of American tobacco carrying in the desert...

First off, because it has to be said: what's a David Mamet film without Ricky Jay? Okay, now that I've got that off my chest, it's a technically competent film, and the acting is credible (Kilmer, whose career has become notoriously inconsistent in the past ten years or so, gives one of his good performances here. Not great-- not Wonderland, certainly-- but good.), but it feels like there's a lot missing from this movie. The shallowness of Stoddard (William H. Macy, wasted in the role) has been pointed out more than enough that I can just mention it and move on. It's synecdochic, though; it feels as if there was a lot more of Stoddard in the first couple of drafts of the script (or perhaps in the film before it went to the editing room) and we ended up just getting the edges of the character. I got that feeling with a bunch of other stuff in this movie, too. Some things (can't say what without spoilers) seemed a bit too convenient, as if pieces around them had been trimmed off by editing when they should have been left in. That sort of thing. There's no specific thing I can point to and say 'this is what caused the movie to go downhill' for me; it's a bunch of little stuff that worked, but didn't work quite as well as it should have. That said, it's certainly a credible way to kill an hour and forty-five minutes; you just may end up feeling like you've had some empty calories on your plate after you're done. ***

Val, you rock!.......2007-07-27

As a big fan of Val Kilmer, it`s difficult to rate this movie with less then 4 stars.
However, the story is intelligent, a lot of suspense, as always an excellent Val Kilmer.
So, it`s not the best of Val`s movies but for sure worth to buy it!

Best viewed as a parable.......2007-07-07

I think probably the best way to approach this film is to view it as a parable. Several other folks here have pointed out the high degree of non-credible plot points/twists, and that's definitely the case. However, if your take on this, rather than as a completely realistic cinematic story, is instead to see it as symbolic of the American way of life in the context of political/global machinations, I think it works really well.

Assuming the politics reflected in the movie are close to if not coinciding with Mamet's own, the writer/director reveals himself to be a supreme cynic. Sex is the driving element that forces that hand, but interestingly enough, there's no sex in the film at all--at least nothing overtly shown on screen. Sex for Mamet is a behind-closed-doors activity all the way, and it's something that drives the actions of three characters in the film--one never seen, one minor character, and one who is the reason for the entire story of the movie itself.

The kidnapping of the U.S. president's daughter is what sets the story in motion, and what drives Robert Scott (Val Kilmer in a spot-on performance) to do all the stuff he does in the film to get her back. Along the way, we find extremely hard-nosed cynical politicos (Ed O'Neill in a startlingly good performance, as well as William Macy), soldiers, Secret Service agents who appear as something else entirely, and criminals as well--that is, criminals shown to be criminals (they wear prison outfits). But Mamet's ultra-cynical perspective is that basically everybody is a criminal. It's just that different people express their criminality differently.

There's no love story here. None. This is a tough, rock solid, machine of a political thriller that pounds it out with a boatload of sharp dialogue, as you would expect from Mamet. It's a really interesting departure from his other films--somewhat anticipated by The Spanish Prisoner, yes, but totally different from that film.

Overlook the non-credible plot points, sit back, and enjoy the ride. If you like tough, cynical thrillers, this one will definitely do the trick.

Hello Operator?.......2007-05-29

I saw this film in the theater and have told everyone I meet to see it. It really is the pinacle in this genre. It is a thinking man's Bourne Identity.

By the way, Val Kilmer is the star, not Tia Texada.

One riot, One Ranger........2007-02-17

This film is a dark, true life look into Special Ops, politics, government, and the men and women involved.
Val Kilmer plays a "black" operator sent to retrieve the daughter of
an un-named political figure (i.e. the President) by whatever means necessary. Kilmer plays "Scott" the "shooter" to perfection and is at times both paternal and then scary as all Hell. "Scott" is the bottom line of the "get the job done and ask no questions" operator who's mission it is to deal (i.e. kill) whatever problem is at hand. The spoken line "one riot, one Ranger" is stated by Scott and followed by another character telling of Spartan, King Leonidas' tactic to send aid in the form of one Spartan. Thus, we have our movie title.
Brief looks into spec ops "Selection", weapons, tactics, and mindset are well carried off. Note: author and former Delta Force operator Eric Haney served as the movies advisor.
Without giving away too much, this is an intelligent, well-made thriller
with very brief, ruthless, and brutally affected action scenes.
David Mamet is well known for his twisted, multi-layed stories and this is no exception. Stunning at times.
A must see.
Note: Mamet and Haney produce the CBS show "The Unit" about the lives of special operations in the field and at home.

