Hercules
Tags: psychedelic

Plot synopsis:
Hercules is the leader of a band of mercenaries composed of the spear-wielding prophet Amphiaraus of Argos, the knife-throwing thief Autolycus of Sparta, the feral warrior Tydeus of Thebes, the Amazon archer Atalanta of Scythia and his nephew storyteller Iolaus of Athens. Hercules is said to be the demigod son of Zeus, who completed the legendary Twelve Labors, only to be betrayed by Hera who drove him insane and caused him to murder his wife Megara and their children during a visit to King Eurystheus. Throughout the film, it is not clearly established that Hercules is truly the son of Zeus, and many are skeptical of the claim as well as of the stories of Hercules' famous Twelve Labors. Despite this, Hercules displays unusual strength and nigh-unmatched skill in combat. Hercules is frequently haunted by the memory of the deaths of his wife and children by his hand, as well as visions of Cerberus.
After finishing a recent mission and saving his nephew on the Macedonian Coast in Northern Greece in 358 BC, Hercules and his team are celebrating and drinking at a tavern when they are approached by Ergenia on behalf of her father Lord Cotys who wants Hercules to train the armies of Thrace to defend the kingdom from bloodthirsty warlord Rhesus. Hercules accepts after he and his men are offered his weight in gold, and the band is welcomed to Thrace by King Cotys and General Sitacles, leader of the Thracian army. However, Rhesus has reached the Bessi tribe in Central Thrace and Cotys insists that Hercules lead the army into battle to defend the Bessi, despite their lack of training. However, they are too late as Rhesus' sorcery has turned the Bessi against the Thracians.
After the Bessi are defeated, Hercules properly trains the army, then Hercules and Sitacles confront Rhesus and his soldiers on the battlefield before Mount Asticus. The Thracians force Rhesus' army to retreat, but Rhesus himself rides out to confront Hercules and is defeated by him. Rhesus is taken back to Thrace as a prisoner, where he is tortured and humiliated. Hercules takes pity and stops the townfolk from throwing more objects at him, then Hercules mentions Rhesus' actions of burning down villages, Rhesus tells him it was not him or his army, and tells Hercules that he has been fighting on the wrong side. Later in the hall of the palace, Rhesus has been chained up and left on display. Noticing that Ergenia has taken pity to him, Hercules confronts her and finds out Rhesus was telling the truth in that he was merely retaliating against Lord Cotys's aggressive attempts to expand his kingdom. Although Ergenia doesn't agree with Lord Cotys's methods, she goes along with them for the sake of her son Arius, Lord Cotys's successor to the throne, who is being threatened by Cotys.
After receiving their reward, the mercenaries are ready to leave, but Hercules decides to stay behind to stop Cotys, and all but Autolycus choose to follow him. However, they are overpowered and captured by Sitacles and his men. While chained, Hercules is confronted by King Eurystheus, who is in league with Lord Cotys. Eurystheus reveals that he drugged Hercules the night his family died, viewing him as a threat to his power. Hercules's family was in fact killed by three vicious wolves sent by Eurystheus, resulting in Hercules's constant hallucinations of Cerberus. When Lord Cotys orders Ergenia to be executed for her betrayal, Hercules is encouraged by Amphiaraus to believe in himself just as everyone believes in him. In a show of superhuman strength, Hercules breaks free of his chains, saving Ergenia and slaying the wolves with his bare hands. Hercules releases the prisoners, including Rhesus, and then confronts King Eurystheus, impaling him with his own dagger. He is attacked by Sitacles, who is then stabbed by Iolaus.
Outside, Hercules and his forces battle Lord Cotys and his army. Arius is taken hostage, but then rescued by Autolycus, who has decided to return to help his friends. In the ensuing battle, Tydeus is mortally wounded while protecting Arius, but fights on slaughtering numerous Thracian soldiers. Hercules again uses inhuman strength and pushes a massive statue of Hera from its foundations and uses it to crush Lord Cotys and many of his soldiers. The remaining soldiers see Hercules as lightning flashes in the background. The surviving soldiers bow to Hercules, and Arius takes the throne, with Ergenia at his side, while Hercules and his men depart in search of other adventures.
As the credits roll, an animated retelling of the Twelve Labors shows how Hercules accomplished these feats with the help of his companions.

Review: Playing with Greek Myths, what fun!.
I wish I had watched this series in it's first run, but I figured "Oh great, another badly done TV series" (I was still bitter about Aladdin and Gargoyles being cancelled).
