Jack the Giant Killer 1962 review
Lords and ladies lend me your ears, or in this case eyes. Gaze upon this movie review of the magnificent fantasy Jack the Giant Killer. This is a movie that truth told I’ve been eager to review for some time. I’ve watched this movie several times over the years. So, I am quite excited about putting my thoughts to print on this movie.
The movie was based on the fable of the same name. This heroic fantasy fable was released in 1962 by producer Edward Small. The movie was directed by one Nathan H. Juran. Fun fact, Juran would later go on to help with the reediting and re-release of the 7th Voyage of Sinbad. Now with those facts out of the way, on with the review.
The time is the medieval days of yore in Cornwall England. Once many years ago an evil sorcerer named Pendragon terrorized the populace. Giants, hobgoblins, witches, and various creatures aided the wicked sorcerer's cause. Then a brave and powerful wizard named Harla stepped forth to challenge the sorcerer. The heroic wizard banished Pendragon to an uncharted island for what he thought was all time.
But time as always, caught up with Harla and he later died. Thus, leaving Cornwall defenseless. Pendragon unrepentant for his evil deeds vowed revenge. Ah the unrepentant bad guy, always the sort of character one loves to hate.
Years later a joyous time is occurring in Cornwall. Princess Elaine, played by Judi Meredith, has come of age. She's crowned princess heiress to the throne. She is the daughter of King Mark of Cornwall the rightful ruler. The part of King Mark of Cornwall was played by Dayton Lummis.
So, festivities are underway.
No surprise, Pendragon decides now is the perfect time to carry out his plan for revenge. But the devilish sorcerer is no fool. Rather than appear in a bluster of fire and brimstone he chooses a more tactful approach. Devious yes, but also clever. While the festivities are going on Pendragon rides in on his horse-drawn carriage.
Torin Thatcher took on the role of Pendragon. Driving the cart is Pendragon’s bumbling servant Gerna. The part of Gerna got played by Walter Burke.
He comes to the castle under the alias of a foreign Lord Elidoras. So, a foreign lord comes out of nowhere for the celebration. Gee one would think the people of Cornwall would be more wary of the sudden appearance of foreign nobles. Considering the years of trouble they had in the past one would think they’d remember that! This is why it’s important to remember one’s history everyone.
The Lord presents Elaine with a strange music box containing an anthropomorphic jester. And the way the figure danced around gee that’s not creepy at all! Nonetheless Elaine delighted by the music box thanks the Lord for it.
Then comes nightfall when things get interesting. Pendragon and his servant peer into the bedchamber of the princess. Peeping into a lady’s bedchamber? Pendragon you filthy pervert! First, he orders Gerna to go to his ship and await his minion.
Next, he uses his magic to open the enchanted music box. The box opens and the tiny jester comes out. He immediately takes off his jester attire and grows into a hideous giant named Cormoran. Yup, called it, there was something that wasn’t right about that music box! And now the truth comes out in all its evil glory.
The giant grows to a monstrous size and grabs the princess. This is where the stop motion work begins. Cheesy by today’s standards but still loads of fun. After a battle with the King’s guards Cormoran breaks out of the castle. The evil giant runs off into the Cornwall countryside.
A short time later a brave young farmer named Jack is rigging up his horses to deliver some crops. Sorry farm boy but your day is about to have an unexpected and adventurous detour. The part of Jack got played by Kerwin Matthews. The horses go into a panic as Comoran comes by, and who wouldn’t be. Seeing that there’s a woman in the monster’s clutches Jack goes to work.
First, he fights past Gerna and then has to deal with the monstrous giant. Jack through his wits and improvisation manages to kill the giant. And he rescues Elaine while at it, way to go hero!
The king then arrives to find his daughter safe. And Jack’s mother finds him and is quite relieved that he’s safe. Understandable as mothers only want their kids to be safe. Fun fact here the part of Jack's mother got played by actress Helen Wallace. But she never got credit for her brief appearance.
As it turns up Jack’s father served in the royal archers of Cornwall. And King Mark is not one to let his noble deed go unrewarded. He knights Jack and charges him with protecting his daughter. A big job for a humble farmer. Meanwhile things on a romantic level begin to warm up between Jack and Princess Elaine.
Well Jack’s come quite the way in such a short time.
King Mark’s chancellor, played by Tudor Owens, has been busy. He’s been digging into the royal historical archives. That’s where he digs up the story of Pendragon, who got banished during the time of King Mark’s father. See folks this is why one should never forget the past. One never knows when something might come up of importance.
So, an old enemy of Cornwall has come back with his monstrous minions seeking vengeance. Well then it looks like it’s going to be fun times and laughs for everyone! Realizing the danger Cornwall is in King Mark comes up with a desperate plan. He orders Jack to guard Elaine while she gets transported overseas to a convent where she will be safe. This idea is not going to end well!
