Jason & the Argonauts
D: Don Chaffey (1963) 104m

Ray Harryhausen put his 'Dynarama' stop-motion animation process to good use in this stirring tale based on the ancient Greek myth. Jason returns to Thessaly to lay rightful claim to the throne, but the gods decree he must first find the magical Golden Fleece. He and his crew battle monsters and mythical beasts along the way. Remake from 2000 is a pretty average film.

The Golden Voyage Of Sinbad
D: Gordon Hessler (1973) 105m

Although not in the same league as the first Sinbad movie, Golden Voyage is still an enjoyable family fantasy that has its moments. Ray Harryhausen is again on board handling the special effects and the sets are wonderful. Sinbad & crew tangle with an evil magician and must undertake a quest accompanied by a beautiful slave girl.

Clash Of the Titans
D: Desmond Davis (1981) 108m

Another Ray Harryhausen showpiece, this time with lots of stop-action creatures from the ancient Greek myth of Perseus and Andromeda. The hero completes all sorts of dangerous and challenging tasks in order to win the right to marry the love of his life. The comical mechanical owl is a puzzling inclusion though.

Raiders of the Lost Ark
D: Steven Spielberg (1981) 115m

Harrison Ford's now-famous Indiana Jones character got its start in this rip-roaring adventure about the search for the mystical Ark of the Covenant - a religious relic thought to contain the Ten Commandments. Archaeologist and occult expert Jones is recruited by the US government and must battle evil Nazis in his quest. Only mild fantasy elements, mainly at the end.

Conan the Barbarian
D: John Milius (1981) 129m

Arnold Schwarzenegger first came to fame as Robert E Howard's Conan character - a barbarian out to avenge the massacre of his parents by an evil warlord. Written and directed by macho-moviemaker John Milius and, with the luscious Sandahl Bergman in the mix, close to the perfect male adolescent fantasy. Classic Schwarzenegger.

The Beastmaster
D: Don Coscarelli (1982) 118m

Director Don Coscarelli's first big-budget movie was a box-office flop, cursing him to B-grade oblivion for time eternal. Despite the budget, he didn't seem to be able to afford clothes for the lead actors in this sword & sorcery revenge quest about a suppressed prince who as a psychic link with animals. Harmless fun and spawned a fine TV series.

Conan the Destroyer
D: Richard Fleischer (1984) 103m

Conan lightens up a bit in this sequel in which the hero is assigned by a plotting queen to escort a virgin princess on a quest to obtain a priceless jewel. The campy cast includes both Wilt Chamberlain and Grace Jones. The writers, however, were so disappointed by the final product that they released it as a graphic novel.

Labyrinth
D: Jim Henson (1986) 101m

Written by Monty Python's Terry Jones, Labyrinth is an enjoyable take on the Alice in Wonderland theme. A girl wishes too hard and the Goblin King (David Bowie) kidnaps her baby brother. The rescue involves a journey to a magical land and negotiating a giant labyrinth. Jim Henson contributes some muppet magic.