EXT. SHIP AT SEA - NIGHT
VOICE OVER
Come back with me in time, not to a
century or millennium, but to a
time outside of history, a time of
myth, of fantasy...a time of many
gods...and one great hero. The
time of Hercules.
AMPHITRYON
ZEUS!!!
BEGIN MAIN TITLES.
EXT. FOREST OF THE GODDESS HERA - NIGHT
ALCMENE
Hera!
Sacred Goddess! Who
oversees the journey of all living
things...whose embrace is endless,
and deathless...all renewing. Your
children celebrate your harvest.
The sweet nectar of the Mother
Hera. Fill yourself with the
Goddess, sisters...for the sacred
rituals ahead of us this night.
Alcmene ministers to a group of blindfolded men.
TIRESIAS
Zeus...Zeus...Zeus.
ALCMENE
Zeus cannot harm us. Only howl
like a jealous child because we
worship Hera, Mother of the Earth,
Mother of Life. Others may abandon
her and think her husband Zeus is
stronger. But we know she is
greater. Fear not.
TIRESIAS
I'm not afraid of the gods,
Priestess...I'm not. It is those
who claim to speak for them that I
fear.
ALCMENE
A kiss...to soften your lips,
Linus.
Sing for the Goddess...
LINUS
(singing)
Oh, Shining Mother over all
The summer flees the blast of Fall
To hide in snow, awaiting you
To conquer Death with Life anew.
ALCMENE
Holy Hera, we do your bidding.
Make winter Earth fertile once
more. Bring back Life, from Death.
Deianeira, nymph, join us!
PHAEA
You're wasting your time, Alcmene.
That nymph has chosen the path of
the Virgin Goddess. But I'll make
up for her modesty.
ALCMENE
Then I give you the honor of the
Harvest King.
EXT. SHIP AT SEA - NIGHT
AMPHITRYON
How do I offend you, Zeus? Why do
you keep me from my marriage bed?
I kept my vow! I've slaughtered
the Createn pirates who murdered my
bride's family. The rest of them
I've wrapped in chains as her
wedding gift. Why do you keep me
from the arms of my beloved bride,
Alcmene?
ANTAEUS
Zeus rages at the night,
Amphitryon, not you. It's the
night of Hera's Harvest Festival.
AMPHITRYON
Zeus is master here. The Goddess
Hera is dead in Thebes.
ANTAEUS
Not in Thebes...nor anywhere!
ANTAEUS (CONT'D)
I am Antaeus, son of Mother Earth!
If my feet were planted on Hera's
sacred soil, I'd tear you apart!
Not even you god Zeus could save
you!
AMPHITRYON
The mark of Zeus is upon you, Hera
worshipper!
EXT. FOREST OF THE GODDESS HERA - NIGHT
ALCMENE
Wake, Chosen One...the Harvest
King. Open your eyes and witness
the mysteries of Mother Hera. We
honor you, give you greatness,
glory...Hera's Harvest King. From
Winter comes Spring...from Death
comes Life...
ACOLYTES
(chanting)
From Winter comes Spring...from
Death comes Life...
ALCMENE
Deliver Hera her sacrifice!
The acolytes reveal daggers, and point them at Tiresias.
PHAEA
Priestess! He's male and
female...he's both!
ALCMENE
Hermaphrodite.
DEIANEIRA
You can't kill him now...
ALCMENE
It is sacrilege for a man to see
the sacred rites of Hera and live.
DEIANEIRA
He is part woman. Slay the man,
you slay the woman. That too is
sacrilege.
PHAEA
Zeus mocks us! Hera commands us!
He must die!
ACOLYTES
Slay the man! From death comes
life!
ALCMENE
Let the Goddess in you live...but
the man within you will see no
more, of what is forbidden.
Alcmene slashes at Tiresias' eyes, blinding him.
TIRESIAS
Alcmene! Yes, I know you! Even in
my blindness, Zeus has given me a
new sight! I am Tiresias! And I
say to you, you have offended the
gods. Zeus will avenge me this
very night, and Hera will not
answer your prayers!
ALCMENE
Amphitryon...my husband returns
from the sea...
EXT. HERA ALTAR TREE, FOREST - NIGHT
Linus listens, concealed from view.
ALCMENE
Hera, when my husband set sail to
hunt the murderers of my father and
brothers, I prayed he would not
return. Now his ship rests in the
harbor. Has the husband my father
chose for me, a man who does not
worship as I do, returned defeated?
Have my prayers been answered?
A cloaked figure looms over Alcmene.
ALCMENE
Amphitryon...you wear your wedding
cloak. Let me see your face.
Speak...
Alcmene pulls out her amulet sickle but she is overpowered.
EXT. CITY OF THEBES - MORNING
Alcmene crosses the plaza, wearing Amphitryon's cloak.
INT. ALCMENE / AMPHITRYON HOUSE - DAWN
AMPHITRYON
A cold and empty house.
better welcome, wife.
I expected
ALCMENE
The welcome was not of my choosing!
(tosses cloak)
AMPHITRYON
Where did you get this?
ALCMENE
You know very well...you left if
last night, after you forced
yourself on me.
AMPHITRYON
No...I was stranded on my ship all
last night.
Alcmene remembers Tiresias' curse.
TIRESIAS
(flashback)
I say to you, you have offended the
gods!
Zeus will avenge you this very
night! And Hera will not answer
your prayers!
AMPHITRYON
I love you, Alcmene. Love
me...love me...love me.
INT. ALCMENE / AMPHITRYON HOUSE - BEDROOM - DAY
AMPHITRYON
It was a Cretan prisoner, Antaeus.
He tore the cloak from me before he
leapt overboard. He mocked me. If
a child comes, I'll kill it.
TIRESIAS (O.S.)
Which child, Lord Amphitryon?
There will be two.
The blinded Tiresias stands in the street below.
ALCMENE
Tiresias! Tell him...Tiresias,
tell my husband that you know who
raped me...that is was Zeus,
disguised in the flesh of
Amphitryon...
AMPHITRYON
Don't blame your lust on Zeus! If
a child is born, I will kill it.
ALCMENE
I will help you! Do you think that
I would bear the child of your
degenerate god?
TIRESIAS (O.S.)
Did you not hear me?
AMPHITRYON
What business is this of yours.
Who are you, blind beggar?
TIRESIAS
Blind, yes, Lord. But I can see
what you cannot. Alcmene will bear
two sons. Only one will be yours.
And I ask again, which one will you
kill?
EXT. GATES OF THE PALACE OF THEBES - DAY
Troops parade through the plaza. Alcmene and Amphitryon
ride on a chariot and give greeting at the palace steps.
AMPHITRYON
King Creon!
MEGARA
Alcmene, Alcmene!
KING CREON
(reproachfully)
Megara!
(to Sthenelus)
The minx has no respect for
protocol.
MEGARA
Alcmene!
ALCMENE
Look at you, my pretty!
MEGARA
What have you brought me this time?
ALCMENE
An autumn pomegranate. The
Mother's promise that Life will
return strong and sweet in the
Spring.
MEGARA
And Hera is the Mother.
ALCMENE
The Mother of us all, sweetling.
AMPHITRYON
Zeus is worshipped here. King
Creon won't appreciate you teaching
his daughter the ways of Hera.
ALCMENE
King Creon tolerates some Hera
worshippers well enough. He has
invited my Uncle the Usurper to
your triumph.
AMPHITRYON
King Sthenelus!
ALCMENE
Stehenelus is no king!
thief.
He's only a
KING CREON
A triumphant return, Amphitryon!
And to the victor, the laurel
wreath!
(crowd cheers)
INT. PALACE OF THEBES - BANQUET HALL - NIGHT
KING CREON
The citizens of Thebes thank you,
Amphitryon.
The guests applaud as some prisoners are brought through in
shackles.
KING CREON
Amphitryon has done us a great
service, Sthenelus, ridding us of
these Cretan pirates at last. And
avenging the murder of your brother
and his sons. You should make him
your heir.
STHENELUS
Yes, Creon...the ghost of my
brother, the late King and his sons
may rest at last. Amphitryon has
done a mighty deed...but that's no
reason to make him my heir.
KING CREON
He's married to Alcmene your niece,
and you have no sons.
STHENELUS
I have daughters. We in the land
of the Goddess do not fear a
woman's rule.
ALCMENE
Then why was I denied my
birthright? The throne of Tiryns
fell to me when my father and
brothers died! You banished me
from lands that are mine.
STHENELUS
Because your father wed you to a
Zeus follower! No one disputes
Amphitryon's nobility. But our
people in Tiryns worship Hera, and
no Zeus-lover will ever sit on my
throne!
ALCMENE
My throne. And I would sit it, not
my husband. And I am no lover of
Zeus.
STHENELUS
I've heard differently.
(laughs)
Your new seer's oracle reaches even
our faraway court in Tiryns.
Amphitryon will be a proud father.
Oh?
TIRESIAS
You have not heard all my oracle,
"King" of Tiryns. I have seen
more...it is this. The next born
son of the house of Perseus will
ascend the throne of Tiryns, and
will rule all the lands that you
rule now.
STHENELUS
(sputters)
ALCMENE
The wine not to your taste, Lord
Uncle? I am of the House of
Perseus.
