Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		3.0
Overall		4.0

Jack the Giant Killer Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf June 10, 2018

1962’s “Jack the Giant Killer” was apparently created to cash-in on a monster movie trend, utilizing the rise of stop-motion animation to help create a storybook vision of a princess in peril, a young man becoming a hero, and the monsters conjured to stop him. Directed by Nathan Juran, “Jack the Giant Killer” doesn’t pretend to be anything besides spirited matinee entertainment, offering family audiences a series of exciting beastly encounters, pronounced performances, and bold acts of courage, summoning the fantasy film vibe with relative ease.

“Jack the Giant Killer” is reimagining of the English fairy tale, broadening the particulars by focusing on the wrath of wicked sorcerer Pendragon (Torin Thatcher), who’s determined to capture Princess Elaine (Judi Meredith), using his magical evil to defend his interests from a challenger, farm boy Jack (Kerwin Mathews), who sets out to protect Elaine from the various monsters Pendragon summons to disrupt the order of the kingdom.

There are fine performances for this type of entertainment, with the cast contributing heightened work to compete with the special effects. The group is fun to watch, dressed up and ready to engage with whatever the production puts into the frame at a later date. These interactions are key to the “Jack the Giant Killer” viewing experience, which noticeably perks up when monsters or oddities (including a dancing music box jester) are around, delivering stop-motion animated goodness that’s roughly executed at times (Ray Harryhausen’s attention to detail is missing), but the spirit of the moment remains in clear view.

Also included on this disc is the “Musical Version” of “Jack the Giant Killer” (90:47), which was prepared as a way to resell an old movie to a new audience. Of course, nobody actually sings in the film, but that doesn’t stop producer Edward Small, who works carefully to insert musical numbers, manipulating the footage to create the idea of dancing and joyful movement, while lyrics have been specifically created to incorporate dialogue, helping with lip sync. It’s wholly ridiculous (complete with kid-friendly opening titles), but it’s fascinating to watch.

Jack the Giant Killer Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Billed as "Newly mastered in HD," "Jack the Giant Slayer" offers an AVC encoded image (1.67:1 aspect ratio) presentation. The viewing experience tends to respect the original cinematography, bringing out the vibrancy of its Technicolor origins. Hues are bright and deep, with strong blues and reds, which are nicely emphasized during royal engagements. Costumes are especially lively, as are location visits, which deliver appealing greenery. Detail reaches about as far as possible, with inherent softness pushing back some on textures, but facial particulars are enjoyable, identifying the limits of makeup, and outfits retain their fibrous appeal. Monster matters (filmed in "FantaScope") are most memorable, with creature surfaces preserved, securing technical achievements. Delineation is satisfactory, never solidifying. Grain is a tad chunkier but still filmic. Source is good condition, with slight wobble issues during the main titles, while debris and mild scratches are periodically detected.

Jack the Giant Killer Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix delivers a clear, inviting listening experience, doing a fine job emphasizing dialogue exchanges, keeping exaggerated performances defined. Scoring achievements are also appealing, emerging with adequate instrumentation and volume, supporting fantasy events and monster encounters. Sound effects are expectedly aggressive, with dulled roars and clanging weapons to support violent interactions.

Jack the Giant Killer Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features film historian Tim Lucas.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (3:19, SD) is included.

Jack the Giant Killer Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Jack the Giant Killer" knows exactly what type of movie it wants to be, working to generate a comfortable commotion between humans and special effects, while the fantasy quest aspects of the tale bring the titular character to strange places, frequently introduced to impending doom. It's made for children, but that doesn't limit the picture's appeal. For stop-motion animation admirers, it's an interesting chapter in the development of the technique during the 1960s, with numerous examples to study. For everyone else, there's plenty of action, villainy, and old-fashioned derring-do to enjoy, as "Jack the Giant Killer" doesn't go very long without some type of clash or mystical threat, with audience satisfaction driving its creative decisions. Perhaps Harryhausen-style finesse is missing, but the feature starts off big and rarely stops to break the illusion.