Original subtitles

In the beginning, before creation, there was darkness.

From the primordial explosion emerged the fire of chaos.

Chaos merged with darkness...

... and from this union were born the elements:

Night...

... day...

... matter...

... and air.

Then, out of this misty radiance of the cosmos, there came forth a jar...

... golden and glittering. Pandora's jar.

It was filled with all the essences, both good and evil, of life itself.

From the fragments of the jar...

... the planets and the solar system were formed.

Chronos and Saturn, the world of mystic rings.

Other fragments became the flaming energies that gave shape to Mercury.

Yet another fragment gave birth...

... to Jupiter, the giant of the skies.

And so the worlds of the universe were created...

... along with the moons that accompany them.

And then, Earth.

And on Earth, the mystery of life.

But the first beings that the mists of creation offered forth were not men.

They were of the supreme essence, and became gods.

They claimed the moon as their home.

There, to deliberate and to decide the fate of mankind.

Pandora's jar is broken...

... and the forces of evil have been let loose.

The world of mortal men is facing its hour of decision.

It will go down to destruction...

... or else, it will survive.

It's just to put them to the test, Zeus.

They've got to show themselves worthy of everything we gods have given them.

But the forces of evil are dark and strong.

And it may be that the scales of fate are not yet in full balance.

What can I do to equalize the forces of Good and Evil, Athena?

If you don't want to increase the powers of all men...

... then why don't you increase those of one...

... so that he may fight for all the others?

Of course.

A man who is stronger and more intelligent than all other mortals.

A hero...

... with a body forged in the furnace of 1,000 suns...

... a body capable of undergoing every labor and every pain...

... an invincible being.

Made from the purest of all energies: Light.

Descend to the Earth now, Light. As a living being.

And incarnate your mighty energies in the body of a newborn man.

Thebes in the Bronze Age.

4,000 years from this moment, the royal palace.

Hercules, the newborn son of Amphitryon, King of Thebes...

... and of his queen, Alcmene.

He will be Zeus' hero.

Even as Zeus' hero is born...

... the forces of evil reign in the city Thebes.

Commander! Commander!

The sacred sword has been stolen from the Temple of Hera.

- The guards have been killed. - Sacrilege!

I'll give the alarm at once, and I'll order all the doors closed.

Have you notified anyone else?

- You're the supreme commander, sir. - Good.

Thebes will repay you. Like this!

You should have realized that it was all planned.

Princess!

Now that the sacred sword is in my hands, we can go ahead with our plan.

The soldiers will think it was the king who violated the temple.

They will follow you, the new ruler of Thebes...

... and of most of Greece.

Provided you kill the king and the queen tonight...

... and their son, the newborn prince, the little Hercules.

For you and your father, King Minos of Thira...

... the sword that stops the fire. And for me...

... the throne of Thebes.

The evil rebels attacked the guards who remained loyal to the king.

And soon, Thebes became a tragic battlefield.

The he crown was overthrown.

Great Valcheus, now Thebes is yours.

Excellent. And the son?

I've left that sublime pleasure of killing him for you.

Farewell, little king.

You'll never wear a crown.

- Sostratos. - Yes, Valcheus?

Where is the child?

Where is the king's son? Where's Hercules?

- I don't know. I thought... - Valcheus.

One of the maids fled with the child.

Someone saw her heading for the secret passageway.

Get her. Capture her!

- Mama. - Kill her!

Wait.

It's no use. The river will get rid of the child for us.

Back to Thebes. The gods are with us.

So the poor little on, Prince Hercules...

... sailed on and on along the river, mile after mile...

... defenseless and alone.

What are you doing? Put the child back in the river.

All right.

All right.

But Zeus, why did you put it past the rapids, where it's safe?

You didn't say where to put it. You just said, ''in the river.''

Zeus is clever. He does everything to save his protégé.

But it's up to me to right the balance.

Poor thing.

- Abandoned on the bank of a river. - Where do you suppose he comes from?

There are no cities nearby.

Perhaps the gods heard my prayers and sent us the baby I always wanted.

Oh, my dear, He'll be like our own.

In the cosmic chess game between the gods, this was yet another move...

... to provoke a direct confrontation.

And now, among men, where time hurries on...

... your hero is growing, and his strength is increasing.

The strength that you gave him, Zeus.

It's incredible, Hercules.

- Your hands possess the power of Zeus. - I know, Father.

But I don't know why.

- There must be some purpose for it. - Good.

When the time comes, the gods will tell you what it's for.

Let's finish chopping the trees and carry the wood home.

