Jason and the Argonauts (1963)

Special-effects buffs generally cite this 1963 effort by Ray Harryhausen as the master's masterpiece, and his work does a great deal to enliven the tired plot and vacuous stars.

The $3 million film has a workable scenario and has been directed resourcefully and spiritedly by Don Chaffey, under whose leadership a colorful cast performs with zeal.

Great fun, as these things go, with a Bernard Herrmann score to boot.

This absurd, unwieldy adventure -- if that's the word -- is no worse, but certainly no better, than most of its kind.

The straight story of Jason's exploits, told with magic and imagination and a minimum of studio trickery, might have been delightful. This version is more bull than Bulfinch.

Great old-fashioned fun, spiced with imaginative Ray Harryhausen's special effects.

"Jason and the Argonauts" features some of Harryhausen's most memorable stop-motion creations, including the giant bronze statue Talos and a creepy army of swordfighting skeletons.

Made while Hollywood was plundering Roman history at vast expense, this British picture went further back in time and created a niche of its own.

The Gone With The Wind of stop-frame animation.

All the fights are stunningly put together and still deliver in action terms. This may be an old story but it feels very much alive.

A great adventure movie... presents spectacle in the most wide-eyed, awe-inspired register.

One of Ray Harryhausen's finest moments, the remarkable special effects are still pretty impressive even in today's CG-shaped world.