The Harryhausen Chronicles (1998)

This engaging 1997 documentary stands alone as the definitive tribute to stop-motion animator and special effects legend Ray Harryhausen, which is why it's been included as a DVD bonus feature on a number of Harryhausen films. Written and directed by Time magazine film critic and historian Richard Schickel (a guarantee of quality and authority), the film is blessed with the participation of Harryhausen himself, comfortable in his role as FX guru and living legend, humorously reflecting on his momentous career while offering a wondrous inspection of the stop-motion models that made him famous. From before his apprenticeship on 1949's Mighty Joe Young to his final masterwork in Clash of the Titans, Harryhausen is honored as an old-school artisan, toiling in solitude to create some of the cinema's most indelible fantasies, one meticulous frame at a time. A compilation of rare film tests and previously unseen footage among the DVD bonus features makes this must-see viewing for Harryhausen devotees of any age. --Jeff Shannon Amazon.com

Comment on Aspect Ratio

The correct aspect ratio (screen size) for this film, as it was filmed in widescreen, is 1.66:1, and is the format by which Columbia or Sony should have released this film on DVD. October 2, 2007

No Monsters But Still Watchable

3 Worlds of Gulliver has some pretty high expectations to meet being that special effects master Ray Harryhausen was involved. The master of stop motion model effects, Harryhausen was responsible for creating giant Cyclops, Medusas and battling skeletons in other films like "Jason and the Argonauts" and "7th Voyage of Sinbad". Unfortunately, "Gulliver" did not call for such a roster of memorable creatures.

Most of the effects have to deal with size, true to the novel by Jonathan Swift. Gulliver either occupies a world of giants, or a world where he is the giant. Harryhausen pulls off these sequences quite convincingly using minatures, over-sized props, or perspective shots with the "giants" closer to the camera than the "little people.". Nevertheless, there are a few stop motion monsters that are in line with Harryhausen's other works- a giant alligator for Gulliver to fight in the land of the giants, and a giant chipmunk sequence that makes for one of the films best scenes. Still and all, despite the shortage of stop motion monsters, Gulliver is harmless entertaining family fun. It is a well mounted production that still holds up today, and completes the collection for any Harryhausen fan. March 21, 2007

Wonderful and witty film. . .

Ray Harryhausen, Kerwin Matthews and company do a fine job with Jonathan Swift's outrageous and scathing satire, and it's a film the whole family can enjoy (although wee ones may be a bit scared of the alligator and laugh at the squirrel). I have no problem with the fullframe presentation, although it would have been nice to see it in its original ratio, letterboxed. The transfer is fine and crisp, and Bernard Herrmann's delightful score is clear and full. As for the aspect ratio, originally it was in 1:85, which is pretty darn close to TV framing, so fullframe doesn't really hurt THE THREE WORLDS OF GULLIVER. The only Harryhausen film this would have been a problem with is FIRST MEN IN THE MOON, as that is his only film in 2:35 widescreen. Columbia does have their DVD edition of this film in its proper ratio. GULLIVER is just fine. Enjoy! January 29, 2007

the 3 Worlds of Gulliver

Its a great movie, good graphics non violent makes one use their imagination. November 3, 2006

quirky and wonderful version

This was one of the first films I ever saw and parts of it stuck in my imagination for 43 years. So, sitting down with my kids, I was very curious as to how I wd find it. In a nutshell, it is great.

But the most rewarding thing was how much my kids loved it, in particular my son. At 6, the whole story to him was fascinating and got him to ask me all sorts of questions, like, why are the Lilliputians arguning about such silly things and why are the giants so dumb? That is exactly what Swift was hoping to do with this tale, which espouses many of the theories (rationality, the uses of science in human society, etc.) that were becoming popular with the enlightenment. What a delight to discuss these issues with my kids!! THen there are the characters, such as Gulliver's naivte, which leads to some life-threatening situations. Finally, there are the wonderful special effects - Harryhausen had a certain genius for his time - which are crude by today's standards by still enthralling.

Warmly recommended for the entire family. (Note: I got this as part of the 5-film package deal of Harryhausen films, which cost just 1/3 more than this stand-alone version and lacks the documentaries, which I don't think are worth the difference in price.) January 12, 2006

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