STHENELUS
As am I, niece. As am I!
ALCMENE
But you have no sons, my aging
Uncle...sons, from the line of
Perseus. And my belly is full of
them.
EXT. CITY OF THEBES - ESTABLISHING SHOT - NIGHT
INT. ALCMENE / AMPHITRYON HOUSE - ALCMENE'S BEDROOM- NIGHT
The sound of an infant's cry.
MIDWIFE
Twins, my Lord. I never saw two
twins slip out so swiftly, one
after another.
ALCMENE
Which was first born?
first born?
Which was
MIDWIFE
Oh...they came so fast, my
Goddess...
ALCMENE
Fool! How will we know? How will
we know who is heir to the throne?
PHAEA
It doesn't matter. A son has
already been born to Sthenelus.
They named him Eurystheus...he is
the next-born son of the House of
Perseus. He will rule.
ALCMENE
Sthenelus will not cheat me out of
my throne again! I swear to Hera
he will not!
AMPHITRYON
Which of those is my son?
which is...
And
ALCMENE
...Zeus' bastard?
AMPHITRYON
Someone's bastard...
ALCMENE
I will find out, husband.
EXT. SWAMPS OF STYMPHALUS - DAY
PHAEA
Hush, child! Hush!
ALCMENE
He wails his despair the deeper we
seek Mother Hera's magic. Only
Zeus' son would grow so
discontented, unlike his fat happy
brother.
PHAEA
If you've decided already, why have
we come to this dreary place?
Razor-sharp barbs rain down on the two women.
HARPY #1 (O
Why indeed? Go! Or the next will
pierce your flesh!
ALCMENE
I seek minions of the Great Mother,
Hera.
HARPY #2
Who makes demands of the Hera's
servants?
ALCMENE
Her priestess, Alcmene.
One of the infants cries.
HARPY #2
Silence that squalling Man thing,
or I will.
HARPY #1
Wait, sister. You are Alcmene?
Violated of Zeus?
ALCMENE
Then you know my sorrow. Two sons.
One destined for Hera...the other
the spawn of Zeus. I do not know
which.
HARPY #1
You've done well to come here.
The Harpy takes one of the infants from Phaea.
HARPY #2
The one who suckles at my breast is
the son of Hera.
HARPY #1
Their names?
ALCMENE
Mine, I will call Iphicles.
son deserves no name.
Zeus'
HARPY #1
This one suckles strongly and
greedily. Consecrate him to Mother
Hera.
ALCMENE
I knew he was the one.
HARPY #1
He won't let go! Get him off, he
bites!
HARPY #2
Cunning, cruel Zeus!
child.
That is his
HARPY #1
He bites the breast that feeds him!
But name him before you slay him.
Call him Hercules.
HARPY #2
Hercules, "Glory to
Hera"...perfect, sister!
ALCMENE
No! You must kill him!
wrath of Zeus!
HARPY #1
Fear Hera's wrath.
him...bury him.
I fear the
You bore
INT. ALCMENE / AMPHITRYON HOUSE - ALCMENE'S BEDROOM - DAY
Amphitryon holds the baby Hercules in his arms.
ALCMENE
Do not ask where I went or how I
know. I know that this is my son.
AMPHITRYON
So is this one.
ALCMENE
He is a sin, inflicted by your god.
If you love me, Amphitryon, destroy
that which brings us shame. Let us
start again, with Iphicles...our
son, and true heir, to bind our
love.
EXT. MOUNTAIN - WATERFALL - DAY
Amphitryon carries the baby Hercules.
ground.
He places him on the
AMPHITRYON
I'm sorry...it is your fate.
INT. ALCMENE / AMPHITRYON HOUSE - NURSERY - DAY
Amphitryon enters, carrying a baby.
ALCMENE
I won't care for him! Keep him
away from my son. He's your
responsibility.
AMPHITRYON
Yes...and if he is a son of Zeus,
as you claim, then I'll not be
responsible for his death. I'll
find a nurse for him.
INT. ALCMENE / AMPHITRYON HOUSE - HERCULES' NURSERY - LATER
Alcmene enters, carrying a basket. She turns over the
basket. Two snakes slither out into Hercules crib.
INT. ALCMENE / AMPHITRYON HOUSE - BEDROOM
Amphitryon enters.
A child cries in the background.
AMPHITRYON
Your child's hungry.
ALCMENE
It's Hercules. Where is your
nurse?
(realizing)
It's Iphicles!
Amphitryon and Alcmene burst into the nursery. Baby
Hercules holds both serpents in his hands. He flings them,
like toys, onto the floor, in front of an astonished
Amphitryon.
Zeus!
AMPHITRYON
Zeus! He must be your son.
EXT. CLIFF OVERLOOKING SEA - DAY
The two brothers are being schooled in the art of combat by
the Centaur Kiron.
KIRON
Keep your guard up! Wound! Keep
your guard up, Hercules! Wound!
Well done, Iphicles. Disabling
wound on Hercules.
IPHICLES
Disabling, oaf!
KIRON
Fatal wound. Match, Iphicles.
IPHICLES
That's enough, clodpole, you're
dead!
Amphitryon rides up.
AMPHITRYON
No more lessons for today, boys.
We've other matters. Your Uncle
Sthenelus has died.
IPHICLES
Has the old buzzard?
Praise Hera!
AMPHITRYON
King Creon requests we attend the
funeral with him at Tiryns. We
must prepare.
HERCULES
Does Creon's daughter Megara go
too?
AMPHITRYON
All of royal Thebes.
HERCULES
Come on, Iphicles!
home.
Including us.
I'll race you
AMPHITRYON
(to Kiron)
Iphicles shows some skill with the
sword.
KIRON
He has the cunning of a warrior but
an indifferent passion for it. It
is all merely an exercise to his
vanity.
AMPHITRYON
You're blunt, Kiron. I chose their
trainer well. And Hercules?
KIRON
Impatient with strategy, but a rare
flare for fighting. Give him a
club instead of a sword, and point
him to the crush of battle, and the
bravest soldier would quake at the
sight of him.
EXT. CITY OF TIRYNS - PALACE SQUARE - NIGHT
The body of Sthenelus lies in state.
EURYSTHEUS
I, Eurystheus, send my father, King
Sthenelus, to you, Mother Hera.
He lights the funeral pyre.
ALCMENE
(to Iphicles)
You should become closer to your
cousin Eurystheus. He sits on your
throne, only because of a trick of
time.
MEGARA
Eurystheus is almost as pretty as
your brother Iphicles, don't you
think?
HERCULES
I know nothing of pretty men,
Megara.
MEGARA
No, you wouldn't. But I do. They
are the most beautiful young men
here.
HERCULES
You're the most beautiful woman
here, Megara.
MEGARA
You're no beauty...but you're bold.
IPHICLES
I am Iphicles, son of your mourned
father's niece, Alcmene. A part of
our family dies, with yours.
Iphicles cuts a lock of his hair and tosses into the fire.
ALCMENE
Oh, my clever son.
MEGARA
That was most moving, Iphicles.
HERCULES
I am Hercules, brother of Iphicles,
also son of Alcmene and Amphitryon.
As my brother says, we share your
grief.
Hercules cuts a lock of his much shorter hair and tosses it
into the fire. His sleeve catches on fire.
Clod!
IPHICLES
You diminish my offering!
MEGARA
But his was original, you must
admit.
EXT. RIVER GLADE NEAR THEBES - DAY
LINUS
Pluck the strings, don't throttle
them, like your brother. Very
good, Iphicles.
Hercules watches as a satyr and nymph cavort.
LINUS
(to Hercules)
Pay attention. Since you're so
interested in Silenus' affairs,
we'll mix a little biology with
music. What would the offspring of
that seduction be, if the old goat
succeeds?
IPHICLES
Uh...a nymph, if it's a girl child.
If it's a boy, it would be a satyr.
LINUS
Excellent, Iphicles. And if a prehuman mates with a human?
IPHICLES
Species is always determined
through the father. Prehuman men
breed prehuman children...human men
breed human children.
HERCULES
So if I mated with a nymph, my
child would be...
IPHICLES
An idiot...like his father.
LINUS
Practice...practice! Iphicles is
right. Your child by a nymph would
be a human.
IPHICLES
Not that any nymph would have
him...
LINUS
Practice. You make cat gut sound
like it's still in the cat! Will
nothing penetrate that thick skull
of yours! Now practice!
Unable to take the abuse anymore, Hercules smashes Linus in
the head with his lyre.
IPHICLES
Linus! Linus! Oh, Mother
Hera...Mother! Hercules has
murdered Linus!
HERCULES
No! Iphicles...I didn't
mean...Linus!
The satyr and nymph watch from behind a tree. As Hercules
runs off, we see them carry Linus' body away on a stretcher
made from tree boughs.
EXT. DEIANEIRA'S TREE - SUNSET
SILENUS
Daughter!
Deianeira!
DEIANEIRA
What is it, my father?
INT. DEIANEIRA'S TREE - DAY
SILENUS
Linus...he needs your healing
touch.
INT. PALACE OF THEBES - NIGHT
IPHICLES
They couldn't even find Linus'
body. Some carrion-eater must have
dragged it off.
