Search - Jason and the Argonauts on DVD

MPAA Rating: G Content Advisory: Mild Violence, Suitable for Children Movie Release: 1963 DVD Release: 07/14/1998 Format: DVD - Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV,Pan and Scan Audio Tracks: English, French, Spanish Subtitles: English, French, Spanish SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 1 hrs 44 mins Studio: Columbia TriStar Members Wishing: 9 Genres: Adventure, Fantasy, Sea Adventure, Mythological Fantasy, Fantasy Adventure

Greek mythology is done up brown by the special-effects expertise of Ray Harryhausen in Jason and the Argonauts. Jason (Todd Armstrong), rightful heir to the throne of Thessaly, is spared from death through the intervention of the goddess Hera (Honor Blackman). The other celestial inhabitants of Mount Olympus watch in amusement as Hera surreptitiously aids Jason in his search for the Golden Fleece. Obstacles to this goal include a giant come-to-life statue named Talos, the screeching harpies plaguing blind prophet Phineas (Patrick Troughton), a set of huge clashing rocks, the seven-headed hydra, and an army of skeletons (this bravura climactic sequence assured Harryhausen's place in the hearts of 13-year-old boys of all ages). Supporting characters include Nancy Kovack as a pre-infanticide Medea and Nigel Green as a pacifistic Hercules. Bernard Herrmann's surging musical score was icing on the cake for this greatest of all Ray Harryhausen creations. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Todd Armstrong - Jason
Nancy Kovack - Medea
Gary Raymond - Acoustus
Laurence Naismith - Argus
Michael Gwynn - Hermes
Niall MacGinnis - Zeus
Honor Blackman - Hera

This cinematic rendition of ancient Greek mythology has always been a family favorite, thanks mainly to Ray Harryhausen's groundbreaking special effects, and Columbia TriStar has worked hard to do the film justice with this DVD edition. For an older film the picture quality is surprisingly crisp, and the sweeping landscapes and rippling oceans are perfectly captured in enhanced widescreen. The mono sound is also better than expected, Bernard Herrman's majestic score sounding better than ever. The special features on the DVD include the quaintly amusing original theatrical trailer and very brief filmographies. More interesting, though again brief, is an interview with Harryhausen by John Landis in which Harryhausen talks about the film and explains the basics of his stop-motion photography techniques. But the crowning glory of this DVD is "The Ray Harryhausen Chronicles," an hour-long documentary about the life and work of the great man. This includes extensive clips from many of the films on which he worked, endorsements from the likes of George Lucas, and detailed insight into his meticulous work methods. Although the extra features on this DVD are devoted more to Ray Harryhausen than to Jason and the Argonauts specifically, they do complement the film nicely, and the main feature itself is presented well enough to make this a pleasing DVD edition for fans of the acclaimed adventure tale. ~ Patrick Lee, All Movie Guide