Jason and the Argonauts

If you want science fiction that respects its own premise, Jason and the Argonauts is available in Australia on BINGE and Foxtel Now right now. It knows exactly what kind of film it is from the opening scene, and never loses that thread. A 7/10 rating says what the writing already makes obvious: this one works. Todd Armstrong anchors it with a performance that grounds the bigger ideas in something human. Start it on BINGE whenever you need something guaranteed to land.

Whatever else is competing for your attention this week, Jason and the Argonauts is worth clearing space for. What makes Jason and the Argonauts work is that the ideas never crowd out the people having them. Jason, a fearless sailor and explorer, returns to his home land of Thessaly after a long voyage to claim his rightful throne. He learns, however, that he must first find the magical Golden Fleece. To do so, he must embark on an epic quest fraught with fantastic monsters and terrible perils. Todd Armstrong and Nancy Kovack lead a cast that brings real weight to the material. It was released in 1963. What separates Jason and the Argonauts from lesser genre entertainment is a willingness to let the concept cost the characters something. There is real craft here, even in the moments that do not fully land.

Jason and the Argonauts is satisfying on multiple levels — something to watch and something to think about after. It stands on its own even without an obvious comparison point. The complete film is available and best experienced without too much prior knowledge of where it goes. Todd Armstrong's performance is the anchor the more ambitious moments need. The world-building pays off in ways you will not anticipate on a first watch.