THE GOLDEN VOYAGE OF SINBAD (1974) *** It would be a fun movie even without the tremendous effects, but the unique aspects make it truly special. The story line is a chaotic mixture of legends and myths and fundamentals of mysticism, with just enough stuff from the tall grass (Lemuria, homunculi) to at least give you reason to believe in the possibility that they know something you don't. None of the performances get in the way, and Tom Baker makes a tremendous sorcerer/villain. His signature role as Dr. Who apparently didn't even play to his greatest strengths. But it's unquestionably the special effects that make the movie. Ray Harryhausen's battle between a centaur and griffin has to stand as one of the two or three greatest moments in stop-motion animation, and the dance of the six-armed goddess isn't far behind. Hell, the simple homunculus is better than anyone else can do. So the special effects are spectacular, but there's a qualitative difference between the works of God and man. I would mention the film locations in Mallorca, but I'm really talking about Caroline Munro. Some would feel compelled to point out that she's not the very best actress, but Hollywood has taught us nothing if not that there are a lot of different reasons to put people on film. Caroline is the all-time champion B-movie actress, period. I first saw this film in my early teens, and I'm not exaggerating in informing you that every young man in the audience left the theater really wanting to...marry her, a lot. So it's one of those rare films that probably has something for everyone: the cerebral and passionate and technical and mystical and initiated and dilettante and ignoramus and profound and fun-loving and sailors and sea creatures and kings. You can't say that as often as you'd think you could, and it's not wrong to suggest that there's at least a low-calibre mystical charge to it.
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