Top 50 Heroes: 10-2

10. Leonidas
Movie: 300
Year: 2006
Actor: Gerard Butler

Why: Based on the true historic Battle of Thermopylae, King Leonidas takes an army of his best 300 Spartan warriors to defend his nation against the Persians. Although they are greatly outnumbered by the armies of Xerxes, Leonidas never waivers or shows any fear. He along with his other Spartans, work together as a deadly unit, and manage to withstand many bombardments. Leonidas gives his life for Sparta, so as buy time for his people, and rally his armies to face the Persians head on. It is an incredible tale of heroism and courage in the face of destruction.

Key Line: "Children, gather round! No retreat, no surrender; that is Sparta law. And by Spartan law we will stand and fight... and die. A new age has begun. An age of freedom, and all will know that 300 Spartans gave their last breathe to defend it."

9. V
Movie: V for Vendetta
Year: 2005
Actor: Hugo Weaving

Why: As the masked vigilante, V develops a master plan for revolution and liberation from the dictatorship in Britain. He brings truth and reason to the people, through means of anarchism. He begins by destroying the Old Bailey, as the ultimate sign of revolution and as a call to the people to unite with him against the totalitarian regime. In the end he gives his life for the revolution, on board the train that destroys the Parliament.

Key Line: "People should not be afraid of their governments. Governments should be afraid of their people."

8. Moses
Movie: The Ten Commandments
Year: 1956
Actor: Charlton Heston

Why: In this ancient religious epic, Moses becomes the chosen prophet of God to free the Israelites from the Egyptians. After spending years in exile, Moses returns to Egypt to deliver his demands to the pharaoh, Ramses. Moses claims that if Ramses does not free the Israelites, he will suffer the wrath of God. After days of plagues and tribulation, Ramses is finally forced to grant them freedom. Moses later leads his people through the desert for 40 years, serving as the voice of God.

Key Line: "Let my people go."

7. Neo
Movie: The Matrix
Year: 1999
Actor: Keanu Reeves

Why: Set in a futuristic world where robots use humans for energy, Neo awakens from the Matrix, and enters the real world. He realizes that he is the chosen one, and must save humankind. He quickly adapts to the setting and grows a knowledge of the Matrix far superior than any other. The only one that can match him is Agent Smith, and in the end Neo gives his life to stop this deadly virus.

Key Line: "I know you're out there. I can feel you. I know that you're afraid... you're afraid of us. You're afraid of change. I don't know the future. I didn't come here to tell you how this is going to end. I came here to tell you how it is going to begin. I'm going to hang up this phone, and then I'm going to show these people what you don't want them to see. I'm going to show them a world without you. A world without rules and controls, without borders or boundaries. A world where anything is possible. Where we go from there is a choice I leave to you."


6. Batman
Movie: Batman Begins
Year: 2005
Actor: Christian Bale

Why: He is the masked crusader of Gotham City, fighting crime and corruption. As the billionaire Bruce Wayne, he is able to create a highly advanced arsenal of weapons and gadgetry. He believes in justice, and has a very short-temper for those who operate above the law. Whether it's fighting against The Joker, Scarecrow, Two-Face, Penguin, Riddler, or any other villain, he always manages to save the day.

Key Line: "People need dramatic examples to shake them out of apathy and I can't do that as Bruce Wayne, as a man I'm flesh and blood. I can be ignored, I can be destroyed, but as a symbol... as a symbol I can be incorruptible, I can be everlasting."

5. Aragorn
Movie: Lord of the Rings
Year: 2001
Actor: Viggo Mortensen

Why: He begins as a ranger, who stumbles across a hobbit with the ring of power. He takes it upon himself to lead the hobbit to Rivendell, so as to have a council of what to do with the ring. He then becomes a leader of the Fellowship next to Gandalf. Once the hobbits are out of his reach, he becomes the hero of mankind, leading his people against the Orcs and Uruk-Hai. His leadership and courage is what makes him the ultimate heroic king.

Key Line: "I see in your eyes the same fear that would take the heart of me. A day may come when the courage of men fails, when we forsake our friends and break all bonds of fellowship, but it is not this day. An hour of woes and shattered shields, when the age of men comes crashing down. But it is not this day! This day we fight! by all that you hold dear on this good Earth, I bid you, stand, Men of the West!"

4. William Wallace
Movie: Braveheart
Year: 1993
Actor: Mel Gibson

Why: Set in the awful times of Prima-Noctra, angered by the rape and death of his wife, William Wallace unites the clans of Scotland to fight for their freedom from England. He is able to amass a great army and pose a serious threat to the British Empire. He is later captured and tortured by the British, yet instead of pleading for mercy, he gives a final cry of Freedom. His death becomes the symbol of courage and unity amongst the Scots, and they are finally able to win their freedom in the end thanks to William Wallace.

Key Line: "Aye, fight and you may die. Run, and you'll live... at least a while. And dying in your beds, many years from now, would you be willin' to trade ALL the days, from this day to that, for one chance, just one chance, to come back here and tell our enemies that they may take our lives, but they'll never take... OUR FREEDOM!"

3. Oskar Schindler
Movie: Schindler's List
Year: 1993
Actor: Liam Neeson

Why: This real life hero, portrayed in Steven Spielberg's masterpiece, saved over 1,200 Jews from the Holocaust. In the film he began as a sly, crooked business man, exploiting free Jewish labor. He then comes to a sudden realization of the horrid tragedy that is occurring and becomes sympathetic towards the Jewish. He uses his factory as a safe-haven for many Jews, and in the end he spends his last dime to purchase as many as he can, so as to save them from being shipped to Auschwitz. He risks and loses everything to save others, making him an everlasting true hero.

Key Line: "I didn't do enough! This car. Goeth would have bought this car. Why did I keep this car? Ten people right there. Ten people. Ten more people. This pin. Two people. This is gold. Two more people. He would have given me two for it, at least one. One more person. I could have gotten one more person, and I didn't... I didn't..."


2. Indiana Jones
Movie: Indiana Jones
Year: 1981
Actor: Harrison Ford

Why: He is the epitome of heroism; smart, adventurous, and as tough as they come. With his leather coat, brown hat, and whip he is the ultimate adventurer always in search of ancient secrets or relics. Whether its facing off against Nazis, Soviets, or Demonic Cultists he always manages to save the day, preserve the treasure, and get the girl.

Key Line: "I hate snakes, Jock. I hate 'em!"