408-Hercules Unchained

Film Year:  1959
Genre:  Adventure, Fantasy
Director:  Pietro Francisci
Starring:  Steve Reeves, Sylva Koscina, Primo Carnera, Sylvia Lopez
MST Season:  4

The Movie

Fresh off of his previous victory of a movie we won't see until next season, the great Greek hero Hercules has ridden off into the sunset with his bride Iole, while Ulysses follows them around for some reason, presumably to watch Herc and Iole do the nasty due to his voyeur fetish.  But Hercules is sucked into a sibling rivalry as two brothers go to war over a kingdom.  But even further digression is needed for the plot it seems for before Hercules can continue his adventure he happens to drink from the fountain of forgetfulness, become amnesiac, and be taken as the spouse of an underground queen and her harem of nymphs.

Hercules Unchained is the first Hercules film featured on Mystery Science Theater, and the second (and last) film made by Steve Reeves as the title character.  I don't think I'll hear much argument if I state that Reeve's films were probably the best this particular film series offered the show.  It can probably be argued they're probably among the better Hercules films ever made overall as well (bear in mind that I haven't even seen half of these Italian films, but what I have seen it's not even a contest).

This particular Hercules adventure is a step down from Reeves' first.  There's still some fun action and Herc muscle power on display, but the story is just painfully padded.  While it does root in actual Heracles/Hercules myth, the story of Hercules lounging about and being pampered for a good chunk of the run time just doesn't hold water with me.  The movie ultimately doesn't feel like it has any momentum.

Still, I do love me some Hercules, and Hercules Unchained offers just enough well-produced demigod mayhem to those who love these Italian sword and sandal movies.  Just be prepared to be "so sleepy I can barely keep my eyes open" during the middle act.

The Episode

Today we welcome one of our MST All-Stars to the party, the one and only Hercules.  Hercules is tied with Gamera as being the movie series with the most films featured on the series (though Gamera has the edge in that one Hercules movie is actually a Maceste movie in disguise).  Hercules would return in Hercules Against the Moon Men, Hercules and the Captive Women, Hercules, and The Loves of Hercules.

For the most part I enjoy this movie, which certainly helps me get through the episode.  That said, the riffing is pretty good, offering a steady parade of chuckles during the film's run time.  This is pretty helpful during the sagging middle portion of the film, where Hercules doesn't do much of anything.  There's plenty of great gags here, including a favorite line of mine where Hercules is unconvinced that he is a great hero causing Crow to make him shrug "I guess I'll have to stay here with all the nymphs."

The host segments are fun, as they mostly stay related to the film.  Mike Nelson has a decent cameo as Steve Reeves, the SOL crew drink from the Waters of Forgetfulness and try to patent other specific items of the sort, and Gypsy tries to play the harp...and fails.  The Invention Exchange has it's moments with the Steve-O-Meter being the highlight of the two inventions.

Ultimately this is an enjoyable episode for me, though if one doesn't have a fondness for these Italian sword and sandal flicks then caution yourself, since mileage may vary.  But if you enjoy them then this is one of the better episodes that features one.

Good

The DVD

Hercules Unchained hit DVD on Rhino's Volume 7 set.  Video was a tad soft and fuzzy, while audio was swell.  There were no bonus features.

Volume 7 is set to be re-released by Shout Factory in February.