Jason and the Argonauts (1963)

In a documentary about monster movies, there was a clip of Tom Hanks from a tribute that he did for Ray Harryhausen, the genius behind the special effects of Jason and the Argonauts. In this clip, Hanks told the audience that his favorite movie was Jason and the Argonauts. It has become a cinematic legend even being mentioned in Rick Riordan's Sea of Monsters. It remains one of my favorite movies, due mainly to the effects of Harryhausen especially considering that he did it all with claymation. For the time, his special effects were brilliant.

Jason and the Argonauts tells the age old story of Jason and his quest for the Golden Fleece. It features Medea as his love interest and the beautiful Honor Blackman as the immortal Hera who looks after Jason on his quest. In interesting plot device is the idea that Hera and Zeus are playing a game of chess (of sorts) with the characters in the movie. Their fate lies in who plays the game. Of course in this version it ends happily with Jason and Medea sailing into the sunset with the Golden Fleece and those that remain of the Argonauts.  

The Golden Voyage of Sinbad (1973)

As I’ve grown older, the Golden Voyage of Sinbad has become my favorite Sinbad movie. It has the most coherent plot and good acting for the most part. My favorite character is actually not Sinbad but the son of a local merchant. His father pays Sinbad handsomely to take his son on the voyage to hopefully cure him of his slothfulness and wastefulness. I think this boy goes through one of the most dramatic character growths in the movie, all with comedy and humor. Truly a wonderful story.

Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger (1977)

Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger is perhaps the weakest of the trilogy. Made in 1977, it stars Patrick Wayne who is really cute, but not the best actor in the world. The only reason I feel he got any roles was because of his daddy, John Wayne. But still, we don’t need great acting chops when playing in an epic sea adventure with special effects by the legendary Ray HarryHausen. Growing up this version of Sinbad was my favorite; I think because it was constantly on TV. I now consider the Golden Voyage of Sinbad to be my favorite, but still love Eye of the Tiger. As my mom says, it’s a great popcorn movie!

The Seventh Voyage of Sinbad (1958)

The Seventh Voyage of Sinbad is a great epic fantasy movie with special effects by Ray HarryHausen. In this particular movie in the franchise, Sinbad must save his lady love, Princess Parisa from an evil magician who wants to use her, and ultimately Sinbad, to return to his cursed island and retrieve his magic lamp. The story is very good if a little silly, but what do you expect of  a movie of this age?