The Golden Voyage of Sinbad is the second of the trilogy of Sinbad films that Dynamation stop-motion monster movie creator Ray Harryhausen made for Columbia, the others being The 7th Voyage of Sinbad (1958) and Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger (1977). In the three movies created by Harryhausen and director Charles H. Schneer, it often sits comfortably in the middle or at the top but it's all relative and heavily based on nostalgia. Nonetheless, what it does have is a popular b-list cast of actors, amazing mythical monsters and a simple but engaging enough story.
The plot follows Sinbad as he comes into possession of part of a tablet which is dropped by a mysterious homunculus. He finds out that the tablet is a single part of three which shows a nautical chart to the mysterious land of Lemuria and a special treasure. Ably supported by the Grand Vizier Of Marabia, a slave girl (played by genre favourite Caroline Munro) and his loyal crew, Sinbad attempts to get to the Fountain of Destiny before the evil magician Koura (an effectively villainous pre-Dr Who Tom Baker) who wishes to extend his life and use the power for his own nefarious means.
I remember watching the film in my youth and falling in love with the Harryhausen monsters (as well as stunning Munro). The sweeping cinematography and Arabesque music lent it all a sense of the exotic and, I can say even after all this time, it is still thoroughly watchable.
Even though the production was made on a shoestring budget you wouldn't know it as the film has some stunning matte art for the backgrounds, seemingly inspired by the Angkor complex in Cambodia, giving it a sense of grandeur and space. The costumes are sumptuous and present the atmosphere of Arabian Nights. The dialogue is basic but does feature some great one-liners like, 'My heart is full of bravery but I have very cowardly legs.'
However, once again, it is the Harryhausen Dynamation process that raises the whole production as we see a possessed ship's figurehead come to life as well as mythical beasts like a centaur and griffin and the goddess Kali.
If you're looking for a quick matinee fix for a rainy afternoon over Easter, this is the movie for you.
LINK- The 7th Voyage of Sinbad- Cult Movie Review
LINK- Into the Unknown Exhibition Shines Bright at the Barbican
LINK- Ray Harryhausen: Titan of Cinema Virtual Exhibition Experience- Review
LINK- Children of the Stones: Cult TV Series Review
LINK- Tom’s Midnight Garden: Cult TV Review