The Golden Voyage of Sinbad Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Sinbad finds a magical MacGuffin, fights a dude who looks like a less cuddly Doctor Who, and objectifies Caroline Munro in a skimpy outfit, all to find a fountain that apparently has plot coupons.

🍿 The Golden Voyage of Sinbad: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Discovery of the Golden Tablet

Sinbad and his crew encounter a homunculus, a small winged creature, that drops a golden tablet onto their ship. The tablet intrigues Sinbad, who decides to keep it. He soon discovers it’s more than just a trinket.

Pursuit by Koura

Koura, an evil magician and the creator of the homunculus, desperately wants the tablet back. He pursues Sinbad relentlessly, using dark magic to hinder his progress. Each use of his magic, however, drains his life force and ages him prematurely, adding urgency to his quest.

The Vizier and the Quest for Lemuria

Sinbad meets the Vizier of Marabia, who possesses another piece of the golden tablet. Together, they learn that the tablets form a map leading to the lost continent of Lemuria and the legendary Fountain of Destiny. They embark on a perilous journey, joined by Margiana, a slave girl with a mysterious tattoo.

Battling Mythical Creatures

The journey to Lemuria is fraught with danger. Sinbad and his crew face numerous challenges, including storms, a living ship figurehead animated by Koura, and encounters with mythical creatures such as a one-eyed centaur and a griffin. These battles test Sinbad’s courage and resourcefulness.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Sinbad (John Phillip Law): A courageous and adventurous sailor who seeks the Fountain of Destiny, facing magical dangers along the way.
• Koura (Tom Baker): An evil and power-hungry magician who seeks the Fountain of Destiny for his own sinister purposes, using dark magic that drains his life.
• Margiana (Caroline Munro): A beautiful slave girl with a mysterious birthmark who joins Sinbad’s crew and becomes integral to his quest.
• Vizier (Douglas Wilmer): The disfigured Grand Vizier of Marabia, wearing a golden mask, who seeks the Fountain of Destiny to restore his face and protect his kingdom.
• Haroun (Kurt Christian): A lazy and initially unmotivated young man who accompanies Sinbad and eventually proves his worth.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Sinbad: “There is an old proverb I choose to believe. Trust in Allah, but tie up your camel!” – Sinbad uses this line to highlight the importance of taking precautions even when relying on faith or destiny.
• Koura: “He who searches for pearls should not sleep.” – Koura utters this while highlighting the need for constant pursuit for his goals and knowledge.
• Koura: “He who is patient, obtains.” – Koura states this line to highlight the benefits of using paitence when searching for goals

💰Box Office

• Budget: $982,351
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: N/A

💥 The Golden Voyage of Sinbad Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I watched this movie because I’m a HUGE Doctor Who fan, and I was curious to see Tom Baker as a villain. Let me tell you, he did not disappoint! He chews the scenery with such glee, and he makes a surprisingly sympathetic bad guy. And honestly, those stop-motion monsters? They’re so charmingly retro! I loved the fight with the six-armed Kali statue – it’s a classic for a reason. Sure, the story is a bit cheesy, but it’s pure, unadulterated fun. Caroline Munro’s character felt a bit underserved, I wish she had more to do! Still, a great movie to curl up with for a cozy, nostalgic evening.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of classic fantasy films”
  • “Ray Harryhausen’s special effects”
  • “Tom Baker’s acting”
  • “Adventure movies with mythical creatures”
  • “Families looking for nostalgic entertainment”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Fantasy violence”
  • “Mild peril”
  • “Brief suggestive costuming”

Professional Reviews

• The New York Times: “A visually impressive adventure with Harryhausen’s signature stop-motion animation taking center stage. The story is simple but effective, creating a fun and engaging movie experience.
• Variety: “Harryhausen’s creations shine. Tom Baker is deliciously wicked, and Caroline Munro is captivating. The film captures the essence of Arabian Nights fantasy, making it a must-see for genre enthusiasts.
• RogerEbert.com: “A timeless adventure that holds up surprisingly well. While the special effects are dated by modern standards, they still retain a charm and artistry that is often lacking in contemporary CGI.

