Jason and the Argonauts

Well?

Zeus, king of the gods of the Greeks!

Write in the ashes so that I may read the future.

I see...a great tree at the end of the world...

..and in its branches there hang the skull and skin of a ram.

They gleam and shine, for it is a prize of the gods, a golden fleece.

We've no time for riddles and mysteries. Tell me of tonight!

Pelias, you will conquer tonight.

You will overthrow the kingdom of Thessaly, you will kill the king Aristo and wear his crown.

You will do all these things without fear because Zeus commands it.

If I am protected by Zeus, I will have no need of this.

Let it be a thank offering to the gods.

It is also foretold...

..that although you will win the throne of Aristo, you will lose it to one of Aristo's children.

Then Aristo will have no children.

He has three, Pelias, two daughters - Philamena and Briseis, and a son - Jason.

Then two daughters and a son will die with their father tonight.

BABY CRIES

BABY CRIES

Hera, queen of gods, protect this child, my sister...

..and if I, Briseis, am worthy, take me into your protection.

Are you Briseis, daughter of Aristo?

Be silent! She is praying. >

For her sister and for her murdered father.

Are you a priestess?

I serve the gods.

Has Briseis called upon Hera?

She has.

Has the goddess heard her prayer?

Yes. >

Then pray for me.

It is the will of Zeus.

It is not. It is your will.

Zeus has given you a kingdom, the rest will be your own doing.

BABY CRIES

The gods abandon you, Pelias.

A one-sandalled man shall come and no god shall protect you.

A one-sandalled man?

The child who has escaped - Jason.

Why was I not told the whole prophecy?

Why did Zeus drive me to kill her when I only needed to kill Jason?

Zeus cannot drive men to do what you have done.

The gods may know them and that men may understand themselves.

The killing of Jason would do you no good. Kill Jason and you kill yourself.

Zeus, my husband, did you order the profanation of my temple in Thessaly?

That was the fault of Pelias.

He tried to avoid losing the throne, as I have commanded.

I know you've been insulted, but be content, the boy's escaped.

He will avenge you.

How?

I never arrange exact and precise details.

And because you are neither exact nor precise, a young girl was killed and my temple was profaned.

I want to help Jason.

No, you may help Philamena if you wish, the rest is man's work.

No, I want to help Jason.

As you wish. How many times did Aristo's daughter Briseis call upon you by name?

Five.

Then you can help her brother five times only, to overthrow Pelias.

That is my final word.

It will be 20 years before Jason becomes a man...

..only an instant of time here on Mount Olympus, but a long 20 years for King Pelias.

He cautiously travels the roads of Thessaly.

You have had years of watching and waiting for the man who must come to kill you...

..the man with one sandal.

Ah!

Argh!

I owe you my life.

That was as good a way to ford a river as any.

But I seem to have lost a sandal.

Where are you travelling?

To the King.

Pelias?

Pelias of Thessaly.

Then I can put you on your way...

..but first you must accept the hospitality of my camp. Come.

GREEK MUSIC

Be seated.

You have not yet told me your name.

I am Jason, the lawful king of Thessaly.

I was rescued and brought up in exile.

I have returned to claim my kingdom.

I have waited for you for 20 years.

In that time Pelias has turned my kingdom from the pride of Greece into a savage, evil land.

When your father defended his throne no man fought harder than I.

This time it will not be enough to fight.

I could find Pelias and kill him but the people need more than a leader.

They must believe the gods have not deserted them. They need a miracle.

Where will you find this miracle?

There is a tree at the end of the world with a golden fleece.

I have too. So have many men. They say it is a gift of the gods.

It has the power to heal, bring peace and rid the land of plague.

If I could find this prize...

..and bring it to Thessaly, it would wipe out years of misrule.

< They would know the gods have not abandoned them.

My land would be rich and strong again.

Jason, be advised by me.

First, search for this golden fleece.

Do not reveal yourself to Pelias. Build a ship...

..and only when you have this prize, return and kill Pelias.

And now, rest yourself. My companions are yours to command.

Father, why do you let him live?

If I destroy him, Acastus, I destroy myself.

While he is searching for the Golden Fleece, I am safe.

And if he finds it?

You will be there.

Have you come to pray to the gods?

If I had, I wouldn't have chosen a fallen one.

Only a statue.

Sometimes the gods argue amongst themselves and great winds blow and temples fall.

Hermes...

