Clash of the Titans (1981)

Whether it is a film you have heard of because of being a fan of Ray Harryhausen, or you have made a place for it on your movie shelf, or you found out about it because of the highly loathed 2010 remake with Sam Worthington, the original “Clash of the Titans” is one of the most celebrated 1981 fantasy films of all time. Just like all films that are considered a classic, does it still hold up today?

We see Perseus (Harry Hamlin) living a poor life when he sees he is destined to be amongst the Gods, led by his father Zeus (Laurence Olivier). He is arranged to marry Princess Andromeda, the heir to the city of Joppa (Judi Bowker), who is always promised to the villain Calibos (Neil McCarthy – made ugly by Zeus because he killed every flying horses except Pegasus). Here, his journey begins, meeting up with witches, gorgons, and the Kraken (these are a few classic Harryhausen creations!), and helped by Pegasus, gentle poet Ammon (the late Burgess Meredith), and the mechanical owl Bubo, we follow Perseus to his final fight with Calibos and the accomplishment of his life mission.

Nick Blackshaw said in his review, “Clash of the Titans is and always will be a thoroughly entertaining film and has been cleaned up well for the Blu-Ray edition.” It is a classic for a generation of actors like Laurence Olivier, Ursula Andress, Burgess Meredith, Pat Roach, Claire Bloom, and Maggie Smith, and shows a great time in filmmaking (films like “Star Wars,” “Tron,” and “Alien” were innovative with the way films were made. Blackshaw said, “Clash of the Titans was the last hurrah for old-school film-making and was Ray Harryhausen’s final film prior to retirement). Of course, expectations and tastes in films have changed and whilst some of the plot of Clash of the Titans is purely a vehicle for Harryhausen’s wonderful stop-motion creations, it shows the lack of heart that a lot of the big summer blockbusters of today have.”

I believe I had first heard about this film and “Jason and the Argonauts” from James Rolfe. Being a huge Greek Myth fan since Middle School, I had to see this film. I can safely say that this film stands the test the time and holds up very well today. The stop-motion effects are just amazing that you will love it when you see them. The story is also one you can get into. Even though this film doesn’t follow the myth of Perseus completely and makes up some stuff along the way, that is not something to nitpick. Check it out and see how great of a film you have been missing out on.

Next week I will be looking at a film that my brother said he was going to take me to but I ended up watching it much later as a rental from the library in “Greek Mythology Month.”