Rating: 
Summary: Jack the Giant Killer DVD
Review: A budget DVD released on Goodtimes homevideo (It used to be released on MGM). Picture quality of 'Jack the Giant Killer' is much better than the Vhs version (obviously) and about the same (if not better) than the Laser Disc release. This single layer disc runs 1 hour 36 minutes and is playable worldwide (NTSC). The movie stars Kerwin Williams & the beautiful Judi Meredith and directed by Nathan Juran. There are no special features on this DVD except for scene index and play. The DVD is worth it even at this price. This is not the musical version but the regular movie version, The disc is made in Hong Kong (and/or Taiwan) as mentioned on the back of the DVD keepcase, but then again most budget DVDs are made there nowadays. The picture and sound quality is very good (Its the best I've seen of this video so far) and would get this classic before its too late.
Rating: 
Summary: Re-worked musical version ruins this SINBAD clone
Review: After the successful release of Ray Harryhausen's special effects extravaganza 7TH VOYAGE OF SINBAD, producer Edward Small decided to clone the idea and hence JACK THE GIANT KILLER was born.
This movie copied SINBAD's style in every particular, and the result was, while not nearly as polished as Harryhausen's film, entertaining in its own way. It was a major box office disappointment, however, and the studio decided to "save" the movie by RE-EDITING it and ADDING SEVERAL SONGS and a MUSICAL soundtrack. This essentially ruined the movie for all but the kiddies' market. Sadly for collectors, the musical version (recently aired on Disney Channel) is the one issued on this videotape. I'd hold out for the original if I were you.
Rating: 
Summary: Same Personnel, Different Results
Review: Although the film stars Kerwin Mathews and Torin Thatcher, both from "The 7th Voyage of Sinbad" and is directed by the same director of that film, Nathan Duran, this is a much weaker film. The stop-motion work is nowhere near as polished as Harryhausen's and the score by Paul Sawtell pales in comparison to the brilliant Herrmann one for the earlier flick.
Rating: 
Summary: 'My father fell at the Battle of Land's End...'
Review: As an impressionable boy in 60's England, I thrilled to the fantasy films of Ray Harryhausen: 'Jason And The Argonauts' et al. 'Jack The Giant Killer' seemed no less thrilling at the time; there are plenty of monsters and special effects. Seen as an adult however the film does not have the craft and attention to detail of the Harryhausen/Schneer films like JASON & SINBAD, but nevertheless is an entertaining movie which I still enjoy. It has good pace and colour, and Torin Thatcher is an absolute joy as the evil Pendragon, virtually re-creating his role as Sokura in SINBAD. Watching as an adult, some lines of dialogue are so bad as to be brilliant: KING MARK (to Jack) 'Your father was in the Royal Archers?' JACK: 'Yes, sire, he fell at the battle of Land's End'....(Presumably this was the only part of Cornwall the writer had heard of) LEPRECHAUN (to Jack, when Pendragon threatens to turn him into a black ram) 'This magic coin can be an antidote, to giving you a cashmere coat...' All in all, taken in the right context the film is great fun and still one to watch and enjoy with your kids. (Fortunately I have never seen the musical version...! )
Rating:
Summary: Ray Harryhausen did not work on this movie.....
Review: ASIN# B000050SKH I gave this film 3 stars based on "the Film" because... -It was such a blatant band-wagon move after "The Seventh Voyage of Sinbad". It's hard to watch without noticing parodies.
-The giants inexplicably all have goat's legs, just like the cyclops in SVOS!!
-Same director and lead actors as SVOS... in the SAME ROLES!!!
-Some scenes drag on, even action scenes! "let's show more monsters LONGER!!!" The witch scene on the ship NEVER ENDS!!
-A little magical helper, just like SVOS. He even makes the same bargain for his freedom!!
-Battle between giant and serpent, just like SVOS battle between Cycplops and Dragon.
-Editing is silly at times. Senes were obviously cut (gaunlet hall has arms cut off and blades broken but not a clue how it happened!) while others go on... and on... and on.....
-Acting is valiant considering the script!! This thing was obviously thrown together. I particularly enjoyed the high-school acting of Judy Meredith. Kind of like watching a car wreck... you just can't look away.
-The monsters are extremely crude in every aspect, from sculpting to animation. The funny thing is, the animation seams to get a little better as the film rolls along, like they created the sequences in script order.
-Jim Danforth (though I never see his name on the Credits?) needed to understudy under Harryhausen a bit longer. He had very little knowledge of human or animal physiology. This made his creatures look cartoonish and less believable. Do you like shiney monsters? To his credit, they definately have character.
-Despite all of this, it is a fun film. Just need to get over the SVOS "cloning". As a value priced DVD, I'd have to give it 5 stars. Here's why; -Picture quality is better than could ever be expected for this obscure film (at this price). Someone in Hong Kong must of had this on ice!!
-Ditto for sound quality. As good as could be expected for a featureless DVD. -Packaging is better than adequate. They actually Screened a nice image on the disk!