Audience Reactions

The stop-motion animation is imaginative and adds a unique charm to the adventure.: Viewers appreciate the creative and detailed special effects.

Tom Baker’s performance as the villain is memorable and adds depth to the story.: Audiences love Baker’s portrayal of the charismatic and menacing Koura.

A fun and nostalgic adventure that brings back childhood memories for many viewers.: The film is a delightful and entertaining experience for all ages.

Overall Consensus: A fun, imaginative adventure with memorable characters and creative stop-motion animation. A bit cheesy at times, but delivers great nostalgic enjoyment.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film was a co-production between the United Kingdom and the United States.”
• “According to Ray Harryhausen, the beach landing scene on Lemuria used a matte painting to hide the spectators on the popular Spanish beach where it was filmed.”
• “Tom Baker’s performance as Koura led to him being cast as the Fourth Doctor in Doctor Who later that same year.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Golden Voyage of Sinbad?

The Golden Voyage of Sinbad is available for purchase or rental on various platforms, including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies. Check your preferred streaming service for availability as it may vary by region. Unfortunately, at the time of this writing, the film is not available to stream via a subscription service.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Golden Voyage of Sinbad, you might like these similar films:

• The 7th Voyage of Sinbad (1958): The first Sinbad film produced by Ray Harryhausen with similar themes of adventure, mythology, and stop-motion animation.
• Jason and the Argonauts (1963): Another classic Ray Harryhausen film featuring mythological creatures, a heroic quest, and iconic stop-motion animation.
• Clash of the Titans (1981): A later Ray Harryhausen film in which Perseus battles Medusa and Kraken
• The Mummy (1999): A more modern action-adventure film with fantasy elements, exotic locations, and a race against an evil force to find a powerful artifact.

🛒 The Golden Voyage of Sinbad Related Products

• The Art of Ray Harryhausen: A comprehensive look at the life and work of the legendary stop-motion animator, featuring concept sketches, behind-the-scenes photos, and detailed descriptions of his techniques. This hardcover edition contains a wealth of information about ‘The Golden Voyage of Sinbad’ and his other classic films. It’s the perfect addition to any film buff’s collection.
• Sinbad: The Complete Original Trilogy [Blu-ray]: This Blu-ray set includes ‘The Seventh Voyage of Sinbad’, ‘The Golden Voyage of Sinbad’, and ‘Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger’, all remastered for stunning picture and sound quality. This collection features extended interviews, behind-the-scenes footage, and audio commentaries, providing hours of entertainment for fans and collectors alike.
• Kali – Goddess of Destruction Statue: A detailed and hand-painted statue of the six-armed goddess Kali, inspired by her appearance in the film. This high-quality collectible captures the iconic character in all her terrifying glory. Perfect for displaying on a shelf or desk.
• Doctor Who: The Tom Baker Years [DVD]: Celebrate the era of the Fourth Doctor with this DVD set featuring some of Tom Baker’s most memorable episodes. While not directly related to ‘Sinbad,’ Baker’s performance as Koura highlights his range as an actor. Features interviews and behind-the-scenes content, and demonstrates why Tom Baker is many fans’ favorite Doctor.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Golden Voyage of Sinbad features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Kali Walk Dance” – performed by John Mayer
• “Main Title” – performed by Miklos Rozsa
• “Sinbad Sails” – performed by Miklos Rozsa

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Caroline Munro

Want to hear straight from one of the stars of ‘The Golden Voyage of Sinbad’? This short clip features Caroline Munro and John Phillip Law, it’s a cool little throwback!

Ray Harryhausen | Titan of Cinema

Ever wonder how the amazing creatures in ‘The Golden Voyage of Sinbad’ came to life? This documentary about Ray Harryhausen, the master of stop-motion, is a must-watch. It’s truly fascinating to see the man behind the magic!

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