MovieChat Forums > Jason and the Argonauts (1963) Discussion > Where did all the rope come from?

Where did all the rope come from?

posted 12 years ago by anubis-45
15 replies | jump to latest

I have a small problem with one of the scenes. It has always bugged me, since I saw the film at the cinema as a kid - and it will continue to do so...

In the scene where Jason and his men capture the marauding Harpies, they use a H-U-G-E net to trap their prey.

Now, this thing is not only large enough to cover the entire open roof of the Parthenon-style of building, but also has enough left over to drop down on all four sides. So it seems to me that it must also have taken up a gigantic amount of precious space on board the Argo, even when it was fully rolled and furled.

Now, it is perhaps just possible that the net was manufactured on site by the sail- and net-makers on board, but the same problem exists - where could they get their hands on sufficient rope?

Just an observation. Not trying to take anything away from this splendid epic film.

Anyone have any thoughts?

^-^

"The Opener of the Way is Waiting"

[–] baggyuk-459-325307 12 years ago

Possibly fishing nets from the port where they docked or from the Argo.

Why were they wearing the posh uniforms?

[–] anubis-45 12 years ago

Hi baggyuk,

Your reply is about the only adequate explanation that I can see, too.

As to the 'posh uniforms', they are standard (Hollywood designed)Greek soldiers' outfits, which were worn during battles. Rather like the Marines that used to be on board British warships.

"The Opener of the Way is Waiting"

[–] mam13143 11 years ago

I was always taken with the huge net and the guys suddenly showing up in those fancy uniforms. It's like they stopped at a local outfitter and got fitting out. Still it didn't diminish the film for me at all. Between the gods and the lack of time reference anything was possible. For that matter, where did the blind guy get the baked loaf of bread, lol.

[–] anubis-45 11 years ago

As I recall (and I haven't seen the film for ages) Phineas the blind man was served by some locals.

In one scene, you can see them bringing him food, while they keep a weather eye out for those bloody Harpies....then they hurry off again - as one would!

^-^

"The Opener of the Way is Waiting"

[–] mam13143 11 years ago

Better memory than I Anubis.

[–] vestdennis 11 years ago

I wondered about the food too. After they left how was the blind guy going to gather his own food? Is he able to bake his own bread? Make his own wine?

[–] Prismark10 11 years ago

I thought about this as well and all I could think off was the fishing nets.

Its that man again!!

[–] omega2064 11 years ago

Personal guess was that it was a fishing net, or several, borrowed from some local fisherman. Some of those nets can be quite large.

The armour was simply stowed in the hold till needed.

[–] garyamedee 10 years ago

Most sailing vessels have a large amount of cordage stored below. If a long voyage is expected it would be reasonable that they take an excessive amount of spare rope as it is one of the few things on a wooden sailing vessel that can't be made onsite by the ships carpenter. Rope can be stored very efficiently when it is properly coiled.
Sailors were masters of working with rope. To make a net like that they would all gather in an open area of the deck and it would be done in 15 minutes.

[–] residentevil6901 9 years ago

My question is how did they return safely home through the clashing rocks? I'm always disappointed when they don't have a final scene showing them back home to end the movie.

[–] anubis-45 9 years ago

Funny you should say that...

It had also occurred to me, even from the first time I saw the film at the cinema, back in '63.

I suppose that it may have all been resolved in the sequel...which would have been wonderful, but which never eventuated.

In my opinion however, I can see that the Gods are all on the side of Jason and Medea and the rest of the Argonauts, since they now possess the Golden Fleece, so the Clashing Rocks would/should not present any extra problems to them on the return journey.

^_^

The Opener of the Way is waiting....

[–] residentevil6901 9 years ago

Yeah I just wished we would've got to see it, seeing is believing right? Lol

I love the movie Big Jake with John Wayne and always wanted a scene showing them making it home safely and to reunite the family etc etc.

[–] Blue_Eyes_James 9 years ago

This would make for a good film discussion. As in, what scene in a certain movie "bugged you" in that the characters seemed to build or construct some device or set-up that doesn't seem to jibe with the time frame or available materials. We usually shrug it off if the movie's good enough but it's kind of a Gilligan's Island-scenario. If I find a place to start that and a better way to phrase it, I'll share.

[–] Dudhvala 8 years ago

According to the mythology, the Clashing Rocks became fixed in place after the Argo (or the dove) passed through and broke the spell. (Otherwise they'd still be obstructing navigation today...)

[–] stefantann 8 years ago

The nets and the posh uniforms would have been lost when Taylos destroyed the ship. By the way they built a great new ship out of limited materials.