Jason (Todd Armstrong) is the son of the King of Thessaly in ancient Greece. Pelias (Douglas Wilmer) kills his father and usurps the throne. Jason's life is spared through the intervention of the goddess Hera (Honor Blackman) who helps him throughout the film. From Mount Olympus Zeus (Niall MacGinnis) and Hera look down and comment on his adventures in a manner similar to CLASH OF THE TITANS (1981). Zeus tells Hera, "If I had to punish every blasphemy, I would have no followers."
To reclaim the throne, Jason assembles a fine crew for his boat the "Argo" to steal the Golden Fleece in Colchis. The crew includes Hercules (Nigel Green), Hylas (John Cairney), Argos (Laurence Naismith), and others. They encounter many obstacles such as a giant moving bronze statue named Talos, gigantic clashing rocks, and screeching Harpies that harass blind prophet Phineas (Patrick Troughton).
Phineas tells Zeus: "I was a sinner. I've never tried to deny it. But I didn't sin every day. Why then do you punish me every day?...Go ahead, Zeus. Throw down a thunderbolt, let the earth swallow me up. I defy you! (loud crash of thunder) You can growl away all you like, Zeus. I mean what I say."
The Argonauts reach their destination.
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."
Acastus: "What's that girl done to you? We thought you were a fighting man." Jason: "I'm going up alone in the morning. See what the situation is."
Polydeuces: "Oh, you mean spy out the land. Well, why alone? Why not take a few of us scouting."
Jason: "The fewer who go, the less can get caught. Now what's the fewest you can think of?"
Polydeuces: "One, of course."
Jason: "Right. I accept your advice."
In Colchis the Argonauts find the Golden Fleece, but first must slay the seven-headed Hydra. Then to escape Colchis they must fight an army of seven skeletons ("The Children of the Hydra's Teeth") created by sowing the Hydra's teeth. Jason is victorious and Zeus allows him some rest and relaxation before his adventures continue.
Zeus: "For the moment, let them enjoy a calm sea, a fresh breeze and each other. The girl is pretty and I am always sentimental. But for Jason, there are other adventures. I have not finished with Jason. Let us continue the game another day."
This movie is a rambling semi-classic fantasy with a tongue-in-cheek approach to Greek mythology. It's one of the finest "sword and sandal" movies ever made. Ray Harryhausen's amazing stop frame animation creatures are the real stars of the film. It took Harryhausen four months to create the skeleton scene, which lasts four minutes in the movie. He rightfully considers this to be his best film. The excellent rousing music was composed by Bernard Hermann. This gem is great fun for the whole family.
Others in the cast include: Nancy Kovak (Medea), Gary Raymond (Acastus), Michael Gwynn (Hermes), Jack Willim (King Aeetes), Andrew Faulds (Phalerus), John Crawford (Polydeuces), Aldo Cristiani (Lynceus), Ferdinando Poggi (Castor), Doug Robinson (Eupaemus), Dvina Taylor (Briseis), and many others. Jason's voice is dubbed in by British actor Tim Turner. Beverley Cross and Jan Read wrote the screenplay from Apollonious Rhodios' poem. Don Chaffey directed.
