The 7th Voyage of Sinbad (1958)

The 7th Voyage of Sinbad
Directed by Nathan Juran
Written by Ken Kolb
1958/USA
Morningside Productions
First viewing/Netflix rental

[box] Sinbad: Allah has many ways of dealing with hungry men.[/box]

This fun fantasy features some of Ray Harryhausen’s best work and a stirring score from Bernard Herman.

Captain Sinbad’s entire crew has been starving and stranded at sea for several days. Finally they spy land – the island of Colossa.  While there is plenty of food, it is protected by a Cyclops.  The Cyclops has been unusually cranky lately and has begun to interfere with the resident evil magician as well.  The magician helps Sinbad and crew to escape to the ship but must leave his magic lamp behind.  Despite the magician’s continuous pleas, the ship continues on to Baghdad for Sinbad’s marriage to his beloved princess.

The magician is unable to intimidate Sinbad into returning to the island to pick up the lamp until he manages to shrink the princess.  The only way to return her to normal size is with a potion.  The key ingredient, shell from a Roc’s egg, is only available on the island.  So Sinbad sails back with a crew made up mostly of convicts.  Many fantastic adventures ensue.

Harryhausen creates the cyclops, a dragon, baby and adult rocs, and a sword-fighting skeleton.  These are still awe-inspiring and must have been doubly so to children in the 50’s.  The splendid Bernard Hermann score is another highlight.  The Blu-Ray 50th anniversary DVD contains both a beautiful print and a commentary by Harryhausen, a couple of visual effects artists, and a Bernard Hermann scholar.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SdwOoTXegQ0

Trailer