Italy, France, 1959
94m [West Germany], 97m [UK], 101m [USA]
35mm film, Dyaliscope, Eastmancolour, 2.35:1
mono, Italian
An Italian fantasy film directed by Pietro Francisci.
Premise
While travelling to Thebes on a diplomatic mission, Hercules drinks from a magic spring and suffers amnesia. He’s helped by Ulysses as he tries to regain his memory while trying to quell the political unrest threatening Thebes.
Credits
* – uncredited
Crew
Directed by: Pietro Francisci; Mario Bava *
Copyright 1959 Galatea S.p.a. [on US prints]
Joseph E. Levine presents [on US prints]. Lux Film-Galatea Lux Compagnie, Cinematographique de France
Produced by: Bruno Vailati
Screenplay by: Ennio De Concini, Pietro Francisci
Story by: Pietro Francisci
Based on the legends of Hercules and Omphale
From the works of Sophocles [Aedipus at Colonus] and Aeschylus [The Seven against Thebes]
Assistant Director: Mario Bava *
Director of Photography: Mario Bava
Editor: Mario Serandrei
Music by: Enzo Masetti
Sound Recordist: Giulio Tagliacozzo
Costume Designer: Maria Baroni
Make-up: Otello Fava
Hair: Maria Miccinilli
Director of Special Effects: Mario Bava
Art Director: Flavio Mogherini
Studio: Titanus Appia
Cast
Steve Reeves [Ercole]
Sylva Koscina [Iole]
Primo Carnera [Antaeus]
Sylvia Lopez [Queen Omphale of Lidia]
Gabriele Antonini [Ulysses]
Patrizia Della Rovere [Penelope]
Sergio Fantoni [Eteocles]
Fulvia Franco
Carlo D’Angelo [Creon]
Marisa Valenti [blonde slave girl]
Mimmo Palmara [Polinices]
Elda Tattoli
Daniele Varga
Andrea Fantasia [King Laertes]
Gino Mattera [Orpheus]
Aldo Fiorelli [Argus]
Gianni Loti [Sandone]
Cesare Fantoni [King Oedipus of Thebes]
Ugo Sasso
Angelo Zanolli
Alternative Titles
Heracles y la reina de Lidea – Spain
Hercule et la reine de Lydie – France
Hercules and the Queen of Lydia – English language title
Hercules and the Queen of Sheba
Hércules e a Raínha – Portugal
Hercules Unchained – Brazil, UK
Hércules y la reina de Lidia – Spain
Herkules ja Lyydian kuningatar – Finland
Herkules und die Königin der Amazonen – West Germany
Links
Extracts included in
Hercules Recycled (1994)
References
Periodicals
- The Daily Cinema no.8338 (29 July 1960) p.8 – note (Hercules’ is back again)
- The Daily Cinema no.8340 (5 August 1960) p.1 – note (Costly promotion campaign pays on ‘Hercules Unchained)
- Kine Weekly vol. 517 no.2749 (9 June 1960) p.6 – note (News of the week)
- Kine Weekly vol.517 no.2751 (23 June 1960) pp.1, 26; 26 – note (Giant contest for Hercules); note (Trade shows)
- Kine Weekly vol.517 no.2752 (30 June 1960) pp.10, 21 – credits, synopsis, review (Reviews for showmen by Josh Billings)