Yes?

No, the statue was the god Hermes.

Ah, yes, a bringer of dreams and a prowler of the night.

Jason...

..no man can tell you how to find the Fleece. Is it not time you asked the gods?

They will not answer those who believe in them. Why should they answer one who doesn't?

THUNDER RUMBLES

Come with me.

Why?

So that you will believe... and be answered.

You win, my Lord - that is, the battle, not the war.

Those waters are far too shallow for galleys.

You must learn to win without cheating, or to lose gracefully.

-Greetings, Hermes.

-Greetings, Zeus.

-There seems to be a piece missing.

-Perhaps I can help.

Welcome to Olympus, Jason. >

Ah. Jason come to Mount Olympus at last.

No man calls upon the gods unless he wants something.

We arranged for Hermes to bring you.

I wouldn't have believed a mortal could ask the help of the gods, much less visit them.

At least you're honest, more than I can say for most other mortals.

What is it you want? A ship? A crew?

No, those I can find myself.

And what are you going to use in place of gold?

The hearts of men.

I am Hera, your protector on this voyage.

Zeus has decreed a limit to the number of times I may help you.

I know you want to know if the Golden Fleece exists, and if so, where it is.

That's two questions.

I shall help with only one answer.

Search in the land of Colchis.

Then it does exist. But Colchis - that's the end of the world.

No Greek has ever sailed there.

Are you so sure now you will not need my help? Think carefully.

I offered him a ship and a crew and he refused me.

Refused the help of the gods?! >

What ship is strong enough to reach to the edge of the world?

What crew brave enough?

I shall tell the builders the richest cargo in the world waits in Colchis..

..and that only the strongest ship ever built will survive the voyage.

The athletes of Greece are proud. I'll tell them that only the best can expect a place on the voyage.

I shall announce a games, invite the strongest and bravest.

No greater games shall ever be held unless the gods decree otherwise.

I did well to choose you, Jason.

The gods are best served by those who want their help least.

CHEERING

Welcome, Paladucius.

Castor of Sparta!

Acastus of Thessaly!

Well done, Acastus.

< Phalerus of Athens, champion archer of Greece!

'Euphemus of Denarum.'

'Spirus of Syracuse.'

'Hercules!'

He's here!

CHEERING

I mean to sail with you. Which champion do you want me to beat?

No-one. I know you can beat us all. Your place is reserved.

Hercules... Yes.

Hercules.

Yes?

My name is Hylas. I came too late to compete...

..but if I can beat you at something, Jason couldn't refuse me a place either.

He might need brains as well as brawn.

Shall we compete?

Discus?

Come on.

See that rock?

Yes.

No thrower has ever reached it.

Is the contest to hit it or pass it?

You'll be lucky if you get halfway. Go on.

After you. I've never thrown a discus before.

I'd like to see how it's done.

CHEERING

CHEERING

Let Hylas have his moment of triumph while he may.

You shall have your place, Hylas.

Hail, Hylas! >

I have found the finest crew in all Greece.

Now for a ship worthy of them.

Argus.

Hello?

Is that you, Argus?

Who's there?

It's Jason.

Come aboard.

Oh... So, you've come back again.

She's a fine ship.

Yes, she is a fine ship. She's ready to sail.

We've yet to give her a name.

I'll call her the Argo, after her builder.

The Argo? You'd better have a look at the figurehead. It might make you change your mind.

No, this way.

-Is it forward?

-No, it's astern.

A figurehead should watch over the water ahead.

I can't help that. Something made me put it here.

Hera, queen of the gods.

What?

Nothing.

You don't object to it here?

No.

Nor do I. It makes me feel someone friendly is watching over us.

When do we sail?

Tomorrow.

-Don't waste it.

-There isn't enough left anyway.

The sooner we find an island with water, the better.

We can't row much more on three sips

Take my advice, put back to Ikos.

But we'd lose five days.

Our water isn't enough to get back to Ikos.

I don't expect him to take my advice but I wish he'd listen to someone.

Still grumbling? Sailors always grumble.

They have something to grumble about - no water, blistered hands...

They should use brine.

-Brine?

-It toughens the skin.

Go down and treat them. I'll steer.

Hera...

You said you'd help me a certain number of times.

You have told me of Colchis.

And I threw Pelias from his horse and dragged him in the water.

Pelias? So that was King Pelias!

Set sail and steer north. You will reach land at noon. >

Where?

