Overview
“Hercules in New York” is a low-budget fantasy adventure film released in 1970, notable for featuring an early performance by Arnold Schwarzenegger. Directed by Arthur Allan Seidelman and originally released under the title “Hercules Goes Bananas,” the film follows the adventures of Hercules, the legendary Greek hero, as he travels to modern-day New York City.
The plot revolves around Hercules becoming bored with life on Mount Olympus and deciding to visit Earth to experience mortal life. However, his arrival in New York City leads to a series of comedic misadventures as he encounters various modern-day challenges and clashes with the authorities.
Arnold Schwarzenegger, in one of his earliest film roles, portrays Hercules. The film showcases his impressive physique and physicality, although his dialogue is famously dubbed due to his heavy Austrian accent at the time.
Despite its campy and low-budget nature, “Hercules in New York” has gained a cult following over the years, largely due to Schwarzenegger’s involvement and the unintentional humor of its premise and execution. It’s often cited as an example of “so bad it’s good” cinema, and it remains a curiosity for fans of both Arnold Schwarzenegger and cult films from the 1970s.
| Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Title | Hercules in New York (Originally released as “Hercules Goes Bananas”) |
| Release Year | 1970 |
| Director | Arthur Allan Seidelman |
| Main Cast | Arnold Schwarzenegger (as Hercules), Arnold Stang, Deborah Loomis |
| Genre | Fantasy, Adventure, Comedy |
| Plot | Hercules travels from Mount Olympus to modern-day New York City, encountering comedic misadventures and clashes with authorities along the way. |
| Notable Features | Early film role for Arnold Schwarzenegger, Campy and low-budget production, Dialogues dubbed due to Schwarzenegger’s heavy Austrian accent at the time |
| Reception | Initially received negative reviews but gained a cult following over the years for its unintentional humor and Schwarzenegger’s involvement. |
| Legacy | Considered a curiosity in Schwarzenegger’s filmography and a cult classic among fans of “so bad it’s good” cinema. |
Plot of the Movie
The plot of “Hercules in New York” revolves around the legendary Greek hero Hercules becoming discontent with his life on Mount Olympus and yearning for adventure. Against the wishes of his father Zeus, Hercules decides to travel to Earth to experience mortal life.
Upon his arrival in modern-day New York City, Hercules finds himself bewildered by the fast-paced and unfamiliar surroundings. He soon encounters a series of comedic misadventures as he tries to navigate the city and understand its customs.
Hercules’s immense strength and naivety lead to various encounters with the authorities and misunderstandings with the local populace. Despite his struggles, Hercules manages to find companionship with a young man named Pretzie, who helps him navigate the complexities of city life.
As Hercules adjusts to life in New York, he becomes entangled in a series of escapades, including a wrestling match and a confrontation with gangsters. Throughout his journey, Hercules learns valuable lessons about friendship, loyalty, and the importance of being true to oneself.
In the end, Hercules decides to return to Mount Olympus, but not before leaving a lasting impression on those he encountered in New York City. The film concludes with Hercules bidding farewell to his newfound friends and setting off on his next adventure, leaving behind fond memories of his time in the modern world.
Reasons to Watch It
Watch “Hercules in New York” for a campy and nostalgic journey featuring Arnold Schwarzenegger’s early performance as the mythological hero navigating modern-day chaos in the Big Apple.
Early Arnold Schwarzenegger Performance: This film offers a chance to see Arnold Schwarzenegger in one of his earliest acting roles before he became a Hollywood icon. It’s intriguing to witness his development as an actor and see where his career began. Campy Entertainment: “Hercules in New York” has gained a cult following for its unintentional humor, cheesy special effects, and over-the-top dialogue. It can be enjoyed as a campy, fun viewing experience, especially for fans of so-bad-it’s-good cinema. Nostalgia for 1970s Cinema: For those interested in exploring cinema from the 1970s, “Hercules in New York” provides a glimpse into the filmmaking styles and cultural sensibilities of that era. Curiosity Factor: The sheer oddity of the premise—bringing the mythological Hercules to modern-day New York City—is intriguing and may appeal to viewers looking for something offbeat and unconventional. Appreciation for Cult Classics: “Hercules in New York” has developed a dedicated fanbase over the years, and watching it allows viewers to participate in the cult phenomenon surrounding the film. Historical Perspective: For film enthusiasts and scholars, “Hercules in New York” offers a window into the evolution of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s career and the broader landscape of low-budget, independent cinema in the 1970s.
Ultimately, while “Hercules in New York” may not be a cinematic masterpiece, it offers entertainment value for those willing to embrace its quirks and enjoy it for what it is: a campy, lighthearted romp through mythology and modernity.
Reasons to Avoid It
“Hercules in New York” should be avoided due to its poor production quality, questionable acting, weak plot, lack of action, cultural insensitivity, and critical reception as one of the worst films ever made.
Poor Production Quality: The film suffers from low production values, evident in its special effects, costumes, and overall visual quality. It was made on a shoestring budget, which is reflected in the finished product. Questionable Acting: Arnold Schwarzenegger, in his film debut, portrays Hercules, but his acting skills were still developing at the time. His performance is often criticized for being wooden and lacking depth. Dubbed Dialogue: In some versions of the film, Schwarzenegger’s lines were dubbed due to his heavy Austrian accent, further detracting from the authenticity of his performance. Weak Plot: The storyline is widely regarded as nonsensical and disjointed. It involves Hercules being transported to modern-day New York City, where he encounters various absurd situations. The plot fails to engage viewers and lacks coherence. Lack of Action: Despite being a film about a mythical hero, “Hercules in New York” lacks the action and excitement one might expect from such a premise. The fight scenes are poorly choreographed, and the film relies more on comedic elements, which often fall flat. Cultural Insensitivity: Some viewers find elements of the film to be culturally insensitive, particularly in its portrayal of Hercules’ interactions with modern society. The film reinforces stereotypes and caricatures rather than offering thoughtful commentary. Critical Reception: “Hercules in New York” was panned by critics upon its release and has since garnered a reputation as one of the worst films ever made. Its lack of redeeming qualities makes it a challenging watch for many viewers.
