Film #1; Fall Semester 2014 Jason and the Argonauts (1963)

Jason and The Argonauts (1963)

Directed By Don Chaffey

Produced By Charles Schneer and Ray Harryhausen

Among the greatest achievements of Visual Effects Master Ray Harryhausen’s stand Jason and The Argonauts like the towering specter of Talos above the hapless Greek mariners of the film.

behind the scenes of the hydra fight

original lobby card (1963)

Jason represents the culmination of the refined and specialized art of stop motion animation, a technique pioneered by his mentor Willis O’Brien (noted as the creator of the effects for the original King Kong in 1933). O’Brien mentored the young Harryhausen and even gave him work on Mighty Joe Young (1949) expanding the young ani8mator’s skill set. Harryhausen later branched out on his own and his first solo effort in features Beast From 20,000 Fathoms turned out to be a resounding global sensation. Soon after Harryhausen teamed with film producer Charles H Schneer and the two formed a partnership that latest decades

stop motion skeletons on display at the DGA for the travelling Ray Harryhausen exhibit

black and white photo of the Hydra stop motion model

stop motion skeleton from Jason and the argonauts

Ray Harryhausen and prodcer Charles Schneer on location in Spain in 1963

The film’s set action set pieces are stunning, particularly the attack of the bronze giant Talos and the climatic skeleton battle.

There is little point in going into the meticulous process of Harryhausen’s method. It has been documented in numerous publications and journals. Ray tended to let the work speak for itself to maintain the mystery and awe of the effects.

The film also stands out as a beautifully photographed film by British cinemaphotographer Wilkie Cooper, shot in locations all over the coastline in Spain.

What is so interesting about the film (apart from the technical effects) is how the film differs from the classic mythological tale of Jason and his quest for the golden fleece, yet still manages to stay authentic to the classic format of the hero’s journey. Schneer often commented in interviews that Jason and the Argonauts was his and Harryhausen’s favorite films amongst their own projects. For many it has become the template of the modern fantasy film and directors such George Lucas, James Cameron, Guillermo Del Toro and Peter Jackson count it among their favorite films of all time.

At the 1991 Gordon Sawyer Oscar award ceremony, while presenting Harryhausen with his life time achievement Oscar, Actor Tom Hanks exclaimed “Some people think Citizen Kane is the greatest film of all time, I say Jason and the Argonauts is the greatest film ever made.” I couldnt agree more.

-Paul Taglianetti

links:

skeleton fight

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pF_Fi7x93PY

Behind the scenes pictures

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.432955050127982.1073741911.394337563989731&type=3

IMDB.com link

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0057197/?ref_=nv_sr_1

Discussion points for journal/in class discussion

-Mythology in filmmaking
-The Hero's Journey in storytelling
-Photography and Location shooting challenges
-Challenges with integrating animation with live action.