Original subtitles

(dramatic music)

- [Narrator] This was ancient Greece,

divided into states, each ruled by its own king.

The King of Thebes was Androcles.

(shouting)

The mighty Hercules and his son lilos

were loyal to this brave ruler.

- King of Thebes!

(shouting) (grunting)

- [Narrator] Good natured brawling was a necessity

to keep the young warriors fit and strong,

for wars were always present.

(shouting)

- That's enough now, boys.

Come on, we're leaving now.

(soft music)

- [Little Man] You big bully!

You, too.

- [Narrator] History tells us of the wars.

Legends tell us of an era when the unforeseen perils

of the mystical unknown were always lurking.

This is one of those legends.

(whooshing)

- Look there, the sun!

- [Man] Stop, stop, where are you going?

All Greece is bleeding.

Pity our poor country!

Flee for your lives!

- What are you trying to say?

Where do you come from?

- [Man] This blood is not from wounds,

but has fallen from the heavens,

with flames and poisonous serpents.

Monstrous powers are now devastating Greece

and all our cities.

The people are fleeing before the devilish adder,

which is bringing night without end.

Can't you see?

A rain of blood and fire, death and ruin

are descending upon the cities of Greece!

From the heavens, from the heavens!

(dramatic music)

- Where did he go to, what did he mean?

- I don't know, it must be a sign from the heavens.

Only the prophet Tiresias can tell us what it means.

- He's in Thebes, come on!

(haunting music)

- The gods have spoken.

With thunderbolts, with lightning,

with the winds, they have spoken,

but not by menacing or by punishing,

but through their life-giving powers they have spoken.

- What have they said, oh wise Tiresias?

- Who knows, who can say?

A peril hangs over all our land,

a peril from afar, unknown.

- Who is threatening us?

Who would dare attack the Greeks?

- Evil is upon us.

Forces of unbelievable power out of the west,

where few have been, through the straits

from which no vessel has returned.

Across unknown seas, beyond the straits,

from which no man has yet returned.

- [Warrior] From beyond the straits, Tiresias told us,

from beyond the straits, across the great ocean,

lies the terrible danger threatening us.

And I say to you, kings of Grecian cities,

that we must attack these evil forces

before they reach our shores, attack them and destroy them!

- If it were my decision, I would not hesitate

to join my forces with yours,

but it is the Council of 30 which governs my lands,

and it's difficult for 30 councils to ever manage

to reach an accord.

- Thanks to the gods, I alone command in my kingdom.

Androcles is right.

We should attack rather than just defend ourselves.

- Senopei.

- Yes.

(laughing)

- Better better to divide ourselves.

One force attacks, the other defends.

- Dear brothers, we didn't come here

to bring up the things which divide us.

We must unite against the enemy that menaces us.

Would you perhaps prefer that we wait here helplessly

for the moment when the enemy will decide to attack,

to destroy all of our cities?

- My soldiers are invincible, and my navy big enough

to transport them anywhere.

- [Woman] Senopei.

- Naturally, we're not so foolish

as to abandon my city.

- Watch, Androcles, look at the outlines

of Greece over on the map,

and within the confines of my own land,

I swear by all the gods on high

that no enemy will ever pass them.

Here!

(spear thunks)

(laughing)

To there!

Ha!

(spear thunks)

- Did you think I'd be impressed

with such a childish spectacle?

You're mistaken.

Even a king could court misfortune if he's too intriguing.

- May I point out to you the tribute money

from the last war is still waiting to be paid?

- If you think to fill your coffers with my gold

because we're now forced to be allies!

No!

- All right.

I'll go alone, with my own warriors,

abandoning my kingdom to defend all of yours.

- Have no fear.

I shall see to it that nobody sits upon your throne

during your absence.

(quietly dramatic music)

(shattering)

Your throne shall be rebuilt the day you return, Androcles.

- What a waste of a fine throne.

It was carved especially for me in Tyrol.

- We shall sculpt one far more beautiful

to celebrate your homecoming.

- Mine, ours you mean.

- You'll leave me once again,

and I'm to wait here, as before.

- But I didn't say anything.

- No, I know you far too well.

You won't let Androcles go alone.

Why do you men like to chase after glory

instead of remaining by your firesides,

particularly with a loving wife,

an adoring son who's too weak to go

on your dangerous voyages, even to confront life.

- And you, though judging me so badly,

still succeed in loving me.

