THE PLOT THUS FAR
Mythology’s greatest hero and The Trojan War come to life in The Hercules Collection, a thrilling collection of six classic movies from the ‘sword and sandal’ genre. First brought to the screen by bodybuilder Steve Reeves, the character of Hercules has enjoyed one of the most enduring careers in motion pictures, spanning over fifty years and counting.
Exploring the rich variety the genre has to offer, this set packs in all the sword-slinging, monster-battling action you expect from the world’s strongest demigod, as well as two epics inspired by the ancient world’s most famous conflict. This mighty collection includes The Trojan Horse (1961), The Loves of Hercules (1960), Medusa Against The Son of Hercules (1962), The Conquest of Mycenae (1963), The Triumph of Hercules (1964), and Hercules Against The Sons of the Sun (1964).
WHAT WE THOUGHT
“The Hercules Collection” highlights the best of the Steve Reeves movies. Outside of that, it’s what you expected. Low-budget movies produced in Europe to capitalize on the swords and sandals craze. There is no Harryhausen influence in any of these movies, so you must know what you can expect. That being said, it’s what Peter Graves was talking about when he mentioned gladiator movies. There’s always going to be a certain section of the population that digs this stuff.
Steve Reeves is remembered more as a pop culture footnote than an actor. But, he had to share the stage with monsters and weird tribal people. If you make a bodybuilder the lead actor, don’t expect much. We still do it in the modern era, but we make these people into aliens and killer robots. I guess that the legacy of Hercules and Steve Reeves still influences cinema to this day.
The DVD comes with no special features. But, you’re getting six movies across two discs. The transfer holds up for a ton of movies that are in the public domain. The mono track works for what it is. In the end, I’d recommend a purchase to the curious.
RELEASE DATE: 10/14/2014