One of cinema's most astounding achievements is Jason and the Argonauts. The 1963 adventure classic is based on Apollonius Rhodius' epic poem, The Argonautica, and for the silver screen, its legendary content was adapted by (Alan) Beverly (Clash of the Titans '81) Cross and Jan Reed; directed by Don (One Million Years BC '66) Chaffey, produced by the prolific Charles H. Schneer and brought to stop-motion-animated life by the remarkable puppeteer, Ray Harryhausen.
Authors/researchers Nige Burton and Jamie Jones of Classic Monsters of the Movies now present a deluxe, special-edition homage to the movie that Tom Hanks has called the greatest ever made.
Though a substantial, European hit, Jason was a labor of love eclipsed by an overload of sword-and-sandal submissions in the U.S. at the time of its release. Its superiority to the competition, however, became evident through UHF showings throughout the early 1970s, which led to a high-profile, theatrical re-release in 1978.
Burton and Jones' hardy details cover not only the movie's exotic charms (with Harryhausen's titanic Talos, seven-headed hydra and battling skeletons being the overriding highlights), but the deft ensemble that seasoned the mythical sojourn: Todd Armstrong as intrepid Jason, who leads his courageous crew on the valiant vessel, Argo, in search of the magical-healing Golden Fleece; Nancy Kovack as his bewitching betrothed, Medea; Gary Raymond as treacherous Acastus; Laurence Naismith as loyal Argus; Honor Blackman as heavenly Hera; Niall MacGinnis as regal Zeus; Michael Gwynn as helpful Hermes; Nigel Green as foolhardy Hercules; John Cairney as resourceful Hylas; Patrick Troughton as harpies-plagued Phineas; and Jack Gwillim as crafty King Aeetes. Accentuating contributors are featured, as well, including Jason's composer, Bernard (The 7th Voyage of Sinbad) Herrmann, and monster-model maker, Arthur (The Valley of Gwangi) Hayward.
As with other Classic Monsters installments, the Jason issue delivers a pleasing layout, with stunning stills and an easy-to-absorb categorization on the movie's construction and legacy, embellished by memorable quotes.
Order the Jason tribute (in addition to other Classic Monsters homages) at
https://www.classic-monsters.com/shop/
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