Clash of the Titans

This loose retelling of the story of Perseus, with a cast that includes Laurence Olivier as Zeus and Maggie Smith as Thetis, is pure Saturday-matinee adventure. It changes a great deal: the Kraken, a creature from Norse legend, replaces the sea monster of the myth, and a mechanical owl called Bubo provides comic relief.

The real stars are the creatures brought to life by the special effects master Ray Harryhausen in his final feature film. Medusa’s shadowy lair remains genuinely unnerving, and Pegasus, Calibos and the giant scorpions have a handmade magic that computer effects rarely match.

The 2010 remake has more noise and much less heart.

Our verdict

A nostalgic treat and a great introduction to myth for younger viewers.