“Fortune is ally to the brave.”

As far as my parents knew, this next movie was my first introduction to monsters and gore.

(Remember, they had no idea my sister and I were having nightmares over “Poltergiest.”)

I saw it at a friends house at a birthday party.  I told my parents afterward, and they were less-than thrilled about me doing so, but there was nothing to be done about it now.

Every time that it was on HBO, I made sure I watched it.  My parents were always good sports and watched it with me.

I think the things I remember most about this film were the shiny metal objects on display as gifts from the gods.

In “Clash of the Titans” Perseus is given a helmet that makes him invisible, a SHINY shield that has a mirror on the inside of it, and a bright sword (it was used to kill bad guys–nothing really special about it other than it was polished and light reflected off of it).  He was also given his trusted mechanical owl Bubo (the smartest and most loyal character in the movie) from Zeus and Hephaestus.

owl

I wanted to be Perseus every day for a year after I watched that movie.  My mom took me shopping and I got a plastic toy sword that I convinced myself looked like Perseus’.  I started constructing togas out of my blankets, and then I started acting out my favorite action scenes (they were always sword fights, imagine that) in my bedroom with the door closed.

Perseus got to do everything a five year old boy wants to do.  Win sword fights, break in a flying horse and ride him to a far off land,  kill 8 foot tall scorpions, slew Medusa and the Kraken, and save the damsel (oh Andromeda–I had a crush on you!) Remembering these things is so exciting and depressing at once.  I yearn for those days again as an older man and know that those days are done, but remembering what I did and how much I enjoyed it always makes me smile.  Movies now rarely give me the joy I felt when I watched my first sword and sorcery movie at 5 years old.  Part of getting older I guess.

I want to be there with my son with these movies and experience that fun again with him.  Will he want to watch this movie?  Who knows?  I do believe that there is a “Clash of the Titans” for everyone out there, they just need to allow themselves to find it.  I’m here to help my son do just that.  It might not be a movie.  It could be a sport, a craft, music…who knows?  I just want to be there to see him find it and help him enjoy it like my parents did.

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8 thoughts on ““Fortune is ally to the brave.”

  1. Being a tremendous fan of Greek mythology, this movie was one of those that spoke to me on many levels, and it continues to do so today. The story of Perseus is one of my absolute favorites. Each component of the myth speaks to me. I was let down when the remake came out since it just didn’t have the magic of the first (perhaps the lack of Ray Harryhausen claymation?). Fortune is indeed ally to the brave, and that’s what makes these heroic stories so memorable. We all want to be the glorious hero who saves the day! Thanks for this!

    Liked by 2 people

  2. I, too, was let-down by the remake, especially when it had strong actors in the right roles–not to mention the Krakken only shows up for, what, five minutes? Ten at the most? Perhaps it’s because the original itself was brave. Granted, this is pure ignorance on my part, but I believe it took a while for Harryhausen’s animation to be used decently by studios. Did he give up? Nope, nope, and nope. Now just think of the impact that man’s work had on the world of cinema and storytelling. When I was a kid, I thought those skeleton soldiers Jason fought were real! Bravery shows itself in many ways, doesn’t it?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Abso-FREAKING-lutely! Well wrought! I love the original. There is such a strong “fairytale” aspect to it. A great fairytale has horror, tragedy, and a morale–in my opinion. “Clash of the Titans” hits all of those notes very well and the brave animation is the motor that pushes those aspects forward. Love that movie.

      Liked by 1 person

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