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Jason and the Argonauts (1963) Movie Review
How many of us are fascinated by Greek mythology? Gods, goddesses, monsters, sword-wielding skeletons, and a giant bronze statue that chases people around an island; these things are fascinating, especially on screen. Jason and the Argonauts (aka Jason and the Golden Fleece) is famous for its special effects, and even though some look dated, most are surprisingly well done and hold up well today. Ray Harryhausen is a genius at bringing these monsters and mythologies to life. In fact he is such a legend that the restaurant in Monsters Inc. was named after him.
Jason is the son of the murdered king of Thessaly. He comes to reclaim the throne, but the gods send him to get the Golden Fleece from the other end of the world. Zeus’s wife Hera is Jason’s big supporter, and she is allowed to help him five times. Jason is something of a skeptic. Even after meeting the gods, he doesn’t want much to do with them. He gets a ship and crew together to sail to the other side of the world and they have many adventures. Even Hercules sets out with them.
Jason is ably played by Todd Armstrong. The acting is quite good for a film of this type. Jack Gwillim as King Aeetes of Colchis is a bit melodramatic, but overall, the actors are believable. Hera is played by Honor Blackman, best known as Pussy Galore in the Bond film Goldfinger. Medea (Nancy Kovack) has quite a dance routine as part of her worship to her goddess. The wonderful score by Bernard Herrmann is heroic without being overblown.
I haven’t given away too much of what goes on because it’s just so much fun to watch and discover it on your own. This is a movie that kids love and will want to watch over and over again. And they can, Jason and the Argonauts is not some overlong epic, just a tight adventure movie. They honestly don’t make them like this anymore.
Jason and the Argonauts. Directed by Don Chaffey, written by Jan Read and Beverley Cross. Starring Todd Armstrong, Nancy Kovack, Honor Blackman. Music by Bernard Herrmann. Special effects by Ray Harryhausen. 1963. 104 minutes.
