Jason and the Argonauts

Jason and the Argonauts directed by Don Chaffey Special visual effects by Ray Harryhausen *Review by Gary W. Tooze*
As a boy, I remember growing up watching some of my favorite adventure films; Mysterious Island, The Seventh Voyage of Sinbad, First Men in the Moon and Jason and the Argonauts. The common thread of these films are that the special effects were all done by Ray Harryhausen and two of the films were backed by a stirring musical score from the great Bernard Herrmann. When I was a child, "Jason" was my least favorite of the four films, but as an adult it has moved to the top of the list! Inspired by the epic poem, the Argonautica, by third-century scholar-poet Apollonius of Rhodes, it assured Jason, the Argonauts and their quest for the Golden Fleece would have a worthy place in the legacy of classical Greek literature. Between the generations of the myth of Cadmus and Homer's Ulysses, Jason's quest for the Golden Fleece is referred to in the Emerald Tablet of Hermes Tristmegistus as "the operation of the Sun". Inaccuracies and adjustments with the original story seem to blossom forth complaints from overly retentive film fans. The complaints should easily be ignored as you allow your inner child to get caught up in this outstanding fantasy/adventure cinematic masterpiece regarded by many as the best of its genre. I strongly agree. But lets get right to the film adaptation and Ray Harryhausen's sword yielding skeletons among the other special effects that echo in my childhood memories.

*Synopsis:* Jason is the surviving son of Aristo ( "Aeson" of the written legend ) and has been prophesied to take the throne of Thessaly from King Pelias. Pelias murdered Jason's father and sister, Briseis, 20 years prior ( other sister Phoilomela survives ). Unknowingly Jason saves him from drowning one day, losing his shoe in the process. The lost shoe alerts Pelias of the prophecy of his arrival as warned by the Oracle ( actually the God Hermes in disguise ): "Beware a stranger who wears but a single sandal". Under a guise of friendship, Pelias persuades Jason to travel to Colchis, at the end of the world, in an attempt to abscond with the "Golden Fleece"; a golden ram’s hide with mystical powers of healing. Jason takes his heed and stages a great athletic contest, assembling a sailing crew of the best warriors in Greece. He has a ship constructed by the worthy shipwright Argus, deriving the name of the sea vessel: The Argo. *Some of the Argonauts include:* The legendary Hercules (or Heracles, to give him his proper Greek name), "Phalerus of Athens" - champion archer, "Polydueces" the bare fist fighter, "Castor of Sparta" - the wrestler, "Euphemus of Taenarum", the swimmer "Spyros of Saracuse", the brainy "Hylas" - and "Acastas of Thessaly", the son of Pelias sent there by him as a spy and to disrupt the voyage by causing dissention in the crew.
Luckily, they are under the protection of the cunning Hera, queen of the gods, who is angered at Pelias for the profanation of her temple in Thessaly ( by murdering Briseis there ). Hera ( played by Honor Blackman ) is able to manipulate her husband Zeus into allowing her to advance Jason's voyage with five separate episodes of assistance, when she is called upon. With her as the talking masthead at the stern of the Argo, she becomes their guardian. Hera describes Colchis, the land where the Golden Fleece is kept, and promises that obtaining it will free Jason's homeland from the reign of Pelias and restore Jason's rightful place as King.

Hera guides them to "Isle of Bronze", the foundry of the Gods, where Haphaestus had labored, making arms and weapons for Zeus. She warns that only food and water may be taken from the island, but Hercules is too tempted by a large gold broach-pin of the Gods, ( he thought was a javelin ), that he discovers while chasing after goats with Hylas. The theft arouses the irk of the terrifying bronze titan Talos. Jason defeats the metallic giant, with further help from Hera who indicates his weakness lies in his ankles. Jason removes an iron plug from the massive heel and drains him of his life-force of molten blood.	Next they sail to Phrygia to seek out blinded Phineas, "The See-er", who has offended the gods, and is being punished daily by screeching, bat-winged, razor-clawed pests known as Harpies. They constantly steal his food and torture him. Jason and his band of heroes capture the Harpies with a giant net hung over the ruins. A thankful Phineas points them on their way with a talisman that will protect them from their next peril.

The route to the Golden Fleece is not an easy one, and the next trial involves two steep rocky cliffs called the Symplegades, which crash together destroying any ship attempting to pass between them. Hurtling Phineas' talisman into the ocean stirs the Fish-tailed Neptune who forces apart the rocks allowing the Argo safe passage.		The seven headed hydra lives in a cave in Colchis and protects the Golden Fleece from would-be burglars. Jason vanquishes it promptly with his sword, but unlike the legend, a new head does not grow each time one is chopped off.

