Subject: Is the movie 300 Fascist?
By soadnot
@soadnot (1606)
Canada
May 24, 2007 12:16pm CST
I recently saw the movie "300", and was struck by its Fascist overtones. Here you have a heroic, militaristic, and virtuous leader who defies a democracy which is indecisive and corrupt. He acts preemptively to confront foreign invaders who are decadent and effeminate.
What is interesting is that--given that it has been produced in America--I suspect that its actual aim was to make a subtle defense of the Iraq War. Lines like "Freedom isn't free" were downright desturbing, given how often one sees them on the back automobiles owned by right-wingers. One wonders if the scriptwriters had the slightest idea much the ideology as revealed in the movie resonate with early 20th Century Fascist ideals and rhetoric.
2 people like this
4 responses
@Opalrose (46)
• Australia
24 May 07
We watched the movie and thought it was very militaristic, with a strong warrior and aggressive theme. Sorry, didn't even occur to either of us to think it was America's way of stating ideas about the Iraq War. I was under the impression americans don't care what other countries think of them, as they think/know they are the best. from my interactions with them.
@peaceful (3294)
• United States
24 May 07
It certainly is disturbing that all facets of media and mainstream entertainment have taken on a sheen of "policy promotion" thru subtle means...
That why I'm on a strict "news and mainstream movie" fast.
It's done wonders for my Happiness! :)
Here's a very funny parody of "300" and United 135 :
http://www.jimmyr.com/blog/300_Parody_United_135_2007.php
Enjoy! :)
@MrNiceGuy (4141)
• United States
24 May 07
The producers of the movies were asked about political overtones and they denied there were any. I watched for them while viewing the movie the first 5 times and I have to say that lines like the one about freedom were questionable, but you couldn't say it was a metaphor for the War on Terror or the Iraq War because at any time the Persians and Spartans are given characteristics of either side, the metaphorical sides keep switching, so I really don't think there is any parallel.
