Customer Reviews

Hercules [VHS]

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

Ah, yes! Those were the days! Disregard the dubbed-in dialogue and hokey plot lines. The orginal 1957 "Hercules" is a treasure of fantasy and fun. To those Americans who possess a sense of the past (what used to be known fondly as "nostalgia" prior to the MTV generation and its contemptuous stance toward anything that occurred prior to the maturation of Jennifer Lopez's big, fat posterior), Johnny Weismuller was Tarzen. Bela Lugosi was Dracula. Clayton Moore was the Lone Ranger. And Steve Reeves was Hercules. Long before Arnold there was Steve Reeves, the prototype body builder who in the 1940s and 50s surpassed what Charles Atlas initiated a generation earlier. A scrawny, unathletic kid who was teased unmercifully, Reeves decided to do something about his predicament. He made body building and fitness a way of life. Between 1945 and 1950, Reeves won every body building competition and award in the universe, and he did so without the use of steroids or any other drugs. It didn't take long for Hollywood to come calling. After being considered and then turned down for the role of Samson (for being "too muscular") in the 1949 MGM production of "Samson and Delilah" opposite Heddy Lamarr, Reeves spent a few years playing mostly forgetable parts in a number of films before achieving celluloid stardom in his adopted home, Italy. In 1957 Reeves portrayed the legendary Greek hero Hercules in the film of the same name, and repeated the role in its sequel, "Hercules Unchained," two years later. Reeves was extraordinarily handsome with black wavy hair and piercing blue eyes. With his beard and spectacular physique, Reeves looked exactly like the image of the Greek demigod as it had been depicted for thousands of years. So ingrained became his image in the minds of movie fans, that the names "Steve Reeves" and "Hercules" became synonomous. For a time in the late 1950s and early 1960s he was the highest-paid movie star in the world. To kids growing up in an innocent age of malt shops, high school dances, science-fiction comics, and "Father Knows Best," Reeves was the epitome of wholesome manliness. He became the idol and inspiration for a whole new generation of weightlifters and body builders, including Lou Ferrigno, Franco Columbo, Reg Park, and old Arnold himself. He enchanted young and old alike as Hercules and as a number of other legendary Greco-Roman characters. In the late 1960s while still fit as a fiddle, very popular, and only in his early 40s, Reeves was asked by Sergio Leonne to star in a series of Spaghetti Westerns. But Reeves decided to leave the acting business. His place was taken by Clint Eastwood, and the rest is history (there's that anachronistic word again). Reeves continued living in Italy where he could be spotted daily "power-walking" (rapidly walking while carrying light weights in his arms) around all the famous sites in Rome. By the 1990s he and his wife returned to America where they raised horses and lived quietly on a beautiful ranch in Southern California. Reeves still looked great into his seventies and remained a steadfast advocate of drug-free athletics. Which is why it was so shocking to hear of his sudden death from cancer in 2000. Supposedly, Reeves visited his physician and was diagnosed with an accutely malignant form of cancer. In two weeks, he was dead. Upon hearing the news, I couldn't accept the fact of his passing. "Steve Reeves dead? Can't be." He always seemed so invincible. How time marches on. But the image of Reeves as the prototype celluloid demigod will endure. In the hearts and memories of many a young boy in the 1950s and 60s, there was no more popular person in the world than Steve Reeves. In many ways, Reeves may well have been the last great role model of an America that used to be. Malt shops are gone. Early sci-fi classic films with thoughtful plots like Howard Hawks' "The Thing From Another World" and Robert Wise's "The Day the Earth Stood Still" are now considered archaic by a generation whose attention span is measureable in nanoseconds. High school dances long ago devolved into loud, coarse, uncivil environments known as "clubs." There are no TV shows even remotely resembling the quaint idealism of "Father Knows Best." Yet certain images from yesteryear remain transfixed eternally in the minds of those still thoughtful enough to remember. Steve Reeves will always be the one and only "Hercules." So long, pal.

Finally, Steve Reeves on DVD! The version sent to me was by Gemstone Entertainment; but appears to be the same version as United American Video. A few years back I was on Steve's web site and commented that I was disappointed that there were none of his films on DVD, and the reply that I got back was, "Only on VHS now; but just wait a bit longer...." I remember the first time I saw this movie as a kid, I was totally hooked on Steve Reeves and his name was forever connected with Hercules, which is kind of funny considering that he only made two Hercules movies. Though watching Italian movies can take a little getting used to, mainly due to the editing practices, in addition to dubbing the sound in after the movie had been completed, this movie holds the test of time very well, considering that it's almost 45 years old. My only real complaints are that it's not presented in a natural widescreen format and that the copy of the print was not in pristene condition; but don't let the TV format, soft focus and colors in some spots, and a few scratches and specks during the movie deter you from getting this classic. Some day I'm hoping to see a higher grade edition, in widescreen, with the film digitally restored and maybe a few extras; but until then, this will more than suffice.

This is a review of the DVD by Gemstone Entertainment - ISBN 0-7694-1100-2, UPC 84296-40174. Judging by the price, the one listed here on Amazon.com is likely to be similar.

I would rate the movie itself as one of my all time favorite fantasy adventures, although many would view it as "campy" I view Steve Reeves as the best Hercules ever.

I was rather disappointed that the DVD was a formatted-for-TV version of the movie, apparently made from a rather faded print of the film. The sound was generally out of sink with the actors lips. (Stopping and restarting my SONY player did not fix the problem.)

I'm glad I have some version of this movie in my library. Hopefully a restored, letterboxed version will be done someday.