I can finish this forest before you get home.

All right, hurry up.

Hercules?

Hercules, is that you?

Hercules?

Father!

Father!

Father!

Father...

Father!

That's how all your monsters end up: As stars.

I wonder, how many constellations will there be before you can stop Hercules.

Don't let that worry you, my dear.

I've plenty of followers already preparing themselves...

... to destroy the protector of men.

Daedalus!

Daedalus, embodiment of knowledge, reason, and wisdom...

... the great genius of the arts, master of science.

I, King Minos of Thira, call on you.

Step into time and space. Materialize out of chaos.

Daedalus, I need your help.

Minos, when you need my help, it's because you want to gain favors from the gods.

What does Hera want this time?

We have to eliminate Hercules.

One day, Minos, you will have to choose between the gods and science.

Daedalus...

... why are you telling me this? You know how I love science.

The gods are of no importance to me...

... but doing them a little favor can't hurt.

Daedalus, our problem is Hercules.

This favorite of the gods must be stopped.

And this is my solution to Hercules.

Such a small solution to such a big problem...?

Minos, size, like time and space, is relative.

Relative also to atmospheric conditions.

And on hitting Earth's atmosphere, it will grow big, huge, immense...

... and terrifying.

He is programmed to destroy Hercules, right?

And whoever gets in his way.

Perfect.

Go, my little mechanic friend...

... fulfill your destiny.

You are a killing machine.

Go, have no mercy, kill, and return triumphantly.

Hercules!

Hercules!

Hercules! Hercules!

Hercules!

- Your mother is in danger! Hurry! - What?

Mother!

- It was... - Mother, tell me what happened. Please!

Farewell, Mother.

Hercules, what are you doing?

- It's your own house. - No, I don't have a house anymore.

Nora family.

I'll have no peace until I find the reason for all this.

Why am I stronger than all other men?

Why does my strength bring so many sorrows to me and those near me?

Where will you go now?

To Tyre, to seek my fortune.

The king there is holding an important tournament...

... to find the best warrior for a great mission.

That man is different from the others. He has incredible strength.

- Who is he? - I don't know.

But he passed through all the tests.

Quite a surprise.

There's still the competition of the chariots, Your Majesty.

That's a very hard test. Maybe too hard.

- Isn't it, Dorcon? - Yes.

But it's the only way to be absolutely sure, Your Majesty.

Very well. Let the competition begin!

- He seems to have no rivals. - We'll soon see, Your Majesty.

With your permission, there are still the wrestlers.

You have won, warrior.

You passed all the test. I'll put your might to good use.

How?

You'll accompany my daughter Cassiopeia to Athens.

This is no easy task.

Greece is menaced by evil and mischief, as you well know.

They say these monster come from Thira, the black island...

... and are the creatures of the evil king Minos...

... and his wicked daughter Adriana.

I will take your daughter to Athens, Your Majesty.

One moment, Your Majesty. We must be careful.

- Do you understand? - How do you mean?

This man is a true champion, yes...

... but how can we be sure he isn't part of the evil and mischief you mentioned?

- Is there a way? - If you permit, Your Majesty...

... I have an idea.

We can put him to the test in a sacred place...

... where evil has no power: The sacred stables of the goddess Cybele...

... where she keeps her 1,000 horses.

- And the test? - Oh, it's simple:

To clean the stables by tomorrow morning.

Father, that's absolutely impossible!

It's been years since anyone has tried.

It's impossible.

Do you feel equal to this test, Hercules?

I will see you there at dawn, and you will see.

I'm sorry to see that you've already given up, Hercules.

The moon is almost down, and you are still sitting there.

- It looks like Dorcon was right. - You think so?

No.

But I knew no one could possibly pass this test.

Not even you.

That's why Dorcon suggested it to my father.

He's jealous.

Why do you wear a veil, Cassiopeia?

I'm promised to Diomene of Athens.

But the oracle said I would marry whoever first saw my face...

... after my eighteenth summer was past.

So since then, I have worn this veil.

It's a shame no one can see you.

- I've heard you're beautiful. - You just think of your task.

How do you want to accomplish this?

Don't worry about me.

You have to believe in yourself, and I know what I'm going to do.

Really?

If you doubt it, then let's make a pact.

If I should succeed, you will remove your veil.

No, I'm not allowed to. Impossible.

You said yourself, no one can pass the test.

So do you accept?

All right, I accept.

I'll remove my veil, but only for you, if you succeed.

But if you fail, Hercules, I will have you expelled from Tyre forever.

