Jason and the Argonauts Review- By Michael Carlisle

 Title: Jason and the Argonauts
Year: 1963
Director: Don Chaffey
Country: US
Language: English

When I think of classic adventure films, there are three that come to mind; Lawrence of Arabia, Raiders of the Lost Ark and Jason and the Argonauts. Each three are spectacular in their own way, yet incredibly different. The difference with Jason is that it was technically a "B" Picture, made by a Director who typically made "B" movies, however the special effects were so unique that Columbia was able to book this as an "A" single feauture picture in many American theatres,

The film is about the mighty Jason (Todd Armstrong), who has been prophesied to take the throne of Thessaly. When he saves Pelias from drowning, but does not recognize him as the man who had earlier killed his father, Pelias tells Jason to travel to Colchis to find the Golden Fleece. Jason follows his advice and assembles a sailing crew of the finest men in Greece. Their voyage is is filled with danger.

Those who have heard of the picture know what this "danger" is; the iconic images of an animated skeleton army imprint the minds of every cinephile. The stop motion effects created by special effects legend Ray Harryhausen make Jason not only fun, but historically important and groundbreaking. Though the effects, miniatures and camera tricks seem vastly dated now, they remind us what a man can do when creativity is at its peak.

Though it has the heart of a "B" movie, Jason has the soul of a grand epic. Beverley Cross's magnificent script knows no boundaries and is not chained to any form of "reality". Bernard Herrmann's score is exhilarating, sometimes creating a sense of wonder and sometimes creating as sense of dread. Overall it's a fun, daring, simplistic and exciting flick that never ceases to amaze.

In conclusion, though this film is dated, Jason and the Argonauts is a wild roller coaster that deserves to be seen by generations to come. It has an interesting sociological theme as well; perhaps the gods would cease to exist if men stopped believing in them. This makes the picture an interesting platform for philosophical discussion. Praise it! 4/5