Watch Clash of the Titans

Clash of the Titans is a 1981 fantasy adventure film directed by Desmond Davis and based on the Greek myth of Perseus. The movie stars Laurence Olivier, Harry Hamlin, and Claire Bloom, and it is widely regarded as a classic in the genre of fantasy films. The screenplay was written by Beverley Cross, and the movie's stunning special effects were created by Ray Harryhausen, who is considered one of the greatest special effects artists in film history.

The story of Clash of the Titans follows the journey of Perseus (Harry Hamlin), the son of Zeus (Laurence Olivier), who must save the princess Andromeda (Judi Bowker) from the evil sea monster Kraken. Along the way, Perseus battles a variety of mythical creatures, including Medusa the Gorgon, giant scorpions, and a two-headed dog named Dioskilos.

The film opens with the Greek gods observing the actions of humanity from Mount Olympus. They are introduced to Perseus, who was born to a mortal woman and the god Zeus. Perseus is raised as a mortal, unaware of his divine heritage. When the goddess Thetis (Maggie Smith) learns of Perseus's existence, she orchestrates a plot to have him killed in order to prevent him from challenging the gods. But Zeus protects his son, and sends him on a quest to save the princess Andromeda and defeat the Kraken.

Perseus's journey takes him to several different locations, including the city of Joppa where he meets the poet Ammon (Burgess Meredith) and the mechanical owl Bubo. Perseus also crosses paths with the witch Medusa (played by Siân Phillips), who turns her enemies to stone with her gaze. Medusa's lair is one of the most memorable scenes in the film, with Perseus using a reflective shield to avoid her deadly gaze and using his sword to slay her.

After defeating Medusa and acquiring her head, Perseus returns to Joppa and is joined by several soldiers, including the skilled fighter Draco (played by the late great actor, Sir Ian Holm). Together, they embark on a dangerous journey to the island of the Stygian witches to acquire a special weapon needed to defeat the Kraken. On the island, Perseus has to negotiate with the witches, who demand he perform a series of impossible feats to get what he needs.

Once Perseus acquires the weapon, he and his companions return to Joppa to prepare defense against the Kraken. King Acrisius (Donald Houston) of Argos offers to sacrifice his own daughter Andromeda to the monster, in the hopes that it will spare his city. Perseus is horrified at the idea and pledges to save Andromeda and defeat the Kraken himself.

The climax of the film sees Perseus battling the Kraken head-on. He uses a combination of his wits and the magical weapon to kill the creature, and in doing so, he saves Andromeda and earns the respect of the gods.

Clash of the Titans is a classic fantasy adventure that has stood the test of time. Despite being made nearly 40 years ago, the film's special effects are still impressive to this day. The movie's visual style is heavily influenced by classical mythology, featuring a wide range of creatures and characters from Greek legend. The performances by the lead actors, including Harry Hamlin and Laurence Olivier, are outstanding, and the story provides plenty of excitement and adventure for audiences of all ages.

In conclusion, Clash of the Titans is a must-watch for fans of fantasy and adventure films. Though it may seem a bit dated now, it's still a classic work of film art that continues to impress viewers and influence the genre to this day.

Clash of the Titans is a 1981 adventure movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 58 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.9 and a MetaScore of 59.