Average customer rating:

Unsatisfying In Every Way
Engaging and informative, a cut above standard documentaries
Stranger, go tell the Spartans that we lie here in obedience to their laws
Getting ready for "300"
Should be named the History of the Greece

The Spartans

Manufacturer: PBS Paramount
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Documentary | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $14.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( S ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

All | PBS | Specialty Stores | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

ASIN: B000BITU34
Release Date: 2004-04-27

Customer Reviews:

Unsatisfying In Every Way.......2007-04-03

This is NOT good. Three hour-long episodes of this remind one why PBS still has a fundraiser every year. Because shows like this, that could be fascinating, are just boring.

If you've seen or read about the city/state system of Greece, there are many conclusions drawn here that either just don't add up, or seem outright wrong.

The narrator appears on screen constantly, and I'm not sure why. Her tone and facial expression seem to indicate a distaste for the material, prompting one to ask why she did this in the first place. Or felt the need to be onscreen non-stop. It ends up being distracting, to the point that it takes away from the scholarly enterprise that's supposed to be going on. Certainly footage of the Greek countryside could have been used.

Also odd, why they show footage of modern day people in modern pubs while talking about Sparta and Athens of 480 B.C. No money from the sale of totebags to afford a reenactment here or there?

All in all, it makes you trealize how much better the History Channel and Discovery Channel now do the same material.

You'd do better to either watch Zack Snyder's movie, The 300, or read its source material, the Frank Miller graphic novel of the same name. Both play it more than a little loose history-wise, but the battle scenes are spectacular.

Your best bet? See the History Channel's documentary, now on DVD, The Last Stand of the 300. Historically accurate, fantastic reenactments, costumes, and drama. Drama befitting the true tale of the 300.

Engaging and informative, a cut above standard documentaries.......2007-03-28

An engaging documentary artfully assembled, this 2003 British production has been a hit for PBS in the United States, with the videos and tie-in book (the US edition of Paul Cartledge's The Spartans) often on backorder status. It is a rarity in that it gives Sparta its due for helping Greece resist the Persian threat and credits Sparta for its more enlightened attitude toward women. Although at times it may project a faint pro-Athens bias, host Bettany Hughes is a sympathetic and knowledgeable narrator. THE SPARTANS boasts terrific location photography by Douglas Hartington, with some impressive aerial shots of the Taygetus gorges. For the first time in a television documentary, we are treated to detailed examination of many artifacts in the Sparta Museum as well as shown many photos of archaeological excavations at Sparta. The atmospheric soundtrack is composed by Anthony Burke. Evocative reenactor footage is used - not as much as in the A&E production "Rise & fall of the Spartans," maybe, but effectively presented, even if the footage tends to be come repetitive by Part 3.

Part 1
THE SPARTANS opens at Thermopylae and with the epitaph of the Three Hundred -- and very stirring it is to hear this spoken in the original Greek -- before introducing some of the topics that will be addressed in the program. (Hmm. The claim that "male homosexuality was compulsory" is extremely dubious; the first boldfaced assertion as fact of a subject hotly debated among ancient and modern experts.) After the introduction, we journey to the Dark Ages of Greece, the end of the Achaean Age and the coming of the Dorian Greeks to the Peloponnesus and Laconia. An effective look at the development of hoplite warfare is presented. Next comes the Messenian conquest, then the establishment of the Spartan constitution. The upbringing of Spartan youths, warts and all, is then addressed at length. A good point is made that the sublimation of the individual as practiced by the Spartans can be very liberating - "the possibility of transcending your limitations as an individual and becoming part of something bigger and better." Spartan institutions are credited for initiating a system of political rights and responsibilities among its citizens centuries before other Greek states conceived of such things.