(to Amphitryon)
Well, what was their verdict?
AMPHITRYON
Leave us, Iphicles. Leave us.
HERCULES
I didn't mean to kill Linus!
AMPHITRYON
Enough, Hercules. King Creon and
his judges accept your defense and
pardon you, with conditions.
HERCULES
Conditions...?
AMPHITRYON
You're banished from Thebes.
HERCULES
But this is my home!
AMPHITRYON
You'll tend to my herds in the
mountain pastures. I'll send
Kiron...you'll continue your
training, you'll hunt and you'll
eat well.
HERCULES
It's because I'm the bumbler, isn't
it? An embarrassment. I know I'm
not as smart or as fine a son as
Iphicles is...
AMPHITRYON
You are as fine...no man could ask
for a finer son. I wish you were
mine.
HERCULES
What do you mean, father?
AMPHITRYON
I love you Hercules. I will always
think of you as my son. But you
were born of greater blood than
mine.
I have a gift...I've been keeping
for you. Hold out your arms. You
slew these snakes when you were
still in your cradle. My son...but
not my son. Your father is Zeus
almighty!
EXT. GLADE NEAR FOREST OF DEIANEIRA - DAY
HERCULES
You can't escape the son of Zeus!
Hercules tackles a pair of nymphs and rolls in the grass
with them. Kiron follows, disapproving.
KIRON
We're supposed to be chasing
cattle.
HERCULES
But nymphs are so much easier to
catch!
And they smell so much
better, Kiron.
KIRON
I also found one gored. That wild
boar is on the loose again.
HERCULES
Old Ragged Tusk! Finally some
excitement. I'll find him and
throttle him barehanded like I did
these.
KIRON
A pile of soft flesh...off with
you!
HERCULES
How dare you! You forget who I am!
KIRON
How can I, when you bore everyone
with your interminable boasting
about it. You still have no
defense. Your father Amphitryon
would be ashamed of you.
HERCULES
My father is Zeus, a god!
KIRON
Get your head out of the heavens!
Your name doesn't earn you respect,
your life does! Make it have
meaning! You'll never be a hero or
a god until you learn to be a man
first.
HERCULES
I'll show that old nag who's a
hero.
EXT. FOREST OF DEIANEIRA - DAY
Hercules hunts the wild boar.
EXT. WATERFALL / POOL - FOREST OF DEIANEIRA - DAY
Linus suns himself by the pool, watching as Deianeira
bathes.
LINUS
Let Thebes think me dead. I've
wasted myself there, losing my edge
composing dreary ditties for dimwitted patrons. This is the life.
I'm content to loll in your forest,
Deianeira.
DEIANEIRA
It's the Goddess' forest, but
you're welcome to loll as long as
you like.
LINUS
When my head heals, I'll go to
Tiryns for a while. They'd
appreciate a poet of my talent.
But for now I'll seek inspiration
in the serenity of nature where one
can hear the muses whisper.
DEIANEIRA
So young Hercules has done you a
favor. Reunited you with the
purity of your art.
LINUS
That lout wouldn't recognize art if
it impaled him on the end of a
javelin. Not surprising
considering his violent conception.
I was there that night, you know.
DEIANEIRA
So was I, Linus.
LINUS
I saw Zeus take Alcmene. In the
shadow of Hera's altar. I heard
her pleas. I saw the mark of his
divinity on him, the thunderbolt.
And Hercules has inherited all of
Zeus' brazen audacity.
What?
DEIANEIRA
Ragged Tusk...the boar I've been
hunting. Throw me my bow!
The boar enters the clearing, pursued by Hercules.
HERCULES
Well, well! The Goddess Artemis
herself...in all nature's glory.
DEIANEIRA
Put that down!
HERCULES
But I'm a nature-lover, Goddess.
DEIANEIRA
I am not Artemis the Huntress, but
I am almost as good an archer. And
you will dead if you don't put down
my clothes and go.
HERCULES
But what vision I'll die with when
you rise up to shoot.
Deianeira whistles and a stag comes to her rescue.
HERCULES
Wait, Nymph!
LINUS
Hercules!
HERCULES
The ghost of Linus!
LINUS
Ghost...?
HERCULES
I did not mean to kill you.
LINUS
(understanding)
Do not look upon me!
HERCULES
It was an accident! I didn't know
my own strength...I didn't know I
was the son of Zeus. Please
forgive me!
LINUS
Forgive you? I see how you grieve
for your sin, molesting innocent
maidens.
HERCULES
Well, the living must go on
living...
LINUS
That sweet nymph, Deianeira, is a
Virgin of the Goddess and sacred!
Go to the Virgin. Return her
things, beg her forgiveness, and
vow never to abuse her with your
foul lust again.
HERCULES
Yes, ghost...my foul lust.
Away!
LINUS
Go now!
Go!
Go!
Go!
EXT. DEIANEIRA'S TREE - DAY
HERCULES
Deianeira! Virgin Nymph.
Hercules, son of Zeus, abases
Go!
himself at your door, to crave your
pardon and return your...your...
DEIANEIRA
Go away...you don't want to do this
now.
HERCULES
Honor demands it. If ever again I
abuse you with my foul lust, may
your arrow pierce my heart...though
in truth, lady your beauty has
already pierced it, which is my
meager excuse for my over-eager
attentions. Forgive me, Nymph.
DEIANEIRA
Apology accepted, give such public
contrition.
Hercules turns to see his family line up behind him.
EURYSTHEUS
So these are the weighty matters
with which demi-gods fill their
days.
MEGARA
Oh, Hercules. I thought you were
saving your foul lust for me!
HERCULES
Megara...Father! What are you all
doing here?
EURYSTHEUS
We've come to hunt boar...and
instead we find a boor!
AMPHITRYON
Hercules, your cousin Eurystheus
and Prince Theseus of Athens pay a
visit to King Creon.
HERCULES
Theseus! The same Theseus who slew
the Minotaur. An honor, Prince.
THESEUS
We thought we'd seek some sport
with this rogue boar we've heard
about.
HERCULES
Ragged Tusk. I've been stalking him
all morning.
KING CREON
That's not the only thing you've
been stalking.
THESEUS
Join us, Hercules. You must know
the boars haunts and habits.
DEIANEIRA
You will need our help.
EURYSTHEUS
This is a hunt for princes, not
herdsmen and nymphs. So many
spears for one little pig would
hardly be much sport.
HERCULES
Ragged Tusk is no little pig,
Eurystheus...King of Tiryns. He'll
make more than a match for you all.
MEGARA
But surely not for the son of Zeus.
Just let them join us, Father. It
may be more sport than you know,
Eurystheus...seeing how a god
hunts.
HERCULES
I'll bring you back a pelt, Megara.
EXT. DEIANEIRA'S TREE - DAWN
The hunting party prepares to leave.
Hercules!
AMPHITRYON
Ride with me!
MEGARA
I'll be waiting for my pelt,
Hercules!
ALCMENE
Leaves are turning. Hera's Harvest
Festival is not far off. And I
have a gift for you. This year,
you will be allowed to attend the
festival.
MEGARA
My first festival! Why, you must
tell me all that I need to know,
Priestess of Hera. I want to be
ready.
EXT. THE FOREST OF DEIANEIRA - DAY
Hercules and Amphitryon ride in the chariot, chasing Ragged
Tusk. Hercules leans too far and falls out of the chariot.
Whoa!
AMPHITRYON
You alright?
Hercules!
out!
THESEUS
Let the dogs flush him
HERCULES
I promised the lady a pelt!
show you how a god hunts!
I'll
IPHICLES
Or how a god dies?
AMPHITRYON
Over there!
EURYSTHEUS
I'm not giving that lump the glory!
IPHICLES
Well, you could die too. An empty
throne is easier to sit on.
The hunters split up, searching for Ragged Tusk. Ragged
Tusk charges Hercules. His bow breaks. He wrestles the
boar to the ground. The boar gores Hercules in the leg.
Deianeira shoots first, wounding the boar, but it is
Eurystheus' spear that mortally wounds him.
EXT. DEIANEIRA'S TREE - DAY
Deianeira tends to Hercules' wound.
HERCULES
That pelt should have gone to you.
Your arrow laid Ragged Tusk low.
I've never seen a finer shot.
AMPHITRYON
That looks serious. I'll send a
physician.
ALCMENE
Deianeira is a Virgin of the
Mother. The Goddess has taught her
well. Her healing skills are very
strong.
EURYSTHEUS
He has more need of her archery
skills.
AMPHITRYON
Let them laugh, my son. You have
greatness in you. Time will reveal
it.
THESEUS
Your father is a wise man. Our
paths will cross again. I look
forward to that day. Good bye, my
young friend.
HERCULES
Thank you, Theseus.
Farewell.
INT. DEIANEIRA'S TREE - NIGHT
HERCULES
(dreaming)
Megara!
DEIANEIRA
Hercules!
HERCULES
Did I hurt you?
DEIANEIRA
It's alright. You were dreaming.
Do you always kiss as though you're
slurping a leg of mutton?
HERCULES
I'm a passionate fellow.
