Hercules: The Legendary Journeys, Season One — Family Feuds Fuels the Stories of Ancient Greece

Back in 1994, Universal TV hosted the Action Pack featuring a 2-hour movie each week. I got sucked into this offering because of a show called Vanishing Son (anyone remember that?). But there was another show that was completely different in nature that intrigued me… Hercules: The Legendary Journeys.

I’ve always been a fan of Greek mythology so this new show definitely sparked an interest. But it also came out during a time when fantasy shows weren’t as common as it is now. I didn’t know if it had any longevity next to a show like Vanishing Son. But a series of 2-hour movies led to the creation of its own show. Hercules: The Legendary Journeys, Season One is an eight-disc DVD set collecting the first five made-for-TV movies as well as the entire first season.


A Legend is Forged…

The adventures of the legendary strongman are chronicled in a series of these first five movies. This was a showcase to see if there was enough interest to garner its own television show. Starring Kevin Sorbo and loosely based on the Greek stories, Hercules is seen wandering ancient Greece saving people from monsters, evil warlords and even the machinations of the gods. Throughout the five movies, Hercules’ man adversary his is stepmother, Hera, who seeks to destroy him as he is a reminder to her of Zeus’ adulterous ways with a human woman.

More importantly, the theme of family is prevalent as we see Hercules’ resentment towards his father Zeus. Evidently, it’s Zeus who tries to reconcile with his son. I was actually surprised to see Anthony Quinn take on the role of the King of the Greek Gods. He actually seems to be having a fun time with it.

Hercules does change throughout this time as he goes from a solitary, single figure to a married family man. All seems to be well with him, unless Hera has anything to say about it.


…And the Journeys Begin

With the success of the movies, a new television series is born. But now that Hercules is living the good domestic life, can there even be a series that focuses on his journeys? Yes, if you eliminate the family component. In one fell swoop, Hera kills his wife and children leaving a despondent Hercules to vow vengeance on his wicked stepmother. But he learns that revenge is never going to bring back his family. Instead, helping others in need is the best way to honour them.

Again, Hera seems to the main nemesis, who seeks to destroy her stepson with various monsters, but the introduction of Ares, Hercules’ half-brother and the god of war, proves to be another formidable opponent.

Probably the most important part of this first season is the introduction of Xena in “The Warrior Princess”. The character proved to be extremely popular that she was brought back near the end of the first season in “The Gauntlet” and “Unchained Heart” before she was granted her own spin-off series.

Hercules: The Legendary Season is just pure fun. It doesn’t take itself too seriously, though it does have some serious moments, but for the most part, it’s pure camp. I reminded how similar in nature this is to Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman. The funny thing about the comparison is how Kevin Sorbo lost the role of Clark Kent to Dean Cain. But in the end, he still gets to play a legendary superhero. And Sorbo fits the part. He towers over most people and has the physique to complete the look of the Greek demigod.

The special effects aren’t exactly the greatest but it wasn’t too bad for its time, considering that this was a weekly, syndicated show. Still, some of what was seen had me shaking my head. One in particular was the depiction of Ares. Instead of taking human form, he was portrayed as a big Muppet, and moved quite awkwardly as one as well. Actually, I think Big Bird moved with much more grace than the god of war.

The acting and dialogue wasn’t of Oscar caliber, but it was never intended to be that way. However, there were times I just cringe at the forced delivery and the corny dialogue that came out of some of the actors’ mouths.

Some actors played multiple roles before settling on one that proved to be a winner. Did you know Lucy Lawless played two different characters before she landed the role of Xena? In fact she was in the very first movie as one of the Amazons. She later appeared on the episode “As Darkness Falls” as yet another character. The same goes for Renee O’Connor, who would later become Xena’s sidekick Gabrielle. Her debut came in the second Hercules movie as she portrayed Deianaira, Queen of Troy.

And there are lots of scantily-clad women throughout the series. Considering the nature of the wardrobe worn during these times, it’s amazing how much the show actually got away with on television, much to the delight of hormonal teenage boys. Someone must have made a bet on how short they could make the outfits for the women before it became too much.

I believe the real star of the show is the backdrop of New Zealand. As the show was filmed in the area, local actors were used as well as its gorgeous scenery. This really helped the illusion that Hercules’ world was vast, lush and alive. No wonder Peter Jackson used it to film his Lord of the Rings trilogy.

This is, by no means, Shakespearean acting or dialogue nor is it even remotely close to the familiar stories of Greek lore. But that’s the nature of mythology: they are all interpretations of stories passed down from mouth to mouth. Even though it doesn’t follow classic Greek mythology, Hercules: The Legendary Series puts its own stamp on this subject matter. This eight-disc DVD set feels like a steal at only $20. Five 2-hour movies and thirteen 1-hour episodes is just amazing. I can’t help if this is such a guilty pleasure of mine. I almost feel like it’s a revisited 1966 Batman show starring Adam West and Burt Ward. It’s campy, it’s fun, and it’s campy.

And it has a catchy theme song. It’s always about the theme song.

As for Vanishing Son, it vanished as quickly as it started. I guess more people really were interested in the fantastical realm of Greek mythology instead.


Disc One
Hercules and the Amazon Women || Hercules and the Lost Kingdom

Disc Two
Hercules and the Circle of Fire || Hercules in the Underworld

Disc Three
Hercules in the Maze of the Minotaur

Disc Four
The Wrong Path || Eye of the Beholder || The Road to Calydon

Disc Five
The Festival of Dionysus || Ares || As Darkness Falls

Disc Six
Pride Comes Before a Brawl || The March to Freedom || The Warrior Princess

Disc Seven
The Gladiator || The Vanishing Dead || The Gauntlet || Unchained Heart

Disc Eight
Screensaver || The Chronicles || Trivia || Actor & Director Bios