CLASH OF THE TITANS
A movie review by Joe Barlow
(c) Copyright 1999
STARRING: Harry Hamlin, Judi Bowker, Burgess Meredith,
Laurence Olivier
DIRECTOR: Desmond Davis
WRITER: Beverley Cross
RATED: PG
RELEASED: 1981
RATING: **** (out of a possible ****)
"Find... and fulfill your destiny."
-Zeus (to Perseus), "Clash of the Titans"
Whenever I revisit a film like "Clash of the Titans," I'm simultaneously exalted and saddened-- exalted because the movie is a tour-de-force of gripping, powerful storytelling, and saddened because it makes me realize how much this style of grand filmmaking belongs to a bygone era. When a movie like "Armageddon" becomes the highest-grossing film of the year, it sends a very clear message to the studios: "You have absolutely no reason to deviate from the commercially-proven formulas you're using in all your other movies. Give us more of the same, please." This increasing cinematic trend towards mediocrity, particularly in the action-film genre, does not bode well for the future.
Well, prepare for a breath of fresh air, and check out a classic you may have missed. Directed in a beautifully vibrant style by Desmond Davis, "Clash of the Titans" is a brilliant, highly-stylized re-telling of the story of Perseus, the Greek mythological hero who faced untold dangers and obstacles in his quest for the fair Princess Andromeda. Astonishingly photographed with equal parts light and shadow, "Clash of the Titans," which celebrates its 18th birthday this year, opens a window into the imagination and allows it to soar for 118 minutes.
As the story opens, Acrisius (Donald Houston), the ruler of the seaside city of Argos, has condemned his only daugher Danae (Vida Taylor) to death for a capital crime: giving birth to a child out of wedlock. Imprisoned in a large wooden coffin, Danae and her young son, Perseus, are hurled into the sea and left for dead. Zeus (a magnificent performance by Sir Laurence Olivier), however, has seen all from atop Mt. Olympus, and for reasons which eventually become clear to us, he spares their lives. Displeased with Acrisius's act of attempted murder, Zeus vows justice; soon there are disasterous ramifications for Acrisius and his people.
Danae and Perseus drift safely to the island of Seraphos, where they are rescued and welcomed by the kind, simple natives. Their new home is a beautiful place, and Perseus grows into a strong, handsome young man (played by Harry Hamlin of "L.A. Law"). Happy and content in this scenic paradise, they live carefree for many years... but alas, the bliss cannot last forever. The goddess Thetis (Maggie Smith), displeased with the way Zeus has punished her son Calibos (Neil McCarthy) with deformity, decides to seek revenge. Knowing that Zeus cares for Perseus, she magically transports the young man away from Seraphos while he sleeps on the beach.
Perseus wakes in an ampitheater on the outskirts of Joppa, alone, confused, and defenseless. He is soon befriended by Ammon (Burgess Meredith), a talented, amiable playwrite who lives beneath the theater. Looking for information on his surroundings, Perseus visits Joppa, where he learns of the beautiful Princess Andromeda (Judi Bowker), imprisoned in the highest tower of the castle which overlooks the city. She's the victim of a curse by Thetis; in order for it to be lifted, a suitor must correctly answer a riddle. If the riddle is solved, the suitor gets not only Andromeda's hand in marriage, but half the kingdom as well. Death rewards those who guess incorrectly.
Perseus, using great creativity (and the assistance of the winged horse Pegasus), solves the riddle and is awarded the hand of the princess. This enrages the tempermental Thetis, who orders the princess's execution-- in thirty days, Andromeda is to be fed to the Krakken, the last of the Titans, the mythological giants which once dominated the Earth and its seas.
The chances of Perseus defeating the Krakken look bleak; as the Stygian witches inform him, "A hundred men could not fight it; an army could not kill it." But... perhaps there's a small chance: the head of Medusa, the fearsome Gorgon, whose face is so grotesque that it can turn any living creature into stone. But a desperate gamble is better than no gamble at all, and Perseus sets off on his grand journey to save the woman he loves.
All the performances in the film are note-perfect. Olivier is a formidable Zeus, quick to anger but possessing a sly sense of humor and an occasional twinkle of mischief. Burgess Meredith (from the "Rocky" films) is having a marvelous time as Ammon, and Harry Hamlin's Perseus never missteps or rings false; his conviction and dedication to Andromeda are evident and applaudable--he's every inch the hero. I do question why Andromeda has a British accent when no one else in the film does, but never mind.
The stop-motion effects used to create the Krakken and Medusa are the work of Ray Harryhausen (who also co-produced the film), the legendary animator who created the original "King Kong" (1933) and other noteable screen creatures, including the creepy skeleton warriors in "Jason and the Argonauts" (1963), a sort-of spiritual cousin to "Clash of the Titans." His work here was the last animation he created prior to his retirement from the film world. It was a spectacular final note to a distinguished career-- although many call the special effects crude and unconvincing, I think they're part of the fun: Harryhausen was going for a classic, "epic" tone, and rather than being intrusive, I find that they enhance the timeless feel of the story. They're naturally not as good as "Titanic" or "Star Wars," but I don't think they were ever intended to be. Like the stirring, triumphant music by Laurence Rosenthal (the only orchestral score that I prefer to "Star Wars," incidentally), the visual effects are mythic in feel and convey the exact tone required by Beverly Cross's clever screenplay.
"Clash of the Titans" is an all-too-often overlooked jewel of a film which has never received either the popularity or critical acclaim that it deserves, and currently tops my list of the movies I most want to see on DVD. (I'd place it 4th on my list of all-time favorite films, just behind "Casablanca," "Star Wars," and "Chasing Amy.") Take a break from the mindless action movies currently dominating your video store's "New Release" display, and give this one a try. You might as well, since all the copies of "Armageddon" are probably checked out anyway.
E-Mail: jbarlow@earthling.net Joe Barlow on Film: http://www.ipass.net/~jbarlow/film.htm
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