DEIANEIRA
Passion is not all fumbling paws
and crushing lips. Did no one ever
kiss you tenderly? Your nurse?
Your mother? I suppose not. Don't
purse them so tight. Make them
soft, moist and pliable.
(they kiss. Deianeira
breaks free)
Everything need not be a bruising,
charging conquest. Slow sweetness
can stir passion, too.
HERCULES
Why did you choose the virgin path?
DEIANEIRA
Because men and women refuse to
learn what you just learned. That
love is not a power struggle. Not
war, but peace.
HERCULES
Well, I've learned it.
marry you.
So I'll
DEIANEIRA
It's more than mere kissing. It's
realizing that passion needs
patience. Victory is sometimes
found in surrender. Some strengths
are small and soft. Besides, I'm
much to old to marry you.
HERCULES
No...you're a nymph. You'll remain
beautiful for hundreds of years.
DEIANEIRA
Hera, though beautiful, is ancient.
Ever since they mated they've been
at war.
HERCULES
We could be an example for them!
You, servant of Hera, and I, son of
Zeus, can show them how to love
each other.
DEIANEIRA
A sweet thought, Hercules. But you
don't love me. Your heart is set
on another.
HERCULES
That's as hopeless as Zeus and
Hera.
DEIANEIRA
Would you like me to teach you
another soft strength?
EXT. DEIANEIRA'S TREE - DAY
Deianeira teaches Hercules the secrets of archery.
DEIANEIRA
Don't choke it. It's a bow, not
thunderbolt. It needs the patience
of the Mother, not the force of
Zeus. A caress, not a grope. Find
the balance. Target's that
way...find the balance.
The arrow meets is target perfectly.
INT. DEIANEIRA'S TREE - NIGHT
HERCULES
Wait till Kiron sees how I can
handle a bow. You're a much more
patient teacher than he is.
DEIANEIRA
Perhaps you've become a more
patient student.
Hercules hears music playing.
HERCULES
I know what that is! I know about
the Harvest Festival night. Some
dark rite the Goddess Hera demands
of her followers.
DEIANEIRA
Some dark rite they demand of her!
HERCULES
I've upset you, Deianeira.
me.
Forgive
DEIANEIRA
It's not you. It's just that...the
ancient mysteries of this world
trickle down through the ages, they
lose their form and purpose, and
their magic is misused. And
arrogant humans who claim to serve
the will of the gods serve only
their own petty ends. Learn the
difference, Hercules.
I will.
HERCULES
INT. DEIANEIRA'S TREE - LATER
Hercules leaves the tree in search of the Festival.
EXT. HERA'S FOREST - NIGHT
A hands reaches out for Hercules.
Megara!
hurt?
HERCULES
What happened?
It is Megara.
Are you
She kisses him passionately, and leads him away.
EXT. HERA'S FOREST - DAY
Hercules awakens next to Megara.
Megara!
Megara!
HERCULES
It's alright!
Megara!
DEIANEIRA
Let her go. The Harvest Festival
is over.
EXT. MOUNTAIN PASTURE - DAY
A man tries to lead a cow, without luck
HERCULES
Seems reluctant to go with you.
ANTAEUS
Now it won't be...
HERCULES
But I won't let it go. You see,
that lot belongs to my father, Lord
Amphitryon.
ANTAEUS
Amphitryon! Then I'll enjoy
stealing it all the more.
HERCULES
I said it's not going anywhere. I
lied. Amphitryon is only my
adopted father. Zeus is my real
one. Now get up and fight.
ANTAEUS
Son of Zeus, I am Antaeus, son of
Mother Earth. Grovel before her!
KIRON
Hercules!
Kiron comes to Hercules defense, but Antaeus bests him
easily.
HERCULES
Did you see that? He lifted you up
as though you were a child!
KIRON
I had an unfortunate view of it,
yes.
Later.
KIRON
Hercules! You'll hurt
yourself...or worse, me!
Hercules...
HERCULES
If a common cattle thief can do it,
so can the son of a god!
Hercules.
KIRON
Hercules!
HERCULES
King Creon! Megara!
KING CREON
My daughter is with child.
HERCULES
Wonderful!
KING CREON
She says you are the father.
HERCULES
I'm proud to say so.
Proud?
MEGARA
Violator!
HERCULES
What?
KING CREON
You confess your ravishment?
HERCULES
No...
Ravish?
KING CREON
Seize him!
Megara!
HERCULES
Hercules fights with the soldiers brought by King Creon.
Kiron helps him get away.
KIRON
Hercules!
EXT. HIGH MOUNTAINS - DAY
Kiron and Hercules travel into the mountains.
EXT. MOUNTAIN CAVE OF THE CENTAURS - DAY
AMPHITRYON
Megara has given birth to triplets.
All sons.
HERCULES
My sons...Creon does not harm them.
AMPHITRYON
No. Nor does he acknowledge them
as his heirs.
HERCULES
And Megara? Does her heart soften?
AMPHITRYON
Toward the children. Not toward
you, their father. Nor does
Creon's heart. He's arranged a
marriage of Megara to Eurystheus,
heir to the throne of Tiryns. He
wants to unite the kingdoms. Stay
out of Thebes, Hercules.
Amphitryon rides away.
KIRON
You'll see home again someday,
Hercules.
HERCULES
Only if I return a hero.
KIRON
A colt is not a centaur, Hercules.
HERCULES
A colt will get bigger.
KIRON
And how will that make you a hero?
HERCULES
Pound by pound.
EXT. MOUNTAIN CAVE OF THE CENTAURS - YEARS LATER
Amphitryon and Kiron watch as Hercules, now a man, lifts a
full grown horse onto his shoulders.
AMPHITRYON
He must be divine.
KIRON
Or determined. He's lifted that
horse every day since it was a
colt. They've grown bigger and
stronger together. Strength that
is wasted up here.
AMPHITRYON
Now is not a good time for Hercules
to return. A monstrous, two-headed
creature ravages the hills around
Thebes. We've called it a Hydra.
HERCULES
What better time?
Hydra!
I will slay the
AMPHITRYON
More seasoned warriors than
yourself have tried and failed. No
one man can kill it. We hunt it in
packs, now. I came to tell you you
must stay in hiding. King Creon
and his soldiers are very close.
Down in the lowland pastures,
stalking the creature now.
HERCULES
Then let me stalk it! You once
said I have greatness in me,
father. I'm not going to find it
hiding in these mountains. A hero
seeks his destiny.
AMPHITRYON
That destiny might be your death.
If not from the Hydra then from
Creon's soldiers. Have patience,
my son. You're time will come. I
must get back to the King and
rejoin the hunt.
HERCULES
My time is now, Kiron.
EXT. CREEK / FOREST - DAY
Hercules comes upon King Creon's camp.
into him
HERCULES
A frightened ghost!
Linus comes crashing
Hercules!
Help you?
"spirit"!
LINUS
Help me!
HERCULES
I want to kill you,
LINUS
Let me go, you dolt!
spirit!
HERCULES
I'm no
Not yet! I've been exiled for
years because of your tricks!
Come on!
LINUS
Linus takes off running toward Creon's camp.
LINUS
King Creon...Hercules...the Hydr...
EXT. OUTSIDE KING CREON'S CAMP - DAY
Hercules battles the Hydra.
Amphitryon joins him.
HERCULES
No one man can slay her, huh?
King Creon joins the fight, but the Hydra picks him up and
holds him underwater.
AMPHITRYON
Move apart...distract it.
save the King.
It'll
LINUS
Hercules! The fire sears the
necks! New heads can't grow back!
Linus starts to drag the headless necks into the fire.
Hydra grabs Amphitryon.
The
HERCULES
NO!
Amphitryon is impaled on a tree limb as Hercules and Linus
watch in horror.
AMPHITRYON
Save the King...
Hercules bludgeons the Hydra to death and saves the King.
He returns to the dying Amphitryon.
AMPHITRYON
Zeus is your father...he'll won't
forsake you. Your course is set.
You will be a hero. You'll find
the strength within yourself. The
god is in you.
INT. TENT - KING CREON'S CAMP - NIGHT
Hercules stands vigil over his father's body.
in the background.
LINUS (O.S.)
(singing)
They all when fangs were flashed
And he alone withstood the foe
With flame and club
The hero smashed and the laid
The Hydra's heads all low...
(to Hercules)
Forgive me, Hercules. I have
wronged you. Allow me to serve
you. I will sing your glories,
across the land and in the courts
of Kings.
King Creon comes into the tent.
KING CREON
Son of Zeus...
HERCULES
Here lies the only father I ever
knew. He raised me...believed in
me...loved me.
KING CREON
I come to do him honor...and you.
I shall not forget what you did for
me, and for Thebes. And I reward
you...
Megara enters.
EXT. RIVERBANK NEAR THEBES - DAY
MEGARA
My marriage to Eurystheus was all
but ordained. But your brutish son
ruins everything. Creon hails him
a hero and I am his prize. Bride
of the victor! You should've
murdered him in his crib.
ALCMENE
I tried! Zeus protects him.
are helpless to destroy him.
MEGARA
We
Linus sings
So...this is the "hope" you and
Hera offer me?
