Hercules (1995 film)

Hercules is a 1995 film about the story of the Greek demigod Hercules, the son of Zeus and Alcmene.

Plot

In Greek mythology, one of the greatest legends was Hercules – the son of Zeus. Hercules was once destined to be the King of Mycenae but his jealous stepmother Hera has another plan. Hera, not willing to allow a bastard son of Zeus overshadow her, decides to let Eurystheus, the firstborn cousin, deprive Hercules of his right. Hera tries to kill Hercules with two serpents but Hercules strangles them both.

As the years go by, Hercules displays incredible strength for a boy his age. Hercules and Eurystheus compete in a race against each other. Eurystheus wins and is declared King. Unable to accept his defeat, Hercules challenges Eurystheus again but accidentally takes his mother's life. Feeling guilty, despite being consoled by Megara, Hercules goes to the oracle and is told by Apollo to perform the "Twelve Labors" for Eurystheus. He refuses at first but the guilt becomes so strong he finally gives in to the challenge.

Hercules is given a series of challenges by his stepmother Hera, each one designed to be tougher than the last. He is sent to kill the Nemean lion, which he does successfully, and turns the fleece into a coat. He also drives away the Stymphalian birds with the help of Athena's cymbals.

Some of the labors are; the slaying of the Lernaean Hydra, catching the stag of Artemis, the Cathmanian boar, the Cretan bull, cleaning the Augeean stables, getting the girdle of Hippolyte, the man-eating mares of Diomedes and the Cattle of Geryon (but the monster is not shown).

The last challenge is the most dreadful, Hercules is forced down to the Underworld to take Cerberus. He retrieves Cerberus and takes him back to Eurytheus. The two men reconcile after the labors end and Hercules pacifies his stepmother, Hera, who had worked to make his life miserable. In the end, Hercules marries Megara.

Characters

• Hercules – The illegitimate son of the god Zeus and the mortal Alcmene. He is stronger than any man being able to kill two snakes even as an infant.
• Megara – The love interest of Hercules. Unlike in the original myths, she was married to him at the end of the labors.
• Eurystheus – The cowardly king of Mycenae whom Hera used as opposition to Hercules.
• Zeus – The father of Hercules and king of the gods.
• Hera – The queen of the gods and the stepmother of Hercules.
• Hades – The brother of Zeus and ruler of the afterlife.
• Athena – The half-sister of Hercules and goddess of wisdom.
• Alcmene - The mother of Hercules.

Cast

• Megara - Kathleen Barr
• Atlas - Garry Chalk
• Hera - Kathleen Barr

External links

• Hercules on IMDb