The documentary, starring Michael Scott, draws on ancient sources—especially Herodotus—and contemporary historians to separate cinematic narrative from historical reality. It largely adopts a Greek‑Western perspective, since Herodotus is the primary source for the battle and no direct Persian account of Thermopylae exists. The film critiques popular exaggerations, such as the claim of only 300 Spartans or millions of Iranian soldiers, but may still reflect Western historiographical views in its portrayal of motives and characters.