ALCMENE
Have more faith in the Goddess you
serve. One day you will take my
place as a High Priestess. We
cannot destroy Hercules, but he can
destroy himself. Hera will show
the way.
MEGARA
Why does she wait to bring him
down?
ALCMENE
It is her way. All things in their
season. The slower vengeance
ripens, the sweeter when plucked.
EXT. RIVER GLADE NEAR THEBES - DAY
Hercules leads three ponies.
HERCULES
Over here, boys! They're for you.
They come from my friend Kiron the
Centaur. He knows horseflesh.
Someday he'll train you to be great
warriors, just like your father.
SON #1
We have no father! We have no
father! We have no father!
MEGARA
Leave them alone!
HERCULES
You should teach them gentler ways!
MEGARA
What do you expect, given their
ungentle begetting?
HERCULES
Is that the lie you tell, to keep
the love of Eurystheus? I'm their
father, and soon your husband.
MEGARA
What, you think it that simple?
How can you love what you do not
know? To hunger for my beauty is
not love. One lunatic night on a
mountain is not love.
HERCULES
Like Zeus and Hera...we must learn
to love one another.
MEGARA
"Must"...is a god word. Hera will
never love Zeus. And I will never
love you.
CUT TO:
Alcmene and Megara, talking.
SON #1
You're going to die...
MEGARA
My children...
ALCMENE
His children. The blood of Zeus
flows in them. They will be Hera's
tools to destroy her enemy.
MEGARA
I will never be as great a
priestess as you. My heart is too
tender.
ALCMENE
A tender heart makes the truest
sacrifice. But those children will
never serve the Mother. They're
like their father, little brutes.
Like the god they sprung. And if
you have a child with Eurystheus,
you think they'll stand by while
you raise another, one conceived in
love, above them?
Rid yourself of all you mistakes at
once. From blood comes new blood.
From death comes life.
EXT. PALACE STEPS - THEBES - DAY
EURYSTHEUS
One well-aimed arrow...
ALCMENE
...will bring war. And deny you
your desire. Do you think that
Creon would surrender his daughter
to the man who killed the Hero of
Thebes? Let Hera work her way.
EURYSTHEUS
The thought of his hot hands
bruising your flesh, his body
crushing yours...
MEGARA
He won't lie with me ever again, I
swear it.
ALCMENE
No. Never again. Eurystheus, get
with the wedding guests.
Alcmene hands Megara a small pouch.
Go.
ALCMENE
Prepare yourself.
IPHICLES
I understand no more than
Eurystheus. Why not let him kill
Hercules?
ALCMENE
Because he won't kill Hercules! No
matter how good his bow-arm, Zeus
will protect his son!
IPHICLES
Then why plot with Eurystheus? He
stands in our way as much as my
brother. If he can't kill
Hercules, what good does it to pit
one against the other?
ALCMENE
Because Hercules may kill
Eurystheus...
IPHICLES
Then give me the word, I'll kill
him!
ALCMENE
That won't get you the throne of
Tiryns. Who do you think they
would prefer? Iphicles, or
Hercules, the Hero of Thebes? And
after him come the three grandsons
of Zeus...
IPHICLES
Then why have me cosy up to my
cousin all these years?
ALCMENE
Let Hera work her will against
Hercules. I will not pit you
against your brother.
IPHICLES
You're afraid of him! You're
afraid of that muck-brained,
bumbling ape!
ALCMENE
Who has bumbled his way to
greatness above you, despite your
mocking of him.
(softening)
Let this be a war between Hera and
Zeus.
EXT. PALACE OF THEBES - STEPS AND SQUARE - DAY
KING CREON
The water cleanses past sorrows,
past sins. Come to your wife fresh
and pure.
Come to your husband fresh and
pure. Two unblemished souls bound
together in sacred wedlock.
INT. PALACE OF THEBES - HALLWAY
ALCMENE
Hercules...gifts, for you to give
your sons. Amphitryon's idea...he
had them made long ago, hoping for
the day you would be reconciled.
INT. BRIDAL CHAMBER - PALACE OF THEBES - NIGHT
Megara pours a liquid into a chalice.
floor near her.
Her sons plays on the
ALCMENE (V.O.)
The blood of Zeus flows in them.
Rid yourself of all your mistakes
at once.
Hercules enters.
HERCULES
Gifts...for my sons.
away now.
Send them
MEGARA
The wedding cup first, lord
husband.
He drinks.
MEGARA
You're weary, husband. I'll return
later when you're more fit to
perform your duties.
HERCULES
I am fit. Hera and Zeus need not
war, Megara!
MEGARA
Let go of me! Let go!
SONS
Let go of her!
not my father!
Let her go!
HERCULES
I wouldn't hurt her!
You're
I wouldn't!
MEGARA
You'll not win the affection of
your sons by abusing their mother.
One of the sons returns to pick up the presents that
Hercules brought.
INT. PALACE OF THEBES - MEGARA'S ROOM - NIGHT
Megara watches and the boys eagerly open the gifts.
SON #1
It's a sweet...
SON #2
Please don't cry, mother.
ALCMENE
No, she must'nt cry anymore. He
must never make her cry again.
IPHICLES
Mother...
Iphicles hands one of the boys a sword.
IPHICLES
Strike it. Strike it! Strike it!
Strike it! Harder! Harder!
Harder! Harder! Yes! That's a
boy...
INT. BRIDAL CHAMBER - PALACE OF THEBES - NIGHT
Iphicles enters as Hercules sleeps.
holding swords.
IPHICLES
Hercules! Hercules!
demons. Demons!
The boys slash at Hercules.
sons.
The sons follow,
Beware,
He battles and kills his own
IPHICLES
You murderer!
Murderer!
Alcmene and Megara rush in.
into Linus.
Hercules rushes out, and runs
HERCULES
They were demons!
Demons!
Hercules runs out of the palace.
EXT. FOREST NEAR THEBES - NIGHT
Hercules runs crazed through the forest. Chariots pursue
him. He takes off his wrist bands and lays himself, alive,
onto a funeral pyre, holding a dagger over his heart.
ZEUS!!!!!
HERCULES
ROLL END
CREDITS.
END OF PART ONE.
BEGIN PART TWO.
ROLL MAIN TITLES.
EXT. FOREST
NEAR THEBES - NIGHT
Hercules survives his attempt at self-destruction.
He lives!
children!
MEGARA
Kill him!
Avenge my
LINUS
It was a madness, Lord Creon.
madness seized him!
A
MEGARA
He slew my children!
KING CREON
Call it madness. Zeus, with his
own thunderbolt, punishes him. And
I am satisfied with his judgement!
ALCMENE
Afraid! Afraid to demand his death
because he is the son of your god!
KING CREON
A wise man fears his god! I annul
his marriage to Megara, and banish
him from Thebes. But he lives or
dies by Zeus' will, not mine. And
if he lives, let him seek the
Oracle of Delphi and find a way to
atone for this horrible sin.
INT. DEIANEIRA'S TREE - NIGHT
Deianeira ministers to Hercules.
HERCULES
Deianeira...Deianeira.
have I been...
She kisses him.
How long
DEIANEIRA
Many days.
HERCULES
You've cared for me all this time?
DEIANEIRA
And Linus.
HERCULES
I don't deserve such loyal friends.
You should have let me die.
DEIANEIRA
No...
HERCULES
There's nothing left for me but to
die. You can heal the body, but
not the soul.
DEIANEIRA
You alone must do that.
HERCULES
How?
DEIANEIRA
And endure what must be
Be strong.
endured.
EXT. DEIANEIRA'S TREE - NIGHT
DEIANEIRA
Is it the dreams again?
HERCULES
Or memories...
DEIANEIRA
Let them be dreams...just dark
dreams.
HERCULES
Not all of these dreams are
dark...some would make a virgin
blush.
DEIANEIRA
Only dreams.
HERCULES
In my dream tonight, someone told
me to seek out the Oracle of Delphi
and atone for my crime.
DEIANEIRA
That was a memory. Creon suggested
it.
HERCULES
But what atonement can there be,
for my crime? I slew my children.
DEIANEIRA
Zeus spared you for a reason.
the Oracle.
Seek
EXT. MOUNTAIN - DAY
Hercules and Linus travel to the Delphi Shrine.
EXT. DELPHI SHRINE - DAY
Hercules and Linus approach the Shrine.
INT. SHRINE OF THE DELPHI - DAY
HERCULES
Priestess of Delphi. I am
Hercules, guilty of great horror.
How am I to atone for my sins.
ORACLE
From death and disgrace must
Hercules be reborn...
Tiresias?
Delphi?
LINUS
You are the Oracle of
ORACLE / TIRESIAS
Like Nature, Linus, I am manysided. One thing is always many
things, but balance is all,
Hercules.
HERCULES
No riddles, man-woman. How, am I
to, as you say, be re-born?
ORACLE / TIRESIAS
Megara has married Eurystheus. You
must surrender your power and pride
in the service of their glory. Six
times must you serve them. Three
times for three slain sons. And
three times for Hercules...dead as
a hero. Dead as a god...who must
be reborn as a man.
LINUS
He is not dead as a hero!
god!
Nor as a
HERCULES
Peace, Linus. The Oracle is right.