Overall, “Hercules in New York” is generally considered a forgettable and poorly executed film that offers little entertainment value. While it may hold some curiosity value for Schwarzenegger fans or aficionados of cult cinema, it’s typically recommended to avoid it for those seeking quality filmmaking or engaging storytelling.
Critical Response
“Hercules in New York” received predominantly negative reviews from critics upon its initial release. Critics criticized its low production values, cheesy special effects, and campy dialogue. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s performance, particularly his heavily accented and dubbed lines, was also a point of criticism.
However, over the years, the film has gained a cult following among fans of campy cinema and Arnold Schwarzenegger enthusiasts. It’s often appreciated for its unintentional humor and as a curiosity in Schwarzenegger’s early career. While it may not be critically acclaimed in the traditional sense, “Hercules in New York” has found a place in popular culture as a cult classic.
| Aspect | Response |
|---|---|
| Initial Reception | Predominantly negative reviews from critics |
| Criticisms | Low production values, cheesy special effects, campy dialogue, Arnold Schwarzenegger’s heavily accented and dubbed lines |
| Cult Following | Despite initial reception, gained a cult following over the years among fans of campy cinema and Arnold Schwarzenegger enthusiasts |
| Legacy | Considered a curiosity and cult classic in Schwarzenegger’s filmography, appreciated for its unintentional humor |
Key Themes
While “Hercules in New York” is primarily known for its comedic and campy elements, it touches upon several key themes:
Fish out of Water: The film explores the theme of a character being out of their element, as Hercules navigates the unfamiliar and fast-paced world of modern-day New York City. This theme emphasizes the clash between ancient mythology and contemporary society. Identity and Belonging: Hercules grapples with questions of identity and belonging as he straddles the worlds of the mortal and divine. His journey in New York City forces him to confront his place in the world and what it means to truly belong. Friendship and Loyalty: Through his interactions with characters like Pretzie, Hercules learns the value of friendship and loyalty. Despite their differences, Hercules forms genuine connections with those he meets in New York City, emphasizing the importance of camaraderie and mutual support. Adaptation and Resilience: As Hercules faces various challenges and obstacles in the modern world, the film highlights the themes of adaptation and resilience. Despite his initial struggles, Hercules learns to adapt to his new surroundings and overcome adversity with determination and perseverance. Satire and Parody: “Hercules in New York” employs satire and parody to humorously critique both ancient mythology and contemporary society. The film playfully subverts expectations and pokes fun at familiar tropes, resulting in a comedic and light-hearted tone.
These key themes add depth to the film’s otherwise light-hearted and comedic premise, offering viewers some underlying messages to ponder amidst the campy fun.
Memorable Moments
“Hercules in New York” features memorable moments such as Hercules wrestling a bear, grappling with modern technology, and engaging in humorous confrontations, all underscored by Arnold Schwarzenegger’s iconic dialogue, contributing to its cult status.
Hercules Wrestling a Bear: One of the early scenes in the film features Hercules engaging in a wrestling match with a bear. This over-the-top display of strength sets the tone for the fantastical elements of the movie. Hercules Confused by Modern Technology: Throughout the film, Hercules encounters various modern inventions and technologies, such as cars, telephones, and escalators, leading to humorous moments of confusion and misunderstanding as he attempts to make sense of them. Hercules vs. Gangsters: In a memorable sequence, Hercules finds himself confronting a group of gangsters, showcasing his physical prowess as he dispatches them with ease. This scene highlights the contrast between Hercules’s ancient strength and the modern-day threats he faces. Hercules at the Discus Throw: In a comedic turn of events, Hercules participates in a discus throw competition, only to accidentally launch the discus into the sky, causing chaos and confusion as it soars across New York City. Hercules’s Dialogue: Arnold Schwarzenegger’s heavily accented and dubbed lines have become iconic among fans of the film. His delivery of lines such as “Hercules tired. Hercules going to bed” has become a source of amusement and nostalgia for viewers. Hercules’s Farewell: The film concludes with Hercules bidding farewell to his newfound friends in New York City as he returns to Mount Olympus. This bittersweet moment serves as a poignant conclusion to his adventures in the modern world.
These memorable moments, along with the film’s campy charm and Arnold Schwarzenegger’s early performance, have helped solidify “Hercules in New York” as a cult classic in the realm of cult cinema.
Streaming Platforms
“Hercules in New York” can sometimes be streamed on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Google Play Movies & TV, YouTube Movies, iTunes, Vudu, Tubi, Pluto TV, and Kanopy, though availability may vary by region.
| Streaming Platform | Availability |
|---|---|
| Amazon Prime Video | Sometimes available |
| Google Play Movies & TV | Sometimes available |
| YouTube Movies | Sometimes available |
| iTunes | Sometimes available |
| Vudu | Sometimes available |
| Tubi | Sometimes available |
| Pluto TV | Sometimes available |
| Kanopy | Sometimes available, depending on library access |
