There’s plenty of testosterone in “300”: Men with chiseled pecs strut around in G-strings and the occasional over-the-shoulder throw, ready to mate or do battle, or mate and do battle.
Just out on DVD, the historical drama focuses on Sparta, a warrior culture threatened by hordes of invading Persians. The Spartans are led by muscular King Leonidas, played by Gerard Butler (“The Phantom of the Opera”), who doesn’t sing but is charismatic and lusty.
Adapted from the Frank Miller graphic comic about the battle at Thermopylae in ancient Greece, the story follows Leonidas and his 300 Spartans as they fight thousands of Persians while the rest of the country prepares for war.
Violent to the max, the film was shot in stylized black-and-white like Miller’s “Sin City,” with splashes of red and rust mixed in. The actors performed in front of a blue or green screen, and then backgrounds and special effects were added via computer. The result is visually exciting but unsuitable for the squeamish.
Extras Plenty of deleted scenes and featurettes.
The History Channel DVD “Last Stand of the 300,” also out this week, offers a more substantial look at the historic battle.