Kerwin Mathews and Nathan Juran, star and director of The 7th Voyage of Sinbad (1958), team up once again for more colourful fantasy adventure in Jack the Giant Killer, an engaging and inventive yarn crammed full of monsters and magic.Mathews plays Jack, a farm worker who is knighted after saving a beautiful princess (Judi Meredith) from the clutches of an ugly giant sent by the evil wizard Pendragon (Torin Thatcher, also from 7th Voyage of Sinbad). When a second attempt to abduct the princess proves more successful, Jack sets off to rescue her, with the help of a viking, Sigurd (Barry Kelley), a young boy (Roger Mobley), and a leprechaun in a bottle (Don Beddoe).While the stop motion used to bring many of the film's creatures to life isn't quite up to Ray Harryhausen standards, the sheer quantity of special effects scenes make Jack the Giant Killer a whole lot of fun for fans of classic (ie. pre CGI) fantasy. The action starts with a miniature jester in a musical box growing into a towering horned terror, there's a wonderfully creepy assault on a ship by hideous witches (the film's highlight, possibly too scary for the really young ones), Pendragon summons up an army in a scene reminiscent of the skeleton attack in Jason and the Argonauts, a two headed giant battles with a lizardopus (half-lizard, half-octopus), and the evil wizard changes into a dragon to try and put an end to Jack once and for all.Clearly aimed at kids, the performances are of the pantomime variety, especially Thatcher as wicked Pendragon, who hams it up a treat. Meredith also gets a chance to exercise her villainous side when she is transformed into a witch, complete with green skin and bright yellow eyes. This broad acting style doesn't detract from one's enjoyment, being perfectly suited to the fairytale material.

This is a pretty interesting B-movie with a cliché but classic plot: A farm boy named Jack (Kerwin Matthews) becomes a knight and must protect the beautiful Princess Elaine (Judi Meredith) from the evil Pendragon (Torin Thatcher), who plans to marry the princess and assume the throne.Again, the plot sounds cliché but the movie was actually entertaining from what I remembered as a kid. In addition to all the fun good guy vs. bad guy action, you get a daring rescue-the-princess adventure and the breathtaking duel of two towering monsters - a serpent-like creature and a two-headed ogre. In addition, there is a supporting character appearance by Imp, a leprechaun who allies with the heroes.The acting was decent and special effects were also decent for its time. Overall, it's a fun and entertaining action/monster-packed B-movie!Grade B+

"The legend of Jack the Giant Killer was born more than a thousand years ago in Cornwall, England, near Land's End. There was a time when the Kingdom of Cornwall lived in fear and trembling of the Black Prince Pendragon, master of all witches, giants and hobgoblins, who ravished the land. But at long last, Herla the Wizard drove Pendragon and all his witches from the Kingdom and exiled them beyond the reaches of the known world. Here on a misty isle, uncharted and unknown, Pendragon schemed and waited for the day when he would return to power in Cornwall. Then, after many years, the day came…"...This was a day of rejoicing as beautiful Judi Meredith (as Elaine) is crowned princess. The snarling Torin Thatcher (as Pendragon) arrives. He conjures up a giant to threaten Ms. Meredith. She is saved by handsome farmer Kerwin Mathews (as Jack). He is knighted Sir "Jack the Giant Killer" and becomes Meredith's protector...Seeing how millions of kids liked to spend Saturday afternoon watching Mr. Mathews battle special effects monsters in "The 7th Voyage of Sinbad" (1958), producer Edward Small brought Mathews back with director Nathan Juran and villain Torin Thatcher. While less spectacular than the earlier effort, this one is still very good. It makes up for a smaller budget with imagination and excitement. The handsome hero, beautiful princess, snarling villain, cute kid, chimp, and special effects formula carries the story. And, there are memorable supporting roles by Walter Burke, Don Beddoe and Anna Lee.****** Jack the Giant Killer (5/18/62) Nathan Juran ~ Kerwin Mathews, Judi Meredith, Torin Thatcher, Walter Burke

I work for Panavision in Hollywood & we recently got an e-mail from our London Office asking for gear for..."Jack the Giant Killer" & I was like...REALLY?!! They're re-making this? cuz A) I usually do not like re-makes cuz they never compare (I have never seen & may never see the re-make of "Sabrina" even though I love Harrison Ford...but the original was...PERFECT...so why? & same for the re-make of "Journey to the Centre of the Earth". As much as I love Brendon Frazier I could see this film had NOthing to do with the James Mason / Pat Boone film, which was also...PERFECT...so why?) & B) I remember this film as being one The BEST films of this 60s stop action Fantasy genre & I am interested in seeing how, with the modern tools, handle it. As long as they do not get carried away with CG & stuff or ruin the Story. BUT after reading these reviews I am A) Even MORE excited at re-WATCHING this great Classic Fantasy Film (going to try to find it on Netflix. *fingers crossed*) B) Glad to hear I do remember it correctly as such a FAV & remembering the Witches & The Evil Princess...so cool...& scary...& sexy! & C) actually kind of excited at a possible re-making of this one! I will keep my eyes on it's release! Thanks ALL for confirming my Love of this Classic!