Hercules (1958)

[Scott]

HERCULES (1958) - Good film starring Steve Reeves in this Italian production. The story sticks a bit closer to Greek myth than most of the Hercules films to follow about his struggle between man and god. Lots of feats of strength here as Hercules saves the beautiful princess by throwing a tree at the foot of run away horses to stop her chariot near a cliff and ends with the dramatic and visual scene of Hercules pulling pillars down upon the kings soldiers. There is a battle with a giant monster/dinosaur by Jason and his crew which includes Hercules before they get the Golden Fleece. I enjoyed this film. All the Italian Hercules and sword and sandal films of the late 50's and early 60's need to be restored. Many DVD copies are faded, but watchable. At least we have the slightly faded ones.

[BoyScoutKevin]

I liked this one as well, and it is my favorite of the "Hercules," at least, up to the time of Kevin Sorbo's "Hercules: the Legendary Journeys."

And the sequel "Hercules Unchained" is one of the few sequels I actually liked better than the original.