Jason & The Argonauts

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In London, writing partner and biographer Tony Dalton accompanies Ray on one of his best movie tracks. But when the film grabs your attention with its epic action set pieces and stylized effects, from stop-motion mastermind Ray Harryhausen, the film is an absolute blast. Several day-for-night scenes have seen various interpretations over the years and in their respective releases, but one sequence, in particular, serves to highlight this quality best of all, and is renowned for not having had the right colour on DVD before. Day for night scenes never convince me it's really night, so that particular aspect won't bother me. The Hydra is far more vivid, with the reds of tongues quite apparent, and the colour a garish green which, having seen close-up images of the model involved, is faithful.

Not having anybody to see this thing with, I took a bus into downtown San Bernardino at age eleven (boy, were those safer days for kids) and sat with my jaw in my lap for the entire show. There is a nice little touch when Jason seeks assistance from the Hera figurehead as the ship and the crew founder in the sea after Talos has toyed with them, when the soft woodwind theme for the Goddess emanates from the rears. We are now seeing shadings on the bodies of the Harpies, on the Hydra and the green patina of age on Talos with much more distinction. Sony previously brought 'Jason and the Argonauts' to DVD in 1998 and again as part of 'The Ray Harryhausen Collection - The Legendary Monster Series' box set back in 2004.DTS-HD Master Audio, English Mono with English subtitles and English captions for the hearing impaired. Now, whether with the full endorsement and supervision of Ray Harryhausen or not (at the time of writing, I have no information regarding his involvement with the transfer, although he certainly helped oversee Kino's deluxe release of She and took an active role in the hi-def colourisation of 20 Million Miles To Earth), the sequence plays out much brighter and with a considerably more cheerful disposition. There is considerable grain and noise in the effects sequences, notably when the skeletons rise up from the ground (which begs the question how they got there, but that's another issue entirely).

Sony planned to go light on new extras until Ray Harryhausen's close associates took pains to lay down a pair of excellent commentaries. If it weren't for films like Argonauts, and artists like Ray Harryhausen, we wouldn't have films like Jurassic Park, Lord of the Rings or Avatar.On the DVD, you can see the deep blue sky above their heads in certain shots, and you can tell from the light on their faces that this is far sunnier occasion than the shade would suggest. The documentary includes several interviews, a look at some of his surviving models, rare animation segments, and much more. Obviously, and a little regrettably, this otherwise fine feature becomes a little too sweet with sugary praise and adulation . The man turns out to be Pelias, and though Jason is unaware of Pelias' true identity, Pelias knows exactly who his savior is and doesn't intend on giving up his kingdom.

Harryhausen's original mint-condition 16mm and 35mm film dailies for his entire American career were stashed away as well -- and Jackson is in the process of transferring all of them to 4k video. Jason and his crew must overcome incredible obstacles including a 100-foot bronze giant, the venomous Hydraa huge creature with the heads of seven snakes, and a spectacular battle with an army of skeletons.But this takes nothing at all away from what is surely the best ever transfer that these films have received. Niall MacGinnis' Zeus, for instance, can sound brighter and louder when you flick to the mono track, but the lossless variant supplies some nice subtle echoing to his voice that works better, I think. But you don't watch this one for the melodrama and scenery; you watch for the effects and this is where things break down.

In a time long, long ago, there was a hero of epic proportions whose exploits have inspired generations. There are also some nifty bonus featurettes including one on the original skeleton fight storyboards, interviews with Ray Harryhausen by John Landis, a mini-documentary on the Ray Harryhausen Chronicles and another on the Harryhausen Legacy.Schneer, Henry (James And The Giant Peach) Selick, and even a second or two from George Lucas, lend their thoughts and praise for the guy that inspired them.