Fun and the Battle of Thermopylae would seem to be opposing notions, given that the last-stand engagement between 300 Spartans and 1 million invading Persians in 480 B.C. doesn't exactly end well for the Greeks.

But with "300," director Zack Snyder aims to put a little looseness back into the sword-and-sandals genre, much in the same way that Frank Miller ("Sin City") did with his graphic novel of the same name.

"Swords-and-sandals is a deadly serious genre," says Snyder, who directed the successful 2004 remake of George Romero's classic zombie movie "Dawn of the Dead."

"Don't get me wrong. There's some heavy material here — 300 Spartans fighting against a million Persians, death, grief, inspiration. But Frank Miller's novel has an unapologetic wit and sarcasm that's a breath of fresh air. I wanted to show that swords-and-sandals is not always history on steroids, but about having fun at the movies."

Snyder worked hard to maintain the look of Miller's graphic novel, filming many shots as frame-by-frame re-creations of the book's panels. The movie, due March 9, was filmed almost entirely on a Montreal soundstage with Snyder going back later to fill in the missing pieces with digital effects.

"The Internet crowd has labeled it 'Sin City' meets 'Gladiator.' "

Snyder says, "I think Ridley Scott reintroduced the sword-and-sandals movie to a new generation. It was a modern film — melodramatic, sure, but fresh.

"But after 'Troy' and 'Alexander,' you have to ask the question: 'Now what?' " Snyder continues. "And for me, the answer was all about tone. Frank Miller told me he remembered seeing (1962 movie) 'The 300 Spartans' and asking his dad midway through, 'Are the good guys going to die?' 'Yes, son, they are.' That changed what he thought a hero was.

"When I hear a story like that, it's my responsibility not to get in the way of the experience he had."

The outcome of these movies is always unpredictable as unfortunately I deem all those misconceptions,misrepresentations and above all simplifications must be considered as side effects of the too easy and light divulgation approach that characterises these Movies and often TV productions as well as some easy semi-historical literature so much in fashion nowadays.

Nevertheless I do not completely condemn this phenomenon, since - to a certain extent, though – hopefully it stimulates interest and optimistically it spreads love for Greece, Rome and the Ancient world in general to a wider audience.

The question is how then these new adepts will be able to satisfy their awakened scientific curiosity on the origins of our civilisation. Some - I guess few - might really go to the library and/or search the net for sites like ours, or some other – may be the majority - will probably end up buying some trifle semi-historical Roman background romance novel...

Nonetheless, if attention and love for ancient history and literature are arisen in many, I would probably trade even a bad movie for it.