Then, directly before it went off the air I found these sound clips from the show that were so funny that I decided to watch it.
The show is full of vague references to Greek myths and plays.
The more Greek you've been made to study, the more amusing Hercules is..
Sure, it takes a lot of liberties with Greek mythology and Greek history.
It's not even totally faithful to the 1997 movie with the same name, to which it's supposed to be a "midquel".
But still, "Hercules" is rather educational (there are facts about mythology and history in it, if you only care to look for them) and really funny.
It must be one of Disney's most underrated TV shows ever!
It must be one of Disney's most underrated TV shows ever!
It follows the adventures of the young demigod Hercules, who's not only a hero in training (he lives with his trainer Philoctetes), so it's often up to him to stop the plans of his evil uncle Hades, the lord of the Underworld, or to solve other problems.
But he also has to go to High School, just like any other teenager, and face typical teenage issues.
He's got two best friends, Icarus and Cassandra, but he's often taunted by Adonis, the arrogant prince of Thrace, who considers him "a loser".The ancient Greek gods, like Zeus, Hera, Ares, Athena, Apollon, Artemis, Demeter, Bacchus, Aphrodite, Poseidon, the Muses and Hermes, all make appearances, and so do many heroes and monsters from Greek mythology.
And like other reviewers have said, this show also have an impressive cast list, even for guest roles.
So if you can, check it out!.
A Cute, Halfway Intelligent Kids Show.
Hercules hits all the typical Disney/kid-show notes, delivering moral messages and a lot of humor.
Like the original Disney movie, but unlike shows like Aladdin and Little Mermaid, Hercules toss in lots of modern-day in-joking which keeps it somewhat interesting for the adults (like myself) to watch while the kiddies enjoy the show.
There's also a lot of quality voice talent assembled here (how did they ever get James Woods??).
Overall, this somewhat skewed look at Greek mythology is humorous enough..
A fun, cute little series, and one of Disney's most underrated.
I remembered seeing this show as a kid, and I also remembered liking it.
To this day at 19 I like how fun and cute it is, and I do consider it one of Disney's most underrated.
The 1997 movie Hercules I admit is not one of my favourites from Disney, but it is a very enjoyable movie, funny with great vocal talent, and one that I have learnt to appreciate more over-time.
I like this series even more.
True, like the movie it is not true to Greek mythology, though I much enjoyed the facts brought forward for educational value, but it is vibrantly animated, has a catchy theme tune, has some interesting story lines and has some really funny and witty writing and jokes while leaving some moments of cuteness and sometimes poignancy.
I loved all the characters, Hercules is for me much more likable than he is in the movie, while everybody else, some from the movie some not, fare even better with fun personalities.
Hades especially is hilarious.
The voice acting, I agree it is just a treat of a cast both on paper and in voice work, is just terrific, hard to pick a favourite.
All in all, fun, cute and underrated, it may not be among Disney's very best but I can think of worse ways to waste my time with.
8/10 Bethany Cox.
"Bless my soul...
Herc is on a roll!".
In a sea of obscurity from Disney (from Dinosaur to Inspector Gadget to Recess to Disney's Doug to whatever things they destroyed) Hercules is one of those shows that has a lot of creativity.
Now mind you, the Movie wasn't up to Disney Standards in any way you put it but was an interesting feature film that many other animated features will try to emulate.
But actually the Hercules Cartoon is actually very nice.The cast of characters are very interesting and is definitely making fun of Greek mythology and today's pop culture.
This series' was more well executed that the movie of the same name.
Animation is sortof typical for this kind of show, but (my God) look at the celebrities they casted for the roles.
Everybody like Robert Stack (Unsolved Mysteries), Eric Idle (Monty Python) and even James Woods (The original Dead-Head: Hades) gave their talent to this show.
It's sortof amazing in a sense.
But I digress, this show is still much more better than the crap they put out now on Disney's One Saturday Morning but I think will never replace Disney's Nostalgic shows like Ducktales, Darkwing Duck, or even Gargoyles.
Still, it's a nice show.
Recommendable if you ask me..
what a cast list!!!.
I'm completely blown away at the cast list of this very funny, clever show.
How in the world did they get (almost literally) every major living star to do a voice?
I'm particularly impressed by how faithful (mostly) the stories are to the Greek and Roman sources.
One of the best cartoons around today..
