The 7th Voyage of Sinbad

The Odyssey and The Return might have been lacking when it came to mythological sorcery but the same could not be said for the classic The 7th Voyage of Sinbad from 1958. Best known for Ray Harryhausen's stop motion animation, this is a peak old fashioned Hollywood adventure which we don't see today and is something I had not seen until just recently.

The story is adapted from part of a Middle Eastern folktale, One Thousand and One Nights, and follows a prince's journey with a treacherous wizard to save his lover but must undertake a treacherous journey in order to restore peace. It's a simple story and directed very well by Nathan Juran with an entertaining cast but the real star here is Harryhausen's work behind the scenes.

It took the artist 11 months to complete the stop motion animation sequences and this was the first time such a technique would be seen in colour. While it is easy to take this for granted today when AI is making anything possible, there is a real charm to this film in thanks to its talented crew who bring the story to life through their hard work. And it's just a real blast to watch, being perfectly accessible for children and adults alike.

The 7th Voyage of Sinbad is perfect Sunday afternoon entertainment and remains highly enjoyable. Sure, the effects show their age but that all goes in hand with the charming design, and will please any looking for a fun sword and sandals adventure. This is an easy one to recommend if it sounds like your cup of tea and its 4K transfer only serves to keep this available for newcomers to enjoy.