Farewell to the King of Stop-Motion Monsters
May 8, 2013 by dracs
Special effects legend Ray Harryhausen sadly passed away yesterday at the age of 92.
Ray Harryhausen was one of the foremost proponents of stop-motion effects, used in conjunction with live action actors, and is responsible for some of the most well known fantasy monsters of the fantasy films from the 50's through to the 80's.
His films include many classics, such as the original Clash of Titans and my own personal favourite, Jason and the Argonauts.
Harryhausen was reportedly inspired to pursue stop-motion animation after seeing the film King Kong when he was 13 years old. He has in turn influenced and inspired many other film makers, including Steven Spielburg, as well as inspiring a love of fantasy in audiences everywhere.
For many of us, even those of us who were not around when his films were first released, Harryhausen's films were some of our first experiences of epic fantasy. One of my own most vivid memories is of hiding behind the sofa when the skeletons sprung out of the ground in Jason and the Argonauts.
His influence does not end at films and even extends to the hobby of tabletop gaming. Many monster designs can be seen as inspired by Ray's own menagerie of stop-motion creatures, while gaming company Crooked Dice have even made a set of rules for their game 7TV which allows players to recreate the kind of epic fantasy and Harryhausen's effects were known for.
All in all it is clear that Ray Harryhausen was a legend, not just in the field of special effects, but in cinema in general who will hopefully continue to inspire new fans of myths and monsters long after his death.
🙁
Rest well, Ray, and thank you for the years of wonder.
Ray Harryhausen and his amazing work is a major influence on my love of all things fantasy and Sci-fI. From ‘Earth V’s The Flying Saucers’ to ‘One Million years BC’ to ‘Clash of the Titans’ to ‘The Beast from 20,000 fathoms’ and many more, my earliest and fondest childhood memories where being introduced to these amazing films by my dad and falling in love with the notion of hero’s battling giant monsters, Leviathans terrorizing cities, Aliens invading and so much more. His passing fills me with great saddness but also overwhelming joy at the passion he inspired in me and… Read more »
We were lucky enough to have a teacher in what I think is now called Year 3 in Junior School who read us stories about King Arthur, Robin Hood and the Greek Myths. It was my first memories of being captivated by myth and legend. After reading to us about the adventures of Jason and The Argonauts, Mrs Walker said as we were about to go home, that there was to be a film on over the weekend.and we might like to watch it. You bet!! What a treat it was. Didn’t know that the guy that brought the legends… Read more »
RIP Mr. Harryhausen.
:(((((
I have such fond memories of all his work. I must admit that when I saw the thumb nail that mentioned a farewell to the King of stop-motion my heart sank and a tear came to my eyes. He will be dearly missed.
Such a loss to the world of animation and film
This is loss for art of stop-motion animation.