I believe Zeus' thunderbolt was
meant to kill me. Zeus would not
abase his true son before his
enemies. I'm no immortal.
ORACLE / TIRESIAS
Perform your labours for
Eurystheus, Hercules, and you may
still find immortality.
INT. EURYSTHEUS' PALACE OF TIRYNS - DAY
Hercules presents himself to Eurystheus.
Hercules!
kingdom.
EURYSTHEUS
Welcome to Tiryns...my
HERCULES
I come to you stripped of glory.
Naked, but for my body, might,
loyalty. I'm your vassal...here to
serve.
MEGARA
If you wish to serve me, murderer,
die!
INT. PALACE HALLWAY - DAY
ALCMENE
Die he will...
MEGARA
You promised...trust in the Goddess
and all would be well. He still
lives! My sons have died for
nothing.
ALCMENE
Your sons died to make way for this
child. To give you your prince and
your throne, and to defeat
Hercules. The Goddess has now put
him into your power.
MEGARA
How will she slay him?
INT. EURYSTHEUS' PALACE OF TIRYNS - DAY
EURYSTHEUS
I've decided your first labor of
atonement. In the far-off Land of
Stymphalia, there is a swamp where
dwell certain "birds"...
EXT. STYMPHALIAN SWAMPS - DAY
Hercules and Linus pole their way through the marsh of the
Harpies.
LINUS
I've heard of these Stymphalian
Birds. And this marsh. It was
once a lake with sweet water,
teeming with fish before these
birds came.
HERCULES
No wonder Eurystheus wants them
killed.
My lyre!
LINUS
HARPY #1 (O.S.)
Who disturbs our peace?
HERCULES
I am Hercules!
HARPY #1 (O.S.)
Hercules!
Hercules!
HARPY #2 (O.S.)
HERCULES
You know me?
HARPY #1 (O.S.)
We named you, son of Zeus.
LINUS
Harpies! They're not birds at all,
they're Harpies!
HERCULES
I seek the Stymphalian Birds.
HARPIES
You found them!
The Harpies attack.
Hercules!
Hercules fells two.
LINUS
Hercules wrestles another.
LINUS
Hercules, the trees!
Using the last Harpy as a shield, she is killed by the dying
Harpy's last arrows.
EXT. TIRYNS PALACE GARDEN - DAY
An archery exhibition, with Eurystheus as champion.
BOWMAN
You're still the best shot in
Greece, sire.
IPHICLES
I see no place for me in Hera's
plan. Megara gets fatter with
child every day.
Iphicles!
EURYSTHEUS
Throw it...high!
HERCULES
Forgive me, cousin. Brother...but
I rush to tell you of my success.
ALCMENE
You killed the Harpies!
HERCULES
You knew the Stymphalian Birds were
Harpies, mother.
ALCMENE
I heard rumors, only.
EURYSTHEUS
One feather hardly proves you slew
them.
Linus reveals a bag filled with Harpy heads.
INT. EURYSTHEUS' PALACE OF TIRYNS - MEGARA'S ROOM - NIGHT
A son?
EURYSTHEUS
ALCMENE
A daughter, a beautiful daughter!
MEGARA
Iole! After the moon of the
Goddess!
EURYSTHEUS
Well, you'll need your rest.
A crone pours blood over the head of one Harpy.
revived.
HARPY #1
My poor, poor sister. Alcmene!
Cursed of Zeus. Disrespectful of
Hera! Why didn't you kill Hercules
when commanded?
ALCMENE
You and your sister should have
killed him!
HARPY #1
You tear me from my death-rest to
chide me?
ALCMENE
No. For an answer. If you are not
strong enough to kill Hercules,
what servant of the Mother is?
HARPY #1
The Nemean Lion!
It is
EXT. ROAD TO NEMEA - NEAR LION DEN - DAY
HERCULES
These unattended herds are an open
invitation for a lion. What kind
of fools let their livestock stray
like this?
SHEPHERD
Frightened fools, stranger. Too
full of misery and too few of us to
care anymore. My village burns
empty pyres for bodies that were
never found. None returned.
LINUS
This lion?
SHEPHERD
A lion that doesn't feed on our
flocks...only our young men.
First, the unsuspecting were
slaughtered. Then those that went
to avenge them were killed. When
no one went to hunt it, it hunted
them.
HERCULES
And the lion?
SHEPHERD
It waits for fools like you. High
on the bluff is its den. It dares
you to come. It knows none return.
LINUS
One. Belly all clawed. With his
dying breath he told of a beautiful
woman...a captive in the beast's
lair...
A woman?
HERCULES
SHEPHERD
And then he died. No one knows her
name, or how he keeps her there.
Some tried to rescue her...
LINUS
Let me guess: none returned.
EXT. FURTHER ON WAY TO LION'S LAIR - DAY
HERCULES
There's still time to for you to
turn back, Linus.
LINUS
Nonsense! I'm bound by my word to
be your servant and bard.
HERCULES
I release you from your bond.
LINUS
Ah, but I am also bound to you by
my art. A poet needs inspiration.
HERCULES
Try love. My deeds can't inspire
when they're merely penances for
shameful acts.
LINUS
That's why they inspire. An
imperfect man may do great
deeds...and a great man imperfect
ones. And it is not oaths or even
a poet's need to prattle on that
bind us. It's friendship.
HERCULES
Because you're my friend, I'll not
risk your life on this.
LINUS
Well, I don't want to miss the
beautiful woman. Damsel in
distress...talk about inspiration
for poetry!
HERCULES
Well, I think this song will
require a darker tone that your
last.
LINUS
I've already got the refrain:
none returned.
INT. LION'S LAIR - DAY
LINUS
And
And none returned...And none
returned...
Move!
What?
Move!
HERCULES
LINUS
HERCULES
Linus, the woman!
Hercules approaches the woman.
HERCULES
Lady, your rescue is at hand.
WOMAN
Kiss me, hero. Let me know you are
real.
HERCULES
You are truly beautiful.
the lion?
Here!
Where's
WOMAN
The woman turns into a lion, and attacks.
HERCULES
Linus, my bow!
LINUS
You can't kill it, Hercules.
a Sphinx!
It's
HERCULES
Fly! So something would pierce
your hide!
Hercules uses the lion's own claws to slice her flesh.
INT. EURYSTHEUS' PALACE OF TIRYNS - DAY
EURYSTHEUS
Welcome, Tiresias. So, you've left
Delphi and want to set up a shrine
in Tiryns. Why?
TIRESIAS
My visions tell me great events
unfold in Tiryns under your rule.
EURYSTHEUS
Really? Well, I do owe you a debt.
If your prophecy had not warned my
father, Hercules might be wearing
the crown instead of me...or even
you, Iphicles.
MEGARA
What do you see for my daughter?
TIRESIAS
Megara, she should not marry.
EURYSTHEUS
What? You doom my daughter to a
childless existence?
TIRESIAS
If she were to marry, her husband
will kill you. Yes.
EURYSTHEUS
She will remain a virgin of the
Goddess the rest of her days.
Megara! We'll have other children!
Set up your shrine, Tiresias. And
many thanks. I want a son, anyway.
EXT. MOUNTAIN HILLSIDE - DAY
Marauders burn a village and ride away on horseback.
comes up on the scene.
KIRON
Easy fellows, I'm not one of them!
Who did this?
NESTOR
Cretan Bull...the man they call the
Cretan Bull!
EXT. GATES OF THE PALACE OF TIRYNS - DAY
EURYSTHEUS
Cretan Bull! Cretan Bull!
NESTOR
Kiron
Our corps and livestock, our gold,
too! Our people slain and left
homeless! You must do something!
EURYSTHEUS
Must I? You expect me to send
valuable troops chasing after a
common bandit?
KIRON
From what I've seen, this Cretan
Bull is no common bandit. But you
need no army. You have the perfect
man to stop him.
NESTOR
Hercules! Kiron is right!
Hercules will slay the Cretan Bull!
Give us him!
EURYSTHEUS
He's yours! But bring back the
Cretan Bull alive.
EXT. CATTLE PASTURE - MOUNTAINS - DAY
HERCULES
Kiron's tracked them. They're
coming. Nestor...your men know
what to do?
NESTOR
Pay back the debt we owe these
pigs!
Hercules and Nestor's men attack the marauding band. The
Cretan Bull breaks Kiron's neck. Hercules gives chase on
horseback. He pulls him off his horse and confronts him.
Antaeus!
HERCULES
ANTAEUS
You've gotten bigger boy...
HERCULES
And stronger! Son of Mother Earth,
I return you to her embrace!
ANTAEUS
Your mistake. The Earth is Mother
Hera's life force. And source of
my strength!
LINUS
No, Hercules! Don't kill him!
HERCULES
Kiron must be avenged!
LINUS
Eurystheus said bring him back
alive!
ANTAEUS
You won't take me alive. Hera's
earth sends her strength into me.
HERCULES
Your goddess washes off of you,
Antaeus!
Where's your precious mother now?
EXT. CITY OF TIRYNS - PALACE SQUARE - DAY
A triumphant Hercules returns with a bound Antaeus.
CROWD
(chanting)
Hercules!
Hercules!