Once arrived in Colchis, Jason had to face a few challenges from King Aeetes. He and his people were not kindly disposed toward foreign athletic champions, especially those who have come to steal the Golden Fleece! Aeetes daughter, Medea, becomes a muted love interest for Jason, as he eventually saves her from death using the healing powers of the Golden Fleece. The most spectacular and memorable of Jason's battles are with the planted teeth of the Hydra which grow into a small battalion of sword yielding skeletons. Herrmann's music is as effective as it has ever been in this unforgettable sequence. The ending is swift with the entire adventure being gazed at and manipulated by the whim of the Gods in Olympus. The entire saga has been set for their entertainment... and ours.

FILM AND DVD DETAILS

This is the original poster for the theatrical release which sold out in many British and European cities in its initial run in 1963.		The DVD menu is clear and accurate and keeping pace with the styling of the film. The graphics are animated and colorful.
On-location filming from the ruins of Rome, Naples and Palinuro helped total the film's budget at £430,000 (roughly $1.2 million at the time). It still contains almost expressionist-style backdrops and sets, but it works to perfection, dolling out memories for young boys like olives at a Greek wedding. Trivia: To play Jason and Medea, Columbia assigned two un-noteworthy stars from their fold; Todd Armstrong and Nancy Kovak. Both actors voices were dubbed and Todd did not find out till the premiere. Needless to say he was not a happy captain of the Argo. Nancy ended up marrying the successful conductor, Zubin Metha. Filmed in the "Dynamation" process, for which co-producer Charles Schneer coined the term to distinguish Harryhausen’s film illusionary from Disney version of "cel" animation.
	The DVD contains an interview with Ray Harryhausen by director John Landis, who vividly recalls bicycling to see the movie upon its opening in 63'. Co-producer Schneer calls it the best of the dozen films he and Harryhausen did together, and the animator himself displays much pride at his detailed work on the bronzed warrior Talos as well as the intricate sword battle between the Argonauts and a combined fighting force of the skeletons. Although Landis is far from my favorite director its nice to see him show such respect to the master Harryhausen. The interview is only 12 minutes and a trailer from 63' is also included as a DVD extra.
The Columbia/Tristar DVD is pretty much prefect in image and the sound is adequate. It sports a Pan and Scan version on one side and a 1.85:1 wide screen anamorphic version on the other. If you are a male between the ages of 15 - 50 there is no viable reason why you shouldn't already own this DVD and display it proudly in your desk drawer with your rapidly fading baseball cards, comic books and other childhood memorabilia.
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Full Cast and Crew for Jason and the Argonauts (1963) Directed by Don Chaffey Writing credits Beverley Cross Jan Read Apollonious Rhodios (poem The Argonautica) (uncredited) Cast (in credits order) Todd Armstrong .... Jason Nancy Kovack .... Medea Gary Raymond (I) .... Acastus Laurence Naismith .... Argos Niall MacGinnis .... Zeus Michael Gwynn .... Hermes Douglas Wilmer .... Pelias Jack Gwillim .... King Aeetes Honor Blackman .... Hera John Cairney .... Hylas Patrick Troughton .... Phineas Andrew Faulds .... Phalerus Nigel Green (I) .... Hercules rest of cast listed alphabetically John Crawford (I) .... Polydeuces (uncredited) Aldo Cristiani .... Lynceus (uncredited) Ferdinando Poggi .... Castor (uncredited) Douglas Robinson (I) .... Eupaemus (uncredited) Davina Taylor .... Briseis (uncredited) Produced by Ray Harryhausen (associate producer) Charles H. Schneer (producer) Original music by Bernard Herrmann Cinematography by Wilkie Cooper Film Editing by Maurice Rootes Production Design by Geoffrey Drake Art Direction by Jack Maxsted Antonio Sarzi-Braga (as Tony Sarzi Braga) Herbert Smith (III) Production Management Jimmy Komisarjevsky .... unit manager Second Unit Director or Assistant Director Dennis Bertera .... assistant director Sound Department Cyril Collick .... sound Alfred Cox .... sound editor Red Law .... sound Visual Effects by Ray Harryhausen .... special visual effects creator Arthur Hayward .... sculptor: model (uncredited) Other crew Phyllis Crocker .... continuity John Dark .... production executive Ralph Faulkner .... fight choreographer Harry Gillam .... camera operator Bernard Herrmann .... musical director Leon Lenoir .... unit manager Paul Maslansky .... unit manager Ferdinando Poggi .... swordfight arranger (uncredited) James Wines .... title designer		Technical Information Release Information: Studio: Columbia/Tristar Studios Theatrical Release Date: June 19, 1963 DVD Release Date: July 14, 1998 Run Time: 104 minutes Production Company: Columbia/Tristar Package Type: Keep Case Aspect Ratio(s): Widescreen letterbox - 1.85:1 Full Screen (Standard) - 1.33:1 Discographic Information: DVD Encoding: Region 1 Layers: Single Available Audio Tracks: English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono), French, Spanish Available subtitles: English, Spanish, French Edition Details: • Region 1 encoding (US and Canada only) • Color, Closed-captioned, Widescreen • Theatrical trailer(s) • Interview with Ray Harryhausen by John Landis • Full-screen and widescreen letterbox formats