300

300 (2007) distills the Battle of Thermopylae into a graphic, hyper-stylized epic. Director Zack Snyder transforms historical fact into mythic allegory, where King Leonidas of Sparta (Gerard Butler) leads 300 warriors against the colossal Persian army under Xerxes (Rodrigo Santoro). Rendered in vibrant hues and stark contrasts, the film's visual grandeur is matched by its muscular, unambiguous narrative, celebrating masculine valor and sacrifice in the face of overwhelming odds.