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.
Acting
Steve Reeves invented the superhero physique; charisma sold separately.
Practical Effects
Pre-CGI creature effects that aged like a fine cheese wheel.
Production
Luxurious Cinecittà sets making Italy ancient Greece's stunt double.
Director
Pietro Francisci
Steve Reeves
Ercole (Hercules)
Sylva Koscina
Iole, Daugher of Pelias
Fabrizio Mioni
Jason
Gianna Maria Canale
Antea, Queen of the Amazons
Arturo Dominici
Eurysteus
Mimmo Palmara
Iphitus, Son of Pelias
Lidia Alfonsi
The Sybil
Gabriele Antonini
Ulysses
Aldo Fiorelli
Argos
Andrea Fantasia
Laertes
Luciana Paluzzi
Iole's Maid
Ivo Garrani
Pelias, King of Iolcus
Gina Rovere
amazzone
Afro Poli
Chironi
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
This film single-handedly resurrected the 'peplum' genre and made Steve Reeves the highest-paid actor in Europe—briefly.
The Hydra was played by a puppet so janky that modern audiences think it's intentional comedy.
IT