The finding of the so-called statue of Leonidas in 1925 is used to introduce the Persian Wars, which are then examined in detail. There is much footage of Thermopylae, including the eponymous hot springs, and the commentary casts the Spartans' self-sacrifice in terms that hearken to the Japanese samurai's bushido code.

Part 2
This segment begins by exploring at how Sparta and Athens fell out after the Persian Wars, with a look at Athenian politics and society and how these contrasted to Sparta's. This is a refreshingly non-partisan treatment, not hesitating to be equally critical of Athens. Women's life in Sparta is given much attention. Sparta comes off as considerably more enlightened, by modern Western standards, than Athens. (Interesting sidebar - in her remarks during a November 24, 2003, online chat with Channel 4 (UK) viewers, narrator Bettany Hughes, when asked where she'd have rather lived, Sparta or Athens, replied "Sparta. No doubt.") Hughes wryly notes how Spartan women were "objects of fear and fascination" to non-Spartan men. The legacy of these "radical" Spartan customs on later societies is discussed. Amusingly, whether by design or not, Hughes wears a scarlet dress for much of this sequence - fit garb for a Spartanette - and conducts her narration while striding purposefully about the Laconian countryside or riding on horseback in full exhibition of energetic Spartan vitality.

Lastly, the Laconian earthquake of 465 or 464 BC and subsequent helot revolt is noted and seen as the event that lit the sparks of conflict between Greece's two leading cities. The opening clashes of the Peloponnesian War and the Spartan disaster at Sphacteria ends Part 2.

Part 3
The last section of the film opens at Delphi and takes a look at Greek religion and Spartan attitudes toward the gods and oracles before resuming the history of the Peloponnesian War. Alcibiades, the Syracuse expedition, and Lysander are all examined, taking up half of Part 3. Then the period of the Spartan Hegemony is briefly described, shaped by the "crippled kingship" of Agesilaus and marked by power struggles among Sparta's ruling factions. Hughes notes the critical decline of Spartan citizen manpower and the rise of Thebes as a rival. She takes us to the battlefield of Leuctra, where Spartan military superiority was broken in 371 BC. The remaining sequences very quickly sketch how classical Sparta became a second-class power and finally a tourist attraction for wealthy Romans. The show concludes with a summation of Sparta's influence on Western philosophy.

THE SPARTANS is a standout documentary, wonderfully photographed and directed, and is highly recommended as a visual overview of Spartan history.

Those interested in further information about this production can read an online interview about "The Spartans" with classicist Bettany Hughes and historical consultant Paul Cartledge answering questions from viewers (November 2003)

Stranger, go tell the Spartans that we lie here in obedience to their laws.......2006-06-29

