Brandon's Top 10 Ray Harryhausen Films

Back in May of 2013, stop motion animator, fantasy filmmaker, and master of monsters Ray Harryhausen passed away at the long lived age of 92.

In addition to his own amazing films and creature creations, Ray Harryhausen's influence was widespread, and is still being felt and seen in modern fiction and culture to this very day. Ranging from major movie directors and fantasy authors, to equally talented yet lesser known artists and commentators.

Including yours truly, and internet reviewer Brandon Tenold!

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This is the title illustration for Brandon's own salute to Mister Harryhausen - a ten movie retrospective of the animator's superior efforts, and my friend's own personal favorites. And of course, a lot of Brandon's choices and opinions for this episode, heavily mirrors my own. Especially the number one pick.

Enjoy Brandon's "The Top Ten Ray Harryhausen Films" in the following links!

BlipTV Version: [link]

YouTube Version: [link]

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ABOUT THIS IMAGE:

Brandon wanted a collection of Ray's monsters surrounding him, but in a pleasant, friendly manner, as opposed to him reeling in terror of them. Enthusiastically agreeing with his idea, I went about the concept like Brandon and the various Harryhausen monsters coming together to celebrate the man's life and accomplishments, in a group photo.

Minus a grumpy looking Rhedosaurus, and the almost always stoic-looking Talos, I believe I was largely successful in this regard. And although this piece is mainly played with a straight face, I was still able to throw in some minor gags, like Brandon holding up Medusa's severed, yet still living noggin.

On a surprise note; despite my love for Ray Harryhausen's movies, and giant monsters in general, I've never drawn any of these featured characters before!

And I couldn't fit ALL of the Harryhausen monsters into such a small box (including the lesser loved NON-stop motion made ones), so we ended up with a varied mix of popular favorites. Further twiddled down by Brandon and myself's own personal favorites, like Kali from "The Golden Voyage of Sinbad" (1974). Or the oddly adorable Giant Archelon, from "One Million Years B.C." (1966).

I also didn't want to repeat monster design motifs either - hence why The Ymir from "20 Million Miles To Earth" (1957) is here, and not The Kraken, from "Clash of the Titans" (1981), as both look too similar to one another. And thus I opted for the contrasting white Pegasus instead, from the former fantasy epic.

Despite my earnest attempts, I still ended up shooting myself in the proverbial foot, by accidentally placing three green-colored reptilians in a horizontal row!

It also amuses me some of the unintentional pairings that occurred in the finished illustration. Like "Mighty Joe Young" (1949) sharing the 'kiddie table' with Ymir. Or Kali standing alongside with fellow metallic statue Talos...Go ahead an 'fan ship' that last one, if you'd like.

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Thank you so very, VERY much, for all the fine memories, our dear Mister Harryhausen!





Gwangi, by = [link]

Clash of the Titans, by = [link]

Perseus vs The Kraken, by = [link]

Rhedosaurus For KMAC, by = [link]

Talos, by = [link]

Thanatorg (a Harryhausen Homage Beast), by = [link]