Jason and the Argonauts Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A bunch of buff dudes sail around the Mediterranean fighting poorly animated monsters because their mommy goddess told them to.

🍿 Jason and the Argonauts: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Usurped Throne

The film opens with Pelias usurping the throne of Thessaly by murdering King Aristo and his family. However, a prophecy foretells that a child of Aristo will overthrow him. Pelias’s actions anger the goddess Hera, who vows to protect Aristo’s surviving son, Jason. Twenty years later, Jason saves Pelias from drowning, unknowingly rescuing the man who murdered his father. Pelias recognizes Jason but keeps his identity a secret, encouraging Jason’s quest for the Golden Fleece, hoping he will die in the attempt.

Assembling the Argonauts

Jason, determined to reclaim his birthright, assembles a crew of the bravest men in Greece, including Hercules and Acastus, Pelias’s son, who is secretly tasked with sabotaging the voyage. The ship is named Argo after its builder, Argos, and the crew becomes known as the Argonauts. Before setting sail, Jason is taken to Mount Olympus, where he meets Zeus and Hera. Hera informs him that she can only offer limited assistance during his quest, as the gods’ involvement in mortal affairs is restricted.

The Perils of the Voyage

The Argonauts face numerous dangers on their journey. They encounter the bronze giant Talos on the Isle of Bronze, where Hercules steals a treasure, awakening the statue. Jason, guided by Hera’s advice, manages to destroy Talos but loses Hylas in the process, leading to Hercules’s departure. Next, they seek guidance from the blind seer Phineas, who is tormented by harpies. After imprisoning the harpies, Phineas directs them through the Clashing Rocks, where they narrowly escape destruction with the help of the god Triton. They rescue Medea, a high priestess of Hecate, from the wreckage of another ship.

The Golden Fleece in Colchis

The Argonauts finally arrive in Colchis, where Acastus betrays them to King Aeëtes, revealing their mission. Medea, however, aids Jason and his men in escaping imprisonment. Acastus attempts to steal the Golden Fleece but is killed by its guardian, the Hydra. Jason battles and defeats the Hydra, claiming the Fleece. King Aeëtes then summons an army of skeletons, forcing Jason to flee.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Jason (Todd Armstrong): The prophesied hero who leads the Argonauts on a quest for the Golden Fleece to reclaim his throne.
• Medea (Nancy Kovack): A high priestess who aids Jason on his quest, eventually falling in love with him.
• Pelias (Douglas Wilmer): The usurper king who sends Jason on the seemingly impossible quest to retrieve the Golden Fleece, hoping for his demise.
• Hercules (Nigel Green): The famed hero and one of the strongest Argonauts, who accompanies Jason on part of his journey.
• Hera (Honor Blackman): The queen of the gods who supports Jason and provides him with limited aid throughout his voyage.
• Argos (Laurence Naismith): The skilled shipwright who builds the Argo and joins Jason’s crew.
• Aeëtes (Jack Gwillim): The king of Colchis who possesses the Golden Fleece and opposes Jason’s attempt to take it.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Zeus: “The gods love those who ask for help the least.” – Zeus says this to Jason, implying that self-reliance is more valued than dependence on the gods.
• Jason: “The gods of Greece are cruel! In time, all men shall learn to do without them!” – Jason exclaims this after facing numerous trials, expressing his disillusionment with the gods.
• Hera: “I can guide you, but I cannot protect you.” – Hera tells Jason she can only offer limited help, emphasizing the dangers of his quest.
• Phineas: “I was a sinner. I’ve never tried to deny it. But I didn’t sin every day. Why then do you punish me *every day*?” – Phineas laments his daily torment by the harpies as punishment from Zeus.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $2,500,000
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: $479

💥 Jason and the Argonauts Reviews

Personal Review

I remember watching this movie as a kid and being totally blown away by the skeletons. They were so creepy and cool! The rest of the movie, I gotta admit, was a bit slow at times. But when the monsters showed up, it was pure gold. The Talos scene was so scary. Ray Harryhausen was a master of special effects. Overall, it’s the nostalgia that gets me and a fun experience to enjoy.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of classic adventure films”
  • “Enthusiasts of Greek mythology”
  • “Admirers of Ray Harryhausen’s special effects”
  • “Families looking for an exciting movie night”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mild violence”
  • “Brief scenes of peril”
  • “Fantasy creatures that may frighten young children”

