Ray Harryhausen films were as important and influential as the Universal Monster films. I feel his contribution to special effects great inspired many, and he deserves a place of mention here.
I agree rays movies to me were more important
Then the universal movies at the time with the special
Effects they were just amazing and I still enjoy them to
This day, that's why ray was one of a kind!!
By all means, bring up your favorite titles!
I love them all, but my Top 5 (in no particular order) would be:
Beast From 20,000 Fathoms
(http://www.harryhausen.com/images/stills/h_01.jpg)
Jason and the Argonauts
(http://www.harryhausen.com/images/stills/h_26.jpg)
Mysterious Island
(http://www.harryhausen.com/images/stills/h_22.jpg)
7th Voyage of Sinbad
(http://www.harryhausen.com/images/stills/h_18.jpg)
Golden Voyage of Sinbad
(http://www.harryhausen.com/images/stills/h_53.jpg)
I love them ALL, but my favorite is The 7th Voyage of Sinbad!!
Jason and The Argonaughts. Saw that one when it first came out in the theatres, and it left a lifelong impression on me. Most notably the skeletons and the Statue comming to life.
By far, the first ones that come to mind are JASON AND THE ARGONAUTS (Go TALOS!) & THE 7th VOYAGE OF SINBAD (Go CYCLOPS!). MYSTERIOUS ISLAND would probably round it out. MIGHTY JOE YOUNG (although it's not considered a "Harryhausen" film), he is the First Technician!
They're all great but my favorite is Jason And The Argonauts.
I really like all of Ray's films. Each are special to me in certain ways. One of my very favorites is FIRST MEN IN THE MOON. The story, characters, humor and music are quite touching. I saw JASON AND THE ARGONAUTS several times with my buddies in the '60s at those wonderful Saturday matinees. We loved every moment and were thrilled with each viewing. The trailer for THE 7TH VOYAGE OF SINBAD terrified me at the age of 4 when my parents took me to a drive-in. The cyclops chasing the men on the beach was the scariest thing I had ever seen in my young life and I had much trouble going to sleep that night. Of course, I came to love the film as I got a little older. Still one of my favorites. Gee, I love all of Ray's sci-fi too - EARTH VS. THE FLYING SAUCERS, 20 MILLION MILES TO EARTH, etc. CLASH OF THE TITANS reminds me of starting a fun vacation with my wife in '81. Let's face it. Every Ray film has something to offer with those wonderous effects. I've always been amazed at the emotions his creations project. He really makes you feel for them. He has left a glorious legacy.
I'm also thinking "well, they're all good films,"
But 7th Voyage and Golden Voyage stand out to me as having a certain strong fantasy quality...
And First Men in the Moon has big scope too (literally and figuratively) and again a keen sense of fantasy and imagination. "Strong conceptualizing," you might call it. The fantasy situations are thought out well and done nicely.
Of course, they were all good films, special films.
Earth vs The Flying Saucers and First Men in the Moon
:D It came from beneath the sea
The Beast From 20, 000 Fathoms (Mr.Harryhausen autographed my copy :))
20 Million Miles To Earth
The "Sinbad" series
Jason And The Argonauts
Anf so many, many more
Clash of the Titans & Jason And the Agronaughts.
Even the best film makers can turn out a dud (family Plot by Alfred Hitchcock). I can't recall a single Harryhausen film I didn't like.
The only Harryhausen film I remember being disappointed in was Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger. The film had its moments (like the brilliantly animated baboon), but overall it was not as good as it could have been. That said I'd rather watch a Harryhausen film than nearly anything else, there's a magic to his work that was rarely captured on screen.
Quote from: Jim Bertges on May 26, 2013, 03:50:30 AM
The only Harryhausen film I remember being disappointed in was Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger. The film had its moments (like the brilliantly animated baboon), but overall it was not as good as it could have been. That said I'd rather watch a Harryhausen film than nearly anything else, there's a magic to his work that was rarely captured on screen.
And even that film was a masterpiece compared to anything by Michael Bay. I remember seeing that film in the theatre, and enjoying it. Harryhausen films are something like westerns. If you're a fan of the genre, the film doesn't have to be great to be enterttaining.
Valley of Gwangi has my heart forever. Can't beat cowboys vs. dinosaurs!
"Jason and the Argonauts" is probably his masterpiece, however, I would argue that his classic Medusa scene from "Clash of the Titans" just about rivals anything he has ever done, including his 7 fighting skeletons battling Jason and his crew. He was truly a genius and a visionary.
Sinbad and the eye of the tiger
I love them all, but my top favorites are Jason and the Argonauts and Clash of the Titans. I can watch these over and over, and over.......
20 Million Miles to Earth
It Came From Beneath the Sea
Clash of the Titans (original)