JASON AND THE ARGONAUTS (1963) *** Ray Harryhausen's climactic scene involving the children of the hydra's teeth is one of the most incredible technical achievements in the history of cinema. It's a nexus where devotion and tedium, art and proficiency, and entertainment and joy collide in an explosion of genius and originality. If it weren't for the hydra teeth kids, and anyway, you would have to say something similar about the harpies, or Talos, or the hydra itself. Just incredible stuff, stop-action for the ages. Happily, Harry's work is placed on the back of a fine script and story that work on several levels. The kids like it, and the adults are suitably impressed. I'm not certain what it says that the Greek Tragedies and Shakespeare were written for general consumption, but today are the sanctuary of only oddballs and intellectuals. Nothing good, I think. But I digress, and this film doesn't have much to do with Shakespeare. It's all Greek legends and very blue waters, and persistent sun, and the intricate web of interactions between men and gods that convulsed reality as they understood it. It explains a great deal, if only on a metaphorical level, and certainly there are worse readings of the cosmos. In any event it's a fine film and casting Honor Blackman as Hera, Queen of the Gods, was inspired. Other than Harryhausen's creatures, though, the best performance is probably the brief but philosophically provactive appearance of Patrick Troughton, who dares to question even the gods.
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