Jason and the Argonauts is one of those films that were a staple of Christmas TV, a larger to life extravaganza that didn't fail to not just entertain but mesmerise and enchant, and it's not the monsters that is only impressive, but the cinematography, the set-pieces, the locations, the actors ( some were Shakespearean stage actors that added a bit of austerity and gravitas to the Greek mythological spectacle), and the execution of the story.
The story -Twenty years after his father's death, Jason embarks on a fantastic voyage, fraught with dangers, to find the Golden Fleece that will enable him to reclaim the throne that is rightfully his.
Of course, the creatures as invented by special effects maestro Ray Harryhausen attribute greatly to its splendour. The spectacle of seeing Talos wrecking havoc on island is iconic, and his demise just as dramatic - the appearance of Hydra, the seven-headed serpent, is magnificent and so sudden, but last, but not least, that famous and iconic skeleton army - the creatures of night - is a showstopper, and is an example of the sheer hard work and vision that went into it.
The plot is brisk, there's a wit and humanity to the story ( especially from Honor Blackman and Naill MacGinnis), a sincere Jason in Todd Armstrong, the menacing music score by Bernard Hermmann, and the monsters still as wondrous and enchanting as ever. A gloriously entertaining film for all ages.
The story -Twenty years after his father's death, Jason embarks on a fantastic voyage, fraught with dangers, to find the Golden Fleece that will enable him to reclaim the throne that is rightfully his.
Of course, the creatures as invented by special effects maestro Ray Harryhausen attribute greatly to its splendour. The spectacle of seeing Talos wrecking havoc on island is iconic, and his demise just as dramatic - the appearance of Hydra, the seven-headed serpent, is magnificent and so sudden, but last, but not least, that famous and iconic skeleton army - the creatures of night - is a showstopper, and is an example of the sheer hard work and vision that went into it.
The plot is brisk, there's a wit and humanity to the story ( especially from Honor Blackman and Naill MacGinnis), a sincere Jason in Todd Armstrong, the menacing music score by Bernard Hermmann, and the monsters still as wondrous and enchanting as ever. A gloriously entertaining film for all ages.