SPHE Press Release: Jason and the Argonauts (Blu-ray)

A COLOSSAL BLU-RAY™ RELEASE

JASON AND THE ARGONAUTS

ARRIVING ON BLU-RAY DISC™ JULY 6^TH

Culver City, Calif. (April 26, 2010) – Embark on an adventure with Sony Pictures Home Entertainment when the epic odyssey Jason and the Argonauts is released on Blu-ray Disc on July 6, 2010 for the SLP of $24.95.  Special effects legend Ray Harryhausen (Clash of the Titans, The Golden Voyage of Sinbad), who turns 90 this year, solidified his mark as a stop-motion master when this movie hit theaters in 1963.   Harryhausen’s use of the medium exhilarated audiences as they followed Jason on his journey, encountering behemoth bronze statues, multi-headed serpents and the iconic animated armed skeletons.  Through these effects, Harryhausen gave this mythical tale new legs and a provided an enduring spectacle for audiences.  Viewers can now take this journey in high definition and be blown away by the remastering of Harryhausen’s masterpiece on Blu-ray. 

Ray Harryhausen’s achievements and contributions to the art of motion picture special effects are unparalleled, and his films, including The 7th Voyage of Sinbad, 20 Million Miles to Earth, Clash of the Titans, and of course, Jason and the Argonauts, have influenced legions of filmmakers and special effects designers, including Peter Jackson, George Lucas, Steven Spielberg, Tim Burton, James Cameron and Sam Raimi, to name just a few.  In an era before computer generated effects were possible, Harryhausen pioneered advances in stop motion photography which brought his mythic monsters to life—and blended them so seamlessly among the actors.  A towering Cyclops fighting Sinbad and his men on the beach, skeletons with swords fighting the heroes in a duel to the death, Talos, the enormous bronze statue come to life; these are only a few of the amazing creatures which Harryhausen’s hands animated with incredibly precise and vivid detail.  Each individual creature is alive with realistic movement, musculature, personality and even emotion.  The unique world and unmistakable style that he created forever changed the approach to fantasy and special effects filmmaking.   

Bonus features include an interactive photo gallery with previously unreleased original storyboards of the famous skeleton sequence, all new commentaries with Harryhausen, Oscar^®-winning Director Peter Jackson (Best Director, Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, 2004), three time Oscar^®-winner for Best Visual Effects Randall William Cook (Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring, 2002; Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, 2003; Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, 2004), and film historian Tony Dalton, as well as an interview with Harryhausen conducted by accomplished director, John Landis (Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” video, An American Werewolf in London), known for his use of special effects in comedy and horror films.

Jason and the Argonauts Synopsis: 
Fantastic special effects by Ray Harryhausen make this mythological adventure an exciting film for all audiences.  The film follows the story of Jason (Todd Armstrong), a fearless sailor and explorer, who returns to the kingdom of Thessaly after a 20-year voyage to make his rightful claim to the throne.  To do so, Jason must first find the magical Golden Fleece. He selects a crew and with the help of Hera (Honor Blackman), Queen of the Gods, sets sail in search of the Fleece. Jason and his crew must overcome incredible obstacles including a 100-foot bronze giant, the venomous Hydra creature with the heads of seven snakes, and defeating an army of skeletons.

Jason and the Argonauts was directed by Don Chaffey (TV’s “Charlie’s Angels,” Pete’s Dragon), written by Jan Read (The Roman Spring of Mrs. Stone) and Beverley Cross (Clash of the Titans), produced by Charles H. Schneer (Clash of the Titans), associate produced by Ray Harryhausen (The 7^th Voyage of Sinbad) and stars Todd Armstrong (TV’s “Man Hunt”), Nancy Kovack (Frankie and Johnny) and Gary Raymond (TV’s “The Rat Patrol”). 

BLU-RAY BONUS FEATURES INCLUDE:

• New to Blu-ray:

o       Commentary with Peter Jackson and Visual Effects Artist Randall William Cook

o       Commentary with Ray Harryhausen and Film Historian Tony Dalton

o       Never released interactive photo gallery with original storyboards

o       BD-Live™

• Also includes:

o       Interviews with Ray Harryhausen by John Landis

o       Ray Harryhausen Chronicles

o       The Harryhausen Legacy

Jason and the Argonauts has a running time of 104 minutes and is rated G.

Artwork and digital clips are available for download at www.sphepublicity.com.  Visit Sony Pictures Home Entertainment on the Web at www.SonyPictures.com.