The 7th Voyage of Sinbad is a perfect introduction of Ray Harryhausen to the 4k format. Hopefully this is the tip of the iceberg and allows more of his films and wonderous adventures to proceed this release.
“It’s an incredible cinematic adventure as the legendary Sinbad sets off on a dangerous journey to the mysterious Island of Colossa. His quest is to break the spell cast over his beloved princess by a diabolical magician. But before he can save her, Sinbad must battle an awesome collection of mythical monsters: the man-eating Cyclops, a saber-wielding skeleton, a ferocious two-headed bird called the Roc and a fire-breathing dragon. Starring Kerwin Matthews, Kathryn Grant, Torin Thatcher and highlighted by the stunning visual effects of Ray Harryhausen.”
Ray Harryhausen is one of the true legends of cinema, the master of stop-motion animation whose groundbreaking work shaped the fantasy and science-fiction genres for generations. Inspired by King Kong and mentored by Willis O’Brien, Harryhausen refined techniques like Dynamation, seamlessly blending stop-motion creatures with live-action footage. His contributions to films like The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms, Jason and the Argonauts, and the Sinbad series created some of the most iconic movie monsters and set pieces in history. Harryhausen’s influence is profound, with directors from Spielberg and George Lucas to del Toro, Burton, and Jackson have cited him as a major inspiration, and his work helped pave the way for modern visual effects while preserving a tangible, handcrafted magic that CGI often struggles to match.
The 7th Voyage of Sinbad remains a thrilling and fantastical story filled with suspense, magic, and intrigue, very much in the spirit of King Kong. Directed by Nathan Juran and produced by Charles Schneer, it follows the legendary sailor (Kerwin Mathews) on a daring quest to the Island of Colossus to battle mythical creatures and restore his beloved Princess Parisa (Kathryn Grant) to normal size after she is shrunk by the evil sorcerer Sokurah (Torin Thatcher). The film is packed with wonder and danger at every turn.
The special effects by Harryhausen are nothing short of remarkable for the time. Using stop-motion animation, he brought to life unforgettable creatures that serve as integral devices to the story. These effects drive the adventure forward, creating moments of genuine awe and tension that still impress today. The 4K release (restored from the original camera negative with Dolby Vision) makes these iconic sequences look better than ever.
Video
Sony’s 4K UHD release presents the film in stunning 2160p with Dolby Vision HDR sourced from a 4k restoration of the film from the original camera negative in 1.66:1. The vibrant Technicolor palette, detailed creature work, and sweeping island vistas look spectacular, with excellent contrast, rich colors, and preserved film grain that enhances the cinematic feel.
Audio
Audio is available in English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio alongside the original mono track. Bernard Herrmann’s iconic, adventurous score sounds dynamic and powerful, perfectly complementing the action and wonder on screen.
Special Features
This set comes with a beautiful original-poster artwork slipcover, as well as a digital code. The Blu-ray disc is the same pressing of previous Blu-ray releases of the film and does not contain any new features or restorations of the film.
4k Disc:
- The Harryhausen Chronicles Documentary
- Theatrical Trailer
Blu-ray Disc:
- Audio Commentary with Ray Harryhausen, Visual Effects Experts Phil Tippett and Randall William Cook, Author Steven C. Smith and Arnold Kunert
- Remembering The 7th Voyage of Sinbad
- The Harryhausen Legacy
- A Look Behind the Voyage
- “This is Dynamation” Special Effects Featurette
- Ray Harryhausen Interviewed by Director John Landis
- The Music of Bernard Herrmann
- “Sinbad May Have Been Bad, But He’s Been Good To Me” Music Video
- Photo Gallery
The 7th Voyage of Sinbad on 4K is a timeless classic that still delivers thrills and wonder decades later. Harryhausen’s groundbreaking effects and the film’s sense of pure adventure make it essential viewing for any fan of fantasy cinema. This is one of those releases that belongs on every shelf. Highly recommended!
AV Entertainment provided us with a copy of this disc for review, which if interested, you can pre-purchase here.