Jason and the Argonauts

UPC: 043396002593

Studio: Columbia TriStar

MPAA Rating: G   Contains:[Mild Violence, Suitable for Children]

Summary: 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, Rovi

Category: Fantasy

Features: Languages: English [mono], Spanish, French
Subtitles: English, Spanish, French
Theatrical trailer
Scene selections
Widescreen and full-screen formats
Interview with Ray Harryhausen by John Landis

Jason and the Argonauts

Format: Digital Video Disc (DVD)

Release Date: 11/30/1998

Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Theatre Wide-Screen, 1.33:1 Pre-1954 Standard

Audio: 1 USA & territories, Canada

Runtime: 104 Minutes

Sides: 2

Number of Discs: 1

Language(s) English,French,Spanish

Subtitles: English,French,Spanish

Region: USA & territories, Canada

Chapters: Scene Selections
0. Scene Selections
1. Start [1:50]
2. Reading the Future [2:04]
3. Hera [3:38]
4. In Olympus [1:44]
5. 20 Years Later [4:46]
6. Hermes [2:36]
7. "Welcome to Olympus" [3:22]
8. Selecting a crew [1:06]
9. Hercules vs. Hylas [2:03]
10. The Argo [1:47]
11. The voyage begins [2:38]
12. Asking Hera's help [2:43]
13. Isle of Bronze [2:48]
14. Treasure Chamber [1:44]
15. Talos [10:07]
16. Rebuilding the Argo [4:15]
17. Tormenting Phineas [4:56]
18. Making Phineas master [4:46]
19. Clashing Rocks [5:09]
20. Triton [4:32]
21. Medea [2:47]
22. Acastus vs. Jason [4:17]
23. Temple of Hecate [4:09]
24. Aeetes' Palace [6:19]
25. The Golden Fleece [:49]
26. The Hydra [8:48]
27. "Rise Up!" [1:45]
28. Children of the teeth [6:04]
Scene Selections
0. Scene Selections
1. Start [1:50]
2. Reading the Future [2:04]
3. Hera [3:38]
4. In Olympus [1:44]
5. 20 Years Later [4:46]
6. Hermes [2:36]
7. "Welcome to Olympus" [3:22]
8. Selecting a crew [1:06]
9. Hercules vs. Hylas [2:03]
10. The Argo [1:47]
11. The voyage begins [2:38]
12. Asking Hera's help [2:43]
13. Isle of Bronze [2:48]
14. Treasure Chamber [1:44]
15. Talos [10:07]
16. Rebuilding the Argo [4:15]
17. Tormenting Phineas [4:56]
18. Making Phineas master [4:46]
19. Clashing Rocks [5:09]
20. Triton [4:32]
21. Medea [2:47]
22. Acastus vs. Jason [4:17]
23. Temple of Hecate [4:09]
24. Aeetes' Palace [6:19]
25. The Golden Fleece [:49]
26. The Hydra [8:48]
27. "Rise Up!" [1:45]
28. Children of the teeth [6:04]

Ryan Shriver

A quintessential Ray Harryhausen/Charles Schnerr fantasy adventure, Jason and the Argonauts also holds up relatively well as a representative genre film, considering the vast achievements in technological effects since the film's 1963 release. While the story and direction are ably accomplished, the real draw of this film -- as with any Harryhausen endeavor -- are the legendary stop-motion special effects that influenced scores of subsequent filmmakers and helped pave the way for the fantasy/science fiction blockbusters of the 1980s and beyond. On the other hand, the human cast of the film -- while delightful in their own little ways -- never comes close to matching the impressiveness of the effects, with acting that is more often than not overwrought and just plain silly. As an entertainment, however, Jason and the Argonauts remains a light and engaging diversion for the entire family, worthy of afternoon viewings even after all these years. ~ Ryan Shriver, Rovi

Cast and Crew: Jack Gwyllim  Actor 
Don Chaffey  Director 
Bernard Herrmann  Composer (Music Score) 
Jan Read  Screenwriter 
Charles H. Schneer  Producer 
Beverley Cross  Screenwriter 
Todd Armstrong  Actor 
Nancy Kovack  Actor 
Gary Raymond  Actor 
Laurence Naismith  Actor 
Michael Gwynn  Actor 
Niall MacGinnis  Actor 
Honor Blackman  Actor 
Douglas Wilmer  Actor 
John Cairney  Actor 
Patrick Troughton  Actor 
Andrew Faulds  Actor 
Nigel Green  Actor 
John Crawford  Actor 
Douglas Robinson  Actor 
Nando Poggi  Actor 

Country: UK,USA