The actual stop-motion animation is pretty good, which is no surprise since some of it was done by Jim Danforth. The Cormorans (a second two-headed one appears near the climax) are impressive, but the other creature models look pretty juvenile, especially the Kraken that emerges from the sea. It lacks the classy production values of the Sinbad movies and the special effects can't compare to the masterful work of Ray Harryhausen. As for The Wizard of Oz, its fans will notice that the evil wizard monitors our heroes with a crystal ball, employs witches that like to burn things ("How about a little fire, Scarecrow?"), and uses an hourglass.ĭespite its derivative nature, Jack the Giant Killer is an appealing picture targeted at kids. Jack the Giant Killer also recycles the director (Nathan Juran) and two stars (Matthews and Thatcher) from The 7th Voyage of Sinbad. Like the 7th Voyage, it features: a quest to rescue a princess battles with stop-motion animated creatures an evil wizard warriors that sprout from teeth and a helpful magical companion (an imp in a bottle instead of the genie-boy from Sinbad). Loosely inspired by a Cornish fairy tale (which has nothing to do with a beanstalk), Jack and the Giant Killer borrows liberally from The 7th Voyage of Sinbad and The Wizard of Oz. It's up to Jack to rescue his love again. However, their happiness is short-lived when Pendragon sends a bunch of ugly, fire-producing witches to kidnap Princess Elaine. Love blossoms between Jack and Elaine during their shipboard voyage. However, still concerned about his daughter's safety, the king asks Jack to escort Elaine to a convent in another kingdom. Once the princess safely returns to the castle, Jack is hailed as a hero and knighted by the king. Determined to rescue Princess Elaine, the resourceful Jack uses a rope, a mill, and a scythe to kill the Cormoran. The princess is delighted. That night, though, the little jester (who looks downright creepy) grows into a two-horned Cormoran (a Cornish giant) and abducts Princess Elaine.Įn route to a waiting ship, the Cormoran-still clutching the screaming princess-rumbles though a small farm owned by a young man called Jack (Kerwin Matthews). When she opens the music box, a 12-inch jester emerges and dances until the music stops. But, before we get to that, let's take a look at the original version of Jack the Giant Killer.įor her birthday, the beautiful Princess Elaine (Judi Meredith) receives a large music box from a myterious visiting dignitary-who is actually the evil wizard Pendragon (Torin Thatcher). Indeed, its similarities with The 7th Voyage of Sinbad is what led to its conversion into a musical. Heard the one about the 1962 fantasy adventure that was re-edited into a musical in 1976? If so, then you're familiar with the plight of Jack the Giant Killer, an entertaining-albeit modest-variation on the Sinbad films made by Ray Harryhausen and Charles Schneer.
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