"Hercules: The Legendary Journeys" (1995) TV series 1995-1999

User Rating:

6.7/10   

Creator:

Christian Williams

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

Release Date:

16 January 1995 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Adventure | Drama | Fantasy

Plot:

Hercules, aided by his best friend Iolaus, goes on many adventures helping people and slaying mythical monsters using his half-god strength.

Plot Keywords:

Hercules | Hero | Death | Greek God | Multiple Monsters

Awards:

7 wins & 6 nominations

Cast

Kevin Sorbo	...	Hercules / ... (111 episodes, 1995-1999)
Michael Hurst	...	Iolaus / ... (79 episodes, 1995-1999)

Runtime:

Netherlands:50 min | USA:60 min (including commercials) (116 episodes) | Argentina:60 min | Israel:45 min | Spain:45 min

Country:

USA | New Zealand

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Australia:PG | Finland:K-13 (Season 1 DVD) | Australia:M (some episodes) | Argentina:13

Filming Locations:

Henderson, Auckland, New Zealand

Company:

MCA Television

Trivia:

A scene in an episode in which Hercules and Autolycus travel to the past, Autolycus (Bruce Campbell) has an argument with his younger self. The entire scene is played out exactly like a scene from Army of Darkness (1992) where Ash (Campbell) fights the Evil Ash (most of the dialogue is also the same). Series producer Sam Raimi directed that film.

Quotes:

Autolycus: Of course I care about the needs of the people... I happen to be one of them.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Xena: Warrior Princess: Prometheus (#1.8)" (1995)

Good but inaccurate

Hercules is a good show, with some interesting twists and turns, although it is hardly a correct re-telling of the greek hero´s life. The man himself was not the goody two-shoes portrayed by Sorbo, but was in fact a person wrecked by personal problems and with a taste for bloody deeds, such as killing his entire family in rage, as well as smashing his music-teacher over the head with a lyre when he dared to criticize the would-be hero´s lack of dexterity. Being a swede, the show that really stood out as another fine mess was the one with the norse gods. Some enlightenment: The viking-age took place some 2000 years after Hercules had died. Odin is one-eyed, and he meets his end in Ragnarok. Thors hammer (Mjollnir) has a shortened shaft due to Loki´s interference. Loki is described as a dark-haired, beautiful man (with a devious mind). But since this is a fantasy - who cares ? The acting is mostly fine, with Iolaus as the most complex character of the two, giving the show some depth. And there are some great characters coming and going, such as the self-absorbed thief Autolocus, the money-loving Salmoneus, and Falafel the chef, for comic relief. The women portrayed are for the most part strong and independent, with a will and resourcefulness to match the men, especially Echidna, Aphrodite, and the no nonsense Amazon warriors. Its a pity though that they didnt put Athena in the script, since she is the embodiment of female ingenuity and power - it would have been fun to watch the ongoing feud between her and Ares, but as it is, Xena is a worthy successor to the part. On the whole, this is a very nicely produced series, which, although it isnt a history-lesson, should generate some interest in the original sources - and that is never a bad thing.