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The graphic novel and the film 300 retell the battle between Greeks and Persians at Thermopylae in 480 BCE. The heroes of the story are 300 Spartan warriors. This article analyses how the readers/viewers are moved to identify with the Spartan warriors, and to feel repelled by their opponents. This is achieved by portraying the Spartans as the defenders of reason and justice, and of the freedom of not just Greece but all of Europe against "the armies of all Asia." Their normalcy is underscored by portraying their sexuality in accordance with mainstream, heteronormative Western values. Their opponents, the Persians, the Spartan priests, and the Spartan traitors, are portrayed as monstrous, superstitious, and sexually perverted. This emphasis on the connection between religion and sexual perversion stands out as the most important element which the creators of 300 have added to the story, as compared to the classical sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study of a selection of American disaster movies from the past decades reveals the presence of a certain kind of martyr character. These martyrs do not die for their religious or ideological faith but rather in order to save loved ones, sometimes the entire planet. These movie martyrs differ to a great extent from classical Christian martyrs as portrayed in medieval legends. The modern movie martyrs are usually old, and often social outcasts in different ways. Often they have failed as parents, are alcoholics or criminals. Their death is their way of redeeming themselves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]