(Don Chaffey, US 1963, 104 min., 35mm)
Widely considered the masterpiece of Hollywood’s most prominent stop-motion animator, Ray Harryhausen, Jason and the Argonauts is a beloved landmark in the adventure and fantasy genres. A creative and fun take on Greek mythology, Jason is best remembered for its remarkable stop-motion sequences featuring some of Harryhausen’s most colorful creatures. From the giant statue Talos to the hydra, the film is bursting with creative and innovative animation. But perhaps no stop motion sequence has ever topped the film’s finale–a famous battle against skeletons that still has the power to stun audiences with its complexity. Guaranteed to induce awe in children and a warm sense of nostalgia in the generations that grew up watching it play on television for decades, Jason is the essence of a good time at the movies.