Jack the Giant Killer
(1962)
Director:
Nathan Juran
Starring: Kerwin
Matthews, Torin Thatcher
Run Time: 95 mins
Certificate: U
Plot Outline: Jack is a farm boy, who is knighted
after slaying a huge monster attempting to kidnap the Princess Elaine. The
evil wizard Pendragon wanted to kidnap her so he can bargain with the King
of Cornwall to once again rule the land. Jack is given the task of
protecting the Princess from all manner of monsters, witches and magic, sent
by Pendragon.
The Review: Director Nathan Juran and actors
Kerwin Matthews and Torin Thatcher teamed up again, after their previous
success The 7th Voyage of Sinbad. Unfortunately this effort wasn't as
good or popular. And the reason: no Ray Harryhausen. The person who did the
special effects in this was a former student of Harryhausen who thought he
could go one better and outdo his master. The creatures don't look as fluent
or realistic as Harryhausen's and the difference in class was easy to spot.
They don't have the same realism to them, they lack characteristics and
personalities and they don't seem to interact with the actors as much. They
look like the plastiscene models that they are!
However it is still a very
good and enjoyable film to watch. The non-stop motion effects are far more
effective including the haunting witch attack scene aboard the ship. The
scene is saturated with an eerie purple/red glow and the witches themselves
are outlined with a ghastly white colour. Kerwin Matthews must have been
born to play a dashing hero in these sort of films because he does make a
believable action man and Torin Thatcher puts in another cartoony evil
performance as the villain. They don't make fantasy films like this anymore
and for that reason, even the weaker ones like this still stand out. It was
deemed too scary for children and was censored back in the day, not getting
its cinematic release for a number of years after it was made. I don't
really know why. Just avoid the musical version of this film which is now
doing the rounds.
Final Verdict: Jack
the Giant Killer lacks the special effects polish which was the sole
reason that Jason and the Argonauts and The 7th Voyage of Sinbad
were so enjoyable but it's still a damned fine fantasy film.
Rating: