9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Giant Killer, January 21, 2003
Even if this is not as good as Ray Harryhausen at his best in "Jason and the Argonauts" and "The 7th Voyage of Sinbad", it is certainly as good a quality as the later Sinbad's he did. Anderson's creatures may be a little rough around the edges by todays special effects standards but it is still quite entertaining for the whole family. Most children will find it great fun. There are numerous monster creatures and several interesting good characters. Kerwin Mathews and the rest the cast do above average performances. The sets and music help draw us into this wonderful adventure fantasy story. If you like Fantasy movies you will probably enjoy this one. Did you miss the price on this DVD? Talk about a bargain! Even if you for some odd reason you didn't love it you could donate it to a good cause. I got the DVD and even though released by Good Times it is an excellent transfer. The picture and sound are great. Good quality DVD and replayability. Most kids will love this.
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25 of 31 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Jack the Giant Killer DVD, April 17, 2002
A budget DVD released on Goodtimes homevideo (It used to be released on MGM). Picture quality of 'Jack the Giant Killer' is much better than the Vhs version (obviously) and about the same (if not better) than the Laser Disc release. This single layer disc runs 1 hour 36 minutes and is playable worldwide (NTSC). The movie stars Kerwin Williams & the beautiful Judi Meredith and directed by Nathan Juran. There are no special features on this DVD except for scene index and play. The DVD is worth it even at this price. This is not the musical version but the regular movie version, The disc is made in Hong Kong (and/or Taiwan) as mentioned on the back of the DVD keepcase, but then again most budget DVDs are made there nowadays. The picture and sound quality is very good (Its the best I've seen of this video so far) and would get this classic before its too late.
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20 of 25 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
The DVD is the ORIGINAL version!!!, November 15, 2001
If you check my review posted below, you will realize that I am very fond of this flawed but fabulous film. The GOOD NEWS about the DVD release-----it's the ORIGINAL version, NOT the putrid Musical re-make!
The Less-than-Good news is that the transfer (obviously from a print)isn't as crisp and contrast-y as one would ideally like. In addition, it's a bit disappointing to realize, assuming this realease is authorized, that MGM/UA is not interested enough in this film to release it on their own, and thus has licensed it to Good Times, a serviceable, but second-rate outfit.
Oh, well---guess I shouldn't complain. It's just GREAT to have it in the DVD format.
Oh yes,.....the SOUND on the DVD is fabulous--bright, clear, dynamic, crisp.
And, incidentally, I bought and watched Harryhausen's "7th Voyage of Sinbad" recently.....great, awesome stop-motion work, of course (I remember seeing it in the theatre in early '59----I was literally shaking with excitement and terror simultaneously! Had to go out to the lobby to regain my composure as they were climbing through the hills of Colossa looking for the Roc's egg! Subsequently had cool dreams of the cyclops chasing me on the beach!....)
BUT----HAVING SAID ALL OF THAT-----I'd still prefer "JACK" ANY DAY! It's so much more human and engaging. Watch the scene after Jack has killed the first Giant and the King asks him
"Have you seen the Princess"......it's so charming----nice acting, beautiful music (you catch a bit of the doll's music box dance transformed by the orchestra under the dialogue...), then we meet Jack's mother, touchingly played by Helen Wallace...things like this just add so much to the enjoyment of a fantasy film.
And the SET-UPS!!!....despite some of the crude visual quality---the experimental angles and odd shots which they used....shots from above the giant....dropping the rope around his neck...the bucket of flour in his eyes, his falling and nearly crushing Jack...the 2-headed giant about to deliver the "coup-de-grace" to the sea serpent with the anchor when Sigurd (in dog form) saves the day by jumping on the giant's back to distract him, while Peter (in chimp form) tosses rocks on the giant, in order to give the serpent time to revive from his beating......the harpy hovering over the ship, swooping, diving, ascending with the animated Jack on his back, the duo-death-dive into the sea with Jack and the Harpy side-by-side--------NO WONDER the film went so far over budget and took so long....these were incredibly COMPLEX SHOTS being done by a bunch of guys who were practically making it up as they went!! There is NOTHING this
daring and spectacular in "Sinbad"; just lots of straight-on shots, impressive though they may be.
But I do go on.........
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