Based on actual event occurring in 480 B.C. Greece. This scintillating drama stars Richard Egan as the Greek soldier Leonidas who led 300 Spartan soldiers against an overwhelming Persian army in the Battle of Thermopylae. Unable to recruit the soldiers he needs to defend a critical Greek mountain pass against Persias King Xerxes Leonidas nonetheless prepares for battle. When warned that the number of arrows his tiny army will face ""will blot out the sun"" Leonidas replies that his army will ""fight in the shade."" With it's superb cinematography realism and musical score this story of courage and self-sacrifice is inspired filmmaking at it's best.