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Todd Armstrong, Nancy Kovack, Gary Raymond, Laurence Naismith, Michael Gwynn ... see more see more... , Niall MacGinnis , Douglas Wilmer , Honor Blackman , John Cairney , Patrick Troughton , Andrew Faulds , Nigel Green , John Crawford , Douglas Robinson , Nando Poggi , Jack Gwyllim , Jack Gwillim

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 t... read more read more...hrough 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, Rovi

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71% liked it

21,315 ratings

Critics

96% liked it

26 critics

G, 1 hr. 44 min.

Directed by: Don Chaffey

Release Date: June 19, 1963

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DVD Release Date: November 7, 2000

Stats: 943 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (943)

  • cosmo313
    August 5, 2011
    cosmo313
    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 t... read moreale, 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.
  • ajv2688
    November 24, 2010
    ajv2688
    This movie is so cool, the special effects are awesome, and the story is a classic epic tale. This is a really good movie.
  • mjgildea
    October 24, 2010
    mjgildea
    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 sto... read morerytelling more than makes up for it.
  • ythelastman89
    June 18, 2010
    ythelastman89
    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... read more 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.
  • kiriyamakazou
    January 9, 2010
    kiriyamakazou
    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 h... read moreardwork, 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.
  • DrZeek
    December 6, 2009
    DrZeek
    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 animatio... read moren 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.
  • phubbs1
    June 20, 2009
    phubbs1
    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.
  • FilmFanatik
    May 30, 2008
    FilmFanatik
    Inspired filmmaking, as always, from Harryhausen and Co.
  • 366weirdmovies
    December 26, 2007
    366weirdmovies
    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 Harryhause... read moren's stop-motion animation as compared to today's more literal CGI effects.
  • YosemiteSamFan
    August 11, 2007
    YosemiteSamFan
    Fun adventure film with neato stop-motion animated creatures to contend with. Highly imaginative.

View All Jason and the Argonauts Reviews

Critic Reviews

Scott G. Mignola
January 2, 2011
Scott G. Mignola, Common Sense Media

A stop-motion animation masterwork. Full Review

Phil Hall
December 30, 2010
Phil Hall, Film Snobbery

The sheer outlandish nature of the production sets it apart from many of the mythology-inspired films of its era. Full Review

R. L. Shaffer
October 16, 2010
R. L. Shaffer, IGN DVD

For true Ray Harryhausen fans, Jason and the Argonauts will remain one of his greatest feats. And if you bring yourself back to the era, you'll find a world of wonder yourself. Full Review

Sean Axmaker
August 11, 2010
Sean Axmaker, Seanax.com

(A) fantasia of the classic Greek myth with a brawny odyssey through lands of magic, all at the behest of the gods using humans as pieces in their competitive games and wagers. Full Review

Steve "Uncle Creepy" Barton
August 2, 2010
Steve "Uncle Creepy" Barton, Dread Central

In a cinema landscape populated with all kinds of digitally created creatures and setpieces, it's nice to take a look back and witness the birth of these ideas. Full Review

Fernando F. Croce
February 13, 2010
Fernando F. Croce, CinePassion

Easygoing satire of mythical determinism Full Review

Dennis Schwartz
July 24, 2008
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews

It mostly comes alive through the imaginative special effects by Ray Harryhausen, the maven of stop-motion animation. Full Review

Douglas Pratt
June 14, 2007
Douglas Pratt, DVDLaser

The film's engaging use of Greek mythology, entertaining supporting performances (the star, Todd Armstrong, is a bit bland), and outstanding model work (A six-headed Hydra! Seven fencing skeletons!) m...

Alex Sandell
October 23, 2003
Alex Sandell, Juicy Cerebellum

Good fun. Even when projected in a public library.

John A. Nesbit
February 17, 2003
John A. Nesbit, Old School Reviews

What comes to mind immediately with a mere mention of this Greek myth are Ray Harryhausen's special effects, especially those swashbuckling skeletons Full Review

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Jason and the Argonauts Trivia

  • From which film is the quote: till your hearts crack and your backs break  Answer »
  • In the family adventure film "Jason and the Argonauts" (1963) how many heads did the Hydra guarding the golden fleece possess?  Answer »
  • Who is the greek King Of The Gods in Jason And the Argonauts ?  Answer »
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