- I have heaped curses on your head many times,

but it seems that the very gods will die, my dear,

before I leave here.

- Deianira, I love you, too.

You know I do.

- Yes, and it adds to my suffering.

- No, this time, I don't want to leave.

I've already made up my mind.

But if I once had any doubts, I don't have any more.

I refuse to let you suffer for me any longer.

- Is that true?

Do you swear it?

- I swear by the gods.

The time has come for me to settle down

to a calm and tranquil life, like the rest of the men.

(calm music)

- What do you want?

- Pardon me, Deianira.

I've been waiting for Hercules to let me know

when we can put to sea.

- Leave now if you wish.

Hercules is staying in Thebes.

- What do you mean?

But what will we do?

You have to come, Hercules, you must!

We can't possibly wait any longer.

You know that.

- I'm being reasonable, that's why I'm not leaving Thebes.

Here I have my home, my wife, and my son,

and it's time now that I enjoy them in peace.

- He's right.

And you, Androcles, I must insist

you won't get him away from me another time.

- Very well then.

But I've always been ready to accompany you

wherever you've led, even through the most terrible dangers

and even though I was afraid.

Well, perhaps Deianira is right.

If I had a beautiful wife and son,

I would think the same way.

Goodbye now, Hercules.

I'll wait for you at the palace.

We must try my fine old wine of Tyro

and drink to our health and to my voyage.

(quiet music)

(dramatic music)

- Do you think he'll be very mad?

- Difficult to say before he wakes up.

No matter, we're miles from shore.

- When Papa finds out I put a sleeping powder

in his wine.

- Hey, he's coming around.

- You take over. - Go on.

- If he finds out that I'm here on board,

we're all done for.

- [Little Man] Wait, I'll come with you.

- No, you stay here.

(dramatic music)

- Lovely day, isn't it?

- Yes.

- How long have we been at sea?

- Since sunup.

- And where's your fleet?

- [Androcles] Well.

- And where are your warriors?

- I have none.

It's because of that I brought you with us.

- I understand, I understand.

And is this your crew?

- Right.

Galley slaves and cut purses.

- Fine company.

- Its' the best I could find.

- But I thought you were the king of Thebes.

Aren't you?

- I fought against the soothsayers, the senators,

the commanders of the army.

Aren't you always saying that democracy is-

- Never mind, never mind.

Anyway, I was right to smash the throne, wasn't I?

Now, how do you intend to beat the enemy?

Oh, I forgot, you've got Timotheus.

- No need for irony.

An enemy we've never seen is twice as powerful.

We now have to find out who this enemy is,

from what unknown land he threatens us,

how strong he is, how great are his armies,

from where does he intend to attack us.

Hercules, what are you doing?

- I'm sleeping.

- I'm upset, I'd prefer for him to hit somebody.

(dramatic music)

lilos, wake up, I brought you some food.

- Oh, it's impossible.

I hid down here in this hole six long days.

I've gotten sea sick in the bargain.

I'm going up.

- Oh no you don't, don't you move!

We're lost if Hercules finds you on board.

The only thing he's been asking all these days

is whether you're at home safe and sound.

- Did you tell him I was?

- Don't be silly!

- What else did he say?

- Nothing.

Mostly, he sleeps.

When he doesn't sleep, he fishes.

- Fishes? - Fishes.

- Caught many fish? - None.

(gentle music)

(dramatic music)

- Hercules is sleeping.

Androcles is at the stern and won't bother us.

- Don't worry, land isn't that far away.

Just make certain nobody comes down here.

(water gurgles) (dramatic music)

(pastoral music)

- [Sailor] Move along, don't be so slow, come on!

(quiet music)

- Hey, the water can't be far off,

and the men will be back soon.

We should leave before the sun goes down.

Look yonder.

There, in that direction, is a mysterious country.

If we can find it with the aid of the gods,

we can confront the danger that's menacing us.

- What makes you so sure the gods will help us?

(quiet music)

- I'll go look for the men now.

I can't believe that rats gnawed those water bags.

Human rats with swords, maybe.

Certainly not the best of men for an enterprise like this.

Sleep well, don't trouble yourself.

I'll wake you just before we go aboard.

(plucking music)

(dramatic music)

Help!

(dramatic music)

- You're rather sharp, but you stay below.

- [Ivan] Just let me see the sky.

- Nothing doing, I've told you!

It's not time yet for your father to find you on board.

Once we pass through the straits.

- [Ivan] I've had enough, I'm coming out.