The Isle of Bronze.

I've never heard of it.

No mortal has. It was the foundry of the gods. >

Hephaestus was making weapons there, but do not fear, he has long departed.

I will make sure you reach the isle, but listen to me very carefully. >

Take the helm.

Yes, sir.

Set sail!

We reach land at noon. You can fill your bellies until they grumble as much as your tongues.

It will be safe to take food and water, but nothing else, absolutely nothing else.

That doesn't include women?

If there are any, yes, it does.

If I meet a girl with a firm leg, a full bosom and a warm heart, let no man try and stop me.

Talos will.

Is there a man who wants a fight? >

I spoke of no man. Food and water, Hercules, that's all.

Who told you of this island?

The goddess Hera.

Steady as you go.

Furl the sail.

Ashore for food and water! >

Are goats good sailors?

What do you want with goats on board ship?

Some of us might be hungry... or thirsty.

Come on.

BLEATING

There's one for the pot.

Argh!

Hercules!

Isn't he one of the Titans?

He might be. He's big enough.

Didn't Jason say something about Talos?

This must be where Hephaestus moulded the statues of the gods.

Yes, and set them up for all the world to see.

Hercules?

It's a treasure chamber.

A treasure chamber of the gods.

Look at this! And this!

A pearl!

It's a javelin!

Don't be silly, in a jewel box? It's a brooch pin.

It'll make a useful weapon. Let's get back to the ship.

Hercules.

What is it?

You'd better put it back.

Why?

Remember what Jason said.

If the gods leave all this lying about unguarded, they obviously don't want it.

WIND HOWLS

It must have been the wind.

And you saw nothing of them after that?

Perhaps Hercules found a woman after all.

BOOMING FOOTSTEPS

Talos!

Back water!

Back! Back water! Back!

SCREAMING

I warned you. This is Hercules' doing. Talos will try to kill you all.

How can I fight him?

Think before you waste a question.

Our weapons are useless. I repeat that question.

Fight Talos with your wits, not your courage. Look to his ankles.

His ankles?

There is nothing else I can tell you.

Jason.

You disobeyed my order.

< Talos!

To the rocks and stay out of reach!

What will you do?

I shall hide here.

I shall do my very best to send him to you, my very best.

Mind his boot! >

Hercules, you've left it.

Well?

We searched.

And I will search again.

Hylas was with us. We saw him running, but then he disappeared.

< He could have been hurt, not able to get back to the ship.

Hercules, Hylas is dead.

The gods decided it.

Why kill a boy for my grave fault? >

I should have stayed with him.

Search until nightfall. We won't sail till then.

Sail when you please. I cannot leave this island until I've found Hylas.

Jason, will you abandon Hercules, the best man among us?

I won't sail without him.

Nor shall I.

Nor I.

Come with me.

Is there any man here who does not obey the gods?

We will do as the goddess Hera commands.

If she will speak to us.

This is your last chance.

GASPS OF DISBELIEF

The last time that I can help you.

I understand.

Hylas is dead. Hercules is not fated to go further with the Argo.

< Zeus has other tasks for him.

And for us?

Sail to Phrygia, seek out Phineas, the blinded man.

< Only he can guide you now.

We set sail.

SQUAWKING

SQUAWKING

Lord Zeus, I was a sinner, I've never tried to deny it!

But I didn't sin every day.

Why, then, do you punish me every day?

What in the name of the gods are they?

SQUAWKING

< Jason!

Are you Phineas?

Yes. Take my arm, I can't see yours.

Don't flinch.

Zeus gave me the gift of prophecy but I misused it so I was blinded.

Zeus ordered the Harpies to torment me.

Jason, now listen to me. The gods have ordered me to tell you whatever you want to know.

The gods have gone too far. They can punish a man so much then one day he abandons them.

He says, "All right, Zeus, let the earth swallow me."

"I defy you."

RUMBLING

You growl away all you like, Zeus, I mean what I say.

I'll tell you what you want to know only if you'll meet my price.

What is your price?

Free me from these Harpies.

If Zeus sent those creatures, we'd be unwise to interfere.

That's my price.

Then we'll meet it. We'll make you the master of the Harpies.

RUMBLING

WINGS FLAP

SQUAWKING

Get to the ropes!

Now!

Phalerus, find some wood to build a cage.

Here you are, you hungry fellow, baked fish and some more wine.

We've completed our part of the bargain.