Good. Now I've got a reason to hurry. Let's go to the river. Come with me.

The river? What for?

I was told to clean the stable, but not how. Come down to the river. Hurry.

What are you going to do? I don't understand.

It's simple. You see the river? It will do the work for me.

I've done what I promised.

Now it's your turn.

Your Highness, please.

There. It's just as Hera prophesized.

Carry the princess to my boat.

Concerning this man, we'll take him out to the sea.

Then we'll feed him to the sharks, Dorcon.

Poor Hercules. Destined to die just for being in love.

He's not dead. I only stunned him.

Cassiopeia was promised to the son of Hera.

If I hadn't struck Hercules with my lightning...

- ... she would have done worse. - But is it wrong to be in love?

To have a heart?

If he isn't dead, he will be soon.

Don't underestimate him, Athena.

My divine son knows how to take care of himself.

For seven days and seven nights...

... the champion of men, Hercules, the demi-god...

... swam through becalmed waters and through titanic storms.

- You're hurting me. Let me go! - Who are you?

Who are you?

This is my island, and you are the intruder.

- My name is Hercules. - I know.

- I know everything. - Why did you ask then?

To test your sincerity.

Come with me.

Where?

Into my home, son, where I'll give you rest and food.

Just as the fairy goddess Athena instructed me to.

Come on.

Ah, it can't be said that you lack appetite, son.

There, drink some of this.

Here you go.

I need help, great enchantress.

- Can't you help me? - I would if I could.

Your enemies are my enemies.

King Minos and his evil daughter Adriana left on this island...

... and stole from me the one thing I could have used to help you.

- What? - The talisman that Athena gave me.

It is our only hope.

It is the only way we have to leave this island.

So we're lost? Trapped here?

I can't believe it. Impossible.

There is another way out. But no, it's too risky.

- How? Tell me! - Calm down! Calm down, please.

There is a way...

- ... but, first of all... - Hey!

Are you crazy?

I need 10 drops of your powerful blood...

... in exchange for what I have to tell you.

You can't refuse if you want to see your sweetheart again.

Who are you?

I'm Circe, the sorceress. I'm here to help you.

Hera is getting stronger and stronger...

... with her 90 cities and Atlantis, her capital.

And now, all is arranged.

When the moon is high up in the sky, Hera will be satisfied with this sacrifice.

It's her who protects our destinies.

And the next sacrifice will be you.

This is a Garden of Eden. Why did they banish you here?

I told you...

I tried to defy the wickedness and evil of King Minos with my magic.

But his evil power is so overwhelming that he defeated me in the end.

And so I was exiled from Thira and brought here.

And then I came to rescue you because Athena urged me to do it.

To help you work out your destiny, and to advise you what to do.

- So what shall I do? - We need the talisman.

Only with it, we can go wherever we want to. Even to Thira.

But it was stolen.

Yes, and they threw it where no one can possibly get it.

Except someone like you.

You will have to overcome the most terrible obstacles.

Take those.

That shield and that sword.

They will protect you from the dangers that lie ahead.

Circe has tricked Hercules into helping her retrieve her talisman.

And he's just liable to do it.

If he does, this evil witch will be coming back to Thira...

... and this time with Hercules.

She caused a huge mess the last time, all by herself.

I've got to stop... We have to stop them, Daedalus.

My little creation should do the trick.

My three-headed metal monster will consume Circe and Hercules in its flames.

- Oh, no, another mechanical monster? - And why not?

The last one didn't work so well.

It spits cosmic rays of deadly fire.

- Do you know what that means? - Cosmic rays of fire?

You're trying to say...

... Hercules and Circe will disintegrate? Nothing left?

Daedalus, could you show it to me in its real dimensions?

Well, at least a part of it, not the full size. It's important.

The Hydra. The ferocious dragon that guards the gates of Hell.

The shield! Reflect the rays back at him!

You can destroy it with its own rays. Lift the shield!

Higher! Higher!

There, the endless stairway will lead us to the center of the Earth.

Follow me, if you ever want to reach Thira.

In Atlantis, the capital of the isle of Thira...

... Cassiopeia awaits hopelessly the night of her sacrifice.

Meanwhile, Hercules and the sorceress Circe...

... cross the rainbow that will lead them to the gates of Hell.

Circe, where will this passageway lead us?

There, in the heart of Skull Island lies the Temple of Eternity.

Inside the skull lies the center of Hell. That's where my talisman is.

You have to bring it to me.

- How can we get there? - Trust me.

Here comes Charon, the boatman of the River Styx.

He will take us across.

