A record-breaking weekend for 300

The new action adventure movie based on a graphic novel has stomped to victory this weekend, earning the highest-ever takings for a film opening in March.

Grossing over $70 million (£36.27 million) in its debut weekend in the US, 300 performed better than other recent historical epics such as Troy and Alexander.

The movie is based on a work by Frank Miller - who also wrote the graphic novel which on which Sin City is based - and tells the story of the ancient battle of Thermopylae, featuring Lena Headey and Gerard Butler.

Although not due out in the UK until March 23rd 2007, it features some similar visual effects as those seen in Sin City and is directed by Zack Snydeer in what could be considered his first big-budget project.

His most famous project to date may be known to fans as Dawn Of The Dead, which remade George A. Romero's seminal zombie horror movie into a gory and blood-drenched thriller starring Sarah Polley and Mekhi Phifer.

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