The 300 Spartans - DVDfile.com forum for DVD, Blu-Ray, and HD-DVD

McHugh · 06-04-2003, 02:30 AM

The latest release date that I saw for The 300 Spartans was today, June 3 but none of the local stores have it. For those that don't know, this movie was released (I believe) in 1962, stars Richard Egan and is about the battle of Thermoplyae. I've never seen the movie but am interested in the subject matter. I haven't even seen a review of the DVD so I assume that its release has been delayed. Anyone heard anything?

Also, The Battle of Britain and Zulu were supposedly released May 20 but they haven't arrived locally either so I ordered both. I did see a review of The Battle of Britain so it must have been released.

Still waiting for The Fall of the Roman Empire and El Cid. Looking forward to the Indiana Jones trilogy, and The Two Towers extended version in November.

***SeanL*** · 06-04-2003, 05:49 AM

I read somewhere that there was a problem with the transfer of the "300 Spartans", and that it has been delayed indefinitely.

Zulu is out...I've got it, and it's a pretty good transfer too.

Welles and Ford Fan · 06-04-2003, 05:33 PM

I don't know that I'd recommend The 300 Spartans. The battle makes a good story, but the movie is pretty hokey. Not as bad as the Hercules movies of the same era, but should have been much better. It is a reasonably accurate account of the battle actually, and Ralph Richardson is on hand as Themistocles, but David Farrar as Xerxes really chews a lot of scenery. Might be interesting to see it in widescreen though.

I got Zulu along with Battle of Britain, 633 Squadron and The Blue Max during the week of May 20. All looked great to me.

Are there plans for FOTRE and El Cid?

***SeanL*** · 06-04-2003, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by McHugh
I've never seen the movie but am interested in the subject matter.

A little FYI... There is a movie in the works called "Gates of Fire", based on the book of the same name, by Stephen Pressfield, which is a fictional telling of the events of the Battle of Thermopylae. If I remember correctly, George Clooney's production company was involved....and Clooney might(emphasis on "might") have a cameo appearance as King Leonidas.

McHugh · 06-05-2003, 05:01 AM

I have read a number of reports about Michael Mann and George Clooney doing Gates of Fire over the last couple of years but I don't think its a definite go yet. If its anything like the book it will be exceedingly bloody.

Last year at a number of DVD sites they were indicating the possible release of both Fall of the Roman Empire and El Cid in 2003. Haven't read anything since. I think there is an issue about which studio owns the rights to El Cid. I also wouldn't mind seeing Zulu Dawn out on DVD if it was a good transfer. It is a prelude to Zulu in that it recounts the battle of Islandlawana in which the Brits lost about 1200 men to something like 5 to 6000 Zulus. Although the Brits consider it a defeat the loss of so many Zulus hurt them more than the Brits.

Welles and Ford Fan · 06-06-2003, 09:48 PM

I'd love to see Zulu Dawn on DVD in widescreen. It makes a great prequel to Zulu, and did a spectacular job of depicting one of the most stunning defeats of the Victorian age. Great cast, music score.

06-04-2003, 02:30 AM	#1 (permalink)
McHugh Supporting Actor Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Calgary Alberta Canada	The 300 Spartans The latest release date that I saw for The 300 Spartans was today, June 3 but none of the local stores have it. For those that don't know, this movie was released (I believe) in 1962, stars Richard Egan and is about the battle of Thermoplyae. I've never seen the movie but am interested in the subject matter. I haven't even seen a review of the DVD so I assume that its release has been delayed. Anyone heard anything? Also, The Battle of Britain and Zulu were supposedly released May 20 but they haven't arrived locally either so I ordered both. I did see a review of The Battle of Britain so it must have been released. Still waiting for The Fall of the Roman Empire and El Cid. Looking forward to the Indiana Jones trilogy, and The Two Towers extended version in November.

06-04-2003, 05:49 AM	#2 (permalink)
*SeanL* Producer/Admin Got BMG? Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: NW Florida	I read somewhere that there was a problem with the transfer of the "300 Spartans", and that it has been delayed indefinitely. Zulu is out...I've got it, and it's a pretty good transfer too. __________________ Forum Administrator "You can never go home again, Oatman... but I guess you can shop there."

06-05-2003, 05:01 AM	#5 (permalink)
McHugh Supporting Actor Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Calgary Alberta Canada	Gates of Fire I have read a number of reports about Michael Mann and George Clooney doing Gates of Fire over the last couple of years but I don't think its a definite go yet. If its anything like the book it will be exceedingly bloody. Last year at a number of DVD sites they were indicating the possible release of both Fall of the Roman Empire and El Cid in 2003. Haven't read anything since. I think there is an issue about which studio owns the rights to El Cid. I also wouldn't mind seeing Zulu Dawn out on DVD if it was a good transfer. It is a prelude to Zulu in that it recounts the battle of Islandlawana in which the Brits lost about 1200 men to something like 5 to 6000 Zulus. Although the Brits consider it a defeat the loss of so many Zulus hurt them more than the Brits.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

06-04-2003, 05:33 PM	#3 (permalink)
Welles and Ford Fan Actor Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Houston, TX USA	I don't know that I'd recommend The 300 Spartans. The battle makes a good story, but the movie is pretty hokey. Not as bad as the Hercules movies of the same era, but should have been much better. It is a reasonably accurate account of the battle actually, and Ralph Richardson is on hand as Themistocles, but David Farrar as Xerxes really chews a lot of scenery. Might be interesting to see it in widescreen though. I got Zulu along with Battle of Britain, 633 Squadron and The Blue Max during the week of May 20. All looked great to me. Are there plans for FOTRE and El Cid?

06-06-2003, 09:48 PM	#6 (permalink)
Welles and Ford Fan Actor Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Houston, TX USA	I'd love to see Zulu Dawn on DVD in widescreen. It makes a great prequel to Zulu, and did a spectacular job of depicting one of the most stunning defeats of the Victorian age. Great cast, music score.