Entertainment · Film · 7 hrs ago
Tom Hanks called Jason and the Argonauts the greatest film ever made
Tom Hanks named Jason and the Argonauts his greatest film ever during an Oscars-related event in Los Angeles in 1992.
The 1963 adventure film retells a story from Greek mythology and features stop-motion effects by Ray Harryhausen.
Hanks made the remark at a dinner honouring Harryhausen, not during the televised Academy Awards, as a common version of the story claims.
Harryhausen received an honorary award at the event, which Hanks hosted.
Hanks later told Harryhausen he had meant the praise sincerely.
The film’s animated creatures inspired generations of filmmakers, including Steven Spielberg, George Lucas and Peter Jackson.
Tom Hanks called Jason and the Argonauts the greatest film ever made at a 1992 awards dinner.
The remark was made at the Scientific and Technical Academy Awards on March 7, not during the televised Oscars ceremony.
Hanks was hosting the event, where Ray Harryhausen received an honorary Gordon E. Sawyer Award.
After a montage of Harryhausen’s creatures, Hanks praised the 1963 film for its stop-motion effects.
Harryhausen later said Hanks told him he meant the praise sincerely.
- Who
- Tom Hanks made the remark; Ray Harryhausen was the honoree.
- What
- Hanks called Jason and the Argonauts the greatest film ever made.
- When
- March 7, 1992.
- Where
- The Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles.
- Why
- Hanks admired the film, particularly Ray Harryhausen’s stop-motion effects.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Tom Hanks made his remark at the Scientific and Technical Academy Awards dinner in Los Angeles.
The Los Angeles Times reported on the event.
Ray Harryhausen and Tony Dalton recounted the remark in their memoir.
Reuters recalled the anecdote after Harryhausen’s death.
- Film
- Jason and the Argonauts, released in 1963
- Event
- Scientific and Technical Academy Awards dinner
- Date
- March 7, 1992
- Venue
- Century Plaza Hotel, Los Angeles
- Honoree
- Ray Harryhausen received the Gordon E. Sawyer Award
What people are saying
Some say it's Casablanca or Citizen Kane. I say Jason and the Argonauts is the greatest film ever made!