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''Jason and the Argonauts'' is a 1963 British Columbia Pictures fantasy film starring Todd Armstrong as the titular mythical Greek hero in a story about his quest for the Golden Fleece. Directed by Don Chaffey in collaboration with stop motion animation expert Ray Harryhausen, the film is noted for its stop-motion creatures, and particularly the iconic fight with the skeletons. The score was composed by Bernard Herrmann, who also worked on other fantasy films with Harryhausen, such as ''Mysterious Island'' and ''The 7th Voyage of Sinbad''. The working title was ''Jason and the Golden Fleece''. ==Plot== Pelias (Douglas Wilmer), misinterpreting the prophecy given to him by the god Zeus (Niall MacGinnis), usurps the throne of Thessaly by killing King Aristo and most of his family. The infant Jason is spirited out by one of Aristo's soldiers. Pelias encounters one of the king's daughters, Briseis (Davinia Taylor), seeking sanctuary in the temple of the goddess Hera (Honor Blackman) and slays her. Because the murder has profaned her temple, the angry Hera becomes Jason's protector. She, disguised as the high Priestess, warns Pelias to beware of a man wearing one sandal. Twenty years later, Jason (Todd Armstrong) saves Pelias from drowning during a "chance" encounter (orchestrated by Hera), but loses a sandal in the river so that Pelias recognizes him. Upon learning that Jason intends to obtain the legendary Golden Fleece, Pelias — concealing his identity — encourages him, hoping he will be killed in the attempt. Jason is taken to Mount Olympus by the god Hermes (Michael Gwynn) to speak with Zeus and Hera. Hera wishes him well, but tells him Zeus has decreed he can only call upon her aid five times. She directs him to search for the Fleece in the land of Colchis. Zeus offers his direct aid, but Jason declares he can organize the voyage, build the ship, and collect a crew of the bravest men in all Greece. Men from all over Greece compete for the honor of joining Jason. Because their ship is named the ''Argo'' after her builder, Argus (Laurence Naismith), the crew are dubbed the Argonauts. Among them are Hercules (Nigel Green), Hylas (John Cairney) and Acastus (Gary Raymond), the son of Pelias, sent by his father to sabotage the voyage. When supplies run low, Hera guides Jason to the Isle of Bronze, but warns him to take nothing but provisions. While exploring, however, Hercules steals a brooch pin the size of a javelin from a treasure chamber surmounted by a gigantic statue of Talos, which comes to life and attacks the Argonauts. Jason again turns to Hera, who tells him to open a circular plug on the back of Talos' heel, releasing his ichor. Talos falls to the ground, crushing Hylas and hiding his body. Feeling responsible, Hercules refuses to leave until he ascertains the fate of his friend. The other Argonauts refuse to abandon Hercules, so Jason calls on Hera again. She informs them that Hylas is dead and Hercules is not fated to continue on the quest. She directs them to seek the blind soothsayer Phineas (Patrick Troughton), who is constantly tormented by two flying Harpies sent by Zeus to punish him for misusing his gift of prophecy. In return for capturing the Harpies, Phineas gives Jason directions and presents him with an amulet. To reach Colchis, the Argonauts must sail between the Clashing Rocks, which destroy any ship attempting to traverse the narrow channel. As they watch, another ship coming the other way suffers just that fate. When Jason tries to row through, his ship appears doomed. In despair, Jason throws Phineas' amulet into the water. The sea god Triton rises up and holds the rocks apart long enough for the ''Argo'' to pass. They rescue a survivor from the other ship: Medea (Nancy Kovack), high priestess of Colchis. Challenging Jason's authority, Acastus engages him in a duel. Disarmed, Acastus jumps into the sea and disappears. Believing him dead, Jason and his men land in Colchis and accept an invitation from King Aeëtes (Jack Gwillim) to a feast. Unknown to them, Acastus has survived and warned Aeëtes of Jason's quest. Wanting to keep the Golden Fleece, Aeëtes has the unwary Argonauts imprisoned. However, Medea, enamoured of Jason, helps him and his men escape. Meanwhile, Acastus tries to steal the Fleece himself, but is dispatched by its guardian, the Hydra. Moments later, Jason encounters and kills the beast. Aeëtes, in pursuit, sows the Hydra's teeth after praying to the goddess Hecate, producing a skeletal warrior from each. Jason, together with Phalerus and Castor, hold them off while the remainder flee to the ship. After a prolonged battle in which his companions are killed, Jason jumps from a cliff into the sea.〔It took Ray Harryhausen, well over three months to animate the skeleton sequence.〕 He, Medea, and the surviving Argonauts begin the return to Thessaly. In Olympus, Zeus tells Hera that in due time he will call upon Jason again. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Jason and the Argonauts (1963 film)」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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