Directed by Pietro Francisci, Hercules Unchained (Ercole e la regina di Lidia) is a lavish Italian-French sword-and-sandal epic starring Steve Reeves in his second—and final—appearance as Hercules. A sequel to the wildly successful Hercules (1958), this film blends Greek mythology, fantasy, and romantic intrigue, all wrapped in Technicolor grandeur.
Plot Summary
While traveling to mediate a dispute between the warring brothers Eteocles and Polynices over the throne of Thebes, Hercules drinks from a magic spring and loses his memory. He’s seduced and held captive by the alluring Queen Omphale of Lydia, who turns her discarded lovers into statues. Meanwhile, his wife Iole is threatened by Eteocles, who plans to throw her to wild beasts. With help from Ulysses, Hercules regains his memory, defeats three tigers in an arena, rescues Iole, and helps resolve the conflict in Thebes—though not without tragic consequences.
Cast Highlights
- Steve Reeves as Hercules
- Sylva Koscina as Iole
- Sylvia Lopez as Queen Omphale
- Gabriele Antonini as Ulysses
- Primo Carnera as Antaeus
- Jacques Sernas, Ivo Garrani, and Aldo Fiorelli in supporting roles
Behind-the-Scenes Trivia
- Actress Sylvia Lopez was already ill with leukemia during filming and tragically died at age 26 shortly after completing the movie
- Composer Enzo Masetti retired after scoring this film, reusing themes from Hercules (1958) and Outlaw Girl (1950)
- The film draws loosely from Sophocles’ Oedipus at Colonus and Aeschylus’ Seven Against Thebes
- Joseph E. Levine, who distributed Hercules in the U.S., was so confident in its success that he bought the rights to the sequel in advance and visited the set
- Reeves was known for his austere lifestyle: no smoking, drinking, or stimulants—he reportedly went to bed at 6 p.m. and rose at dawn
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