The Spartans is actually three separate documentaries, which attempt to bring to life the legendary heroes of Lacedaemon.
On the positive side: 1) Shot on location, Bettany Hughes does a good job of presenting the actual setting for the events that unfolded.
2) She presents the Battle at Sphacteria of 425 BC, the Syracuse expedition of 415 BC, and the involvement of Alcibiades very well and very accurately.
3) The re-enactment of the hoplite phalanx throughout the documentaries added a nice touch.
4) The theme is Sparta after all; that in itself is a positive aspect!
On the negative side:
1) She does not mention half as much as she should about THE most heroic battle in world history; the Battle at Thermopylae; a three day battle (August 18th, 480 BC through August 20th, 480 BC) for the pass at Thermopylae (the Hot Gates) between an immense Persian host under King Xerxes and a small Greek force led by King Leonidas and his 300 Spartans. Unlike the Alamo, Custers Last Stand, and many other glorious battles where the parties involved did not expect to be wiped out, the
Spartans and Thespians willingly held their positions knowing that they could not possibly win against overwhelming odds. When told that the Persian arrows would block out the sun, they replied Good, we will fight in the shade!
2) Bettany Hughes mentions homosexual relationships between men, when the existing evidence surrounding the issue of whether homosexuality in ancient Greece, and especially in Sparta, was more or less accepted than today is inconclusive and the issue itself is highly controversial; therefore, calling for EXTREME CAUTION when dealing with such matters. She even goes as far as to proclaim that it was compulsory! What people do in their own bedrooms is their own business, but to involve Greeces great men and legends in alleged homosexual acts, shows complete lack of respect as well as lack of basic/elementary knowledge of the era in question, with most frequent the misinterpretation of love between friends which did not include anything sexual or homosexual whatsoever! The warrior-heroes themselves would be turning in their graves if they knew what is being written and said about them by people who are either misinformed or are purposely out to distort the truth in followin!
g their own personal agendas.
3) Moreover, there are so many stories relating to the honor and glory of the Spartan hoplites, which are left unsaid; instead only a few and mediocre at that were mentioned. What ever happened to:
i) The reason why they wore red cloaks.
ii) The reason why they had two kings and the names of the Royal Houses i.e. The Agiads and the Eurypontids.
iii) The story with the boy and the fox that ate its way through his stomach, but he did not cringe.
iv) The story of the stranger who asked the Spartans what happened to adulterers in Sparta, only to be told that they would have to pay as compensation a bull big enough to stand on Mount Taygetus and drink from the river Eurotas, meaning that there are no adulterers in Sparta.
v) The story of the mother who killed her son for having been hit with an arrow in the back (i.e. having turned his back to the enemy).
vi) The story of the mother who upon seeing her sons friend asked how the battle had gone and when her sons friend replied that her child had died, she told him that was not what she had asked; her question was whether Sparta had been victorious.
vii) The Queen of Sparta Gorgo, (and wife to King Leonidas) who when asked by a foreign woman how is it that Spartan women are the only ones who rule men? she answered: Yes, for we are the only ones who give birth to men.
viii) How in Sparta only men who died on the battlefield and women who died during, or shortly after, giving birth were entitled to having a tombstone erected in their honor.
ix) Pausanias words following the Battle of Platae of 479 BC as to why his Spartans were eating Melas Zomos (the broth) instead of feasting like the rest of the Greeks, We are Spartans.
x) Pausanias fate after setting up a monument in the Hellespont commemorating the victory over the Persians.
4) In addition she does tend to go off and talk about the other city-states more than she should when the theme is Sparta and not Greece as whole.
Nevertheless, The Spartans will bring out interest in the famed inhabitants of Lacedaemon, and hopefully more books, movies, and documentaries will present these heroes (both men and women) with the reverence and respect they truly deserve.
Strongly recommended is the 1962 film The 300 Spartans; a movie about honor, real men, and real heroes who fought and died in the name of Greece and Freedom.

Getting ready for "300".......2005-11-21

In preparation for the new Frank Miller based movie "300" I got this movie to start understanding the role Sparta played in the history of Greece. I found it to be excellent, fact filled and interesting with lots of information about King Leonidas, who is the main character in the up coming movie. KL will be played by Gerard Butler of Phantom of the Opera, Attila, Dear Frankie, Dracula 2000..fame..The movie will also have David Wenham formerly known as Faramir from LOTR, am curious to see who he will be in the new movie. The video The Spartans was 3 hours beautifully filmed in Greece telling the very gripping story of this Warrior nation. I enjoyed it very much!

Should be named the History of the Greece.......2005-11-04

I expected this DVD to be about Sparta, but it dealt with the whole Greek civilization when Sparta was at its peak. It was three different programs; each an hour in length. An excellent review of Greece and their individual thought concepts regarding public life, sex, treatment of women, slaves and war. Well worth watching, but I did not add it to my personal DVD library.

Average customer rating:

Great Movie
EXTREMEly Good!
Extreme Days-Awsome Ways!
Extremely good!!!
What is there to like about Extreme Days?

Extreme Days
Starring: Dante Basco , Ryan Browning , A.J. Buckley , Derek Hamilton , and Cassidy Rae
Director: Eric Hannah
Manufacturer: Spartan
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

Comic Action | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

Teen | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

All Deals | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( E ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

ASIN: B00005UF7Z
Release Date: 2002-01-29

Customer Reviews:

Great Movie.......2007-01-12

This is a great movie that combines extreme sports, love interest, and godly values. Clean and good for mixed company parties that love music.