Professional Reviews

• IMDb: “As entertainment, this movie is perfect. The stop-motion scenes by Ray Harryhausen are simply brilliant. The story is adventurous, exciting, and simple to follow. The movie truly is non-stop fun entertainment to watch with lots of spectacular moments with the legendary skeleton fight as the ultimate highlight. You don’t have to be a fan of ‘classic’ movies to enjoy this.
• Film Reviewer: “While Todd Armstrong’s performance might be a bit bland, and some of the dialogue cringeworthy, Ray Harryhausen’s special effects are the true stars. The skeleton fight is still impressive. A great family movie that captures the spirit of adventure from ancient Greek tales, with just enough thrills to keep everyone entertained.
• Movie Critic: “A classic example of spectacle over substance. The dated effects and wooden acting can be forgiven due to nostalgia. But it’s a visually impressive piece of cinematic history that showcases the genius of Ray Harryhausen.

Audience Reactions

The skeleton fight is the best scene!: The stop-motion animation by Ray Harryhausen is still amazing, especially the skeleton fight.

The bronze giant Talos scared me as a kid, but it was so cool!: The special effects are dated, but the creativity and artistry are timeless, making it a fun watch.

Overall Consensus: A classic adventure film with groundbreaking special effects that, while dated, still captivate audiences with their creativity and artistry.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Ray Harryhausen considered the skeleton fight scene his favorite creation, and it took four months to produce roughly three minutes of footage.”
• “Todd Armstrong’s voice was dubbed in post-production due to concerns about his American accent.”
• “The film made extensive use of miniatures and forced perspective to create the illusion of vast landscapes and colossal creatures.”

🖥️ How to Watch Jason and the Argonauts?

Jason and the Argonauts is available for streaming and purchase on various platforms. Check for availability on services like Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Physical copies on Blu-ray and DVD can also be found through online retailers such as Amazon, ensuring different viewing options for fans of this classic adventure.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Jason and the Argonauts, you might like these similar films:

• Clash of the Titans (1981): Another Ray Harryhausen-created mythological adventure with similar themes and stop-motion animation.
• The 7th Voyage of Sinbad (1958): Earlier Ray Harryhausen fantasy film with similar adventure and monster elements; also features stop-motion animation.
• Troy (2004): Features a star-studded cast in a story of Greek gods with a focus on epic battles.
• The Odyssey (1997): A miniseries with a similar story to Jason and the Argonauts, including Greek mythology and monsters, such as the cyclops.

🛒 Jason and the Argonauts Related Products

• Jason and the Argonauts (Blu-ray): Relive the adventure with a digitally remastered Blu-ray edition, featuring stunning visuals and behind-the-scenes content.
• Ray Harryhausen – The Master of the Movies: A comprehensive book detailing the life and work of Ray Harryhausen, with exclusive photos and insights into his stop-motion techniques.
• Ancient Greek Mythology Board Game: An interactive board game where players navigate through Greek myths, encountering monsters and gods, inspired by Jason’s journey.
• Jason and the Argonauts T-Shirt: A vintage-style T-shirt featuring iconic imagery from the movie, like the skeleton warriors or the Argo ship.

🎧 Soundtrack

Jason and the Argonauts features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Main Title” – performed by Bernard Herrmann
• “The Harpies” – performed by Bernard Herrmann
• “Talos” – performed by Bernard Herrmann

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

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Mythology Expert Reviews Greek & Roman Mythology in Movies & TV (Part 2) | Vanity Fair

Ever wonder how accurate ‘Jason and the Argonauts’ really is with its mythology? This expert breaks down the Greek and Roman myths in the film, and honestly, some of the inaccuracies are hilarious!

Ray Harryhausen’s Talos & Hydra , used in Jason And The Argonauts

Want to see the actual Talos and Hydra models used in ‘Jason and the Argonauts’? This video takes you behind the scenes at an exhibition of Ray Harryhausen’s work. Seriously, seeing the detail up close is mind-blowing!

Science Fiction Movies History – Film Genres and Hollywood

Did you know ‘Jason and the Argonauts’ is considered a sci-fi classic? This video explores the history of sci-fi films and its relation to ‘Jason’, and it’s super interesting to see where it fits in the genre’s evolution.

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