Argonauts return in new format
Arts/Life
Posted By BRUCE KIRKLAND, QMI AGENCY
Posted 1 month ago
American special effects legend Ray Harryhausen turned 90 on June 29. There is no better way to celebrate his milestone birthday than with this week's magnificent Blu-ray debut ofJason and the Argonauts.
Inspired by Greek mythology,Jasonis the 1963 adventure spectacle that many -- including Harryhausen himself, apparently -- consider his finest achievement. Among the movie's many attributes, the stop-motion skeleton swordfight is an inspirational moment in the history of cinema. And in the lives of young boys such as future New Zealand filmmaker Peter Jackson.
I mention Jackson (ofThe Lord of the Ringsfame) because he admires Harryhausen as a pioneer of special effects in the pre-digital era. Here Jackson teams with modern effects artist Randall William Cook on a feature-length commentary. They provide illuminating insights into the genius of Harryhausen, his unique one-man work methods and the business of B movies at the height of Harryhausen's career in the 1950s and 1960s.
Their only slip is disagreeing with Harryhausen on a few things, such as the budget. Jackson and Cook mention $3.5 million. Harryhausen, in a separate commentary with film historian and friend Tony Dalton, claims it was less than $1 million.
All four men agree thatJason-- which was shot by director Don Chaffey for producer Charles Schneer but with Harryhausen involved in every detail, including second-unit direction -- was better conceived, written, directed and executed than most of the other sword-and-sandal epics of that time. Jason stands up today as a thoroughly entertaining adventure, even if pre-digital effects seem quaint.
The Blu-ray properly showcases a restored and upgradedJason.The worst-looking scenes, those beyond the restoration effort, are stock footage sequences from earlier movies such asHelen of Troy.
Most of the "real" Jason is crisp, colour-corrected and wonderful to behold. In addition, the Blu-ray recycles all the extras from earlier DVD releases, such as John Landis' interview with Harryhausen when he was in better health.
bruce.kirkland@sunmedia.ca
