I've only seen the shorts, but I'm inclined to agree with Vince.... This is a movie that could've been great, but ultimately, we ended up with a directors 'vision'...

The true story, redone on-location & with the benefit of modern cinematography & judicious use of CGI might have made for a 'real' epic.... And it would also be a nice feature if it also told of the 700 odd Thespians under General Demophilus that stood by the Spartan contingent and died with them..