My husband took me to cinema last Sunday (March 31th, 2014) and we decided to watch 300: Rise of the Empire. It is a fantasy war film about a fight in Salamis bay. Greece was attacked by the Persians. The battle was so hard that it took days to end. The Persian king died in the battle after being shot by Themistokles, Spartan captain.
Xerxes, prince of Persia, was sad and sobbed. He became heatedly angry and wanted to avenge after being provocated by Artemisia, his adopted sister. Xerxes was witched and taken to a cave where he spent ten years of his life there while doing meditation.
Artemisia was then promoted to be the commander. She hated Greece although she was Greek. She hated Greece because her parents were killed by Athenian Civilians. She swore, "I would never be satisfied until I saw Athen fall into pieces." She bore a grudge. She remembered of how she was sold as slave and raped by many men. She was saved by a Persian advisor. The advisor trained her well. He trained her of how to use sword, bow, knife, and many weapons. She learnt well. The king was astonished by her achievement in many battles. He then adopted her as his daughter.
Artemisia got her real rival in a battle. This man was Themistokles. Persia was defeated in the battle. Themistokles used his tactic well. He let the Persian boats entered the circle made by the Athenian boats. They accidentally broke the Persian boats and made them sinking. The next day they used different tactic. The hid behind the fog and started to attack when their boat had broken theirs. Although they won again, the war was not finish. Artemisia called for all of the Persian Navy boats to have a battle in Salamis bay.
Themistokles asked for a help from the senate. Some of the senators refused to fight against Persia. He then met the Spartan queen to ask for a help. She refused it too. He went to see the Athenians and told them that he needed as many soldiers as they had. Young Athenians joined his troops.
Another battle happened. Artemisia sent small number of boats. The Athenians could defeat it. Then she sent another troop. Many Athenians were hurt. Themistokles and his army were almost defeated when suddenly the Spartans came to help. They fought bravely. Once again they won the battle.
This movie is somewhat historical in the way that it tells us a part of history about the Great Greeks and Persians. It also taught us war tactics and nationalism. Despite of its inethical costumes, there are many good things can be found in this movie.
JAZILATUR RIZQIYAH (3 March 2014)
