Hercules The Legendary Journeys - Season 1 (1994) Review

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(More customer reviews)Hercules Season One, an 8-disc DVD Collection, collects all 5 TV pilot movies and the 13-episode first season (1994-1995) of the syndicated action series based on the popular Greek mythological figure.
THE STORY
The critically-acclaimed 'Hercules the Legendary Journeys' aired in syndication for 6 seasons from 1994 till 1999. Based on the popular hero from Greek mythology, the story followed the adventures of Hercules and his friend Iolaus as they traveled the earth defending mortals against the tyrannical gods who plagued them, namely his step-mother Hera, Queen of the Gods and his half-brother Ares, the God of War. The series' brilliant combination of action and adventure, special effects and adaptation of Greek mythology was a critical as well as commercial success, drawing strong ratings and a cult-following.
THE DVDS:
Disc 1:
Movie 1: 'Hercules and the Amazon Women' ' Hercules and Iolaus embark on one last great adventure before Iolaus' wedding. Answering the call to save a village from mysterious monsters they instead find a tribe of Hera-worshipping warrior women who have shunned men from their lives.
Movie 2: 'Hercules and the Lost Kingdom' ' Hercules aids a young woman find the lost city of Troy which was banished by Hera.
Disc 2:
Movie 3: 'Hercules and the Circle of Fire' ' Hera has stolen fire from mankind and only Hercules, along with the lovely Deianera, can get it back.
Movie 4: 'Hercules in the Underworld' ' Hercules is called to help save a village where the people are being sucked underground. In the midst of it all he saves his wife Deianera from the traitorous Centaur Nessus and winds up in the Underworld battling the guard of Hades -- the three-headed dog Cerberus.
Disc 3:
Movie 5: 'Hercules in the Maze of the Minotaur' ' Settled down with his wife and kids, Hercules and Iolaus reminisce about their adventures together until they are summoned to a village to help slay a mysterious monster that not even Zeus himself can kill!!
Disc 4:
Episode 1: 'The Wrong Path' ' After Hera kills his family, Hercules sets out to avenge them. With Hercules on his personal quest, Iolaus answers to call to help a village being plagued by Hera's She-Demon who can turn men into stone.
Episode 2: 'Eye of the Beholder' ' Hercules helps a town overcome a Cyclops who's diverting their river's flow away to Hera's vineyards. Intro: Salmoneus the Traveling Salesman
Episode 3: 'The Road to Calydon' ' Hercules aids a cursed people move to the protected and enchanted city of Calydon.
Disc 5:
Episode 4: 'The Festival of Dionysus' ' Hercules helps to thwart a devious plot concocted by an ambitious prince and Ares the God of War to overthrow the peaceful King of Meliad.
Episode 5: 'Ares' ' Hercules stops Ares and his servant from recruiting an army of teenage boys.
Episode 6: 'As Darkness Falls' ' Hercules must battle Nemis the Centaur, brother of Nessus and servant of Hera, who has kidnapped the bride Penelope. He has one problem though, he is slowly going blind as part of Nemis' plot to kill him and only Salmoneus, the timid traveling salesman, can help him.
Disc 6:
Episode 7: 'Pride Goes Before a Brawl' ' Iolaus saves a maiden and battles a group of bandits in the forest. Little does he know that Hera has sentenced him to death and only Hercules can save him.
Episode 8: 'The March to Freedom' ' Hercules helps free a group of Easterners from a vicious slave trader.
Episode 9: 'The Warrior Princess' ' THE DEBUT OF XENA. To Iolaus she is the love of his life for whom he would kill and die for. To the rest of the world she is a merciless Warlord who is bent on world conquest. What happens when Hercules sets out to stop her once and for all?
Disc 7:
Episode 10 ' 'The Gladiator' ' Hercules and Iolaus free the prisoners of Menas Maxius, ruler of Apropus, who forces them into mortal combat for his own sick pleasure.
Episode 11 ' 'The Vanishing Dead' ' Hercules and Iolaus try to stop a senseless civil war between the people of Tantalus concocted as a devious scheme by Ares who wants more dead bodies to feed his dog Graegus.
Episode 12 ' 'The Gauntlet' ' Xena is usurped by her ruthless lieutenant Darphus. Hercules and Xena join forces to defeat Darphus' army and stop their reign of terror once and for all.
Episode 13 ' 'Unchained Heart' ' Ares resurrects Darphus and sends him on a mission to destroy the world and provide enough dead bodies to satiate Graegus' hunger. It will take the combined might of Hercules, Iolaus, Xena and Salmoneus to stop him.
THE DVD EXTRAS
Anchor Bay's put out another solid Season DVD set with an awesome extras package. Among the goodies this DVD set comes with are:
SELECTED EPISODE COMMENTARY
Select episodes feature audio or video commentary by series' stars Kevin Sorbo and Michael Hurst. Audio commentary is featured on episodes 2, 5, 7, 9 and 10. Video commentary is featured on episodes 5, 7, 10.
COLLECTIBLES AND CONTESTS
Each season DVD set includes a collector's edition Hercules coin. You can mail away for a coin holder to house your coins. Also included are entry forms for the Hercules sweepstakes contest for a trip to the Athens Games of 2004.
DISC 8: EXTRAS
Included on Disc 8 are:
1. Hercules screensaver
2. The Chronicles: A comprehensive guide to the Hercules universe including Episode Guides (Scrolls) and character guides for important characters including Mortals, Gods and Creatures.
3. Trivia Game: Test your Hercules knowledge (or pick up some).
4. Director and Actor Bios: Filmographies for ALL actors and directors who appeared in/worked on Season One.
THE VERDICT
Lovers of action-adventure and mythology are bound to fall in love with this series. The 'Ancient Greece' settings and the FX that make up all its evil monsters are awe-inspiring. In all, you won't be disappointed as you follow along with Hercules and his Legendary Journeys!!
Highest Recommendation

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Long ago… In a time of myth and legend, when ancient gods plagued man with suffering – only one man dared to challenge their power. Hercules! This spectacular collection brings together all five full-length action-packed movies starring Kevin Sorbo as Hercules and Anthony Quinn as Zeus and includes the entire debut season in one epic collector's set. Kevin Sorbo's fresh, hip and good-natured spin on the legendary hero carried this witty, adventure-filled action drama to high critical acclaim. Smartly combining ancient myth with contemporary sensibilities, the series became one of television's highest rated programs. Hercules: The Legendary Journeys Season One Collection Includes All Five Action-Packed Hercules Movies And All 13 Season One Episodes!

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