I never saw the Hercules movie but I have seen loads of episodes of the TV series and it is a very funny show which adults will appreciate as well as kids.It's quite educational in the fact that you get to know a lot about Greek Mythology.The most astonishing thing about it is the voice over cast with the likes of Tate Donovan, French Stewart, Sandra Bernhard and James Woods among the regulars.
And an amazing guest star cast which has seen everything from Sarah Michelle Gellar, Jenifer Aniston, Lisa Kudrow to William Shatner and Robert Stack doing voices.To sum up a very witty show..
Just Watch It For the Actor Cameos....
The television show "Hercules," based on the Disney film "Hercules," is perhaps worth watching just for the impressive cameos by actors.
Why a show like "Hercules" would ever attract so many talented actors and actresses is beyond me.
Perhaps the sound studio was nearby when the actors were filming a movie, and they decided to stop in and spice up the show a bit.
Either way, the kids who watch the show most likely didn't realize any of the actors.
It's an adult joke, really.
As for the show itself...well...what have we come to expect from television spin-offs?
Though, be careful.
When you start tuning in to hear the actors, you can become attached to the show easily.
2.5/5 stars --John Ulmer.
Intelligent, morally filled, highly recommended.
A great, intelligent show!
Each episode presents some part of the Greek mythology in a very funny and ethic way.
The characters are great, friendship they have is very enlightening for youngsters.
It is a very good manifest for the young generations.
Adults can easily watch the show as it has quite a lot of hilarious moments.
Highly recommend!
I am very amazed how it did not get the respectful critics and popularity.
On the other side the animation is not as good as in original cartoon from 1997.
However the story is still great!
There is even a Disney "wiki" page which has a lot of explanations and descriptions of the characters.
A great way to popularize Greek mythology in this era..
A crazy irreverent little romp!.
....and one that's *way* more than halfways intelligent- indeed one needs to be half way through highschool to get half the jokes- and a few years of college don't hurt either.
Hilarious,wonky, bittersweet and adorable the series follows the adventures of young teen Herc and his friends as they grow up during their high school years with surprising realism and candor for what looks at first to be a standard Saturday morning kiddie cartoon.
Take the time to discover it and you''ll find it's possibly the best series Disneys ever done with Broadway quality show tunes and over 160 TV and movie guest star voices ranging from Garrison Keillor to William Shatner.
James Woods and French Stewart fans are in for a special treat.Disneys Hercules the TV Series.
Good good good.
This wasn't a bad show that i used to watch sometimes, it was clever and had good messages usually.
I especially liked the episode where Hercules was trying to impress a goth girl (voiced by Joey Lauren Adams from Chasing Amy and Dazed and Confused, apparently).
Jeez, would you look at the voice list!
I think they must've been blackmailed or something to get all those famous stars on that show, doing relatively little parts on a show that wasn't much publicity for either.
Or maybe they just got paid a LOT.
I think they were blackmailed though, like Bob Dylan being on an episode of Dharma and Greg (next is getting J.D. Sallinger on an episode of Friends)..
Best Disney Movie ever!.
I absolutely loved this movie and sometimes I watch the cartoon as well.
It was so good!
Everyone in the cinema was laughing whenever Hades(James Woods) went onto the screen.It was a really great movie!
I really loved all the singing by the Muses.If you haven't seen it by now then you have just missed one of the greatest Disney movies ever created..
Did you see Him. Hades is me done in white face.
THe rest you may have known about...
Did you see the man sitting behind the beast signing that document for Hercules?
The beast is me and the man telling me that there really is an alien on the planet.
The man with his head on Fire is really the Creator of the planet we call earth.
That is really what he looks like.
When that happened to me Eric Tillman back in June of 1998 he that man with his head on Fire is who did that to me.
So as you can see he was trying to explain to the world that the reason my eyes are like firery red to you all is that i am Lucifer the actual Sun in the sky walking around here alive on the planet and that there is a hole in the Ozone layer that needs to be closed but everyone alive has to get behind the idea of trying to close it instead of waiting for him to fix it all by himself.
That man with his head on Fire and then it cools down is named Jurell not spelled Jo'rell.
but pronounce almost the same.
I have been going through this conversation for sometime now and it seems to fall on deaf ears of people who are not actually deaf.
Come and take these micro-chips out of Mr. Frederick Khayyam Tillman's apartment.
That was what they were for to help spread the word out of how to solve those environmental issue everyone else seems to ignore.
If no one was gonna listen then you must extract them and leave him alone or you would start to hear him speak at a level of words and phrases that are not healthy to the society as a whole that is his way of deleting the general population which he could of done on June 4,1998.
