The mullahs in Iran have correctly identified the real message of the film, and denounced ''300'' as a pro-American diatribe which is, and I quote, ''part of a comprehensive U.S. psychological war aimed at Iranian culture''. And they are absolutely correct. Directed by Zack Snyder, ''300'' is a jingoistic, unabashedly fascistic celebration of Western superiority over Eastern despotism and barbarism. The film is guaranteed to give every woke university professor a solid heart attack. Spartan culture is probably the closest the Western civilization has ever come in creating a purely Darwinian state ruled by ruthless natural selection. In Sparta, you either died or became a fearless warrior. The weak were mercilessly eliminated in ways even Adolf Hitler would have probably found a bit harsh. The film honestly deals with the fascist reality of Sparta, but instead of denouncing it, it brazenly celebrates it. It also celebrates heroism, patriotism and other universal virtues, but it also reminds the viewers that those heroic individuals were incredibly cruel, uncompromising and brutal. So while admiring King Leonidas (Gerard Butler) for his courage, we are also forced to condemn him when he refuses the help of a deformed dwarf willing to fight alongside him. Physically deformed people had no place in Sparta. On the other hand - SPOILERS ALERT - when Leoniodas's gorgeous wife Queen Gorgo (Lena Headey) has sex with her husband's political opponent in a vain attempt to save Leonidas' life, her adultery is presented as a heroic and admirable gesture. That too is historically accurate - Spartan women, even married ones, had the right to sleep with other men (and women). In fact, a good Spartan warrior was expected to share his wife with his comrades in arms. Spartan women enjoyed a status, power and respect that was unknown in the rest of the classical world.