EXTREMEly Good!.......2004-12-14

I saw this movie last night, and I LOVED it!!!! It was SO not what I was expecting. It was hilarious, with quite a few good Christian morals mixed in. And the best part was that it was clean - no sex, no drugs, no swearing. If you have a random sense of humor, like extreme sports, and/or are craving a nice, clean, GOOD movie, watch this one! It rocks!

Extreme Days-Awsome Ways!.......2004-11-24

I was so overwhelmed to find such a great movie! This is really a family movie. I [my husband and I] was watching it not knowing what to expect. When I was listening to the music. I realized that this is the same music that my youngest teen listens to. I hear it in church. Then we were really getting into the movie. No nude scenes! No violence! No cursing! Wait, do they still make thes movies. Well I couldn't believe it. We watched this over and over again. We have looked to buy it. My 16 year old daughter has wanted it for Christmas this being the 2nd now. Not any place I have gone to sells it. That doesn't surprise me at all! Some never heard of it. When you can see a movie with all the feeling of God moving you. Well anyone that hasn't seen it is missing out of a GREAT movie. I wish we had it and more like it. I just pray that we can soon find it along with more like it!!!

Extremely good!!!.......2004-10-23

A story about 4 guys, who decide to go on a road trip, after they've finished their high school. Firts they travell to Mexico in order to catch some serious waves. They get some serious surfing over there. But then the news comes, that one of their's grandfathers died and they must come to Seattle to collect the money he left for him. So they decide to trvell up there. On the way they meet a girl, who turns out to be a cousin of one of them. So together they continue the journey only stopping to do some extreme motocross jumps, some extreme skateboarding and snowboarding. But durin this journey one of the guys falls in love with her (of course), but they get into a fight and she leaves. Well in the end, they found out that there hasn't been any money left for one of them. After they raise some money, they decide to fly to Alaska in order to get some serious snowboarding and they want to take the girl with them. Well, at first she doesn't want to leave, but in the end she appears in the plane nad that's the happy end of the story.
Also cool in this movie, beside the story, are the clips of some great surfers, skaters, motocross riders and snowboarders, doing really extreme tricks. Awesome!

What is there to like about Extreme Days?.......2004-10-12

Everything! Everything is to like about this film.

My youngest brother watched this movie first and then told me I had to see it. I gave in and watched it with him, and laughed hysterically.

First of all in response to some other comments about this movie-- Christian films just like secular films require money, and support. You won't see big names like Disney backing up a Christian film, and you can't expect the same viewing quality. The Passion, made by Mel Gibson was the first Christian film that had film quality, and not everyone has the amount of money or resources as Mel.

That asside, this movie was awesome. It was powerful. It was geared toward a young audience and has some childish scenes, but still makes for an amazing family movie night. It's a movie with a lesson. It's a movie with a point. But most importantly---

It's a movie WITHOUT language, sex, violence, nudity, and gore.

Completely appropriate for the entire family, and a movie I am proud to own. I am a 20 year old college student and I still think it's the best movie (Jonah (Veggie Tales) being a close second) I've ever seen.

I'm not going to hype this up as a movie that places all the focus on Jesus, because I do think they could have used a few more scenes that included prayer, and/or talking about the Lord. However, I think it's clean, and the overall plot is a story of how God can take the seemingly bad things in life and turn them into good if we would place our trust in Him.

The Genesis 50:20 rule "What you intended for bad, the Lord intended for good."

If you would like to see a Christian film with a real message, complete honesty, true cleanliness, and non-stop hilarity, buy this movie! And watch it over and over again--you will want to, trust me.

Thanks for readin,

In His Grip,
AJ

Average customer rating:

Where is my order??????
Some debatable content but overall very good - 4.5 stars actually
Low Quality.
Much better documentaries on the Spartans
"Stranger, go tell the Spartans that we lie here in obedience to their laws."

