The 300 Spartans (1962)

[Scott]

THE 300 SPARTANS (1962) - The story of 300 Spartans lead by  Leonidas at the battle of Thermopylae against the Persion army. This is one of the better sword and sandal films out there and produced by 20th Century Fox. Well done and not a wasted moment as you get a taste of Spartan life and death.

[AlexB]

Is that the one where the Spartans lie down to evade a cavalry charge?

[Scott H.]

No, it's where 300 Spartans hold off the Persian Army at a mountain pass and do severe damage to their numbers killinng thousands.

[AlexB]

Yes, of course!!! Read the comic by the great Frank Miller if you want a good story!

I once saw a sixties movie about the story, in which a bunch of Hollywood Spartans in very short skirts faced an immense Persian army in glorious technicolor while lying down to evade a Persian cavalry charge. Always struck me as quite odd.

[BoyScoutKevin]

Think of this as the Greek version of "The Alamo."

What I find interesting, was that one of the things Dr. Bashir and Chief O'Brien shared on "Star Trek: Deep Space 9" was an interest in ancient military history. And the three battles I can remember them recreating in one of the holosuites was The Alamo, The Battle of Britain, and Thermopayle.

And yes, this is the film in which the Spartans lie down to escape the cavalry charge.

[Scott]

Yes, as BoyScoutKevin stated the Spartans in the movie lay down covered by their own shields as the cavalry passes over them, then the Spartans rise and slaughter them from both sides.