In Search of Myths and Heroes

Season 1, Episode 4: “Arthur: The Once and Future King”

Ancient Greek storytellers came up with several versions of the Jason myth but they all shared a central theme. Jason and his heroic warriors must travel across uncharted waters (the modern Black Sea) to secure a golden ram's fleece with mystical powers. Possession of this fleece will enable Jason to regain control of a kingdom his father once ruled. The first tales featuring Jason appeared around 800 BC but they were set 500 years earlier. The most famous version was written by Apollonius of Rhodes, during the 3rd century BC. Jason and the Argonauts (1963) is pure Hollywood. The screenplay takes as many liberties with the Greek myth as the original myth-makers took with Greek history. Todd Armstrong as Jason doesn't set the world alight but the special effects from stop-motion genius Ray Harryhausen are the best of their kind.