I Watch Films: The Golden Voyage Of Sinbad

 

The Golden Voyage Of Sinbad

Legendary ship’s captain Sinbad The Sailor (John Phillip Law) is sailing on his ship when one of his crew shoots an arrow at something flying past. It drops a gold amulet that Sinbad takes, having a vision of a woman (Caroline Munro) with an eye painted on her hand. That night he has dreams, again of the woman, and also of a man in black (Tom Baker) calling his name.

A storm pushes the ship off course, ending in Marabia. Going ashore Sinbad encounters the man in black, an evil magician called Koura who demands the amulet. Sinbad escapes into the city where he is greeted by the Grand Vizier, a masked, disfigured man, who is ruling the country since the Sultan’s death. He has another gold amulet that fits together with the first; there is a third one. The legend says it is the key to finding the lost continent of Lemuria, the fountain of destiny and youth, a shield of darkness, and a crown of untold riches. Sinbad realises the two amulets together make up part of a chart.

Sinbad and the Vizier decide to seek out the fountain; they are being spied on by Koura’s homunculus. When they discover it Koura destroys it. In the city, preparing for the voyage, Sinbad encounters the woman from his visions. She’s a slave girl called Margiana. Her owner strikes a deal with Sinbad; if he takes his son Haroun on the voyage so he learns to be a sailor and stop lounging about, Sinbad can have Margiana and 400 coins, a bargain Sinbad takes.

Crew and expedition assembled they sail off for various adventures. Stop motion creature effects by the legendary Ray Harryhausen provide monsters; one of Koura’s signature spells is making statues come to life, including the ship’s figurehead. Sinbad is fine, Margiana isn’t given a lot to do but is good when she is called upon. Meanwhile Tom Baker’s Koura is excellent, some real menace, both magical and physical.

Watch This: Fun swashbuckler that pushes stop motion effects to unexpected limits
Don’t Watch This: Silly, pantomime like film with dubious monsters