- Quiet, the sailors are coming back!

(banging)

(quiet music)

Leave me alone, you bullies!

Hercules, help, Hercules, help!

(Timotheus shouting)

- Shut up, you little weasel.

Ow!

(Timotheus chortles)

(dramatic music)

- [Sailor] Raise the sail!

(dramatic music)

Quick, raise that sail!

(exciting music)

Overboard!

(exciting music)

Use your backs!

(drum beating)

Heave, men, with those oars!

Go!

(drum beating)

Harder, harder!

(drum beating)

Pull those oars!

(exciting music)

Heave, heave!

Pull!

Stronger, stronger!

(drum beating)

- Aeolus, god of the air,

I beg thee, cause the wind to cease.

- [Drummer] Watch that sail.

- Thank you.

- Row harder!

Row!

Pull!

Pull!

(exciting music)

Stronger!

(exciting music)

- I don't know why, but wine makes me feel better.

Come here.

- [Hercules] You should await our return,

unless some passing ship is willing to repatriate you.

- You think that's a good idea?

Hey, Hercules.

- A very good idea.

Even if they are criminals,

there's no reason why they should be sent to their death.

- But what about us?

- For us, it's different.

We set out on this voyage of our own free will.

Well, at least you did.

- How can the three of us navigate this ship?

- Three?

You mean two of you.

- Huh?

- One shall man the sail, the other the helm.

Don't worry, I'm sure everything will work out wonderfully.

- You get back there.

- Are you serious?

(dramatic music)

(wind howls) (tense music)

- [Hercules] Stay right here.

- [Androcles] What else can I do?

- I'm going up top-

- [Timotheus] Are you crazy?

. I'm dying.

I'd much rather face my father.

And maybe I can help Androcles.

- Don't be ridiculous.

Not more than a minute ago, Hercules decided

to help us with the sail.

- There's something up ahead, go see what it is.

- You hold the tiller!

- Hurry!

Hurry!

(sea roars) (wind howls)

What is it?

(sea roars) (wind howls)

- Oh no, there are rocks off the bow!

- What?

- Starboard, starboard!

Starboard!

- What?

- Rocks down below!

(thudding)

- Androcles!

Androcles!

Androcles!

(dramatic music) (sea roars)

Androcles!

(wind howls) (tense music)

(quiet music)

- Hercules!

Hercules!

Hercules!

(mysterious music)

Hercules!

Hercules!

(mysterious music)

- Oh, omnipotent Zeus,

oh, Zeus, my father,

hear my plea.

If Androcles is still alive,

if it is this you wish to tell me,

grant me that we might meet again.

Grant it that it be in my power to save him.

Oh, Zeus, my father!

(mysterious music)

- Kill me, kill me, I beg you.

- Do not fear, I will not harm you.

- Please, put an end to this torment.

Kill me.

- Who are you, what god persecutes you?

- Go away, stranger, go away!

- Who has imprisoned you?

- He was a man like you, but he can be everything,

a great serpent, water, a terrible tempest,

the air that you breathe, the earth you walk upon.

Go away!

No one knows in what form he will next appear.

- Who is the monster who threatens you?

- Proteus.

Watch out!

Save yourself, it's him, it's Proteus!

- She gives you good counsel.

Go away.

I don't want intruders on my island.

Leave here now, or you'll be dead by nightfall.

(dramatic music)

(roaring)

(exciting music)

- I'm saved.

- Yes, Proteus is dead.

That is his blood.

This rocky cliff, the whole island,

is Proteus himself.

He nourished himself on the blood of you and other victims.

But now it is all over.

- You think so?

It was my people who left me as a sacrifice

to prevent him from destroying them.

When you killed him, you went against the will of the gods.

- No.

Without the help of the gods,

I would never have succeeded in slaying that monster.

And the gods will help us again.

(gentle music)

- There's my country!

Atlantis!

(gentle, angelic music)

Today is dedicated to Uranus.

The queen is in the temple for the sacred ceremony.

(gentle music)

- No, no, my only son, no!

You can't take my son from me!

No, no, no!

- And those children are dedicated to Uranus.

They're going to the Mountain of the Dead.

(dramatic music)

- Antinea, forgive me if I interrupt the ceremony,

but the mists that protect our island

have vanished, as if by magic.

I saw it from the mountain.

It's now my fear Atlantis can be seen by mortal eyes.

- Uranus has abandoned us!

