Jason And The Argonauts (Video Ezy only)

By EWAN McDONALD

(Herald rating: * * *)

Jason is a decent version of the Greek myth about the prince who sees his father, the king, murdered by his uncle, Pelias. Pelias grabs the throne and the queen and boots Jason out of the kingdom. Years later, a strapping Jason comes home to settle the score but is captured and has to find the legendary Golden Fleece, or be executed.

Jason takes a ship, the Argo, assembles an appropriately motley crew, including his friend and would-be lover Atalanta, the strongman Hercules and the musician Orpheus, and sails off. On their voyages they land on Lemnos, a nation of women; meet Phineas, marooned on a rock by the gods; and Medea, who falls for Jason thanks to Eros, the god of love, and helps him win the Fleece from its protector, her father. Jason returns home to face down Pelias.

While Jason London might have got the title role on account of his name, top-notch actors like Dennis Hopper (Pelias) and Derek Jacobi (back in robes as Phineas) bring the classic tale of heroes, villains, monsters and gods to rip-roaring life.

DVD features: movie (3hr); promotional feature, cast and crew information; Notable and Quotable comments from the set.