Hercules is a 1958 Italian epic fantasy, peplum genre film based upon the Hercules and the Quest for the Golden Fleece myths. The film stars Steve Reeves as the titular hero and Sylva Koscina as his love interest Princess Iole. Hercules made Reeves an international film star and effectively paved the way for the dozens of 1960s peplum (or "sword and sandal") films featuring bodybuilder actors as mythological heroes and gladiators battling monsters, despots, and evil queens.
Hercules’ mother was a mortal, but his father was Zeus, the king of the Greek gods. Jealous of Hercules, Zeus' wife, the goddess Hera, tried to kill him as a baby by sending serpents into his crib. But Hercules was a born fighter and crushed them with his bare hands. Throughout time and around the world, Hercules has been depicted in ancient art, tapestries, statues, paintings, comics, cartoons, and feature films.
Of the countless iterations, there is one that stands out as being the most iconic, indelible and imitated. It is Steve Reeves as Hercules! Reeves iconic portrayal of Hercules set the standard for this heroic character, launched a genre of ‘sword & sandals’ films, and defined the modern day action star.
Hollywood legend Steve Reeves film, stage, and television career spanned three decades. Off screen, Steve Reeves inspired thousands worldwide as an internationally titled bodybuilder, philanthropist, and proponent of health and fitness.
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"Steve Reeves is a great man and has contributed much to the sport of bodybuilding. Steve was a great inspiration to me." ~ Arnold Schwarzenegger. Check out some of the 1:6 scale Arnold Schwarzenegger action figures that have been released in my toy blog post HERE.
"After seeing Goliath and the Barbarians, I decided to start bodybuilding and look like Steve." ~ Lou Ferrigno who became the Incredible Hulk on TV. Toy Biz The Incredible Hulk Action Figure Review posted HERE
Sylvester Stallone walked out of the theater after seeing Hercules and couldn't believe what he had just seen. He said to himself, "Sly, do you want to be a bum or be like Steve Reeves?”. He decided to follow Steve doing action films. See the Medicom 1/6th scale RAH (Real Action Hero) Sylvester Stallone as Judge Dredd 12-inch figure from 1995 movie posted HERE. There's also the Hot Toys MMS194 "Expendables 2" Sylvester Stallone as Barney Ross 1/6th scale Collectible Figure action figure review posted on my toy blog HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE. There's also Hot Toys 1/6th scale Sylvester Stallone as Rambo in First Blood Part 2 (1985) HERE
Related post:
Review of Phicen Limited 1:6 scale Super-Flexible 12-inch Male Seamless Body posted HERE. IMHO the best figure I've ever come across :) I love it!
Phicen 1/6th scale Female seamless 12-inch body with pale skin & large bust version 4.0 Reviewed HERE
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