Jack the Giant Killer (1962)

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.

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