Golden Voyage Of Sinbad, The (1973)

Famed sea captain and adventurer Sinbad (John Phillip Law) journeys to the lost continent of Lemuria – accompanied by the deposed Grand Vizier of Marabia (Douglas Wilmer) who hides his scarred features behind a mask, shopkeeper’s son Haroun (Kurt Christian) and pneumatic slave girl, Margiana (Caroline Munro) – to find the fabled Fountain of Destiny.

He is pursued by the dark magician Koura (a very charismatic and sinister Tom Baker, trading his TARDIS and scarf for a turban and a cape) who is determined to restore his failing powers at the fountain.

Koura conjures a number of monsters to block Sinbad’s path, including a tiny, flying homunculus, a one-eyed centaur, a ship’s figurehead brought to life and a six-armed statue of the goddess Kali.

The screenplay is by Brian Clemens based on ideas developed by special effects titan Ray Harryhausen and the film is essentially a showcase for the model animation and special effects scenes.

The lengthy, incredibly rendered sword-fight with Kali is, without a doubt, the highlight of the film – it’s the most kinetic creation of Harryhausen, imbued with far more locomotion and personality than its hammy human co-stars.

After a desperate struggle, Sinbad succeeds in appointing the right ruler.

Sinbad
John Phillip Law
Margiana
Caroline Munro
Koura
Tom Baker
The Vizier
Douglas Wilmer
Rachid
Martin Shaw
Hakim
Grégoire Aslan
Haroun
Kurt Christian
Achmed
Takis Emmanuel
Abdul
John David Garfield
Omar
Aldo Sambrell
Oracle
Robert Shaw (voice)

Director
Gordon Hessler

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