From its very inception, cinema has developed in every aspect. The same applies to special and graphic effects. Ray Harryhausen is regarded as a pioneer of stop-motion and graphic effects, and his work endures. He was in charge of coming up with several of the most recognizable creatures and enormous animals in the film industry’s history, and his creations are still cherished and admired today. His computer-produced graphics and stop-motion animated skills helped to establish the contemporary stop-motion genre. He talked about life in pictures and established careers by influencing young people who would later develop into contemporary filmmakers.
Ray Harryhausen produced a variety of fascinating animals and scenarios for his films, ranging from enormous deep-sea beasts to dinosaurs munching on unwary bystanders. Ray Harryhausen passed away at the age of 93, but his legacy still lives on. Fans of the artist continue to watch many of his most well-known films. Listed below are a few of his top movies, rated, in case people don’t know his art, need a recap, or simply want to honor a creative genius.
8 Mysterious Island (1961)
Columbia Pictures
In the screen version of Mysterious Island, a band of Civil War troops fleeing the fighting in a hot-air balloon is stuck on the namesake island due to a storm. Two women castaways arrive on the shore shortly after that. Together they battle the gigantic animals that inhabit the island before realizing that Captain Nemo has already been keeping an eye on them ever since they arrived.
For this fascinating quest, Ray Harryhausen designed some incredible monsters, like a huge crab made from a real crab; a gigantic bee; the deadly archaic bird Phororhacos, and the giant squid that the adventurers fight in the abyss. Plainly said, this is a thrilling, feel-good, family-friendly adventurous tale.
7 Earth Vs Flying Saucers (1956)
The 1950s were rife with alien invasions in film. With their revolving rims and radar-style beam cannons, the titular orbiting saucers from Harryhausen’s sixth film have a distinctive and iconic look. Contrary to popular belief, the aliens actually have more affinity with Robby the Robot. But the scene for a particularly intriguing moment involving a mind scan is within their ship. The soundscape, the flying saucer layout, and the dramatic devastation of Washington, D.C. in Earth vs. the Flying Saucers are all praiseworthy.
6 20 Million Miles To Earth (1957)
Primitive monsters by Ray Harryhausen usually had melancholic dispositions. Following a successful mission to Venus, a group of astronauts crash-lands near the shores of Sicily in the movie 20 Million Miles to Earth. A little humanoid reptile, that is their shipment, breaks free from its container and starts to grow enormously.
The alien being known as Ymir is given incredible life by Harryhausen, who successfully makes the viewers sympathize with this abandoned organism as it struggles to adapt to a new world. The troops intervene and attempt to halt it, as is frequently the scenario in fantasy films, once the scientists are unable to confine Ymir. The Roman Colosseum serves as the culmination of an unforgettable scene. Every enthusiast of the genre must watch it even though it may be as well-remembered as other movies about enormous monsters from the time.
5 The Golden Voyage Of Sinbad (1973)
In 1973, fans were treated to the second installment of the Sinbad trilogy, a maritime odyssey. The protagonist of The Golden Voyage of Sinbad led his men to Lemuria, a forgotten continent, where he had to prevent a cunning sorcerer from acquiring the Fountain of Destiny. The six-armed sculpture of Kali was simply a spectacular sight for the period, although the film included an intense battle between a gryphon and a centaur and a magical centerpiece from Sinbad’s vessel. It would not have been simple to orchestrate around the performers’ blades while animating six hands, but Harryhausen managed to pull it off, and it is among the film’s standouts.
4 Clash Of The Titans (1981)
United Artists (United States/Canada) / Cinema International Corporation (international)
A great homage to the genius of Ray Harryhausen’s art is the fact that his final picture, Clash of the Titans, is still lovingly appreciated and frequently re-watched to date. The enduring Greek legend of Perseus and Princess Andromeda is told in Clash. The enormous Kraken, the seductive Medusa, the terrifying Calibos, and the majestic Pegasus are just a few of the iconic characters from this film. In the 2010 version, Clash of the Titans ended up on top of the Box Office for a second week in a row, and the amiable robotic owl Bubo makes an appearance. This movie demonstrates Ray’s genuine talent. Regrettably, it marks the conclusion of a distinctive period in special effects development.
3 Mighty Joe Young
RKO Radio Pictures
Despite what many people may believe, Mighty Joe Young was essentially a recreation of the 1949 film with the same title. The plot centers on Jill while she battles to finance her farm in Africa. In the interest of paying off her loans, Jill decides to let her enormous gorilla appear in Hollywood. Being his debut film, the renowned special effects maestro and several animators who joined him would find their careers turning points in this film. In 1949, it undoubtedly wasn’t simple to make the gorilla into existence, but his attempts allowed his career to advance gradually.
2 The 7th Voyage Of Sinbad (1958)
The 7th Voyage of Sinbad detailed the tale of Sinbad and his men as they sought down a missing lantern by a wizard called Sokurah. However, they run into several enormous and frightening creatures when they get to the isle where the lantern is kept. The Cyclops, who assaults Sinbad and his company, was among them. Harryhausen was successful in giving personality to the beast that would later appear in his works for future projects, even though there were many beasts to pick from on the lineup.
1 Jason And The Argonauts (1963)
The 1963 film Jason and the Argonauts told the story of Jason and the Argonauts, assigned by the king to reclaim the Golden Fleece in Greek mythology. However, in the film’s rendition of the tale, which some people regarded as the best film interpretation of Greek mythology, the fearsome Hydra, perilous Harpies, and gigantic Talos are also present to prevent them from achieving their objective. The skeletal combatants Jason and the Argonauts face off against trying to abscond with the Golden Fleece, however, were one of the film’s best moments.