HERCULES
The Cretan Bull! He believes his
strength comes from the Earth...so
don't lock him in a dungeon, but in
a tower, high above the ground!
CROWD
(chanting)
Free Hercules!
EURYSTHEUS
They cheer him!
ALCMENE
See how Hera plots. Eurystheus
begins to lose control of his
kingdom...
IPHICLES
...to Hercules.
Wait.
time.
ALCMENE
The Mother reveals all in
CROWD
(chanting)
Free Hercules!
NESTOR
Does the king reward Hercules with
his freedom?
Yes!
CROWD
HERCULES
I remain bound to Eurystheus.
does he ask of me now?
What
EURYSTHEUS
Nothing! I ask nothing. You've
earned a hero's rest. I honor
you...as does all Tiryns.
Yeah!
CROWD
EURYSTHEUS
But rest, Hercules. Rest so you
are strong and fit to answer Tiryns
call when she has need of you
again.
Hercules!
CROWD
Hercules!
Hercules!
EXT. DEIANEIRA'S TREE - DAY
Hercules and Linus come to visit.
HERCULES
They told us to go home. This was
the only home I could think of.
LATER.
DEIANEIRA
There! Flower nectar should remove
the lion's scent, so your horses
won't go crazy with fear.
LINUS
It was a sight, Deianeira! Even as
the Sphinx's lips puckered for his,
her claws gleamed from the gloom to
plunder his heart.
HERCULES
Go test that on the horses.
LINUS
Right...
HERCULES
Linus is sometimes a touch lurid in
his turn of phrase.
DEIANEIRA
You've done well, Hercules. Three
labors in barely four years. And
all mighty deeds.
Though
Eurystheus calls you a slave, the
people cheer you as a hero.
HERCULES
And pull their children away if I
get too close. I can't find the
meaning that Kiron told me life
must have.
DEIANEIRA
You're just tired. You need rest.
HERCULES
I need to know where I belong,
Deianeira. I hunger for a home.
think that's all I ever hungered
for. To know who I am...to know
where I'm wanted.
DEIANEIRA
You're wanted here.
HERCULES
I am welcomed here. But it's not
my home. I've no wife waiting, no
children. I saw Megara's daughter
watching me from the palace steps
before I left. She's
beautiful...like her mother.
A young boy rides up.
Mother?
HYLLUS
I
DEIANEIRA
Hyllus! Here's someone you've
often heard me speak of.
HYLLUS
Hercules!
Mother?
HERCULES
Have you broken you vows?
DEIANEIRA
He's a foundling I've adopted.
I've taught him many things. Like
all things in nature, he needs the
male as well as the female. The
balance is all.
INT. PALACE OF TIRYNS - HALLWAY - DAY
MEGARA
There you are! Now, it will be
yours in time, my lovely, I
promise. But you must be subtle,
like Hera. Don't force what can't
be forced. We'll put it back, for
now.
Megara lingers in the hallway.
INT. EURYSTHEUS' BEDCHAMBER - DAY
Megara enters.
Iphicles and Eurystheus are in bed together.
IPHICLES
Ooh, more for me, too...
INT. PALACE OF TIRYNS - MEGARA'S BEDCHAMBER - DAY
She throws a vase at Eurystheus.
MEGARA
He is the brother of your enemy!
EURYSTHEUS
Who is also his enemy.
MEGARA
Who could also claim a right to the
throne!
EURYSTHEUS
I've already given him that right!
What?
MEGARA
EURYSTHEUS
I have made Iphicles my heir. Why
not? He's next in blood to me.
MEGARA
Your daughter is next in blood!
EURYSTHEUS
Are you mad? If she marries, I
die! If she can't marry , she
can't provide heirs.
MEGARA
(screaming)
Can Iphicles?
EURYSTHEUS
Can you? Seems all the sons you
had in you, you gave to Hercules.
EXT. FOREST POOL - DAY
LINUS
When are you going to tell him.
DEIANEIRA
Tell who what?
LINUS
Deianeira...Hercules may be a bit
thick when it comes to biology, but
I'm not.
DEIANEIRA
I could tell Hercules about Hyllus.
I could tell Hercules how much I
love him. And then Eurystheus
might call and the two of you would
traipse off for another year or
two.
LINUS
All the more reason to make the
most of your time now.
DEIANEIRA
And if you don't come back? I'm
not going to give Hyllus a father
only to deprive him of one.
LINUS
Why do you deny him his mother?
Stop mourning your broken vow.
Tell Hercules you love him...and
that Hyllus is his son.
EXT. WOODS NEAR DEIANEIRA'S TREE - DAY
HERCULES
Light and loose, feel the balance.
Excellent. Now, home to your
mother.
HYLLUS
Awww, so soon?
HERCULES
I'm hungry! Come on, I'll race
you.
EXT. PALACE OF TIRYNS - GARDEN - NIGHT
ALCMENE
Be happy, my son. Hera has spun
her web. Eurystheus trusts and
loves you.
IPHICLES
Why must my rise come only in his
fall?
ALCMENE
Forget his embraces. Now you are
embraced in the glory of Hera.
IPHICLES
Glory's embrace is cold. And
Megara...what does Hera spin for
her.
ALCMENE
Leave Megara to me.
INT. PALACE OF TIRYNS - ANTAEUS' TOWER CELL - NIGHT
MEGARA
I am Megara.
Queen to Eurystheus.
ANTAEUS
The rumors are that you are a
priestess of Hera. I waste away in
this tower, so far from the
Mother's touch. Why does her
priestess punish her child?
MEGARA
My husband punishes, not I.
Because you failed to defeat
Hercules.
ANTAEUS
And you, priestess?
mock my failure?
Do you come to
MEGARA
No. I come for your help.
Mother is all I have left.
The
She has brought him earth.
EXT. PALACE OF TIRYNS - STEPS AND SQUARE
HERCULES
Your majesty, I remain in your
service. What is my labor to be
this time.
MEGARA
You will tame the Man-Eating Mares.
EURYSTHEUS
That's not what we agreed.
No.
ALCMENE
It's better.
Let her go on.
MEGARA
Seek the Mares on the Isle of
Lemnos. Tame them.
HERCULES
And what proof do I bring back that
the mares have been tamed?
MEGARA
The Golden Cinch...worn by the
leader of this herd.
INT. PALACE OF TIRYNS - NIGHT
MEGARA
Hercules and Linus leave already?
ALCMENE
Back to Thebes to find a ship to
sail to Lemnos. Few know about the
man-eating mares. How did you?
MEGARA
The Cretan Bull knows many of the
Mother's secrets.
ALCMENE
That was clever of you to suggest
it, but you might have told us.
MEGARA
My husband no longer shares his
council with me.
ALCMENE
You might have told me. Did you
know that Iphicles is only named
heir as a precaution against
Hercules? You may yet have more
children with Eurystheus.
MEGARA
How? He's not in my bed at night.
Help me, Alcmene. Somehow I've
offended Mother Hera. Perhaps
because of my foolish mistake with
Hercules, or because I bore his
children and to my shame, I mourn
them still. Perhaps I've resisted
her plan somehow. Help me to do
penance to the Goddess...prove to
her my loyalty and my devotion.
ALCMENE
Child, if I can, I will.
MEGARA
Surrender to me the duties of High
Priestess on Hera's Harvest
Festival. You have trained me
since childhood to serve her. Give
me this! Let me prove myself. On
the same night the Mares of Lemnos
will run!
EXT. OPEN SEA - THE ARGOS - DAY
Hercules and his sailors good-naturedly fight on deck.
Linus watches from a safe distance.
POLLUX
Swiftness and agility over
strength, Hercules. I can get in
ten punches to your one!
HERCULES
Hyllus! What are you doing here?
Jason, we have to take him back to
Thebes!
JASON
No, we go on!
LINUS
I suppose he's your problem now.
HERCULES
Deianeira is going to kill
you...and then she's going to kill
me.
EXT. LEMNOS LAGOON - DAY
The men make landfall.
Now.
HERCULES
Wait here.
HYLLUS
But I want to see you tame the
Mares!
HERCULES
This is my labor, Hyllus. And I
have to do it by myself.
(to Linus)
Make sure he behaves himself.
EXT. LEMNOS ISLAND - INTERIOR - DAY
Hercules searches for the Mares.
surrounded by beautiful maidens.
around him.
Hercules finds himself
They circle in tight
THESEUS
Take your pick, Hercules!
HERCULES
Theseus! What are you doing here?
And who are all these women?
THESEUS
I was shipwrecked here months ago,
and rescued by my beautiful
savior...Hippolyta, Queen of
Lemnos.
EXT. LEMNOS ISLAND - BEACH - DAY
THESEUS
Hippolyta found me under the
shattered hull of my ship and
nursed me back to health.
HERCULES
Greece thanks you, Queen Hyppolyta.
We can't afford to lose such a
great hero. Or so good a friend.
HYLLUS
When do we tame the mares,
Hercules.
ANTIOPE
The mares come only once a
year...but if there are men on the
island, the mares will have their
flesh.
HIPPOLYTA
But the year has come round and the
Mares will run soon.
(to Theseus)
Sail away from here with Hercules,
my love. You must leave here.