The Spartans
Starring: Bettany Hughes
Director: Melanie Archer
Manufacturer: Pbs Paramount
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Documentary | Genres | DVD | Video

( S ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

All | PBS | Specialty Stores | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

ASIN: B0001KNHTA
Release Date: 2004-04-27

Amazon.com

Maybe it was Steven Pressfield's Gates of Fire or Frank Miller's 300 that got you interested in learning about Sparta, but the thought of delving into Herodotus, Thucydides, or Plutarch appeared a bit too daunting. Luckily you don't have to brave the classics in order to get a rich education of the ultimate warrior city-state of ancient Greece. PBS's The Spartans is a well-researched, well-paced three-hour documentary telling you everything an armchair Lambda-wearing Hoplite would ever want to know about Greece's legendary warriors. Classical historian Bettany Hughes does an amazing job of exploring all aspects of life and history in the utopian city-state, including their rise to power, battles, discipline and training, thrifty existence, ideals of equality, enforcement of social/sexual freedom for both genders, and, ultimately, their downfall. Couple The Spartans with Empires: The Greeks: Crucible of Civilization, and you are guaranteed to walk away knowing more than most about the roots of Western Civilization without having to crack open the classics (though that is recommended!). --Rob Bracco

Customer Reviews:

Where is my order??????.......2007-03-08

I saw this show on one of the education channels on TV and ordered it on Amazon. They indicated they had plenty of new and used DVD's in stock. DO NOT BELIEVE IT!! I have ordered and cancelled several times and it's been over a year and still nothing. Save your time and money and record it when it comes back on TV. Its the only way to get it.

Some debatable content but overall very good - 4.5 stars actually.......2007-02-24

I watched this documentary on PBS and thought it very good overall. I don't need CGI battle recreations, just tell the story, it's compelling enough. Ms Hughes did a good job of telling the tale, her narration was interesting and the direction and photography was very interesting.

OK, drawing the parallel to Hitler's ideal is overdone, but, if you realize that a vast majority of people who could watch this documentary would not be in possession of the knowledge required to draw this parallel, it's fair to include it.

Compulsory homosexuality? This assumes facts not in evidence, mainly that, at the "adoption" stage of the Spartan warrior's training, he was "adopted" by someone with homosexual tendencies, implying that anyone of "marrying age" who isn't married, is gay. With that said, the social norms of the time were different and it's quite possible that there wasn't the social stigmata associated with it that there is now.

The portrayal of women in this society as very liberated, while mildly inaccurate when compared to modern liberated women, is pretty accurate when you compare the Spartan women to their contemporaries. While it's safe to say they weren't "liberated" in a modern sense, it was the best of a bad lot...assuming of course you were ok with giving over your male children to the state at 7 years old, also assuming that you were ok with killing any males at birth that didn't live up to the state elder's ideal. So if you watched this documentary, and paid attention, you saw that if was far from a feminist paradise.

All in all a good companion piece for "The 300 Spartans" and the upcoming "300" movies. The main thing to realize is that, all documentaries and even written histories, all put forth a personal agenda of their creator. You can't take any one particular source as absolute fact in any history. Conclusions made by others are based, at least in part, by the facts at hand and then are filtered through an individual's experience.

Low Quality. .......2006-12-28

This could have been an excellent documentary, but the makers of it decided to distort history rather than present it honestly. This is particularly true in the way it depicts Sparta as being some kind of Womyn's Power state which is absurd. Somewhat comically, the narrator enhances the story of Sparta by telling the story of its women which is quite trendy and also totally bogus. She tells us of laconic girls and their supposeed bi-sexuality. Hughes states that it would be a mistake to think of it as a "feminist wonderland," but that's exactly what is implied. I don't know how these other reviewers missed all the laughable politicizing such as: "Fighting wars is a soft option compared to going home to mother." Yeah right! Unless of course, husbands who shave their wives heads and leave after inseminating them count as amounting to the progressive ideal. Pretending people of the past had the sensibilities we do is disgraceful. To many counter-culturalists, history has no value if it is not used for the purposes of advancing a political program. Unfortunately, that is precisely what we have here in this spoiled work. As for Bettany Hughes, I agree that she is quite attractive, but she is an awful narrator as she at times is downright giddy. Hers is not the type of personality that should be discussing Sparta--I'll take Victor Davis Hanson any day over her. I recommend that you skip this one and look for something which quotes actual historians.