Become more mature ladies and gentlemen The Creeator does not want the moon to drop on your heads but he wants you all to keep it from doing that.
One man down here on earth can't be the only one you look to for that solution.
Look at it again thoughts he needs to give you when you look at him will come to you and you will be able to understand even though you try not too..
Looks and Gibberish.
I think Hercules looks like my step brother Alex.
Its totally hilarious.
He has never seen the movie or the t.v. show so he has no idea.
I showed him a picture but he didn't get it.
I also show his sister and she agreed and laughed.
Its so funny because he can act like him too.
I want to get the movie for him for Christmas.
I think it will be a funny joke.
We were born the same year, so its like he is my twin.
I'm related to Hercules.
LOL.
Wow, these things have to be long.
I'm just writing gibberish now to fill up space.
Hercules is a cool show.
I used to watch it every day before school.
Well before I graduated.
Now I watch it on Toon Disney every so often.
My daughter likes it.
Is it 10 lines yet?.
Is it 10 lines yet?.
Why did anyone watch this, again?.
Sorry.
I know you're all reviewing the TV series.
Found that odd, since I got to the review page from the movie page, not the TV show page...Apart from that, after the five minute intro Vegas song and dance crap, followed by Hercules being born on Mount Olympus to Zeus and Hera.
followed by Hades 'Turning him Mortal', I managed to make it to the DVD player to turn it off.I was absolutely disgusted from the first moment that all of these Hollywood stars would put their names on this piece of horribly inaccurate trash just because it was Disney.
perhaps after several bottles of Pepto Bismol, I'll be able to watch it further and find out how exactly Hercules' life went with a loving Goddess mother instead of a spiteful jealous Goddess that tried to kill him his entire life, causing him to achieve the amazing feats that he was famous for.I'm sure a minor detail like that won't affect the life of the son of the greatest God in Greek mythology.
Really, it's OK, I swear.But, since we seem to be reviewing the TV series here, let me just say ..
woohoo!!!
I LOVE IT!!!
I LOVE IT!!!
I LOVE IT!!!
It's better than Recess and the Smurfs combined, tossed together with a little bit of Schneider from 'One Day at a Time'!!.
Wonderful!.
I remember waking up at the crack of dawn early Saturday mornings just to catch this on ABC and airing simultaneously in syndication.
Anyway, I was impressed on how many celebrities signed on to voice characters, however, I did note that two of my personal favorites were missing, "The Golden Girls'" Bea Arthur and Broadway's Bernadette Peters, but I digress.I enjoy still enjoy the show which now airs on the Toon Disney Channel and I recommend it for the celebrity cameo appearances..
Fun little kid show.
When Disney released their Hercules movie, it was so obvious a cartoon series was going to be made.
I thought the series would be a piece of garbage because I had seen what Disney had been offering Saturday mornings I decided to give it a chance and I was really surprised.
The series was good and funny.
I would put this show up with Disney's other great animated series, Darkwing Duck and Gargoyles to name a couple..
Some facts about Hercule's story.
''Hercules'' is a cute cartoon from Disney, but it does not tell the exact story of this mythological and famous hero, as also does not show all of the things Hercules have passed through.
Hercules and their parents Hera and Zeus live in the Olympus, and they have a nice and calm life.One day,Zeus was going to introduce Hercules to the other gods in a party,when Hades,the god of the sub world, angry because he was not invited for the party was decided to take off Hercules' immortality.
He sent his two pals Panic and Pain to do this mission, and they were going well taking Hercules powers, until they listened to a noise and they let little Hercules with his strength.
Panic and Pain thought Hercules was a mortal,so nobody else was worried with Hercules powers and he was adopted by a mortal couple,living well and thinking about himself as a strong human.
Only with the time, when he met Meg,Zeus,his unicorn and Puk he is going to know that he is actually son of a God..
Excuse me?
Okay, I've seen Alladin and the Little Mermaid and I'm cool with that.
It's a lame attempt to turn a Greek story into a TV series about a guy who acts like he's weak when he is actually one of the strongest people in the world according to this show.This is probably the hardest votes I had to make because I like Disney.
I don't love it though because it's too cheesy, but I like it.
I give it a one, sadly.
I haven't seen this show in so long though that all I remember is a guy holding up the sky in one episode.
That's it, but I remember the poorly made, poorly drawn, and bad jokes in the show.I do not recommend this show for Disney lovers.
It will disappoint you.