Film Review: Clash of the Titans (1981)

“Release the Kraken” is now associated with ill-fated attempt to challenge results of 2020 US presidential election, an effort considered so controversial by Silicon Valley tech overlords that many risked receiving Internet equivalent of death penalty if uttering that very phrase to over-eager social network algorithms. Which is pity, because the phrase had its origin in something quite innocent and family-friendly - Clash of the Titans, 1981 fantasy adventure epic directed by Desmond Davies.

The plot, based on the Greek mythology, begins when Acrisius (played by Donald Houston), king of Argos, condemns his daughter Danaë (played by Vida Taylor) and her newborn son Perseus to death, locks them in a huge chest and throws them into sea. Zeus (played by Laurence Olivier), king of Olympian gods, is unhappy with that because he happened to be Perseus’ father. He punishes Acrisius by sending huge sea monster called Kraken to destroy Argos and kill Acrisius. In the meantime, mother and son find shelter on the island of Seriphos where Perseus grows up to be strong, handsome and resourceful boy. Perseus as an adult (played by Harry Hamlin) becomes involved in rivalry between Zeus and sea goddess Tethis (played by Maggie Smith); her son Calibos (played by Neil McCarthy) was punished by Zeus for his crime and turned into hideous monster who still lusts over Princess Andromeda (played by Judi Bowker), whose hand was promised to him by Cassiopeia (played by Sian Phillips), queen of Joppa. When Perseus arrives to Joppa, he easily solves the riddle that every other Andromeda’s suitor failed to solve and thus wins the right to marry her. But his happiness is short-lived, because Thetis demands that Joppans sacrifice Andromeda to her, otherwise Kraken would destroy their city. The only way to defeat the monster is by showing head of Medusa, hideous creature able to turn people to stone with their looks. Perseus and his friends go to a long and dangerous journey during which they would have to find and kill Medusa.

Script was written by Beverley Cross, screenwriter well-versed in Greek mythology, which he had shown in 1963 adventure classic Jason and the Argonauts. That film was also known for its stop motion animation by legendary special effects master Ray Harryhausen who used the script for this film as an opportunity to recreate as much of creatures from Greek mythology as possible. His techniques were clearly obsolete even in 1981, but this didn’t dampened his enthusiasm, resulting in couple of interesting and in many cases even effective scenes. Acting is, on the other hand, nothing special, despite rather respectable cast. Olivier and other great Shakespearean actors and actresses do competent, but rather unremarkable job. Bowker is memorable as one of the most beautiful actresses ever to appear on big screen, but this role requires her only to look pretty. Hamlin fares somewhat better, with script allowing him to work as an action hero, mostly with his bare chest, to the great delight of female audience. The best acting job is provided by Burgess Meredith as Ammon, poet and playwright who serves as something between protagonist’s advisor and comic relief. Film is obviously influenced by Star Wars, and, among other things, features character of mechanical owl which sounds exactly like R2D2. Director Desmond Davis does his job competently, keeping the tight pace and delivering couple of good and suspenseful scenes, like Perseus’ fight with Medusa. Although far from perfect, Clash of the Titans features solid family entertainment, vastly superior to its soulless 2010 remake, and it isn’t surprising that it was one of the biggest hits of its time. Those times were different, at least judging by the way producers and censors tolerated few scenes with nudity that would be unimaginable in family-oriented blockbusters today. Clash of the Titans suggests that those times were also better, at least for those who wanted quality in fantasy adventure epics.

RATING: 6/10 (++)

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