Archived index of "300 blogs about Frank Miller's '300' "

In an effort to facilitate matters relative to the postings about Frank Miller's '300', this blog will contain an index of all the most recent archived materials. Each day's posting will be directly underneath this one, however, the first 150 blogs can be accessed by clicking on the following link.

Blog Number 171 - Video Journal #4 for Frank Miller's '300'

Video Journal #4 is very interesting since it is narrated by the costume designer Michael Wilkinson who gave the audience insight into the making of the clothes worn by the actors. It also gave us a brief glimpse at Xerxes, the king of the Persian army who will be played by the Brazilian actor Rodrigo Santoro.

The sight of the bejeweled Santoro pretty much has taken the mystery out of how the last major character will appear. This also pretty much confirms that the appearance of the actors will coincide with the look of Frank Miller's '300' illustrations.

Blog Number 170 - Critics of Frank Miller's '300'

Occasionally I'll check out the IMDB boards to see what the latest topics and responses are to the '300' posts. It seems that several of the prognosticators and pontificators have criticized the movie before it has even premiered.

The primary reason for the abuse that has been heaped on '300' is that the movie will not be an accurate portrayal of the Battle of Thermopylae. Do I agree with this assessment? Absolutely!!! However, what has to be remembered is that '300' will be a reflection of the comic books as written by Frank Miller, not a documentary based on the works of Herodotus.

Blog Number 169 - Recommended reading along with Frank Miller's '300'

Since the momentum has slowed down because of the year we will have to wait for Frank Miller's '300' to premier, I will recommend several books in the next several postings to satiate your interest relative to the 300 Spartans and the Battle of Thermopylae.

Blog Number 168 - Update to Zack Snyder's Production Blog

Zack Snyder has updated his Production Blog to discuss the reasons why he chose Mark Twight as the individual who would train the cast and stuntmen. Pretty good stuff!

Blog Number 167 - Training regimen for Frank Miller's '300'

In Blog Number 158, I included Video Journal #3 which showed the training regimen of the Spartiates. Since the Spartans would be filmed without armor, it was essential that they look the part of muscled warriors. After looking at the video clip and the exercises that the extras went through, they definitely look the part.

Blog Number 166 - Recycled sets & props for Frank Miller's '300'

I initially had reservations about the movie's budget of $60-$70 million as did quite a few others. However, after looking at the stills and movie clips, especially of Video Journal #2 which I featured in Blog Number 131, the set designer's ability to recycle sets and props could bring the final numbers in line with their projections. Case in point, if you listen to James Bissell's commentary, a sculpted rock was used over and over for about 9 times.

It is this kind of economy that will allow the money to be used for the necessary digital effects. This should allow Zack Snyder to complete '300' as the vision which Frank Miller intended.

Blog Number 165 - Another image of the Tomb of King Leonidas of Sparta

In Blog Number 122, I included an image of a French postcard of the Tomb of Leonidas which I acquired several years ago. This is a better image for which I have to thank the Laconian Professionals for providing.

Yiasou patriotes!

Blog Number 164 - Thermopylai, Myth & Reality in 480 B.C.

One of the more interesting books about the Battle of Thermopylae is this one co-authored by G.J. Szemler, W.J. Cherf and J.C. Kraft. There are several books which I recommend about Thermopylae and this one being one of those, since it uses geographic analyses to arrive at several interesting conclusions.

Blog Number 163 - Lion of Sparta comic book

Here is the 'Lion of Sparta' comics which the movie 'The 300 Spartans' was to be originally called. I will be posting several of the images from this comic book over the next several days.

Blog Number 162 - National Geographic illustration of the Battle of Thermopylae

Here is another image of the Battle of Thermopylae, this time from a National Geographic issue. This painting was illustrated by H.M. Herget whose work was featured in many of the National Geographic issues of the 1930's & 1940's.

Blog Number 161 - Illustration of Xerxes

Here is an illustration of Xerxes, the king of Persia from Mary Renault's 'Lion in the Gateway'. All the images which I've included from this book were illustrated by C. Walter Hodges and this one captures the difference between King Leonidas who will be played by Gerry Butler and Xerxes who will be played by Rodrigo Santoro. While Leonidas fought with his 300 Spartiates and perished with them, the Persian king was safe and sound on his throne, overlooking the fighting and impervious to any of the fighting beneath.

Blog Number 160 - Another illustration of King Leonidas of the '300' Spartans

Here is another illustration of King Leonidas from Mary Renault's 'Lion in the Gateway'. This book was published in 1964, therefore, I've wondered if Renault wrote the book after having watched the 1962 movie, 'The 300 Spartans'.

Blog Number 159 - Illustration of King Leonidas of the '300' Spartans

Here is the cover to the book 'The Lion in the Gateway' which was written by Mary Renault in the early 60's. Depicted in this illustration is King Leonidas of the 300 Spartans who will be portrayed by Gerry Butler in Frank Miller's '300'.

Blog Number 158 - Video Journal #3 for Frank Miller's '300'

Here is a link to the third Video Journal for Frank Miller's '300' which is on the Yahoo website.

Blog Number 157 - Post-production for Frank Miller' '300'

Now that Frank Miller's '300' has finished filming as of the end of January, the post-production work has begun which means that the raw video footage and audio elements have been completed.

Now the editing, titling, special effects insertion, image enhancement and audio mixing will be be added and refined to bring the finished product to the masses in the summer of 2007.

Blog Number 156 - Statue of a Spartan warrior training

This is an image of a Spartan warrior training in the nude. Since the armor that the hoplites wore was so heavy, it was placed on minutes before the battle since it comprised about half of the weight of the warrior.

Blog Number 155 - Statue of a Spartan warrior

Here is a statue of a Spartan warrior that closely resembles the illustrations of Frank Miller in that the warrior is without the cuirass, greaves and other clothing that he would have worn at Thermopylae.

Blog Number 154 - Mosaic of King Leonidas

Here is a very rare mosaic that was given to me as a present several years ago of King Leonidas with the words MOLON LABE.

I'm always on the lookout for unique items that pertain to the Spartans, therefore, receiving this was a wonderful surprise!

Blog Number 153 - The '300' Spartans at Thermopylae by Richard Hook

This is another image of the final stand at Thermopylae by 'artiste extraodinaire' Richard Hook. This illustration is from the book 'The Spartan Army' by Nicholas Sekunda.