I remember seeing this movie as a child and interestingly enough, now that it is on dvd, my son has bought this for his family.There are no great special effects. And don't look for any great acting, but Hercules is a fun movie and Reeves is the perfect Hercules with a sculpted physique, handsome and charismatic. I hope more Reeves movies become available on dvd. He was the original action hero.

Wish the Steve Reeves Hercules films were just a little more robust than they are: Reeves is magnificent to look at, and the women are beautiful. But somehow, these Hercules films don't create the same feeling in people that they get from Harryhausen's "Jason and the Argonauts", and the more elaborate spectacles like "Ben Hur". Fans of Reeves, and the genre, may object most to the pan-and-scan versions of these movies presented here. Bad prints, too, and this is a shame, because the color photography and widescreen were a huge part of the appeal of these amiably modest spectacles. If you've been waiting for "Hercules" to come out on a restored DVD, this isn't it, sadly. Reeves and his fans deserved better.

I just watched the Italian film Hercules staring Steve Reeves in the title role. First of all it was a pleasure to see Hercules call on his father Jupiter (and not Zeus as so many would have it).

Hercules travels to Jialco where he finds himself first welcomed by the Throne and then despised. After defeating the Cretan Bull, Hercules finds Jason, lost heir to the throne of Jialco. To prove Jason is who he says he is, Hercules, Jason, Argos and others set out to find the lost Golden Fleece.

Originally shot in Italian, this film does suffer from bad dubbing. This film, and particularly its sequel, Hercules Unchained, are some of the best interpretations of the Hercules legend.

Steve Reeves is wonderful as the hero and looks like he could defeat Kevin Sorbo without even trying. Reeves spends most of the film sans shirt showing off one of the finest builds ever filmed. For those who prefer looking at bodies with more curves, there are plenty of women in short Grecian robes.

This movie is a wonderful treat for those of us who marveled at Steve Reeves and his awesome presence in a series of otherwise forgettable 1960s sword and sorcery adventures. Reeves, a former Mr. America and Mr. Universe, was absolutely stunningly handsome, and as a result became the perfect archetype for young pubescent males looking for a role model. While his wonderful baritone voice was dubbed (much later I heard him talk on "Entertainment Tonight" about the newer types of bodybuilders coming to the fore under the influence of steroids, and he squawked out an answer in a tinny little voice that made one instantly realize why he never achieved wider stardom in more diverse American films.

But he was all beef and brawn here, and with the magic of a well-dubbed vocal effort became the star of the decade. This was his first role, as the immortal Hercules, and he plays the part well. As someone who saw the movie dozens of times in the theaters, believe me, it was all Reeves that explained the hit movie and the string of successors that followed. Of course, film producer Joseph E. Levine threw in the lovely Sylvia Koscina and a veteran cast of character actors. The special effects are a bit dated, and the sets are nice, but any chance to watch Reeves going through the motions is an exercise in watching someone so handsome and so well built that none of the rest of it mattered. Not a great movie, but one that is fun to watch to remember way back when....Enjoy!

This is without doubt the worst film transfer to DVD I have ever seen. I saw the film recently on TV and it was 10 times the quality of this DVD. Dont waste your money on this DVD.
It is an insult to modern technology and frankly a rip-off. Amazon should be ashamed of selling this product.

This was my first cinematic exposure to Hercules(Heracles)when I was a child.To me,Steve Reeves will always be Hercules.OK,so the picture quality isn't that great(it was,after all,made in Italy in the late '50's)and the acting leaves much to be desired,still it's a fun movie with some exciting scenes.Yes, the dubbed voice-overs are a bit corney,and the story isn't the true mythological one but I liked it anyway.(One reviewer liked that Hercules prayed to Jupiter instead of Zeus feeling it more accurate-he must have been a Roman).To me this was a much better film than the 80's version with Lou Ferrigno despite bigger budgets.

I can relate to the individual who said that Steve Reeves was his boyhood idol. He was mine as well. I can remember as a 8 year old watching Steve Reeves battle Barbarians in "Goliath and the Barbarians", my first Reeves movie. I sat mesmerized by Reeves. Many years later, I started weight training and eventually got into powerlifting competition winning the YMCA Nationals and AAU North American Championships and then went on to bodybuilding promotions like the AAU Atlantic States (a title I created), the first IFBB Teenage Mr America and the WABBA/NABBA USA vs Europe Challenge match, IFBB Jr. Mr. America and IFBB Mr. North America.Reeves planted the seed in me at age 8, he was the Arnold of his time. Food for thought: If it wasn't for Reeves, what would Arnold be doing these days? Reeves opened the door for many bodybulders who followed.On to the movie. Obviously this movie would not win any academy awards, but it helped win for Reeves the #1 box office champion of his time. It starts off with a runaway chariot and suddenly we hear the sounds and see a tree being uprooted. It's our Hercules saving the lady in distress and his future bride.Hercules is a fun movie. It is badly dubbed. But so what. Reeves looks good. The Amazon girls look really great. There aren't any great specia effects, but this was the fifties and the movie was made over 43 years ago. The plot is simple; kill the Lion, kill the Cretan Bull, renounce your immortality, save the people and help Jason and Argonauts and instill in Ulysses that his destiny will be determined by a bow and arrow! Oh, and marry the beautiful Jole and lets not forget how he pulls the Temple down ala SAMSON but lives.Seriously, Hercules is still a fun movie and deservedly a classic. The entire bodybuilding world owes a great debt to Reeves, the Italian producer and Joe Levine. One only has to watch the Hercules, Maciste, Goliath movies that followed this in the 60's or the Lou Ferrigno version of Hercules in 1980 to appreciate this one.Reeves was, is the one and only Hercules. This was the first and best Hercules movie.