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Jason and the Argonauts / Mysterious Island

£175.00

Film

Jason and the Argonauts / Mysterious Island

Additional information

Year

1963 / 1961 – 1978 RR

Size/Type

UK Quad (30" x 40") / Printed in England by W.E.Berry Ltd. Bradford, UK Quad (30" x 40") Single Sided

Country of Origin

UK / British

Condition

Very Fine; originally folded (as issued)

Director

Don Chaffey, Cy Endfield

Actor/Actress

Douglas Wilmer, Gary Merrill, Gary Raymond, Herbert Lom, Honor Blackman, Jack Gwillim, Joan Greenwood, Laurence Naismith, Michael Callan, Michael Craig, Michael Gwynn, Nancy Kovack, Niall MacGinnis, Todd Armstrong

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“Marvel and Thrill ! The Biggest DYNARAMA Adventure Show Ever !”

From two of the greatest fantasy films of all time comes an extremely rare original 1978 Uk quad film poster for the Ray Harryhausen double feature “Jason and the Argonauts / Mysterious Island”. With the main artwork lifted from both earlier excellent (& incredibly scarce) UK quad releases the “Jason” design is enhanced with the addition of the 7 headed Hydra and the famous skeleton warrior scenes. “Mysterious Island” has been slightly redesigned and condensed with a deeper colour palette used. It is truly one of the best looking double bill film posters I have seen (but, then again I am biased as I am a huge fan of this genre and these are two of my favourite films)…Originally folded (as issued) it is totally unrestored and displays and presents to very good effect with minimal handling and age wear, bright colours and beautiful artwork. Scarce and hugely collectable it represents a fine example of original country of origin movie memorabilia.

 …more detail

Vintage Movie Posters Grading Criteria... read more +

Film Description

Jason and the Argonauts / Mysterious Island Movie Poster

“Rise up, you dead, slain of the hydra. Rise from your graves and avenge us. Those who steal the Golden Fleece must die.”

One of the most fun and thrilling adventure film’s to come out of Hollywood. The main reason why this is so well remembered and cherished by many is because of Ray Harryhausen‘s groundbreaking special effects work. His stop motion is amazingly lifelike and convincing. I’m sorry to say folks, despite it being easier to drench the screen with, CGI is still incredibly unrealistic. Its ugly looking, and there’s little to no room for creativity in effects anymore, which certainly can’t be said of Harryhausen’s effects. The way the life action meshes with his stop motion creations is seamless and still a wonder to behold.

Many have commented that the story itself is mediocre. Sure, its overshadowed by Harryhausen’s effects (and Bernard Herrmann‘s sweeping musical score), but when viewed as a simple innocent adventure story, its more than adequate. There’s no depth to the story and the characters are one dimensional, but thats part of the charm. No one wants to see stuff such as existentialist themes or meditations on life and death in their fairy tales. Its a fun, quickly paced adventure with a hero you can root for, a heroine you can fall in love with, and appropriately despicable villains. If you don’t expect much, you’ll easily be swept away with the story. Its pure escapism fun. Also, the direction by Don Chaffey is much more accomplished than this kind of flick usually carries. He knows how to build tension well, and there’s several creepy and colorful sequences that would make Mario Bava proud. Jason and the Argonauts is a film that exists solely to entertain.

“Descending into adventure beyond imagination …a world beyond belief !”

While most critics, and fans alike, considerRay Harryhausen‘s Jason and the Argonauts (released two years later) to be the apex of the special effects master’s career, Mysterious Island stands as one of his best, also. Loosely based on the Jules Verne 19th century novel, the film boasts some memorable special effects wizardry: an awesome escape from a Confederate prison via balloon, the giant crab, the prehistoric “chicken,” the bees, and a cool Nautilus – closely resembling Disney’s version from 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea“. The cast is good, beginning with Michael Craig as the leader of the band of island dwellers. Gary Merrill, is effective as the war correspondent that serves as the voice of reason among the band, along with being the group’s cook. Herbert Lom does a great “Nemo,” significantly different from James Mason‘s interpretation in the Disney classic. English actress Joan Greenwood is appropriately aristocratic as “Lady Fairchild.” But, it is Harryhausen’s effects, along with Bernard Herrmann‘s brilliant score, that elevate this to one of the best fantasies of the 60’s…Filmed at a brisk pace, the story never lets up, keeping the viewer captivated until the thrilling conclusion.