That explains his anger.

Listen to the thunder over on the great mountain!

We must sacrifice to Proteus.

- Wait!

Proteus does not need human victims any longer.

- You dare interfere?

Who are you?

- Hercules of Thebes.

My father, the omnipotent Zeus,

has guided me here to your land.

(dramatic music)

- Let him alone.

No mortal has ever dared set foot

on the sacred island of Atlantis before.

What are you doing here?

What foolhardy reason has led you

to defy the ire of our god?

- I do not believe in evil gods.

Such gods I have been taught to hate.

I combat gods which demand human sacrifices

and slake their thirst for human blood.

For this reason, I have slain Proteus

and saved the life of a maiden

who was sacrificed to his monstrous fury.

-You lie!

(trembling music)

- I'm here, Mother.

Forgive me.

- Why the silence?

Your daughter is alive and, yet,

there is no joy in your eyes.

- You have committed the most terrible of sacrileges.

You have killed the son of Uranus,

Proteus, and, at his death, the mists,

which had protected Atlantis for centuries, were dissolved.

- What has Atlantis to hide which mortal man

must not behold?

- For what reason have you come here to Atlantis,

Hercules of Thebes?

- I have brought lsmene back to her mother,

and, if the gods were as angry as you say,

they never would have allowed me to come this far,

nor helped me to destroy Proteus.

- Perhaps you are right and we are wrong.

- But-

- If we have committed errors, we must remedy them,

and give our thanks to him who has opened our eyes.

Come, my daughter.

(emotional music)

I am happy you have returned.

I can only ask your forgiveness

and render my thanks to him who has saved you.

- It's not me you should thank

but the fate which has brought me

here in search of a friend.

- [Antinea] Fate must have been more concerned

for the well-being of lsmene

than for the well-being of your friend,

sending you here to our shores.

No mortal has ever landed here before.

You are the first.

- My friend Androcles vanished at sea during a storm.

I'm convinced he's alive, but he's in danger.

- Were he here, I would not hesitate to tell you.

I would go to any lengths to help him

out of gratitude to you

for having saved the life of my daughter.

But now we must celebrate your victory over Proteus.

May it signify good fortune for our land.

You shall be my guest.

You have only to ask for anything you wish,

and it shall be given to you.

(suspenseful music)

- Oh, Mother, it seems as if I've awakened

from a nightmare.

I can't bear to think of the terrible end

I was destined for.

You're more beautiful than ever.

And I love you more than ever.

- I well understand your feelings,

but if Hercules had not saved you as he did,

your fate would have been far less terrible.

- What are you saying?

Far less terrible?

- When I offered you as a sacrifice to Proteus,

it was not for the reason that you think,

not to satisfy the lust of that accursed monster.

There was no need to sacrifice the daughter of a queen.

You are the daughter of Antinea.

You are my daughter.

If you had to die, it was for a far more noble

and fatal reason than that.

- But what reason?

- Your destiny is bound to mine, lsmene,

just as mine is bound to my kingdom.

I never told you the truth before

because death and truth have the same meaning for me.

Unfortunately, nothing has changed.

On the day that a daughter of mine

shall survive me, it is written in the sacred books,

Atlantis shall be destroyed.

- Mother, than I?

- You must die.

- No.

No!

I don't want to die.

No!

I don't want to die! (weeps)

Don't let them kill me, no! (weeps)

- Take her away.

(lsmene cries)

- No, I won't!

(dramatic music)

- Androcles!

Androcles!

(mysterious blooping)

(quiet music)

Androcles, wait!

Androcles, why didn't you?

(mysterious blooping)

(quiet music)

No, it's not possible.

- What is not possible?

- That man.

I saw myself, it was Androcles.

- Androcles?

I don't understand.

- I don't understand myself.

I'm sure I saw my friend Androcles.

And yet.

- I don't doubt your words.

- I suppose you think I've lost my mind.

Even I now seem only to have dreamed it all.

- No, what you've experienced is quite normal.

Often, the desire to see a loved one

creates the illusion of seeing visions.

- Yes, perhaps you're right.

- Besides, you are weary from your long journey,

seeing nothing but death and hardship along the way.

You must try to relax and put your mind

at peace with more pleasant things.

(light music)

- lilos, lilos, wake up, there are horsemen coming.

- Won't you leave me in peace?

I've been waiting for this for days.

Now I wanna sleep.

- Get up, they're coming closer!

One of the men is carrying a girl with him.

