List Price: $14.98You Pay Only: $9.99 You Save: $4.99 (33%)Prices subject to change.
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Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Binding: DVD
Brand: Lions Gate
EAN: 9781574928266
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD-Video, Full Screen, NTSC
ISBN: 1574928260
Label: Lions Gate
Manufacturer: Lions Gate
Number Of Items: 1
Picture Format: Pan & Scan
Publisher: Lions Gate
Region Code: 1
Release Date: August 15, 2000
Running Time: 179 minutes
Sales Rank: 12138
Studio: Lions Gate
Theatrical Release Date: May 07, 2000
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Editorial Review:
Description: Inspired by the Greek myth, the story begins when the fearless explorer Jason returns to the kingdom of Thessaly to make his rightful claim to the throne, but the gods proclaim that he must first find the magical Golden Fleece. Consulting Hera, the Queen of gods, Jason recruits the Argonauts to crew his ship, and they embark on their eventful journey.
Amazon.com: Is your classical Greek rusty? This is just the thing--a feast of epic Greek mythology--and the classic tale of Good (Jason, Theseus, Hercules, Orpheus) versus Evil (angry gods, Poseidon, Harpies, the women of Lemnos) is a great introduction. The plot has been entertaining people for thousands of years and is still going strong--now strengthened by great special effects and good acting. Sure, some people will think this version isn't 'high culture' enough (it's a bit reminiscent of The Clash of the Titans), but those folks should probably be reading Bulfinch's Mythology instead of watching TV anyway.
The DVD includes a 'making of' documentary, 'notable and quotable,' detailed cast and crew information, scene access, and Dolby surround sound. Even hard-core fans of Ray Harryhausen's 1963 stop-motion-animation version will find room in their hearts (and DVD libraries) for this one. Although the basic plot elements are the same, the two versions achieve very different (and both quite enjoyable) effects. The new Jason and the Argonauts is something kids and adults can all enjoy. --Tara Chace
Customer Reviews
Average Rating: 
Rating: - Revisiting old memories
Jason and the ArgonautsI enjoyed Greek Mythology as a child and it was wonderful to have it all come to life. I felt as though I was living the adventure with them and it was very interesting to see how they handled some aspects of the myth. I really enjoyed the fulm and it will be one of my favourites. You could join me and have some fun.
Rating: - Worthy of Harryhausen
Although the 1963 film version of this greek myth was more tightly scripted (and with a stronger lead), bear in mind this one in question was a 2-part TV movie or "mini-series", so necessarily longer, but it filled its running time with solid story. Originally, my expectations were low, but I ended up pleasantly surprised.
As this will inevitably draw comparisons to Harryhausen's version, let me start out by saying the FX in this, though computer graphics, was top-notch for the time, as good as the graphics in some major motion pictures. These are definitely 2 levels above the rather featureless, robotic computer models as seen in the "Hercules" and "Xena" shows. The Harpies in particular were well done, and overall the animation superior to that seen in the rather lackluster TV remake of "Mysterious Island" with Patrick Stewart.
Because of the longer running time than the original, this version has more story derived from the myth. This gives the excellent cast room to shine and I feel the characterizations are what makes this movie. Dennis Hopper was surprisingly good as Jason's evil uncle, Orpheus has his moment at the clashing rocks with his pet seagull, Hera is particularly beautiful and godlike, Hercules is well cast, Langella is regal and tragic as King of Colchis......its a pleasure to see a production like this give equal attention to story as to spectacle.
The musical score is passionate and humanistic but lacks the heroic majesty of Bernard Hermann's ... Read More
Rating: - Mythological Fiction
This was a better-than-average attempt to portray a mythological literary event on film. Not for the very young, as some disturbing violent scenes are present. I DO happen to like this genre of movie, however, even though hardly any of them would rate 5-stars in my humble opinion.
Rating: - Great set, terrible acting
Having seen Hallmark's production of The Odyssey, I expected this version of Jason and the Argonauts to meet those same standards. It didn't! Alessandro plays such a great Odysseus, and I think this is what makes that version of the Odyssey so great. The settings and effects are okay, but it's good because of the excellence the actors use in playing the characters. Hallmark's Jason and the Argonauts has a great set with good costumes etc., but Jason and Orpheus are terribly misrepresented by the actors in this film! Jason and Orpheus are perhaps two of the most important characters, yet they are portrayed by the worst actors in the film. I'm sorry, but a great set simply cannot make up for this.
Rating: - Great Mythological Story/Bad Director!
I enjoy Greek Mythology and I love this story. Although there was alot of bad acting especially from the lead character Jason, who acted like he was stoned throughout the film. I was expecting the Hydra guarding the golden fleece but got a oversized Komoto Dragon(Lost me there) This Film had potential but the director went off on some wierd drug indused trip. Overall I was dissappointed and was expecting more. Sorry!
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