Le fatiche di Ercole (1958)

The muscular Hercules performs his Labors, sails with the Argonauts, and romances the fair Iole.

Director:

Pietro Francisci

Writers:

Apollonios Rhodios (poem), Pietro Francisci (adaptation),

Stars:

Steve Reeves, Sylva Koscina, Fabrizio Mioni

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Steve Reeves	...	Ercole (Hercules)
Sylva Koscina	...	Iole, Daugher of Pelias
Fabrizio Mioni	...	Jason
Ivo Garrani	...	Pelias, King of Iolcus
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 (as Luciana Paoluzzi)
Afro Poli	...	Chironi
Gian Paolo Rosmino	...	Aesculapius (as G.P. Rosmino)
Willi Colombini	...	Pollux

Storyline

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.

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Plot Keywords:

hercules | argonaut | hand to hand combat | greek mythology | combat | 

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Taglines:

Spectacles of massive might beyond any ever known before!

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Genres:

Adventure | Fantasy | Romance

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

Italy Spain

Language:

Italian

Release Date:

22 July 1959 (USA)

Also Known As:

Hercules

Filming Locations:

Titanus Studios, Rome, Lazio, Italy

Company Credits

Production Co:

Embassy Pictures Corporation, Galatea Film, O.S.C.A.R.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

104 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

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.

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Goofs

Hercules offers Iole a chunk of roast beef, but Sylva Koscina's bite at the joint misses by inches. However, she still munches at the imaginary meat and then complains of being too full.

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Quotes

Ercole: I've come a long way. Seeing you was worth it.
Iole, Daugher of Pelias: How simple men are. As though I were a plant or an animal. Still, I thank you, you know.
Ercole: I'm telling you the truth. Don't thank me for it.

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Connections

Followed by Hercules Unchained (1959)

User Reviews

Not sure if anyone will read because of out-of-style Film

I had to leave some comment because this is the first movie I remember going to see.

After the movie I remember acting out the labors of Hercules in front of the movie-house with my friends after the show. This movie seemed to put an end to all cowboys and my other heroes Roy Rogers and Trigger. I was only 7 years old but it seems like yesterday.

This movie was very impressive since after 42 years I still admire Steve Reeves. I understand he is still living a very healthy life even now.