This is the original, not that shitty 2010 remake. Perseus (Harry Hamlin) grows up completely unaware of his parentage, after he and his mother were cast into the sea by his grandfather. Zeus (Lawrence Olivier) subsequently destroyed his grandfather's city over the insult because, surprise, he's Perseus' father. He decides to take an active interest in the boy's life and, when he reaches manhood, magically moves him to the city of Joppa so he can get some adventuring done. Perseus makes friends with an old actor named Ammon (Burgess Meredith, who has never been young) and decides to explore the city. Joppa is having some hard times, however, as their princess, Andromeda (Judi Bowker), has been cursed by their patron goddess Thetis (Maggie Smith) for not marrying Thetis' son Calibos (Neil McCarthy), even though he's hideously deformed. Perseus decides to jump in there and see what he can do to win the hand of the princess, setting off a huge chain of events culminating in a battle with the Kraken.
Say what you will about modern special effects but Ray Harryhausen was a man far beyond his time. His claymation skills, plus some clever editing, bring this story to full glorious Technicolor life. I love this movie; it never gets old for me no matter how many times I see it. You can't ask for more than that.
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