Jason and the Argonauts (1963)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Chris W

  
  Before he tackled Greek mythology in Clash of the Titans, Ray Harryhausen put his immense talents to work in Jason and the Argonauts. The movie concerns the Greek myth about Jason, and his quest for the Golden Fleece. The story itself is a pretty fun and entertaining adventure tale,… More
  Before he tackled Greek mythology in Clash of the Titans, Ray Harryhausen put his immense talents to work in Jason and the Argonauts. The movie concerns the Greek myth about Jason, and his quest for the Golden Fleece. The story itself is a pretty fun and entertaining adventure tale, but it is made even more awesome thanks to Harryhausen's stop-motion creature effects. They're the true highlight of the film, and they don't disappoint, especially the climactic 4 plus minute battle between 7 skeleton warriors and Jason (plus two of the Argonauts). Aside from the effects, the other major show stopper is the score by Bernard Herrmann. It's not really like some of his great work he did for Scorsese of Hitchcock, but it's still some really rousing music that really fits a story filled with adventure, danger, and fantasy. This is really just a B-movie, but it's spectacular stuff that is very entertaining and extremely watchable. The acting is a little blah, but decent enough, given the circumstances. The film may be almost a haalf century old, but it has a very timeless and charming quality to it, and the effects are still really impressive, even to this day. In fact, this film is just impressive because it shows how far we've come with special effects, and a movie like this makes you appreciate the hard work and passion that it took in the pre-CGI days. Give this one a watch- it's really good, dopey fun.

• AJ V

  
  This movie is so cool, the special effects are awesome, and the story is a classic epic tale. This is a really good movie.

• Michael G

  
  I absolutely love Jason and the Argonauts. This one's got it all--well told Greek mythology, Ray Harryhausen's fantastic special effects, great monsters, great fights and vintage foxiness. Admittedly, the stop motion effects are probably laughable by today's standards… More
  I absolutely love Jason and the Argonauts. This one's got it all--well told Greek mythology, Ray Harryhausen's fantastic special effects, great monsters, great fights and vintage foxiness. Admittedly, the stop motion effects are probably laughable by today's standards but the storytelling more than makes up for it.

• Conner R

  
  Greek mythology has a lot of great stories, one of the most famous being the tale of Jason and the golden fleece. This has action, adventure, romance and special effects up the wazoo; you can’t ask for more. Aside from some terrible performances, mainly Jason himself, this is a… More
  Greek mythology has a lot of great stories, one of the most famous being the tale of Jason and the golden fleece. This has action, adventure, romance and special effects up the wazoo; you can’t ask for more. Aside from some terrible performances, mainly Jason himself, this is a pretty amazing movie even to this day. Talos still looks great, for some reason the stop motion makes sense on a 60ft bronze statue. The vision is broad and truly captures the scope of the story’s original intent.

• Luke B

  
  Wonderful in every conceivable way. The pacing, the excitement, it's all there by the bucketload. This has some of Harryhausen's greatest creations, from the Harpies and the Hydra, to the unforgettable skeleton battle. You really have to give the man credit for his patience… More
  Wonderful in every conceivable way. The pacing, the excitement, it's all there by the bucketload. This has some of Harryhausen's greatest creations, from the Harpies and the Hydra, to the unforgettable skeleton battle. You really have to give the man credit for his patience and hardwork, creating spectacle that many believed not possible at the time. A true captivating adventure that will continue to entrance the young ones for years to come.

• Aaron N

  
  Zeus: The gods are best served by those who need their help the least. A fun film about the legendary Greek hero Jason and his quest to find the Golden Fleece. The film is quickly paced, has a fun sense of seriousness to itself, and features some very good stop-motion animation by… More
  Zeus: The gods are best served by those who need their help the least. A fun film about the legendary Greek hero Jason and his quest to find the Golden Fleece. The film is quickly paced, has a fun sense of seriousness to itself, and features some very good stop-motion animation by early special effects master Ray Harryhausen. The film stars Todd Armstrong as Jason, who returns to his Kingdom of Thessaly to claim his throne. But it's not that easy for this. In order to gain the throne, he must find the magical Golden Fleece, which has amazing healing powers. Jason selects a crew, which included Polydeuces, Pelias, Argos, and Hercules. Jason also gains the help of the Queen of the Gods, Hera, played by Pussy Galore herself, Honor Blackman. Jason and his crew must now reach the fleece, while dealing with surviving of a 100 foot bronze giant, a huge venomous creature with head full of seven snakes, and a terrifying army of skeletons. This is just a fun movie to watch and not necessarily in a cheesy way. Sure there are moments of that scattered throughout, but the adventure nature of this film works well to keep it on a to the point flow. The heavy theatrical acting is met with fun action scenes involving quality work with stop-motion effects. Certainly helping this further is the score provided by Bernard Hermann. If there is any problem that I had with the film, its that there's no second half or follow up film. The film concludes with Jason retrieving the fleece, but anyone familiar with the exploits of Jason knows about the adventures he has on his way back to Thessaly, let alone what comes of he and his wife Madea. These are minor quibbles however, as the film is just meant to be some solid adventure fun, with a little Greek myth background to provide for the landscape and characters. Jason: Now the voyage is over, I don't want any trouble to begin Polydeuces: There won't be any trouble, Jason. Just tell us where the city is and when we attack. Jason: We don't attack. Polydeuces: But that's foolish, you have the finest fighting men in the world. Jason: 40 fighting men against a nation? Phalerus: Better forty than one Jason. Jason: We're not *pirates*, Phalerus.