It looks like she's a prisoner.

'A girl!

(dramatic music)

- Put her down and tie her to that stake.

We'll wait here til sunset.

- Why wait til sunset?

Let's kill her now.

- It's orders of Antinea.

When it's time, we'll throw her

from the cliffs to the rocks below.

Don't you look at me like that.

We're merely obeying your mother.

If it were up to me.

- What are you doing? - I'll save the girl.

You wanna save the killer?

- No, but I don't wanna save her

by getting killed myself.

- Look out.

(rock rings) (soldier groans)

(exciting music)

(grunting)

(exciting music)

(soldier screams)

(exciting music)

(soldier groans)

(exciting music)

(groaning)

(exciting music)

Are there any others?

- No, I speared the last one good!

- Quick, the girl!

Courage, now don't you be afraid.

We're here to protect you.

- Courage.

- It's no use, it's no use.

- Why say that?

- Where can I go?

No matter where, it's my destiny that I die now.

- Don't be foolish.

Who would want to kill you?

What kind of people live here?

- Unfriendly and somewhat nervous.

- Fly for your lives at once.

They'll kill you, too.

They've possibly already killed the great Hercules.

- Hercules?

Is he far away?

- [lsmene] Do you know him?

- He's my father.

Don't worry now, if he's here, we're all safe.

(light music)

- We in Greece are more interested

in the graces and art than in magical apparitions.

- What you witness is not magic, but nature itself.

Here in Atlantis, we try to subjugate

nature to our own scope.

- I am satisfied with nature as it is,

savage and gentle at the same time,

cruel and yet generous.

- Perhaps that is because your strength and your courage

make it possible for you not to be afraid

of the mysteries of the universe.

- Why, do you fear them?

- Perhaps.

(Hercules laughs)

(light music)

Why are you so anxious to leave?

Remain here with us.

Have you not enjoyed my company?

- I must find Androcles.

I shall have no peace until I discover

what has happened to him.

- Perhaps your friend is dead.

Perhaps his body lies at the bottom of the sea.

- I would like to stay here with you, Antinea.

But, at least for now, it is not possible.

- What a Pit)!-

Tomorrow, I shall place at your disposal a ship

so that you may continue your search.

There's only one thing that I ask,

you must promise me that you will return.

- I shall return, this I promise you.

(dramatic music)

(brooding, tense music)

(exciting music)

(mysterious blooping)

Androcles?

- I hate you, I loathe you.

Why did you come to Atlantis?

What do you want of us?

- But what are you saying?

Androcles, you must be mad.

- No, you, you are mad

if you think you're able to combat the force of Atlantis

with the pitiful strength of your muscles.

You may kill me if you wish,

but you'll all be destroyed,

destroyed by the forces of our queen.

There will be no mercy for those

who attempt to defy our power.

There'll be no hope of escape for you.

-Androcles, listen to me.

- No, you listen to me, whoever you are.

You must die, and, with you, all Greeks

will perish as blood rains down and purifies the earth.

The skies will burst into flame to hail our victory,

destroying the temples of your meaningless gods,

and a great god will return to his own,

Uranus to rule over all!

- What you say is blasphemy!

(exciting music)

(thudding)

(quiet music)

- I'm sorry, Hercules, I did not wish for you-

- But why did you lie to me?

Why didn't you tell me he was here?

- You are too suspicious.

Who knows what sinister motives you attribute to my acts?

Perhaps you even believe those insane visions

created out of your sick mind.

- I believe in what I see and what I hear,

and you can't deny that you've lied to me.

- I told you that Androcles was not in Atlantis.

I suppose you think that poor madman is your friend,

your very best friend for whom you were willing

to leave your home and sacrifice your life.

- But why didn't you tell me?

- I wanted to spare you further grief.

As far as you are concerned, Androcles is dead.

Now I do not know whether it is better

to have pity on him and let him go on

suffering in his madness or whether to-

' No!

If you have pitied him up til now,

I beg you to continue to pity him,

and to forgive me for having doubted

the sincerity of your feelings.

(dramatic music)

- Take him away, and see that he is well treated.

Do not worry about Androcles.

Perhaps if you decide to stay here,

together, we cam nurse him back to health.

That is, if you so desire.

(fluttering music)

Here, drink this wine.

It will put your spirit at rest.

(fluttering, ominous music)

I hope that tomorrow you will have decided

to remain here for as long as you wish,

even for the rest of your life.

