Best Fantasy Movies of 1962

A creation myth realized in light, patterns, images superimposed, rapid cutting, and silence. A black screen, then streaks of light, then an explosion of color and squiggles and happenstance. Next, images of small circles emerge then of the Sun. Images of our Earth appear, woods, a part of a body, a nude woman perhaps giving birth. Imagery evokes movement across time. Part of the Dog Star Man series of experimental films.

The terrible and trecherous Pendragon plans to gain the throne of Cornwall by getting the king to abdicate and to marry his lovely daughter. To help him he has his dreadful witches in his castle and his almost unstoppable sorcery. A giant under his control abducts the princess, but on the way home with her the giant meets farming lad Jack who slays him. This is only the beginning.

The Grimm brothers Wilhelm and Jacob, known for their literary works in the nineteenth century, have their lives dramatized. Wilhelm fights to write something entertaining amongst the sea of dry, non-fiction books they write and he sets about collecting oral-tradition fairy tales to put into print. Their life story is countered with reenactments of three of their stories including "The Dancing Princess," "The Cobbler and the Elves" and "The Singing Bone."

Jonathan Jones, a professor of ancient languages, comes into possession of an ancient coin. He translates its inscription, which gives him three powers: to inflict pain, slow down time or kill. Soon, he's pursued by enemy spies who have learned about the magic coin.

The story of three children who find themselves with a friendly monster that grows at an alarming rate.

A space expedition to Uranus is menaced by a giant brain that can make illusions come true.

The son of a sorceress, armed with weapons, armour and six magically summoned knights, goes on a quest to save a princess from a vengeful wizard.

Impressions of the lights of Christmas as they transform a winter's night. The myriad lights of a city seen through frost-sparkling air, the wonder on children's faces, the lyrical music of harp, celesta and flute--all combine to create the nostalgic mood of Christmas.

A diver is aided in his search for sunken treasure by beautiful mermaids.

This unaired pilot, produced by Jim Henson and Jerry Juhl, was shot in Atlanta in the summer of 1962. The pilot featured Kermit the Frog, Taminella Grinderfall and King Goshposh, characters who would all reappear a few years later in the Tales From Muppetland TV specials.

A black-robed purveyor of communism is periodically interrupted by the questions of a white-robed every woman. Features disturbing historical Russian footage

A comedy fantasy film involving a love potion.

An old woman has fought with death a thousand times and has always won. But now she finds herself afraid to let a wounded policeman in her door for fear he is Mr. Death. Is he?

Opera version of the novella by Charles Dickens.

The Mute Book is a French TV movie, written and directed in 1962 by Gerard Dumont, based on Hans Christian Andersen's tale. Performed by Marcel MOULOUDJI, Rita CADILLAC, Hilda CAMBA and Frédérique VILLEDENT.