• Phil H

  
  The other classic Harryhausen monster flick. Again it looks awesome and still beats modern day oppersition. The cast are great and the creatures tremendous, Talos and the skeletons of course being the stand out moments.

• Tim S

  
  Inspired filmmaking, as always, from Harryhausen and Co.

• Greg S

  
  Jason and the titular 'nauts search for the Golden Fleece, encountering Titans, harpies, clashing rocks, a hydra, skeleton warriors and the Gods of Olympus. Pleasant family adventure for the whole family, although contempary kids may not appreciate the artistry of Ray… More
  Jason and the titular 'nauts search for the Golden Fleece, encountering Titans, harpies, clashing rocks, a hydra, skeleton warriors and the Gods of Olympus. Pleasant family adventure for the whole family, although contempary kids may not appreciate the artistry of Ray Harryhausen's stop-motion animation as compared to today's more literal CGI effects.

• Lafe F

  
  Fun adventure film with neato stop-motion animated creatures to contend with. Highly imaginative.

• Dean !

  
  A classic adventure film. The SFX maybe very dated now but this film is a joy to watch with all the different creatures they have to battle.

• xGary X

  
  Swords and sorcery classic, still Harryhausen's best work in my opinion. In sticking more closely to the original Greek myths, the story has greater literary credibilty than most movies of this genre and it's hugely entertaining. The skeleton warrior sequence is one of the… More
  Swords and sorcery classic, still Harryhausen's best work in my opinion. In sticking more closely to the original Greek myths, the story has greater literary credibilty than most movies of this genre and it's hugely entertaining. The skeleton warrior sequence is one of the most unforgettable in film.

• Jennifer X

  
  watched this in mythology. slightly better than clash of the titans, but not very.

• Jason S

  
  Good times. Jason goes up against mythical beasts to get the golden fleece. High tech effects for the time it was made.

• Dillon L

  
  The special effects in this film sure are innovative, it kind of reminded me of Clash of the Titans (the original - not the shitty remake), but this film is far superior.

• Dannielle A

  
  For its time, the special effects are magnificent (even though you can see wires at times.)

• Hal M

  
  Great all-ages movie. Excellent special effects that still hold up after all these years. Also a marvelous musical-dance scene. Casting is just ho-hum. Where's the charisma, the physical attractiveness! Oh well, this was a no-star picture to allocate the $$ elsewhere. Those… More
  Great all-ages movie. Excellent special effects that still hold up after all these years. Also a marvelous musical-dance scene. Casting is just ho-hum. Where's the charisma, the physical attractiveness! Oh well, this was a no-star picture to allocate the $$ elsewhere. Those who appreciate this should watch Harryhausen's Mysterious Island.

• Lesley N

  
  Splendid Hollywood version of the Greek myth about Jason and his fleece due to the rattly Harryhausen warrior skeletons, the spooky Harryhausen Hera figurehead, the blue Harryhausen harpies and best of all, the enormous bronze Harryhausen Talos. Once seen, never forgotten and right up… More
  Splendid Hollywood version of the Greek myth about Jason and his fleece due to the rattly Harryhausen warrior skeletons, the spooky Harryhausen Hera figurehead, the blue Harryhausen harpies and best of all, the enormous bronze Harryhausen Talos. Once seen, never forgotten and right up there with classic film moments like "Damn you! God damn you all to hell!" and "I am Spartacus.. I am Spartacus..I am Spartacus....."

• Andrew F

  
  Though the special effects are dated, this classic epic is still enjoyable.

• Henrik S

  
  1 Star for everything except the effects by Ray Harryhausen which I give a straigt 5 stars. Were it not for Harryhausen's amazing effects, the movie would have no argument working for it at all. The story is pretty much in-existent and the heroe(s) roam around Greece facing on… More
  1 Star for everything except the effects by Ray Harryhausen which I give a straigt 5 stars. Were it not for Harryhausen's amazing effects, the movie would have no argument working for it at all. The story is pretty much in-existent and the heroe(s) roam around Greece facing on peril after another. The actors and actresses are all bland and partially even painful to behold. Watch it for Harryhausen's effects if you must, but Clash of the Titans is by far the better choice, with both, a better story and even better effects. Meh. HX HX

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