(fluttering music)

- They were two strangers.

No one from here would have dared to attack us.

- So only two men managed to overcome 10 of you?

-Antinea, send me back with new men.

I assure you, this time, they won't get away.

I beg you.

I swear it, such a thing won't happen again!

- Yes, you're right, it won't happen again.

(dramatic music)

- No, no, don't put me in the acid!

No, don't kill me!

No, let me go!

Don't kill me, no, no! (screams)

- But, Antinea, I've had to imprison Androcles.

In such a state of mind, he could easily be dangerous.

- Dangerous for whom?

- Dangerous for Atlantis.

- I am the queen of Atlantis!

It is I who decide about life and death.

Open it!

(fluttering music)

Poor Androcles, too fragile for the weight

he had to support.

Now somebody else will sit on the throne

that was destined for him.

- Hercules.

- Take him to the valley and let him die

like the rest of the weaklings.

And then go find me lsmene, and kill her!

Kill her!

(dramatic music)

(soldier gags)

(tense music)

- He couldn't have escaped through the window!

The bars are intact.

- Where is he?

He can't have disappeared.

Find him, if you value your life!

(dramatic music)

(light music)

- The soldiers! - Oops, run for your life!

Run, run, run, run, run!

(tense music)

- They've got Androcles, let's go after them.

- You're mad, they'll kill you!

- I only want to follow them,

see where they put him, come on!

- [Timotheus] Here comes some more!

Scatter, scatter, scatter!

(hooves pound)

- Did you hurt yourself?

- No. - It's Hercules!

- Hercules! - Hercules, wait!

Hercules, wait!

(tense music)

- Sergeant! - Yes, sir?

- Halt!

- You bringing us another customer?

- Yes, there he is.

Take him down and lower him into the pit,

and see to all the rest of them while you're there.

(exciting music)

(men shouting)

(dramatic music)

(tense music)

- Hercules!

Hercules, here I am!

Whoop!

- May Zeus be praised.

I thought you were swallowed up by the sea,

along with that cursed ship.

- Both of us believed that you were drowned, too.

Afterwards, when lilos helped me free that girl--

- lilos?

What is lilos doing here?

- He was on the ship with us.

Now don't be angry!

(exciting music)

- lilos, what are you going to do?

(thudding)

(thudding)

- Hercules, there are too many.

If we were helped by the men of the valley,

we would be able to finish them off easier.

- Can we set them free?

- Down there, there's a barricade.

We've gotta break it down.

(thudding) (lilos groans)

- lilos, you can't do that by yourself.

Even if you should break through,

the guards would hear.

It's better to run, hide ourselves.

- If my father finds me here with a girl,

he'll never let me out of the house.

I better do something useful before he gets a hold of me.

Then we can hide somewhere.

(lsmene shouts)

(exciting music)

- [lsmene] You get off him!

(tense music)

(soldier groans)

(banging) lilos!

(banging)

- [Man Of The Valley] Come on, come on,

they're breaking down the barricade!

(men shout)

(banging)

(exciting music)

- Hercules, look there, the soldiers are coming!

(men shouting)

(exciting music)

- [lilos] It's Androcles.

Who dared to put him in there?

(exciting music)

(quiet music)

- May Zeus be praised.

He's alive.

- To the barricade!

Prisoners are escaping!

Kill every one of them!

(exciting music)

- The soldiers!

At them!

(men shout)

(exciting music)

Wait!

You see these wounds, these open sores

that cover our bodies.

It's Antinea who has done this,

treating us like animals!

And every day we curse the fates who keep us alive,

and that monstrous queen who put us here to starve.

- But why, what was the meaning of all this?

- To create a new race.

Up there in the Mountain of the Dead

is a miraculous rock, which has the power

to change all men.

- Change men, what do you mean?

- I don't know.

I only know that we are doomed.

Every year, the guards of Antinea

choose the children destined to be changed

by the rock and its powers.

A few resist, others don't.

- Those boys that I saw?

- Yes, we were like them before we were taken

to the mountain many years ago.

Look at us now.

We are the few who resisted the rock and its influence.

Those who succumbed have never been seen since.

Many say that they now live

in the world of the supernatural,

creatures of evil, invincible.

- I'll go to the mountain.

- Better to attack Atlantis!

- No, Hercules is right!

We will never be really free until we destroy

the power of that rock forever.

I will go with you.

- Wait for me here, and take care of Androcles.

