| 'Long ago, in the faraway land of ancient Greece, | | | | the temple of Zeus, a quiet place for reflection, to |
| there was a golden age of powerful gods and | | | | ask for guidance. There he learns that he has a |
| extraordinary heroes. And the greatest and | | | | famous father - and Zeus tells him that he has to |
| strongest of all these heroes was the mighty | | | | prove himself a true hero on earth to restore his |
| Hercules. But what is the measure of a true hero? | | | | status as a god.How do you become a true hero? |
| Ah, that is what our story is...'Fables are | | | | |
| fashionable, no doubt about it. On film, the world in | | | | You learn from an expert.On Zeus' advice, and |
| the 21st century is saved by super-heroes a few | | | | with the help of Pegasus the flying horse, Hercules |
| times a day because they have either futuristic | | | | seeks out Philictetus, the trainer of heroes. Phil is |
| technology or astonishing powers.For me, | | | | disillusioned because previous clients like Perseus |
| however, Disney's 'Hercules' is the best movie in | | | | and Achilles couldn't go the full distance, but he |
| this genre ever made : it is their only film based | | | | takes Hercules on and shows him all the tricks of |
| on Greek mythology - these timeless tales about | | | | the hero-trade. Both make mistakes and get hurt |
| a world of complex interrelations between gods | | | | a few times in the process, of course - you |
| and humans explored the mysteries of life on | | | | teach what you need to learn, and the lines |
| earth, conveying important lessons to struggling | | | | between teacher and student get blurred after a |
| mortals.The conduct of the royal society on | | | | while.Along the way Hercules also has to rescue |
| Mount Olympus in those days seems to have | | | | Megara, a damsel in distress, and they fall in love - |
| been as fallible as today's jet set and in the | | | | he doesn't know that she has sold her soul to |
| absence of TV, the stories about their lives and | | | | Hades, however, and is committed to help him |
| adventures, weaknesses and misdemeanours in | | | | rearrange the cosmos to take over Mount |
| ancient Greece apparently were the talk of the | | | | Olympus. Despite their efforts to get Hercules out |
| town.As an animated movie first released in 1997, | | | | of the way before he spoils the loot, he becomes |
| the ancient characters in Walt Disney's 'Hercules' | | | | a famous superstar 'From Zero to Hero' in the big |
| speak a very modern language - Charlton Heston | | | | city with his own merchandised brand on |
| (Narrator), Rip Torn (Zeus, leader of the gods), | | | | consumer goods, all the royalties that go with it, |
| James Woods (Hades, ruler of the underworld) | | | | and the high life that everyone envies.But being |
| and Danny DeVito (Phil the Satyr) amongst others | | | | rich and famous, strong and powerful is not being |
| have given their voices to a fast-paced, wildly | | | | a true hero, Zeus tells him at another visit to the |
| funny and very entertaining film for kids and | | | | temple - before Hercules can rejoin the gods he |
| adults alike.What is often overlooked though is | | | | must still do something that he has to discover |
| that the story of Hercules is also a brilliant parable | | | | for himself, something that he can only find by |
| about the human cycle of life on earth - for me, | | | | looking inside.Hades in the meantime is furious and |
| that is he most interesting aspect of the movie. It | | | | very frustrated with his lack of progress until he |
| all starts at the party on Mount Olympus, where | | | | finds the only weakness Hercules has - his love |
| right of admission is reserved for Gods, to | | | | for Meg. Hercules eventually agrees to give up his |
| celebrate the birth of Hercules, son of Zeus and | | | | enormous strength for 24 hours to win back |
| Hera. The host welcomes a new guest :"Hades, | | | | Meg's freedom from the clutches of Hades - who |
| you finally made it. How are things in the | | | | immediately launches his attack on the world by |
| underworld?" | | | | unleashing the Titans.But Meg, Pegasus and Phil are |
| "Well, they're just fine. You know, a little dark, a | | | | not giving up on Hercules' shattered dreams and |
| little gloomy. And, as always, hey, full of dead | | | | help him in his darkest hour. Together with the |
| people. What are you gonna do?" The evil Hades | | | | gods on Mount Olympus, they defeat Hades and |
| plans to overthrow Zeus as chief of the gods in | | | | his Titans and liberate planet Earth from the |
| what he calls a 'hostile takeover bid', however, | | | | underworld's tyranny and oppression - but not |
| and shortly after the party sends his helpers Pain | | | | without casualties : Meg is dying!In a desperate |
| and Panic to abduct Hercules down to Earth | | | | attempt to change the course of events, |
| because the Fates predict that he might thwart | | | | Hercules rushes to see Hades and strikes a deal |
| the coup in 18 years time.Although pain and fear | | | | with him : 'Take me in Meg's place'. He dives after |
| are still the most effective allies of dark forces | | | | Meg into the River of Death, selflessly offering his |
| today, good help was difficult to find even in | | | | life in return for hers, but the Fates cannot cut his |
| those days, and Pain and Panic don't quite manage | | | | thread so that they both emerge alive - the |
| to infuse the magic potion into Hercules that | | | | underworld has no power over gods!Meg and the |
| would make him forget his divine origin.As a result, | | | | mighty Hercules are whisked off to Mount |
| Hercules retains super-human strength for his spell | | | | Olympus - now he can return home to be |
| on earth - but that doesn't make him very | | | | reunited with his family. The overjoyed Zeus |
| popular : as an impetuous teenager, he breaks | | | | explains : 'A true hero isn't measured by the size |
| whatever he touches and he isn't allowed | | | | of his strength - but by the strength of his heart!' |
| anywhere near the local pottery store. 'Jerkules' is | | | | This is the moment Hercules has always dreamed |
| his nickname at that time and he yearns to be | | | | of, but he realizes that a life without love, even |
| normal, like everyone else.He just wants to fit in | | | | an immortal life, would be empty - and chooses |
| somehow and know where he belongs, setting | | | | to stay on earth with Meg and his friends : 'I |
| the scene for the archetypal hero's quest - this is | | | | finally know where I belong.' I just love it!What if |
| beautifully highlighted in his captivating song 'Go | | | | we all remembered that we are powerful beyond |
| the Distance' : 'I will find my way, I can go the | | | | measure and have a connection to our divine |
| distance; I'll be there some day if I can be strong; | | | | origin with unlimited support?What if we knew |
| I know every mile will be worth my while.'So | | | | that we are always exactly where we belong, |
| when he leaves the home of his foster parents | | | | wherever we are and whatever we do? |
| to find his place in the world, his first stop is at | | | | |