I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

It's easily one of the freshest, sharpest and most enjoyable films of this year.

The acting in this movie is really good.

An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.

A delightful kiddie fantasy in the mould of the SINBAD films - and just as good as, if not better than, any of them! This production has a quaint feel to it of a make-believe world which never existed, a world full of weird monsters and heroic peasants. Non-stop action and plot twists help to keep things running along smoothly, but the icing on the cake is the sheer quantity of weird and wonderful creatures appearing at every opportunity! The evil villain of the piece, Torin Thatcher (complete with moustache, beard and high collar) has himself surrounded by all manner of zombies, witches and demons. The makeup used is effective-looking and quite possibly scary for younger viewers. Animation is used to make the witches glow and shoot various flames and rays at people, delightful in a tacky sense. The real fun comes from the stop motion effects, which are spectacular. Although lacking the finesse of Ray Harryhausen's creations (probably due to lack of time and money), these are still something to behold and quite passable for a children's film. We get giant horned monsters, a funny-looking serpent, and even a flying demon for the finale.Kerwin Matthews stars as the heroic lead and even has a glint of charisma about his wooden persona. But it's Judi Meredith who dominates things as the squeaky clean princess who eventually gets transformed into a witch herself - in a novel twist, a mirror reveals her secret, true self - that of a pale woman in a red dress, with yellow serpent eyes! There is something about Meredith's appearance as a witch which makes her strangely beautiful - compare her to Barbara Steele in CURSE OF THE CRIMSON ALTAR and Amanda Donohoe in LAIR OF THE WHITE WORM and you'll see what I mean, these serpent-like ladies are irresistible! Support comes from a Viking (!) and a young orphan boy, who are turned into a dog and a chimpanzee respectively! You'll never see anything quite like this. Also lurking about is an annoying leprechaun (aren't they always...) offering advice while being trapped in a bottle.It's the visual, fantastic images which remain in the memory after watching. Highlights such as a corridor full of sword-wielding arms and a helpful skeleton pointing the way are truly excellent, a shame there aren't more films around like this. Who can forget the scene where Jack whips an army of armoured knights with a skeleton's arm, turning them into clouds of smoke? JACK THE GIANT KILLER is a superb children's film, one of the best I've ever seen, and eminently rewatchable. It's even on par with JASON AND THE ARGONAUTS, which is saying something! For kids of all ages, see and enjoy.

I saw this film on release at a drive-in movie theatre, i.e. HUGE screen, i.e. scarier looking monsters and witches. Hence, nightmares followed that evening, especially of Pendragon. Never saw it again until recently, and wondered why these characters were perceived as so menacing. I could only remember the face of Pendragon and thought he was the Giant Jack killed. Nope. Memory only served to convey the evil non-claymation creatures. I originally thought they were not anywhere real looking, fake choppy movements, and rather hilarious. I believed only in the force of the super evil Prince of Darkness.The court of witches and creatures were the creepiest I have ever seen in my life. I think this film is not appropriate for young children 5-7YO. I really still remember the nightmares I had that night, even today. So I could not wait to see if anything about the film was recalled and all I remember is that nasty satanic looking Pendragon.So, what happened on the second viewing after 55yrs or so. SAME THING!! It had the exact effect on my dreams and was so surprised as I was laughing at all the poor quality special effects. Guess this film is underrated because I never had a problem with the Sinbad or Jason series.Thank goodness for comic relief from the Imp, why not just call him a leprechaun?? He was delightful and hoped to see more of him. The sweet demure Princess Elaine actually looked more attractive as a witch, bravo makeup department! High recommend for historical perspective of monsters flicks and beware the night!

No doubt inspired by the success of 1958's fantasy adventures of the Arabian mythological figure Sinbad (The Seventh Voyage of Sinbad), this tale of a farmer boy, Jack (Kerwin Mathews), who unwittingly saves the life of the Princess of Cornwall (Judi Meredith), from the clutches of a giant, plays in similar fashion to the aforementioned adventurer. After being knighted for his courageous actions, Jack is sent on a voyage to hide the princess, but is thwarted by the evil magician, Pendragon (Torin Thatcher), who takes her as a prisoner in his castle hideaway.Whilst the film looks very similar to the majority of fantasy adventure films of the time, with its beautiful use of vibrant colour, the histrionic acting (there are no complaints about this from me, as this over-exuberance is fitting to the genre), and the fantasy monsters, it is in its presentation of these that brings the bare bones of the narrative to life. In a scene early on, the films horrific intentions are displayed, as a gaggle of witches fly down upon Jack's ship, with some very dated, but incredibly effective special effects. The witches are illuminated, giving them a haunting and quite scary appearance (they reminded me of the Ring Wraiths as presented in Ralph Bakshi's animated version of The Lord of the Rings (1978)).However, the stop-motion animation of the various monsters, is completely let down by the absence of the master, Ray Harryhausen. It's when you see the results in this film that we realise just how skilled he was. In Jack... the models are shoddy, and do not engender the soul and character of a Harryhausen creation. Aside from this technical shortcoming, the film is like an afternoon treat. And beyond this, I look forward to Bryan Singer's remake, which is due for release in 2013.www.the-wrath-of-blog.blogspot.com

I work for Panavision in Hollywood & we recently got an e-mail from our London Office asking for gear for..."Jack the Giant Killer" & I was like...REALLY?!! They're re-making this? cuz A) I usually do not like re-makes cuz they never compare (I have never seen & may never see the re-make of "Sabrina" even though I love Harrison Ford...but the original was...PERFECT...so why? & same for the re-make of "Journey to the Centre of the Earth". As much as I love Brendon Frazier I could see this film had NOthing to do with the James Mason / Pat Boone film, which was also...PERFECT...so why?) & B) I remember this film as being one The BEST films of this 60s stop action Fantasy genre & I am interested in seeing how, with the modern tools, handle it. As long as they do not get carried away with CG & stuff or ruin the Story. BUT after reading these reviews I am A) Even MORE excited at re-WATCHING this great Classic Fantasy Film (going to try to find it on Netflix. *fingers crossed*) B) Glad to hear I do remember it correctly as such a FAV & remembering the Witches & The Evil Princess...so cool...& scary...& sexy! & C) actually kind of excited at a possible re-making of this one! I will keep my eyes on it's release! Thanks ALL for confirming my Love of this Classic!