1981’s Conflict of the Titans acquired reward from an skilled on Greek mythology, regardless of the film having some notable inaccuracies. Dr. Daisy Dunn, a classicist who’s written a number of books on Historic Greece.
Conflict of the Titans stars Harry Hamlin because the hero Perseus as he battles Medusa and the Kraken to save lots of the Princess Andromeda (Judi Bowker). Laurence Olivier as Zeus, Maggie Smith as Thetis, and Ursula Andress as Aphrodite additionally star. Maybe the film’s most memorable element is Ray Harryhausen’s particular results work.
Some inaccuracies Dunn particulars in her Historical past Hit video on YouTube embrace Medusa having the physique of a snake; that the character Calibos (Neil McCarthy) is an invention, “based on nothing ancient that I can identify;” and questioning why the Kraken will not be referred to by its title in Greek fantasy, the Cetus. Mechanical owl Bubo is usually omitted.
But she says that none of that hindered her total enjoyment of the film, which she mentioned she would watch once more. In the end, she wasn’t uncomfortable with the film’s numerous tweaks to Greek mythology, saying:
“This is a film that’s been informed by myths, and myths were forever changing, they were forever being retold by different poets and different writers. So I think they’ve really taken the ideas and they’ve run with them.”
Amongst her favourite components of the film had been the performances by the actors enjoying the Greek gods and goddesses, in addition to Harryhausen’s pre-CGI particular results, which “make this film.”
What This Means For Conflict Of The Titans Legacy
The Kraken rising from the water.
Dunn is not alone in having fun with 1981’s Conflict of the Titans. The film has a 63% rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes and 71% constructive rating from audiences. That far outpaces the 2010 remake starring Sam Worthington, with its 27% critics’ rating and 40% viewers rating (and a memorable Pitch Assembly video). ScreenRant additionally really helpful it as an incredible fantasy film.
As Dunn factors out, since it is a film primarily based on myths, quite than a film primarily based on historic sources, these inaccuracies are completely acceptable artistic licenses. Her greatest critiques on the invention of Calibos and altering the Cetus title to Kraken are extra about not understanding what they delivered to the film.
Our Take On Conflict of The Titans Inaccuracies
Perseus holding up Medusa’s head.
It’s positively attention-grabbing to listen to from an skilled on historical Greek mythology about what’s correct and what are Hollywood creations in Conflict of the Titans, and I agree together with her wholeheartedly that none of those inaccuracies must be the deciding think about whether or not you benefit from the film or not.
One level I’ve to disagree with Dunn, nevertheless, is whereas I can perceive her questioning why the filmmakers modified Cetus to Kraken, “release the Kraken” simply sounds higher.
Dunn’s mentality over inaccuracies in Greek mythology also needs to be one thing we think about with Christopher Nolan’s Odyssey popping out in 2026. In all probability greatest to let the Oscar-winning director resolve how he needs to interpret Homer’s epic story.
Launch Date
June 12, 1981
Runtime
118 Minutes
Director
Desmond Davis
