Clash of the Titans (Desmond Davis, 1981):USA

Reviewed by Brittany Christianson. Viewed at the Santa Barbara Film Festival 2011.

Clash of the Titans was an astounding film, no wonder why it was chosen to play at the 2011 Santa Barbara Film Festival. It’s a timely tale of the fantasy romance of Greek Mythology. When Perseus (Harry Hamlin) meets Princess Andromedas (Judi Bowker), it’s love at first sight. Now with her life at stake, Perseus will risk it all to be with her and take her hand in marriage.

Son of Zeus (Laurence Olivier),Perseus is casted away in a wooden coffin with his mother Danaë (Vida Taylor), when King Acrisuis of Argos (Donald Houston) discovers his daughter has been  impregnated by Zeus.  Perseus grows up with his father Zeus guiding him throughout his perilous journey to win the hand of the charming Andromedas.  Along his journey he is faced with many obstacles thrown on him by the envious Thetis goddess of the sea (Maggie Smith), mother of Calibos (Neil McCarthy).  As his believed Andromedas is sacrificed to the sea creature the Kraken, it is up to Perseus to fulfill his destiny and save his future wife.

Although this movie was filmed in 1979 and has poor video and sound quality, this movie is one of my favorites. There are great deviations among the original version of this movie and the version produced in 2010. The 2010 version of Clash of the Titans directed by Louis Leterrier (The Incredible Hulk) and produced by Warner Brothers Pictures, is consequently nothing like the 1981  version directed by Desmond Davis (Girl With Green Eyes) and produced by MGM.  As the years went on, more information and important events vanished until they created a butchered copy of the Greek Mythology story produced in 2010.  In the 1981 version, Perseus had the goal of saving Andromedas for love and because no person should be given as a sacrifice to the gods.  In the newer 2010 version, Perseus’ main goal is to abolish the Kraken in revenge of Hates, the god of the underworld.  The older version of the movie shows heroism and bravery, while the newer movie portrays vengeance and hatred.

The Clash of the Titans was nominated for best costumes, best music, best special effects, best supporting Actress, and best Fantasy film in 1982.  The movie won the Young Artist Award for best picture and the Saturn Award for best supporting Actor,also in 1982. The movie had a budget of an estimated 15 Million dollars, but grossed around three times that!  Althought this movie has some vilocence, it is rated PG and is a great movie for everyone. I would highly reccomend buying this movie and watching it.