Much better documentaries on the Spartans.......2006-09-14

This documentary covered what I had seen in other documentaries without anything really new. The only new thing I really couldn't stand was Bettany Hughes comparing the Spartans to the Nazis. This was so juvenile. It was a cheap sensationalist way to fill her narrative. She did it on more than one occasion. Comparing everything militant to the Nazis is old and out of date. Yes, the Nazis would have liked to imitate the Spartans is many ways, but the two cannot be compared. Please skip the cheap sensationalism when dealing with a very interesting ancient Greek society. There are much better documentares available made by the history channel. Its a shame to have such an otherwise good PBS production be wasted on poor narration.

"Stranger, go tell the Spartans that we lie here in obedience to their laws.".......2006-06-29

Average customer rating:

Didn't quite meet the reduced standards I had for it
I miss the original
Best Bare Wench yet
Nice Eye Candy
Book of Babes - Bare Wench 2

Book of Babes - Bare Wench 2
Starring: Nikki Fritz , Samantha Phillips , Juliet Cariaga , Alexus Winston , and Griffin Drew
Director: Jim Wynorski
Manufacturer: Spartan
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( B ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

ASIN: B00005NGAW
Release Date: 2001-09-04

Customer Reviews:

Didn't quite meet the reduced standards I had for it.......2007-04-04

I thought I had an idea what to expect from this film. Even putting aside the fact that Netflix has inappropriately listed this film as a Horror movie, I knew it would be cheap and schlocky and amateurish and puerile. I was okay with that. Nobody watches/rents/buys these films without the purpose of seeing beautiful women naked and frisky with each other. No other production values matter in this regard. Yet, this movie still disappoints. I didn't care that the acting fell somewhere between poor and none. I didn't mind that they seemed to be shooting this film without a script or any sort of rehearsing ahead of time... or any sort of preparation for that matter.

What makes this movie most disappointing is that it would have only taken a few minor changes to make BIG improvements. The biggest problem is the completely pointless and inveterately irritating presence of Lenny Juliano: a fat, dopey, whiney, douchebag who brings absolutely nothing worthwhile or useful to this film. He isn't at all funny, and this worthless sack of lint threatens to interfere with the only merit this film has otherwise, which is gratuitous nudity and physical interaction between the female principles. Get rid of him, and the difference is significant. The biggest source of humor in this film was the highly improbable premise that the women were in a sorority, or that they were even college-aged for that matter.

But even the amorous interaction between the "actresses" really came off more as a multi-dancer routine from a strip club (a lot of tease-touching and uninspired slow-grinding). Given that these are women who have done some fairly unambiguous/explicit work in other films does give one pause to wonder why this one was so tame and lethargic, especially since the film had nothing else going for it. Forget the dialogue and acting and plot (assuming there was any to begin with). Just concentrate on the one and only reason anyone would want to watch this film.

Unfortunately, this film just wasn't very good, even by the remarkably meager standards it was measured by. So why 2 stars instead of just one? The nudity was Great!

I miss the original.......2003-02-14

I am a huge fan of Julie K. Smith, a main character from the original as well as the hottest woman on the planet. So why is she not in the sequel? Bare Wench 2: Book of Babes is an okay movie: it's got lots of bare breasts, great if you're into just any old rack. For us B-movie fans used to quality boobage however, it's not the quantity, it's the quality. So while julie k. smith does make an electrifying cameo during the hilarious introduction, the rest of the more numerous cast doesn't pick up the slack. Nikki Fritz is the only exception. She is a good leader for the girls as she was in the original, which brings me to another point: the girls of "Book of Babes" are not as good at improvisation as the original cast. Boo-hoo. The original was a good movie because all the girls, even Lunk, made it entertaining when they spoke with their tops on or off. Unfortunately, the second cast is not able to fill their cups.

Best Bare Wench yet.......2002-06-19

I really enjoyed Bare Wench 2, even more than the classic original. There could really be an oscar for best screenplay and script as well as a best actor for Dick Bigdickian. A definite purchase.

Nice Eye Candy.......2002-06-18

If you have found this on Amazon, then it IS exactly what you are looking for. T & A beginning to end, lots of nudity, some relatively poor acting as would be expected. The women are beautiful, and take their clothes off (what little they are ever wearing) for what seems like almost no reason. Some lesbian action, but mostly just excellent tease nudity. Definitely what you would be looking for in this type of movie. On the SV spank-o-meter this film gets 9 out of 10.