This holds true as Elaine’s lady in waiting Lady Constance informs Pendragon of the plan. The part of Lady Constance got played by Anna Lee. But the question is why would she work for Pendragon as she’s Elaine’s lady in waiting? The reasoning will become clear very soon and it won't be pretty.
On the seaward journey is when mayhem breaks loose. First the ship gets attacked by a coven of very demonic looking witches. Yeah, these witches are the sort of thing that can only get described in two words, nightmare fuel. In the course of the attack Jack and the crew get overwhelmed. The ship’s captain ends up murdered by the witches and they take Elaine.
The crew throws Jack and the Captain’s son overboard when they demand the ship go after the Princess. Mutinous drunken so and so’s!
At the castle Pendragon awakens the captured Elaine then uses his dark power on her. He bewitches her into an evil witch under his control. Well, isn’t that a fascinating discovery! Now what could the ramifications of this be?
Pendragon then goes to confront King Mark and his court. He demands the King abdicate the throne. But rather than rule himself he demands Elaine take over rule of Cornwall. Okay now it’s clear what’s going on here! Make Eliane, in her witch state the queen.
Meanwhile Pendragon rules from behind the scenes, very sneaky!
He gives the king an ultimatum of one week to decide. The king tries to capture the evil sorcerer but Pendragon vanishes while mocking him. This calls for paraphrasing Minsc from the games Baldur’s Gate 1 and 2. Pendragon needs to be “rained down on with righteous beatings!”
The King and his Chancellor seize Lady Constance realizing she's betrayed them. Standing her in front of a mirror they see the lady in waiting in her witch form. A mirror always reveals witches for what they are as the legends state. King Mark smashes the mirror undoing the sorcerer’s evil spell. This movie while cheesy gets crazier and crazier and its great fun!
Also, I hope freeing Lady Constance is worth seven years bad luck your majesty.
Meanwhile out at sea Jack and Peter, the captain’s son, get some help. The part of Peter got played by Roger Mobley. The one who rescued them is a friendly Viking name of Sigurd. The role of the Viking got taken on by actor Barry Kelley.
They talk about trying to find Elaine when a new voice draws the attention of Jack and Peter. It turns up it’s a leprechaun trapped in a bottle. The part of the mischievous imp got played by character actor Don Beddoe. The Leprechaun got put in that bottle as punishment by the king of the elves. The leprechaun used his own magic to turn some of his gold into magical seven-league boots.
The little imp still has three gold coins left which he can use as wishes. But Sigurd hasn’t been able to use the Imp’s power. The reason being there’s a spell on the Imp’s magical bottle. Anyone who is dishonest that touches it gets their hand and/or fingers burnt. A very sneaky and well-thought-out fail-safe mechanism.
Jack to no one’s surprise touches the bottle and isn’t burnt. Thus, indicating he’s an honest man. The leprechaun agrees to help him provided he free the creature from his bottle. A deal's made and sealed.
After that it’s off to Pendragon’s island fortress to deal with the evil sorcerer and his minions. Can Jack save the princess and stop the evil spell caster? What will he do when he discovers what has happened to Elaine? Will Jack keep his word to the imp? And what will come of Jack’s companions?
Now what is it about this movie that makes it so great? Well, it would have to be this movie while cheesy is very much good fun. This is a quintessential popcorn movie with a great story. This is an example of the kind of inspiring high-fantasy movie so many of today’s movie makers have forgotten to do. Debuting in 1962 this was long before CGI, modern politics, or any of today's issues.
This movie is pure escapism at its most fun.
Kerwin Matthews as Jack is the quintessential heroic character. He starts from humble beginnings but learns to adjust as the circumstances change. Torin Thatcher as Pendragon is evil in the most delicious sense. The classic scheming villain who manipulates things from behind the scenes. Judi Meredith is great as Princess Elaine.
And of note Don Beddoe shines as the mischievous Leprechaun with a good heart.
So on the whole Jack the Giant Killer is classic High-Fantasy adventure that's pure fun. This is a great movie for adults and older kids. There was one minor complaint about the movie though. When Jack and his friends get captured by Pendragon it’s never explained how it happened. Yeah, a slight plot hole there but not too serious.
Still Jack the Giant Killer is a good time. I give this movie a solid 8 out of 10 thus giving it a B grade. Get Jack the Giant Killer on DVD, Blu-Ray, 4K, or on any streaming service that has it.
Thanks for reading this movie review. I hope you’ve enjoyed Love and Giants February. I’ll be back as soon as I can with some more content. I hope this was to your satisfaction good readers. Let me know your thoughts in the comments section below.
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