-NOT THE MUSICAL!!! Given all of this, I'd still recommend this DVD for Harryhausen Fans. It really puts his skills in perspective. It is also a whimsical and enjoyable movie in it's own right. I just could not get over the "Sinbad" thing!!
Rating:
Summary: "7th Voyage of Jack" entertainment worth the price!!
Review: ASIN# B000050SKH I gave this film 3 stars based on "the Film" because... -It was such a blatant band-wagon move after "The Seventh Voyage of Sinbad". It's hard to watch without noticing parodies.
-The giants inexplicably all have goat's legs, just like the cyclops in SVOS!!
-Same director and lead actors as SVOS... in the SAME ROLES!!!
-Some scenes drag on, even action scenes! "let's show more monsters LONGER!!!" The witch scene on the ship NEVER ENDS!!
-A little magical helper, just like SVOS. He even makes the same bargain for his freedom!!
-Battle between giant and serpent, just like SVOS battle between Cycplops and Dragon.
-Editing is silly at times. Senes were obviously cut (gaunlet hall has arms cut off and blades broken but not a clue how it happened!) while others go on... and on... and on.....
-Acting is valiant considering the script!! This thing was obviously thrown together. I particularly enjoyed the high-school acting of Judy Meredith. Kind of like watching a car wreck... you just can't look away.
-The monsters are extremely crude in every aspect, from sculpting to animation. The funny thing is, the animation seams to get a little better as the film rolls along, like they created the sequences in script order.
-Jim Danforth (though I never see his name on the Credits?) needed to understudy under Harryhausen a bit longer. He had very little knowledge of human or animal physiology. This made his creatures look cartoonish and less believable. Do you like shiney monsters? To his credit, they definately have character.
-Despite all of this, it is a fun film. Just need to get over the SVOS "cloning". As a value priced DVD, I'd have to give it 5 stars. Here's why; -Picture quality is better than could ever be expected for this obscure film (at this price). Someone in Hong Kong must of had this on ice!!
-Ditto for sound quality. As good as could be expected for a featureless DVD. -Packaging is better than adequate. They actually Screened a nice image on the disk!
-NOT THE MUSICAL!!! Given all of this, I'd still recommend this DVD for Harryhausen Fans. It really puts his skills in perspective. It is also a whimsical and enjoyable movie in it's own right. I just could not get over the "Sinbad" thing!!
Rating:
Summary: Ray Harryhausen did not work on this movie.....
Review: Contray to what some Amazon reviewers say on this interview, Ray Harryhausen did not work on this movie, although the effects work in this movie is stop motion animation with models, it was done by a different artist named Howard Anderson. This is really a parody of the Harryhausen films, with very corny effects work and even cornier dialoge and acting. It is a little known fact that this picture was originally shot as straight forward action adveture type picture, but then for some reason it was turned into a semi-musical with dubbed music and singing. Even the actors were surprised at this change when they saw a final print of the film. Why this change? Who knows?
But it has emerged as nothing more then a B-creature feature turned musical with very poor results.
Rating:
Summary: Giant Killer
Review: Even if this is not as good as Harryhausen at his best in "Jason and the Argonauts" and "The 7th Voyage of Sinbad", it is certainly as good a quality as the later Sinbad's he did. It may be a little rough around the edges by todays special effects standards but it is still quite entertaining for the whole family. Most children will find it great fun. There are numerous monster creatures and several interesting good characters. Kerwin Mathews and the rest the cast do above average performances. The sets and music help draw us into this wonderful adventure fantasy story. If you like Fantasy movies you will probably enjoy this one. Did you miss the price on this DVD? Talk about a bargain! Even if you for some odd reason you didn't love it you could donate it to a good cause.
Rating:
Summary: Giant Killer
Review: Even if this is not as good as Ray Harryhausen at his best in "Jason and the Argonauts" and "The 7th Voyage of Sinbad", it is certainly as good a quality as the later Sinbad's he did. Anderson's creatures may be a little rough around the edges by todays special effects standards but it is still quite entertaining for the whole family. Most children will find it great fun. There are numerous monster creatures and several interesting good characters. Kerwin Mathews and the rest the cast do above average performances. The sets and music help draw us into this wonderful adventure fantasy story. If you like Fantasy movies you will probably enjoy this one. Did you miss the price on this DVD? Talk about a bargain! Even if you for some odd reason you didn't love it you could donate it to a good cause. I got the DVD and even though released by Good Times it is an excellent transfer. The picture and sound are great.
Rating: 
Summary: Once upon a time there was a boy named Jack ...
Review: Giants and monsters to slay ... what more could a lad on the farm ask for in order to prove his manhood? Handsome Kerwin Mathews is engagingly vigorous in the title role; Torin Thatcher appropriately evil as the magician Pendragon; Judi Meredith nonexistent as the trophy princess Elaine; and Walter Burke goose bumpy as a scurvy knave. Colorful fairy tale costumes and sets enhance the production and there are enough monsters, spooks, and creepy critters to satisfy even the most jaded appetites. I liked the farmyard escapade and the shipboard adventure best. A fun flick for a rainy Saturday afternoon.
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