The Harpies

Creator: Ray Harryhausen

Film: Jason and the Argonauts 1963

Harpies Video Clip

 

"Robbers", In earlier versions of Greek myth, Harpies were described as beautiful, winged maidens. Later they became winged monsters with the face of an ugly old woman and equipped with crooked, sharp talons.

Jason arrives with the Argonauts looking for Phineas the blind man and finds these two creatures feasting on the blind man's food. They where sent to torment Phineas by Zeus for his mis-use of the gift of prophecy. Phineas tells Jason that he is willing to help in telling them how to get past the clashing rocks and reach Cholcis if they get rid of the harpies for him.

Later that day they set a trap for the harpies, as Phineas is eating the harpies arrive as usual to steal his food, but this time he is inside one of the temples. As the harpies attack him the Argonauts cover the entire temple with a giant net and manage to capture the creatures. In the end the Harpies are trapped in a wooden cage where Phineas feeds them his left overs. He then gives Jason a small statue of what appears to be the lesser god Triton, later when they reach the Clashing Rocks Jason uses this small statue by tossing it into the sea causing the god to rise from the depths and help them with safe passage thru the dangerous waters.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Harpies Facts

 

 

• The idea of these creatures was going to be used in a failed Harryhausen project named "The Elementals"

 

• For the sequence Mr. Harryhausen created several "contacts" in every scene where the Harpies interacted with humans. The first is where Phineas is fighting  off the Harpies when they pull off his belt, and when the Harpies push over the table.

 

• The whole sequence was filmed in and around the largest of the three temples of Paestum.

Credit: An Animated Life

By Tony Dalton