Book of Babes - Bare Wench 2.......2002-04-22

The movie is good for watching gorgeous ladies and seeing son skin. Has a good plot. Only problem was the guy in it was sort of a nerd but the dvd was clear and worth a look at. A definite rental at least!

Average customer rating:

great movie, please list it right
Why was this movie made?
Wolverine, a dad with attitude
Missed Action

Wolverine
Starring: David Israel (IV) , Jeffrey Wickham , Cyrus Cassell , Alessandro Borgese , and Sam Douglas
Director: David Jackson
Manufacturer: Spartan
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

Thrillers | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

( W ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

ASIN: 6305974942
Release Date: 2000-08-08

Amazon.com

Handsome, muscular Antonio Sabato Jr. stars as Harry Gordini, a former Navy Seal turned college professor trying to reestablish relations with his wife and son. Unfortunately, en route to a vacation in Rome, his suitcase gets crossed with an identical suitcase carrying a potent drug--which not only interferes with the business of a drug cartel, it ruins a drug bust by the Drug Enforcement Administration. The head agent, Baines (Richard Brooks), is under pressure from his superiors, and the drug dealer, Jones (Danny Quinn), is under pressure from the cartel, so everyone is after Gordini, who's blissfully wandering Rome with his family. Everyone converges on scenic Sardinia, where Jones tries to use Gordini's family to get the suitcase back, while Baines tries to use the suitcase to catch Jones. Naturally, Gordini strikes out on his own. Wolverine has the components of a run-of-the-mill action thriller but is improved by surprisingly well-drawn characters, capable dialogue, and taut and efficient storytelling. The family tensions provide a strong counterpoint to the political machinations and lean action, and implausibilities are kept to a minimum. Though Sabato isn't likely to get any nominations for his acting, his solid, dependable presence carries the movie along. --Bret Fetzer

Customer Reviews:

great movie, please list it right.......2005-02-19

this was a great movie i am a huge antonio fan. i recently found a hard to find movie called "testosterone" i was very shocked to see him play such a different but great role. i am happy to see that some actors are not afraid to play such type casted roles. i would like everyone to know that there is no word codename in the title wolverine. they may mention it in the movie but it is not listed on the dvd itself. i am only mentioning it because i recently purchased the same title twice as far as i know there are only 2 movies wolverine and the sequal.

Why was this movie made?.......2004-03-24

I am so glad I didn't have to pay money to watch this movie. My brother and I caught this movie on satellite and we had missed the first 15 minutes. Geez. Bad movie. So predictable. Weak storyline. Not great acting. So cheesy!

Wolverine, a dad with attitude.......2002-05-12

Antonio Sabato plays ex Navy Seal Harry Gordini, on vacation in Italy with his sexy wife and 10 year old son, has the bad luck of getting the wrong suitcase: one filled with drugs. He discovers this two days into his vacation while staying in an isolated (and picturesque) seaside villa. He dutifully turns the drug-infested suitcase in the the US Embassy but by now the drug dealers are on his trail. They kidnap his family and Antonio goes into action mode, getting them back. Of course, there's complications, double cross and plenty of gunplay. Movie cooks right along with Antonio doing what you wish you could do to those who dissed you. Ending's a bit of a letdown.

Missed Action.......2001-09-02

Antonio Sabato, Jr., the white briefs poster boy before Mark Wahlberg, stars as the unwilling action hero.

Traveling to Italy with his estranged wife and son, Harry doesn't realize his luggage was switched with a drug shipment at the airport. Soon the DEA and the drug lord locate the family at their vacation villa. Unfortunately for Harry, the only good guy appears to be himself and he must take his family's protection into his own hands.

Product Description

Director Zach Snyder's adaptation of Frank Miller's 300 bursts on the screen in a 2 DVD set bleeding with bonus features! 2 Disc set includes widescreen version of the film, commentary tracks, featurettes, deleted scenes, webisodes, trailers, and lots more! Also includes in this special package is a replica of the Spartan helmet worn by the warriors, plus bonus art cards from the graphic novel! Housed inside of a stunning box with a clear window to view the detailed Spartan helmet.

DVD:

DVD

DVD