Hercules In New York

Year of Release: 1970
Genre: Action / Fantasy
Rating: PG for mild action content
Director: Arthur Allan Seidelman
Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Arnold Stang

Date Of Revised Review: February 2008

No, I didn’t get to see this Arnold Schwarzenegger classic at the cinema, although I am sure that there must be a couple of people somewhere in the world that did. I was fortunate enough, or unfortunate enough, whichever way you might look at it, to catch up with it in the late 1980s during the videocassette boom. At the time, Arnold was a household name and had established himself as an A-list movie star with films such as “Conan The Barbarian” (1982), “Conan The Destroyer” (1984), “The Terminator” (1984), “Red Sonja” (1985) and “Commando” (1985) to his credit. Anything that Arnold had appeared in before Conan automatically became hot property and a “must see”, for any Arnold fan.  As we know Arnold makes very little reference to “Hercules In New York” on talk shows or in the media, maybe he would just prefer to forget about this one, but one thing is for sure when he was cast in the title role back in 1970, I am sure that he would have been ecstatic. It is a known fact that Arnold was a fan of the Italian peplums that were produced in the 1960s, in particular, he has made it public that he was inspired to do bodybuilding by none other than, muscleman Reg Park, who was a star in films such as “Hercules And The Captive Women” (1961) & “Hercules In The Haunted World" (1961).   

When you watch "Hercules in New York" you will see Arnold Schwarzenegger, in his first starring role, an Arnold like you have never seen him before, complete with dubbed voice, bad toga and a youthful smile. He even gets to take part in some of the cheesiest low-budget action sequences you are ever likely to see. "Hercules in New York" is a real oddity, it maybe goofy and even crazy at times but it somehow manages to exude a special charm, maybe Arnold’s enthusiasm for acting at this young age was the key, after all it was his childhood dream to play Hercules in a movie. Arnold may not look like a Steve Reeves, a Gordon Scott or a Mark Forest for that matter but he certainly had the herculean build to make it work. Schwarzenegger is credited here as Arnold Strong because his surname was considered to be too way-out and too-long for audiences in 1970. It is interesting to note that his co-star goes by the name of Arnold Stang. What a combination, Strong and Stang!

"Hercules In New York" is a comedy fantasy with a difference, featuring the Hercules character in a fish out of water setting, a first in movie history. The film takes the mightiest man on earth and drops him off onto a weather-beaten cargo ship headed for the world's greatest metropolis, New York City. This Herculean adventure of a strange man in a strange land is a fun ride and definitely not meant to be taken seriously. The Original release of "Hercules In New York" and most video copies, feature a soundtrack with someone dubbing Arnold's voice. Now with the modern miracle of DVD the new version features, for the first time ever, Arnold's original audio-track, complete with his trademark Austrian accent. "Hercules In New York" is known in some parts of the world as "Hercules The Movie" or "Hercules Goes Bananas. Heck, it might one day be even re-titled “Hercules The Govenator”. Whatever the case may be, this film has its special place in Arnold’s filmography and I am sure that whenever it pops up on TV Arnold must shudder. Finally, "Hercules in New York" is certainly an unusual time capsule. It may seem a little peculiar when viewed today but in its own crazy way it is sure to put a smile on your face. A must see for Arnold fans.

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Other "Hercules" Classics - Now Available on DVD

Hercules (1959) [DVD]
The original "swords, sandals and sweat" spectacle stars Steve Reeves as the muscular Greek demigod who asks to be made mortal so he can share in the adventures of humans. Herc's earthly exploits include falling in love with a beautiful princess (Sylva Koscina) and going on a perilous journey with Jason in search of the Golden Fleece. 107 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English (dubbed) Dolby Digital mono. Dubbed in English.

Hercules Unchained (1960) [DVD]
Steve Reeves returns as the mighty Hercules in another saga of muscles, maidens and monsters. Robbed of his memory, Herc is a prisoner of the lovely Queen of Lidia and must compete in the Contest of Giants for his freedom. 95 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English (dubbed) Dolby Digital mono. Dubbed in English.

Hercules In The Haunted World (1961) [DVD]
Reg Park returns as Herc, who doesn't shirk from the task of returning with the cure for his dying beloved...even if it means a descent into the bowels of Hell! And demon lord Christopher Lee is determined to see that he never resurfaces! Mario Bava directs. AKA: "Hercules in the Haunted World," "Hercules vs. the Vampires." "Hercules in the Center of the Earth." Original European version; 82 min. Soundtracks: Italian Dolby Digitial mono, English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English; photo gallery; poster gallery; theatrical trailer.

Hercules And The Captive Women (1963) / Hercules, Prisoner Of Evil (1964) [DVD]
Reg Park flexes his pecs as the mythological strongman, out to save his son from the thrall of the evil queen of Atlantis. He must overcome mystic hordes and a deadly dragon if he is to thwart her schemes of conquest, in "Hercules and the Captive Women." Fay Spain, Ettore Manni also star. And, in "Hercules, Prisoner of Evil," Park confronts a witch who has incredible, mystical powers which enable her to turn men into werewolves. Wah-oooooo! Werewolves of Athens! 180 min. total. Widescreen (Enhanced)/Standard; Soundtrack: English (dubbed) Dolby Digital mono. Dubbed in English.

Pick Of The Flicks - Recommended Links:
Hercules In New York at Hollywood Teen Movies
Arnold Schwarzenegger at Hollywood Cult Movies

Muscle Men Of Peplum at Hollywood Cult Movies
Cinematic Tough Guys at Hollywood Cult Movies

Sword & Sandal Epics (Pre-1970)
Sword & Sandal Epics (Post-1970

Action & Mayhem at Hollywood Teen Movies
Tony's Cult Movies, Blockbusters & Classics

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