Clash of the Titans (1981)

User Rating:

6.6/10   

Director:

Desmond Davis

Writer:

Beverley Cross (written by)

Release Date:

12 June 1981 (USA)

Genre:

Adventure | Action | Fantasy | Family | Romance

Tagline:

An Epic Entertainment Spectacular!

Plot:

A film adaption of the myth of Perseus and his quest to battle both Medusa and the Kraken monster to save the Princess Andromeda.

Plot Keywords:

Kraken | Medusa | Zeus | Princess | Quest

Awards:

2 wins & 5 nominations

Cast

Laurence Olivier	...	Zeus
Claire Bloom	...	Hera
Maggie Smith	...	Thetis
Ursula Andress	...	Aphrodite
Jack Gwillim	...	Poseidon
Susan Fleetwood	...	Athena
Pat Roach	...	Hephaestus
Harry Hamlin	...	Perseus
Judi Bowker	...	Andromeda
Burgess Meredith	...	Ammon
Siân Phillips	...	Cassiopeia
Flora Robson	...	Stygian Witch
Anna Manahan	...	Stygian Witch
Freda Jackson	...	Stygian Witch
Tim Pigott-Smith	...	Thallo

Runtime:

118 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:12 | UK:12 (DVD rating) (2005) | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:A (Nova Scotia) | Canada:PG (Manitoba/Ontario) | USA:PG (certificate #25716) | UK:15 (video rating) | UK:A (original rating) | Australia:PG | Finland:K-12 | Sweden:15 | West Germany:12 | Norway:16 | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Albert R. Broccoli 007 Stage, Pinewood Studios, Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire, England, UK

Company:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Trivia:

Screenwriter Beverley Cross was a student of mythology and he developed a storyline centering on Perseus and Andromeda which linked together a number of myths. He took the idea to producers Charles H. Schneer and Ray Harryhausen. The story was modified to add more creatures. Cross's wife, actress Maggie Smith, appeared in the film as Thetis.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: When Perseus follows the Vulture carrying Andromeda through the air, there is a shot that shows the Vulture flying over the city. Two peasants can be seen walking up a hill at the bottom of the screen. When Persus enters the screen from the top left, riding Pegasus, the two peasants suddenly disappear and instantly reappear a few steps back, then repeat their walk up the hill. In the much later scene when Perseus rides Pegasus to save Andromeda from the Kraken, the same two peasants are briefly visible in the exact same position.

Quotes:

Calibos: Release the Kracken!

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Lost Civilizations: Greece: A Moment of Excellence (#1.5)" (????)

Excellent Fantasy Movie

I love this movie. I remember when it made it's debut in 1981. Sure the stop motion special effects used in the movie were just about at their end by that time, but that does not detract one iota from the story. Special effects DO NOT make a movie. Good acting and story do, period.

The movie of course is based on the Greek myth of Perseus. It follows the original myth rather well but of course there was some artistic license taken. A few of my favorite scenes were the encounter with the three blind witches, the crossing of the River Styx and of course the showdown with Medusa.

I fully recommend you see the movie and remember, don't pay the ferryman until he gets you to the other side.