Jason And The Argonauts (1963)

Jason (Todd Armstrong) arrives in Thessaly to reclaim the throne which is rightfully his but was usurped by its present ruler (Douglas Wilmer) after he slew Jason's father. But first, he must claim the legendary Golden Fleece on the island of Colchis which is on the other side of the world. To this end, he has a powerful ship built called the Argo and those who sail on it, the Argonauts. One of the two or three best fantasy films ever (perhaps only THE THIEF OF BAGDAD surpasses it), the film is remembered with great affection by those who saw it as adolescents and thankfully, the film holds up impeccably as adults. That wizard of stop motion Ray Harryhausen does some of his very best work here: the bronze giant Talos, the malicious harpies, the nine headed Hydra and the skeletal army. It's not a film where the acting matters much and the two leads, Armstrong as Jason and Nancy Kovack as Medea, are cast for their looks more than anything else. Directed by Don Chaffey (PETE'S DRAGON) with a potent underscore by Bernard Herrmann. A classic adventure for the ages. With Honor Blackman as Hera, Nigel Green as Hercules, Niall MacGinnis as Zeus, Gary Raymond, Laurence Naismith and Jack Gwillim.