There, Hercules, under the Hand of Destiny...

... is the soul of the world.

It is the primal seed of everything that exists.

Inside it is my talisman.

Don't be taken in by appearances.

It's not that simple. You can only get it...

... if you can pass the test.

- What test? - The soul is inaccessible...

... protected by a magic barrier. A triple barrier of magic...

... just like the one that protects Thira.

Nobody ever went beyond the eternal space of the soul.

Stretch your hand out and you'll see.

- But how...? - Try it again, Hercules.

But be prepared for a terrible test.

Resist it, Hercules!

Now comes the great cold of the soul.

You have to endure the bitter cold after the infernal heat!

The final barrier!

Resist! Only you can do it, Hercules!

Your great energy can make the barrier disappear.

The talisman! Get it now! Take it quickly! Quickly!

I've got it.

Your talisman. Now I can finally get to the Island of Thira.

- Just a moment. - Give it to me.

I kept my promise, now you must show me you have not lied.

Are you ready to take me to Cassiopeia now?

I can't take you to Thira, not even with my talisman.

The magic of King Minos and Adriana cancels mine out.

- You lied to me, Circe! - Stop, please!

Please, calm down. You have to give it to me.

Otherwise the talisman will be lost forever.

Please.

Can you at least take me near Thira?

Yes, that I can do. But you have to give me the talisman.

Creator of the light...

... possessor of the keys and of the burning breath...

... and of the glowing soul, hear me.

God of the Empire, master of the planets...

... highest of all the gods, God of the sky and of the Earth.

Saime, Silom, Pentarurian, Vainik, I implore you!

Take me as close as possible to Thira!

Now.

Another one of your tricks, sorceress.

This does not look like the Island of Thira. I'm sure of it.

I didn't ask you to bring me here.

I know. But here you shall have the most precious gift of all:

- Prometheus' winged chariot. - But the winged horses are lost in infinity.

With your strength you'll find a way to make it fly again.

But first, you must confront Xenodama, the King of Africa.

I hope I haven't come all this way for nothing, Circe.

Years ago, if you remember, you promised me Prometheus' chariot...

... if I could open a channel in this small promontory.

You may have it, if you grant my wish. But how will you do it?

Just wait and see, great King.

My strength alone can't do it.

You surely know how to help me.

Oh Goddess who created the chant that all honor.

You who are the indescribable, secret, echoing, resplendent sprout.

You who with one look can make the mist and darkness of the night disappear.

You, oh Goddess, who can move the cosmos with the beating of your wings.

Give now to Hercules the size and height he calls for.

Grow, Hercules. Grow! Grow!

Thus, with the help of the sorceress Circe...

... Hercules, the hero of Zeus, created the great continents...

... by separating Europe from Africa forever.

You've given too much to your champion and to the sorceress, Athena.

That's not true. They've had to work hard to pass the tests.

But they have used magic, magic that belongs to the gods!

Stop it.

The opposing sides are even. The victor will win by his own strength.

Now Hercules and Circe will have to face truly hard obstacles.

Because, for the sake of balance, I'm going to give Circe a little gift.

A gift from Aphrodite, the goddess of love.

But father, you can't do that.

You know very well that the sorceress mustn't fall in love.

Let's let them decide for themselves.

There's the chariot.

But who will replace the winged horses?

We need to find a solution, Hercules.

I need a rope tied around this big stone.

Now tie the other end of the rope to the chariot.

Thank you, Circe. You've been a great help to me.

- But now our roads must part. - No, I'm coming to Thira with you.

Why? Are you trying to tell me that you care about Cassiopeia's destiny?

No, Hercules, I don't.

It's your life I'm worried about, your destiny.

- Are you absolutely sure you want to come? - You'll see, you'll find me very useful.

Even your great strength won't mean much against Minos and Adriana.

All right. As you wish.

How could that happen? What happened to your powers?

I lost them when I fell in love with you...

... and when a sorceress falls in love, she loses all her powers.

It's the law of Aphrodite.

I, Circe, the sorceress, have been enchanted.

Never mind, we're here. There, the Isle of Thiera.

Now begin with the dressing.

Dear Cassiopeia, purified by the seventh moon...

... sweet and submissive, thanks to the Black Lotus.

Tonight you'll reach the space of silence, where everything is light.

Hercules and Circe finally reached their destination...

... the green isle of Thira.

I mustn't go any further.

That cave will take you directly to the center of King Minos' palace...

... through his underground labyrinth.

There you'll find your Cassiopeia, but you mustn't lose time.

