Movie spotlight
The terrible and trecherous Pendragon plans to gain the throne of Cornwall by getting the king to abdicate and to marry his lovely daughter. To help him he has his dreadful witches in his castle and his almost unstoppable sorcery. A giant under his control abducts the princess, but on the way home with her the giant meets farming lad Jack who slays him. This is only the beginning.
In the medieval kingdom of El Dorado, a young peasant boy named Jack falls in love with Princess Elena. Their romance is shattered when an evil sorcerer, Count Von Roza, uses a magical spell to curse the kingdom, trapping Elena in a magical sleep and raising an army of giants. Jack, armed with a magic sword and a cloak of invisibility, must embark on a perilous quest to defeat Von Roza and his monstrous allies to save Elena and his kingdom.
Jack the Giant Killer was met with mixed to positive reviews, primarily praised for its imaginative special effects and fantasy elements, which were groundbreaking for its time. However, some critics found the plot to be somewhat simplistic and the acting to be less than stellar. It has since gained a cult following for its campy charm and enduring appeal as a classic fantasy adventure.
Praised for its innovative stop-motion animation and fantastical creatures.
Appreciated for its classic fairy tale narrative and adventurous spirit.
Criticized by some for its straightforward plot and uneven performances.
Google audience: Audience reviews highlight the film's nostalgic appeal and its groundbreaking special effects for the era. Many enjoyed the classic fairy tale structure and the heroic journey of Jack. Some viewers noted the film's dated elements but found it entertaining as a retro fantasy adventure.
The film's iconic giant sequences were created using stop-motion animation, a technique that was particularly labor-intensive and innovative for its time, contributing significantly to the film's visual appeal and cult status.
AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources
Very much in the vein of "the 7th Voyage of Sinbad"; this is a cracking magical adventure with Torin Thatcher stealing the show as the seriously hammy "Pendragon" - the evil wizard determined to have his wicked way with the Princess Elaine ...
It was nothing. I kill a giant every morning before breakfast. Starts my day right. It's the fairy tale land of Cornwall, England, and the Black Prince Pendragon (Torin Thatcher) plans to abduct Princess Elaine (Judith Meredith) so as to...
***Medieval fairy tale with a noble hero, a beautiful princess, an evil wizard & spooky cronies*** A wholesome farm-youth-turned-knight in medieval England (Kerwin Mathews) is enlisted to guard a princess (Judi Meredith) from the schemes...