Hercules


1h 47m 1958

Brief Synopsis

In this melange of characters and events from separate mythological stories, Hercules, demigod and superman, arrives in the ancient Greek kingdom of Iolcus to tutor Iphitus, son of king Pelias; immediately on arrival, he falls in love with the king's delectable, briefly clad daughter Iole. Before he can win her, he must succeed in a series of quests, in the course of which he teams up with Jason, true heir of Iolcus, whom he accompanies on the famous voyage of the Argonauts.

Film Details

Also Known As
Fatiche di Ercole, Le
Genre
Action
Adventure
Fantasy
Release Date
1958

Technical Specs

Duration
1h 47m
Sound
Mono
Color
Color (Eastmancolor)
Theatrical Aspect Ratio
2.35 : 1

Synopsis

Fantastical adaptation of the adventures of the mythological hero.

Film Details

Also Known As
Fatiche di Ercole, Le
Genre
Action
Adventure
Fantasy
Release Date
1958

Technical Specs

Duration
1h 47m
Sound
Mono
Color
Color (Eastmancolor)
Theatrical Aspect Ratio
2.35 : 1

Quotes

Trivia

This was the first film shot in Italy in the French Dyaliscope anamorphic widescreen system.

The roar of the dragon guarding the Golden Fleece is actually Godzilla'a roar from _Godzilla King of the Monsters (1956)_ . Joseph E. Levine had acquired and released that film three years earlier.

Joseph E. Levine acquired the U.S. distribution rights to this film, which he retitled "Hercules", for $120,000.

Writer-director Pietro Francisci was having trouble finding just the right person to portray Hercules. The problem was solved when his daughter suggested American bodybuilder-turned-actor Steve Reeves whom she had seen in the MGM musical Athena (1954).

To take maximum advantage of the extensive (and expensive) television and radio campaign launched to promote the film in the USA, Joseph E. Levine pioneered the technique of "saturation booking" by using over 600 prints of "Hercules" (1959). This was an unheard number of prints for a U.S. release in the days of full size movie theatres (not the small multiplexes we know today).

Miscellaneous Notes

Released in United States 1958

Re-released in United States Summer 1959

Joseph E Levine bought the film, based on the legend of the Argonauts, for $120,000, dubbed in English dialogue and made millions from its American release and subsequent sequels.

dubbed

Dyaliscope

Released in United States 1958

Re-released in United States Summer 1959