The seventh moon is high in the sky and the sacrifice is about to be made.

Now everything depends on your divine strength.

Come with me, Circe.

No, you must go alone. This is your destiny.

Hercules!

Circe!

You must think of Cassiopeia now.

She is the woman chosen for you by the gods.

You must win for her, and to give a future to your world.

And for me, too, if you want.

Minos!

Minos!

Hercules has entered my labyrinth in Thira.

He's in a trap. There's no sorceress to help him this time.

I have a nice surprise for him.

See, Daedalus? We've done it this time.

You've earned a rest.

You can go back to chaos, beyond time and space.

I can handle it alone from here on. Listen, Daedalus...

... I promise you, the next time I call on you will be for the final showdown.

Not science in the service of the gods...

... but science to eliminate the gods.

Only then will I return.

Science for the love of science.

Hercules has fallen deep into the dungeons of Atlantis.

Cassiopeia is being taken to meet her tragic destiny.

King Minos' treacherous plan is about to be fulfilled.

Who will triumph? Evil or good?

The gods are powerless this night in the land of Thira.

Cassiopeia is ready for the sacrifice, Father.

The great play is drawing to an end. Hera has won.

Essentially a predictable ending.

Poor Circe never understood that her magic powers were full of fantasy.

Only the pure magic of perfect knowledge, science, is impeccable.

The absolute dictator of the universal forces.

She wouldn't understand even though I told hera thousand times:

Creation came out of chaos, is surrounded by chaos...

... and will end in chaos.

But while we're here, we maintain perfect order.

Here in Thira...

... we have eliminated all emotion, all hope, all doubt.

There is no place for uncertainty.

Where was I? Ah, Hercules!

Now that Hercules is in our power, we must make good use of him.

Your mission will be to charm him, Adriana.

If he resists, use the Black Lotus. It's quicker.

From your union will be born a race of supreme champions...

... who will govern the Earth.

Have no fear, Father. I will convince him.

I have no doubt, my dear.

And now it is your turn, my lovely virgin.

Your groom is eager to inflame your passions.

Minos means to give you to me...

... and he couldn't have chosen better.

The Black Lotus.

Its nectar numbs the mind and awakens the senses.

Drink. Drink it all up, my hero...

... to enhance the thousand pleasures I will give you.

Where is Cassiopeia?

Her wonderful body is about to turn into ashes.

No! Don't kill him! Stop him! But don't let him escape!

Go, stop him!

Open.

I want to see Cassiopeia, now.

Follow me.

This is the Phoenix, the fire bird.

At last in my power.

You captured the Phoenix?

- And it's here, in this volcano? - Yes, my dear, in this very volcano.

All its inexhaustible energy, is concentrated here...

... dedicated to the glory of Thira.

It is the source of my strength.

Just as the Phoenix is renewed in the destruction of its own ashes...

... so my strength is renewed every summer of the seventh equinox...

... with the sacrifice of a virgin bride. This night, Cassiopeia...

... you will become bride of the Phoenix.

You will descend into the sea of fire in this golden shell...

... and be fused into total energy.

- But that's the sword... - Yes.

The sacred sword of Thebes.

Adriana stole it for me from the temple of Hera, 20 years ago.

It's the sword that holds the key to my power.

Its makers used the fragments of stars fallen from the sky to forge it.

A small, lost star that had the power to control fire.

Beyond this point, the Phoenix cannot rise.

I, King Minos of Thira, control the fire bird.

I forced it to make its nest here, in my volcano.

The beginning and end of all energy...

... into which you will descend, Cassiopeia.

Now, I command you. It's an order.

Tell them to open that door.

What are you waiting for?

Guards, kill him!

- Now you will never get in! - Damn you!

Minos...

You...

You're too reliant on your strength, my great hero.

You are muscle-bound, and also very agile, aren't you?

Hercules, I'm down here!

I had another destiny in store for you, Hercules.

It's a shame that it has to end like this.

Don't touch that sword! You'll free the Phoenix! No!

The volcano will erupt!

Minos, this sword consecrated to Zeus fears nothing!

- Please help me! - Cassiopeia!

Hercules, hurry.

The volcano is erupting.

Hurry.

Stop!

You've won, but she won't live!

That way!

The Phoenix is free from the fire that held it prisoner.

From now on, he will serve the universe again.

- The world has nothing more to fear. - Neither do I, if I have your love.

- Please kiss me, Hercules. - Wait.

Are you really Cassiopeia?

Or Adriana in a new form? Or Circe reborn?

I'm all of them, and none of them.

I'm the only woman who can love you.