Ray Harryhausen: Special Effects Titan (2011)

This is the definitive documentary about Ray Harryhausen. Aside from interviews with the great man himself, shot over five years, there are also interviews and tributes from Vanessa ... See full summary »

Director:

Gilles Penso

Writer:

Gilles Penso

Stars:

Ray Harryhausen, Peter Jackson, James Cameron

Cast

Credited cast:
Ray Harryhausen	...	Himself
Peter Jackson	...	Himself
James Cameron	...	Himself
John Landis	...	Himself
Tim Burton	...	Himself
Terry Gilliam	...	Himself
Steven Spielberg	...	Himself
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Colin Arthur	...	Himself
Martine Beswick	...	Herself
Ray Bradbury	...	Himself
Greg Broadmore	...	Himself
Randall William Cook	...	Himself
Tony Dalton	...	Himself
Joe Dante	...	Himself
Guillermo del Toro	...	Himself

Storyline

This is the definitive documentary about Ray Harryhausen. Aside from interviews with the great man himself, shot over five years, there are also interviews and tributes from Vanessa Harryhausen, Tony Dalton, Randy Cook, Peter Jackson, Nick Park, Phil Tippet, Peter Lord, Terry Gilliam, Dennis Muren, Rick Baker, John Landis, Ken Ralston, Guillermo Del Toro, Jean-Pierre Jeunet, Robert Zemeckis, James Cameron, Steven Spielberg and many more. For the first time Ray and the Foundation have provided unprecedented access to film all aspects of the collection including models, artwork and miniatures as well as Ray's private study, where he designed most of his creations, and his workshop where he built them. In addition the documentary will use unseen footage of tests and experiments found during the clearance of the LA garage. Never before has so much visual material been used in any previous documentary about Ray. This definitive production will not only display a huge part of the unique ...

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Plot Keywords:

mythology | flying saucer | arabian nights | octopus | argonaut | 

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Genres:

Documentary

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Details

Country:

France

Language:

English

Release Date:

9 November 2012 (UK)

Filming Locations:

London, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Frenetic Arts, Ray and Diana Harryhausen Foundation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min 97 min (DVD)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

16:9 HD

Did You Know?

Quotes

James Cameron: If Ray were working now, he'd be using the tools we're using right now.

User Reviews

A Well-Deserved Tribute

I was fortunate to be at the Monster Bash and see this screening really for the first time in public. Both Ray's friend Mark and the still beautiful Martine Beswick were there to explain the film's beginnings, its making, and other generalities. One piece of information is that all of the models, all of the blueprints, all of the dioramas have for the most part been saved by Ray himself - as we were told they were in Ray's garage! The documentary was first-rate as it first examined Ray Harryhausen's appeal over many decades and then went on to examine each film separately from his early work with Willis O'Brien and then his own fairy tale shorts to each of his films to his last - 1981's Clash of the Titans. It is interesting that I say Ray's films when in fact they were all directed by someone else though rarely do we remember by whom. Harryhausen's creations are the stars and his tireless, relentless, and unyielding spirit to excel and determination to perfect dominate each of his 15 feature films. The documentary boasts a wide array of luminaries to talk about Ray Harryhausen's influence over their own work: Peter Jackson, Steven Spielberg, John Landis, Tim Burton, Terry Gilliam, and James Cameron. Not a bad bunch to help support your documentary. Their presence tells us just how important Ray's work had been to them. I too have that definitive moment when I first saw my first Harryhausen film. Which do I remember best? Jason and the Argonauts and Clash of the Titans. The latter I went to see at the theater(the other predates my earthly arrival). That film had a wondrous effect on me as Perseus slew Medusa, a small metallic owl flitted about in mid-air, a mighty Pegasus gracefully galloped in the sky, and the obligatory(Now - thanks to the film) Kracken was unleashed. In the documentary each film is examined and discussed by Ray Harryhausen and others. None of the 15 features is neglected at all. The documentary is well-done on every level and I thank all involved for sharing their passion for this artist's work with us.