When I return, we shall decide what to do.

- Yes, Father.

- Come along.

(men chatter)

(quiet music)

- Don't be sad.

Just wait, before long it'll all be over.

We'll go to Greece together.

Life is different there,

and in Spring it's unbelievable.

We'll just think about all our todays and tomorrows.

(light music)

- Stranger, come, we're going to attack the city!

- Stop, you're all mad!

You heard the orders from my father!

- We all heard Hercules,

but he can't give us orders now.

- If you're afraid, stay here with your father.

We want our revenge!

(men shout)

- I must try to stop them.

Look after Androcles and lsmene.

- I'll guard them with my life.

- lilos!

(tense music)

- There, there is the source of good and evil for all men.

Look, down there is the very rock

which holds the secret of life or death!

You don't believe me, Hercules?

You think I'm mad,

that suffering has warped my mind, is that it?

But what if it's true?

You can't believe that a piece of rock

can destroy a man as we know him.

You can't believe that a piece of rock

contains bodies as well as minds?

That rock may give us life, Hercules,

but it also brings death.

With dead men who walk, Hercules,

unbelievable horror!

(magical music)

- It was his destiny.

I'm sure he's better off where he is now.

- When the light touched that man, he disappeared.

- [Priest] The rock can also take life.

- Who are you, priest?

There's no sign of years on your face

nor the passing of time in your eyes.

- In ages past, before Zeus your father

reigned over the earth and over mankind,

another god, immense and powerful,

dominated Olympus, Uranus!

Betrayed by his own sons, Uranus was struck down

and thrust into the great unknown.

The gore which flowed from his hideous wounds

fell upon the seas and sank into the waters,

and, though all the earth needed

that divine, cleansing rain,

only a few drops fell on Atlantis,

making us the heirs to all the powers of Uranus.

And the blood of the god became a rock,

living and vibrant, a rock that gave light and darkness,

good and evil.

Antinea, the queen of the island,

was eager to make use of the rock's powers.

Hundreds of years have passed,

ages of evil rituals and murders.

Now, after much searching, Antinea has found

the mystic secrets of Uranus and will use them

to make herself omnipotent,

destroying all mankind and the gods.

- You are a priest, Zenith.

How can you speak so of death and destruction?

- I was the last high priest dedicated to Uranus,

and I still worship here at his sacred shrine.

I'll serve him forever.

- Uranus was a just god,

and not a god of revenge.

If what you say is true, Zenith,

this stone must be destroyed.

It has already caused too much evil.

- The blood of Uranus can never be destroyed

by no one on this earth.

The rock of the god will only lose its power

when touched by a force above and beyond this earth

on which we live.

- You know the secret of this force, Zenith, tell me.

- I can reveal to only one man

the secret mysteries of the god,

but he must show me that he is stronger

than the rock itself.

Take this bar, Hercules, and demonstrate your strength.

(magical music) (fizzing)

- Zeus, Father, help me.

I do not do this out of pride.

This you know.

It is only to cause the hearts of stone

to swell up with pity, to let their eyes fill with tears,

the tears of common humanity.

Do not abandon me in this trial.

(magical music)

- You have won, Hercules of Thebes.

Only the rays of the sun can destroy

the rock of Uranus.

When a man can remove that stone

and a ray of sunlight shines upon the rock,

then we will see the end of the reign

of Antinea of Atlantis and of all its inhabitants.

- Thank you, Zenith, and have no fear.

I shall succeed in defeating Antinea

without destroying Atlantis or her inhabitants.

With the help of my companions,

I shall put an end to her reign.

(shouting) (dramatic music)

(gong rings)

(menacing music)

(dark music)

Antinea!

Antinea!

Where's my son?

Where's Androcles?

- Have no fear, your son is alive.

He is safe.

- Why didn't you have him killed?

Why did you spare him?

- Because of you, Hercules.

Listen to me.

I could've had your son killed

and, with him, your friend.

I could've had you killed, too.

Perhaps I should have,

for that is what my people advised me,

but I did not heed their advice.

I wanted you to live.

I wanted you to live because I love you.

If you will join me in the conquest of the world,

all mankind will recognize me as their queen

and adore as you as their one and only god.

Love me, Hercules, and, together,

we shall reign over men and gods.

(romantic music)

- And how do you expect to conquer the world?

(soft music)

(gong rings)

- These are my soldiers, my men,

against which no force in the world can combat,

of a supreme race, born of the blood of Uranus.