What is it you want to know?

The way to Colchis.

It is through the clashing rocks. Steer north-west and you'll reach them in five days.

Then you turn north-east. Before long you'll sight Colchis.

What gods protect you?

None now.

Then you won't pass the rocks.

What are they?

They speak for themselves.

All I can offer you is this. It's not much reward for what you've done

but it's all I have.

If that's all you can tell us, then goodbye.

The gods be merciful to you.

SQUAWKING

From now on, they'll witness a banquet every night and eat your scraps.

Good appetite!

There's not much water here.

Steady as you go. Row easy.

Easy oar.

Easy oar!

It's narrow, but I can't see what made Phineas so frightened.

It looks calm enough.

Too calm.

Acastus!

I know the sea gods' moods. Most of them are dangerous.

Take a sounding.

Be prepared to row when I give the word!

At an easy stroke! Save your strength!

They may need it later.

Ship ahoy!

Ship ahoy!

There she is!

She doesn't seem to be in any great difficulty.

A whole ship's crew.

And Lucius from the masthead.

There was no hope of saving him. Not in that sea.

Are we going through?

Yes.

But it's... All right, we're going through.

Back to your places!

There's no turning back now.

No, there's no turning back on this voyage.

Drummer, beat out the stroke, but keep it easy! >

The gods want their entertainment.

Jason goes too far.

Because he speaks the truth when the gods themselves go too far?

DRUMBEATS

Turn back, Jason! We're trapped!

Trapped?

It seems so. You've left me only one move.

Pray to the gods.

The gods of Greece are cruel.

In time, all men shall learn to do without them.

Pull!

Get back to your place!

Pull! Pull! Till your hands crack and your backs break!

Pull! >

Pull!

Keep the stroke going!

Hmm.

Jason dared to speak of the end of the gods yet you let him live.

If I punished every blasphemy, I'd lose all loyalty and respect.

When those men no longer believe in you, you return to nothing.

You understand that and yet you remain with me.

You think it weak of me, my Lord?

Not weak - almost human.

Whichever god or goddess helped us is to be thanked.

Those others weren't so fortunate.

What's that?

Who are you?

Your ship was lost. We found only two other survivors.

Drink this.

When did you sail from Colchis?

Dawn this morning.

Dawn? Then our journey is nearly over.

Where have you come from?

Thessaly.

That's the other side of the world! You're not a merchant.

Your vessel is a fighting ship.

We'd be foolish to sail unarmed.

Your king, Aeetes, fears the gods, and we were sent by the gods.

Now you answer a question. What was your ship doing in such dangerous waters?

We came to sacrifice to the gods of the rocks.

To throw flowers onto the sea, to make it safe.

I'm afraid our gods were angry, not so powerful as yours.

Are you a priestess?

I serve in the temple of Hecate.

Is Hecate the god of the Colchians?

The goddess.

But I heard they worship the skull and skin of a ram.

No ordinary ram. Its fleece is of gold.

It's brought our city great peace and prosperity.

We'll put you ashore at dawn tomorrow.

Perhaps you will show me the way to the city. Tell me your name.

Medea, and you can answer my first question. Who are you?

My name is Jason.

Within a few hours we shall sight Colchis.

I am coming in quietly by night. I don't want the trouble to begin.

Just tell us where the city is and when we attack.

We don't attack.

But you have the finest fighters!

40 fighting men against a nation?

Better than one!

We're not pirates.

What's that girl done to you?

I'm going up alone in the morning to see what the situation is.

To spy out the land. Why alone? Take a few of us scouting.

The fewer who go, the less can get caught.

What's the fewest you can think of?

One.

I accept your advice.

I don't! I suppose we are free to speak our minds?

And what's on yours?

We rush the guards and seize the fleece.

The Colchians would still be asleep.

A night attack?

Yes.

And during the attack a man will die - me, a Greek javelin in my back.

Maybe your javelin.

You'll die for that.

Keep back.

Euphemus!

It's Euphemus - he's dead.

Look at this - slashed and bloody.

Acastus must be at the bottom of the sea.

I wonder. Make sail!

And Euphemus?

The sea was his kingdom. Let it take his body in death.

Make sail! Make sail!

You're wounded. We have a flower in Colchis which heals and soothes.

Tomorrow I'll show you.

What do you call the flower?

It has no name.

They say it sprang from the blood of Prometheus,

and it has been used for its soothing and curing powers.