 

Vintage Movie Posters Grading Criteria

Mint
A poster that has never been used or displayed and may show the most minor signs of age and wear. The poster should have no holes or tears.

Near Mint
A generally unused poster with fresh, saturated colors. May have minimal tears at folds. Has no significant holes, no paper loss, may have minor tears along edges, may have fine pin holes.

Very Fine
A poster with bright colour and crisp overall appearance. It may have very general signs of use including slight fold separation and fold wear. It may have pin holes or very minor tears. This is the highest grade allowed for a poster that has been restored either on linen or on paper.

Fine
A poster with good colors and overall clean appearance. It may have minor tears small paper loss and minor stains. It may have some fold seperation.

Good
An average poster with overall fresh color. May have tears, minor paper loss, minor hazing. Paper may be brittle due to age, may have minor stains. May have a small amount of writing in an unobtrusive place. May have medium or major restoration.

Fair
A poster with faded colors and brittle paper, showing significant signs of use. May have tears and paper loss. May have tape, writing, stains in image area. In need of restoration or had major restoration.

Poor
A poster that is worn, torn, and/or damaged. May have staining, cracking, dry rot, and/or large tears. May be heavily soiled, may have pieces missing. In need of major restoration.

All photographs and images used on our site are photographs of the actual poster/item you are buying, we do not use stock photographs.

Most Popular Poster Types

US Posters

LOBBY CARD
11 x 14″ printed on heavy stock paper. Used as display in theatre lobbies. Originally made in sets of eight. Some sets have a title card, which contains credits and artwork, essentially a mini-poster. The remaining seven cards are coloured photographic credits and poster artwork showing different scenes from the movie.

WINDOW CARD
14 x 22″ printed on heavy stock paper with the top 4-6 inches usually left blank for the local cinema owner to fill in the cinema and the date it was due to play. Largely discontinued during the 1970’s.

HALF SHEET
22 x 28″ printed on heavy stock paper. The image displayed is normally a smaller version of the main poster, although some do have different artworks and sometimes come in two versions.

INSERT
14 x 36″ printed on heavy stock paper. Inserts usually have the same artwork as a one sheet. Popular with collectors since they are smaller and easier to frame. Normally come tri folded or rolled.

STYLE Y/FORTY BY SIXTY
40 x 60″ printed on heavy stock paper. Rare since they were primarily used for major motion pictures only. Designed to be used outside the theatre, on an easel, normally at a drive-in movie theatre.

ONE-SHEET
27 x 41″ printed on paper. This is the most common size of poster, intended to be displayed in a glass “marquee” case. It is the most sought after size by collectors. Since the 1980’s most posters are sent to the theatre rolled and maybe slightly smaller measuring 27″ by 40″ and with the advent of backlit light boxes a growing number of modern movie posters are available double-sided and the more traditional single-sided.

THREE-SHEET
41 x 81″ printed on paper. These were printed on two or three separate sheets designed to overlap, few survive. Used for larger advertising spaces, normally posted on walls, perfect for huge movie theatres the drive-in, where people could see them from a distance. From the 1970’s on, three-sheets were sometimes printed in one piece and issued as “international” versions to be used abroad.

BRITISH Posters

BRITISH QUAD
30 x 40″ Most common poster size used in the UK. British Quads are horizontal and may have different artwork to the US one sheet. Like a US one sheet they normally come in two versions. Like a US one sheet they are usually supplied single-sided or more commonly now as a double sided poster.

BRITISH ONE-SHEET
27 X 40″, printed on paper. Very rarely used size.

ITALIAN Posters

ITALIAN LOCANDINA
13 x 28″ six inches shorter than the US insert, very nice size to frame. Italian poster illustrators are some of the best in the industry.

ITALIAN PHOTOBUSTA
18 x 26″ Glossy, high quality, used as lobby cards in Italy. Size may vary, either vertical or horizontal format. There are also double Photobusta or mini Photobusta.

2-FOGLIO (DUE)
(DUE): 39 x 55″ This is the standard poster size used in Italy. Italian poster illustrators are some of the best in the industry.

4-FOGLIO
(QUATTRO) 55 x 79″ Very large Italian poster printed in two pieces, often contains very beautiful artwork.

FRENCH Posters

FRENCH
47 x 63″ (GRANDE) or 24 x 33″ (PETITE) French movie posters normally come with different artwork to either the US or the UK. Like the Italian’s some of the artwork is extrememly beautiful.