Pick up that table, Hercules,

and hurl it away, if you are able to.

(tense music)

With this new race, I can dominate the world,

and you shall be at my side.

- This is a mad dream, Antinea,

but I shall put an end to the madness!

(exciting music)

(gong rings)

(exciting music)

- Hercules.

(tense, eerie music)

(dramatic music)

- Father!

- lilos!

And so once again you have disobeyed me.

- Yes, I know, but the slaves wanted

to attack the city, and there wasn't any time to stop them.

- Where are the others?

- I don't know.

Timotheus got away with his lsmene and Androcles,

but when I tried to join them, I was attacked.

I was hit from behind by one of those strange men

with white hair, and, when I came to,

I found myself here.

Maybe they use magic.

(suspenseful music)

Father, look!

(suspenseful music)

. Fog-

Now I know what this room is.

The mist that rose up, Androcles invoking my help.

This is the room where Androcles

lost his memory and consciousness,

and Antinea means to do the same thing to us.

(tense music)

Look.

(tense music)

We must hurry.

(tense music)

- Who's there, halt!

(exciting music)

(soldier screams)

(tense music)

- That gallery must lead to the temple.

The other one should lead to the sea.

Go, lilos, and leave this island!

- And you, Father?

- I'll join you as soon as I can.

- Father.

- Go, lilos, this time you must obey me.

As a favor, I ask.

Take care of your mother.

They've discovered our escape, hurry!

(tense music)

(Hercules shouts)

-After him!

(tense music)

(horses whinny)

(exciting music)

(fire roars)

(exciting music)

(horses whinny)

(exciting music)

(horses whinny)

Come on!

(screaming)

(exciting music)

Leave the horses and follow me!

(exciting music)

(thunderous crashing)

(tense music)

(Timotheus squeals)

- [lilos] It's me, lilos.

- lilos! (laughs)

I knew it was you all the time.

(lilos screams)

- [lilos] It's still me, stupid.

- Oh yeah. - Where's lsmene?

- Captured, and Androcles with her.

I tried to protect them.

I threw myself on those soldiers.

If ought like a lion.

I confused them.

I must've killed at least 50.

- [lilos] But lsmene's a prisoner?

- Yes. - Where is she?

- There, down in that ship.

She and Androcles are to be sacrificed.

They'll set fire to the ship and let it

drift away on the winds.

- [lilos] We've gotta get aboard that ship.

- What did you say? - Start yelling.

- Right now? - You heard me!

Call for help! - Have you lost your mind?

- [lilos] I told you to start yelling!

- Help, somebody, help, he's a lunatic!

Help me, please!

(clanking)

- [lilos] Keep yelling, louder.

- Help, I'm a sacrifice, help me, somebody!

Save me, save me, please, save me!

- [lilos] I've got another prisoner.

Raise the sail and go ashore.

- [Soldier] But we haven't seen the signal.

- [lilos] I carry the queen's order, move!

Don't cry out, lsmene, you're saved now.

- lilos.

- [lilos] Stay quiet, stupid.

And, you, yell! - Help, help,

I'm a ruined man!

(tense music)

(triumphant music)

- Slowly, the sun will move, Hercules,

and where shadow has been, bright sunlight will shine.

(magical music)

Go, Hercules, leave this island!

The fates have decreed that you shall live.

(magical music)

(quiet music)

- In a short while, the ship will be aflame,

and the waves of the sea, satiated,

will not seek other victims,

and, thus, they will protect the voyage of our warriors.

- [Soldier] There's the signal.

I'll set the ship afire.

- What are you doing? - Hey!

- Who are you? (screams)

(exciting music)

- [lsmene] lilos!

- Cut Timotheus loose.

Be quick!

(exciting music)

- Look, Hercules!

(dramatic music)

(booming) (dramatic music)

- You must protect us, mighty Uranus!

(dramatic music)

(booming) (roaring)

Help me, oh, Uranus, help me!

(booming) (shouting)

(Antinea screams)

(echoing booms)

(shouting) (thudding booms)

(shuddering booms) (roaring)

(lsmene weeps)

- Hercules!

What's going on, what ship is this?

Where are we bound?

- Don't you remember anything?

- Thought there was a shipwreck.

I fell overboard, I called your name.

There was a bright light shining.

I don't remember any more.

- So then you don't know what you did.

- What, what did I do?

- You saved all of Greece.

(Androcles laughs)

(lush music)