The sun's getting higher. We must be on our way.

Follow the road to the east.

You're not coming further?

I go another way.

TRADITIONAL MUSIC

The goddess Hecate has spoken.

There will be one among us from the ends of the world.

His name is Jason.

Any man of whom he asks his way shall say this.

Aeetes, King of Colchis, awaits him in the temple of Hecate...

..and that is all any man shall say to him.

Come forward, Jason.

You have done us a great service. Tonight we shall feast you.

Your heroism deserves celebration.

Return with your companions to my palace.

I thank you, my Lord, but I do not understand.

-Medea?

-Welcome to Colchis.

I give you Jason and the Argonauts!

-ALL:

-Jason and the Argonauts!

Pray, why did you come to Colchis?

In peace.

I said why, not how. Altogether, how many men have you?

Enough.

And you say you do not threaten us?

Envoys who come to me in deceit remain in death.

I know you've come for the Fleece and you plan to steal it.

We'll never part with it. It is a gift of the gods.

Should we ever let it go...

..it would mean plague, famine, the destruction of our country!

We can no longer welcome or entertain you but treat you as thieves, as pirates...

..as murderers.

We give our thanks to one person...

..who exposed a criminal attempt on our kingdom -

..the son of King Pelias of Thessaly,

..Acastus.

-CROWD:

-Hail!

Hecate, queen of darkness, you've always helped me. Tell me now what I must do.

You, who gave me the gift of foresight...

..why didn't you reveal Acastus's treachery?

He who sits drinking with Aeetes...

..while Jason is in prison, condemned to death.

If I help him now in the quest for the Fleece...

..I shall be a traitor to my country and to you, Hecate!

And if not -

..to myself.

Help me, Hecate!

SNORING

KEY IS TURNED IN LOCK

Medea. Why did you come here? Was it Aeetes who sent you?

Give up your quest and sail away with the Argonauts in peace, never to return.

Never to think again of the Fleece?

Never.

-Then it

-was

-Aeetes.

Tell him I will never betray the Argonauts...

..whatever he offers me, even if it's Medea, high priestess of Hecate.

Please, forget the Golden Fleece.

I fear for your safety.

If you're set on carrying it away,..

..I must come with you.

I'll go alone.

No. I have to go with you.

I have no country now...

..and I love you.

Shhh! You three, get to the door, the rest of you, back to your places.

The priestess!

Argus, listen.

Go back to the ship, row downstream and anchor by the path leading to the woods. We'll join you there.

What is it?

Jason has escaped.

-And his men?

-All gone. The guards were drugged.

Drugged? Then there's an accomplice.

Where's Acastus?

He's not in his quarters.

Acastus help Jason? There's no reason to it.

Unless it was Medea who mixed the drug.

The high priestess?

I saw how Medea looked at Jason.

If Medea is helping them, she's guiding them to the Fleece.

The Argonauts will take ship.

The landward way is shorter. Muster your men, Captain!

RUSTLING

Shhh! Listen.

RUSTLING

Soldiers!

Phalerus, Casta, come with me.

Not you.

-But, Argus...

-You stay and guard the ship.

HISSING

Argh!

Argh!

Jason! >

Jason!

We heard Aeetes and the Colchians. They must be somewhere near.

Get the Fleece.

Follow them up there and that way!

Wait!

Hecate, queen of darkness, revenge yourself against the Thessalians.

Deliver to me the children of the hydra's teeth, the children of the night!

Fetch me the hydra's teeth, quickly!

Against the children of the hydra's teeth there is no protection.

Argh!

Give me the Fleece.

It has the power to heal.

It's true, it does have the power to heal. >

Jason!

Call the guards back, Captain, or they may die,

killed with Jason and his pirates.

Rise up, you dead slain of the hydra,

rise from your graves and avenge us.

Those who steal the Golden Fleece must die.

Argus, get to the ship. Take Medea.

Come with me.

RUMBLING

There!

And there!

Still another!

And more!

Destroy them!

Kill!

Kill! Kill them all!

SKELETONS SCREAM

Get back.

That proves at last I'm a worthy opponent.

Where are you going?

To clear the board. The game is over.

It certainly is not.

For the moment, let them enjoy a calm sea,

a fresh breeze and each other.

The girl is pretty, and I was always sentimental.

But for Jason there are other adventures.

I have not yet finished with him.

< Let us continue the game another day.

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