The 800 defended a Shanghai warehouse from invasion while Spartans faced a Persian Army in 300. But which film better represents the aspects of war?

The 800 centers on Chinese soldiers and draft dodgers in 1937 who countered Japanese forces as they tried to take over Shanghai in a four-day defense of a warehouse complex.

Sparta’s 300 follows King Leonidas and his warriors as they fight to the death against King Xerxes’ Persian army at the Battle of Thermopylae. But which film is a better representation of war’s qualities and struggles?

Tactical Prowess and Overwhelming Adversity

The 800 and 300 take place in two very different periods. That means the weapons, defenses and knowledge depicted are vastly different, but they still hold similarities. That is because what works in war is passed down.

Through shields, the Spartans defended against countless attacks from the Persian army and pushed back. The Japanese also used this tactic when trying to blow a hole in the side of the factory.

The distance factor also gets applied through the use of spears by the Spartans and the Japanese with snipers. Finally, alternate routes and methods for advantage are depicted very well as the Spartans attempt surprise and tactical feats and the Japanese use the various strategies for surprise attacks and setting traps.

The Reality of War in The 800

The 800 shows a clear difference between what is happening and what is seen. It follows the story of those who were draft dodgers, shining light on why some deserted and why others chose to stay. It also depicts the story of the commander who desperately wants to spark the flames of passion back into his country and those who tell him to retreat.

And in the process, The 800 shows how men who were cowards gained courage, how the shameless retained their honor and how sacrifice defied logic in order to inspire others to rise up.

People will do anything to survive, and few will accept death outright to move forward. But through The 800, viewers can discover that honor and glory pale in comparison to survival.

How War Was Told in 300

300 is told through Dilios, a survivor who was sent back to rally forces against the Persians who invaded Greece. He tells the story of King Leonidas, the type of man he was, his upbringing and his warriors as they fight to the death against King Xerxes.

Dilios builds his story around a single man and his loyal men who chose to defy orders to avoid subjugation from their opposition, which consisted of assassins, elephants and thousands of soldiers.

Dilios explains how their ally abandoned them to die after learning of being betrayed. He also describes the queen, her sacrifice and humiliation to gain support from the council to send reinforcements.

But he tells the story in a way that inspires hundreds of thousands of Greeks and the rest of the Spartan army to stand against the Persians. And that perspective is key to why it connects and holds value to others as a tale of inspiration.

However, despite 300 being an inspiring story, The 800 better grasps the concepts, qualities and struggles of battle between two opposing forces. The best aspects of a war film aren’t always the ones that provide the best story. And with The 800, viewers get a clearer understanding of what it means to put it all on the line for victory.