THESEUS
I'll not sail without you,
Hippolyta. I've told you before.
HERCULES
And I will not leave until I tame
these Mares.
HYLLUS
Why haven't you just killed them?
ANTIOPE
We serve Hera, and they are the
Mother's creatures.
HIPPOLYTA
Some divine necessity of the Mother
drives them to do this. But the
season is here. They will come
soon. You must not be here when
they do.
EXT. LEMNOS ISLAND - BEACH
Theseus awakens Hercules.
THESEUS
Hercules! I can't find Hippolyta!
The women are gone.
EXT. SACRED MOUNTAIN GROVE OF HERA - ALTAR - NIGHT
MEGARA
Thank you, Alcmene, for giving me
this chance to appease the Mother.
ALCMENE
Have you chosen your harvest king?
MEGARA
I have. Pass the laurel leaves
among our sisters.
EXT. LEMNOS JUNGLE - NIGHT
The mares run wild.
HERCULES
The mares!
EXT. SACRED MOUNTAIN GROVE OF HERA - ALTAR - NIGHT
MEGARA
Come, Priestess. The harvest king
is bound and waiting.
EXT. LEMNOS LAGOON - NIGHT
Hercules and Theseus arrive as the mares overwhelm the
sailors. Jason readies his spear against one of the horses.
HERCULES
Jason, no!
As Jason pierces the chest of the horse, it is changed into
a woman and falls down dead. A horse threatens Hyllus.
Hercules pulls him out of the way. Hercules sees that this
horse wears the Golden Cinch. He pulls it off and it
changes into Queen Hippolyta. All the other horses turn
back into women.
EXT. SACRED MOUNTAIN GROVE OF HERA - ALTAR - NIGHT
MEGARA
Show him Hera's power. Say the
words, Priestess! Do what must be
done!
Alcmene readies her Scythe.
ALCMENE
From Winter comes Spring.
Death comes Life...
From
ACOLYTES
(chanting)
From Winter comes Spring.
Death comes Life...
From
ALCMENE
Deliver Hera her sacrifice!
No!
IPHICLES
No, Mother!
The acolytes plung their daggers into his flesh.
recoils in horror.
No!
No!
ALCMENE
MEGARA
The slower vengeance ripens, the
sweeter when plucked!
EXT. LEMNOS ISLAND - BEACH
THESEUS
I love her, Hercules. You know
what it's like to go mad. I'll
take her away. Don't kill her!
Alcmene
HERCULES
I came here to tame the mares, not
kill them.
HIPPOLYTA
I begged you to leave. I cannot
stop it. It has always been done.
Some dark thing of the Goddess
demands it.
HERCULES
The dark thing is you, not Hera!
These blood rites are the works of
mortals, not gods! You choose to
let superstition and empty rituals
steal your will!
Do you really think this is what
the Goddess wants? Blood and
grief? Well if so, take my blood.
Don't hide behind magic that turns
you into mindless unfeeling things.
And don't blame Hera for what has
always been your choice.
HIPPOLYTA
It is not the will of the Goddess.
EXT. SACRED MOUNTAIN GROVE OF HERA - ALTAR - MORNING
A grieving Alcmene tries to move Iphicles' body.
ALCMENE
Help me! Please don't let his body
be left here.
MEGARA
It was not the Goddess who was
against me. It was you. You. Who
after Hera, I loved most of all.
You. Who since my earliest
childhood, taught me the magic of
my sex, and the secret ways of the
Mother. But they were just your
ways. They were the ways of a
bitter, denied woman stripped of
power. And I learned my lesson
well. Look on your creature...I am
just like you.
EXT. DEIANEIRA'S TREE - DAY
DEIANEIRA
How dare you run away!
I should...
HERCULES
I already have scolded him
regularly.
DEIANEIRA
You brought him back safely...and
yourself.
LINUS
Brought me back too!
Linus!
DEIANEIRA
INT. DEIANEIRA'S TREE - NIGHT
Deianeira watches as they all sleep.
and whispers in his ear.
She awakens Hercules
HERCULES
Hyllus...my son?
DEIANEIRA
Forgive me...
HERCULES
Forgive you! When you've given me
such joy.
DEIANEIRA
For not telling you sooner.
happened...
HERCULES
I remember. The dream.
up your vows, for me.
It
You gave
DEIANEIRA
You have a home, now...if you want
it.
HERCULES
Oh, I want it.
INT. PALACE OF THEBES - DAY
HIPPOLYTA
Hercules has shown the Women of
Lemnos that Mother Hera is not
found in blood rites and magic
icons of power.
We surrender this to
Hercules...tamer of the Mares of
Lemnos. And in surrender, find
strength, and victory.
HERCULES
Your mother is right, Iole. There
is a darkness within its beauty.
Your proof of my completed labor,
Queen. And to make sure the Mares
run no more...
Hercules smashes the belt.
KING CREON
Hercules, you've done what no king
could do, in ridding us of these
blood rites. Zeus would be
pleased.
HERCULES
It was Mother Hera, who showed me
the way.
KING CREON
I am sorry to say your own brother
was a victim in these last Harvest
Festival rites.
HERCULES
My mother must be much grieved.
KING CREON
You have triumphed in your
labors...and brought honor to
Thebes!
HERCULES
Thank you, Lord Creon. But I've
not yet triumphed in all of my
labors. I have two left. What is
my next one to be, Eurystheus?
EURYSTHEUS
A contest...between you and me.
Bows and arrows!
HERCULES
The target?
EURYSTHEUS
The Ceryneian Hind!
No!
HYLLUS
EURYSTHEUS
You're not afraid, are you?
HERCULES
If it is my labor then I must
perform it.
EURYSTHEUS
First shot to bring the deer down,
wins! And to make it interesting,
a side wager. If you lose, I add
another labor.
HERCULES
And if I win, do I get to take one
away?
EURYSTHEUS
No! But you ask any other boon and
I'll grant it.
HERCULES
Then I ask it now, in front of all
these good people, so you can't
refuse it. If I win this wager,
reunite the House of Perseus under
one rule by betrothing my son
Hyllus to your daughter Iole.
Never!
MEGARA
HERCULES
Megara...no labor I can ever
perform will erase my crime, or
ease your pain. Let us not bury
our children's future in our past
grievances! The union of Iole and
Hyllus can heal the bad blood
between our warring families.
Perhaps even between Zeus and Hera.
Let's put an end to it. That is
the boon I ask.
Done.
EURYSTHEUS
DEIANEIRA
Kill the Hind and Hyllus will never
forgive you. It's a sacred
animal...to spill one drop of its
blood is sacrilege!
HERCULES
Believe in your teaching,
Deianeira. Believe in me.
EXT. PALACE OF THEBES - GARDEN - DAY
Eurystheus practices his archery.
MEGARA
So, you forget the prophecy of
Tiresias. If Iole marries, her
husband will slay you.
EURYSTHEUS
You forget I'm the greatest archer
in Greece. I'll win, and I'll once
more assert my power over Hercules.
MEGARA
He's never been in your power! He
does these labors for his own
honor, not your whim! For the sake
of your vanity, you waste an
opportunity to destroy him!
EURYSTHEUS
Except he isn't destroyed, is he?
In every plot of your Goddess, he
triumphs, and every one heaps scorn
on me. I am shamed before my
subjects and before my fellow
kings. And Hercules is worshipped
as a hero. From now on, I'll trust
in my own skill rather than Hera's
fumbling help. She's useless
against my enemy. Nor do I forget
she killed something I prized.
MEGARA
So this is all about Iphicles! You
not only want revenge on Hercules,
but on me and Hera, also. Well,
you may still need us yet,
Eurystheus. Whoever kills the
Sacred Hind, there's still one
labor left.
EURYSTHEUS
Two, after I kill it.
EXT. FOREST OF DEIANEIRA - DAY
The day of the hunt.
EURYSTHEUS
It is agreed, then. Creon will
judge any dispute. Loose the dogs!
The dogs bay.
DEIANEIRA
They're cornered it!
The Hind comes charging out of the forest, ridden by Hyllus.
Eurystheus takes aim. Hercules prevents Eurystheus from
killing the Hind.
Hyllus!
DEIANEIRA
Hercules, no!
KING CREON
What a shot! Between the bones and
sinews of both forelegs!
HERCULES
(to Hyllus)
I'd never hurt the Hind!
EURYSTHEUS
It isn't dead!
HERCULES
I appeal to the judge!
KING CREON
The first shot to bring it
down...was the wager. And Hercules
brought it down without shedding
its blood.
HERCULES
See it home!
EURYSTHEUS
I cry foul! It was a trick!
son tried to ride me down!
HERCULES
His
The boy was more of a disadvantage
to me. You wouldn't have cared if
you shot him or not!
EURYSTHEUS
I wish I had! Your whelp will
never marry my daughter!
HERCULES
I'll not put another child of mine
into his murdering hands!
HERCULES
If you can break your bargains,
then so can I! Until you honor
your word and wager, you last labor
remains undone!
MEGARA
Then let it be on your head! We
did not demand you do these labors,
the gods did! For murdering my
children.
EXT. DEIANEIRA'S TREE - NIGHT
DEIANEIRA
If you honor your vow, all will see
he's broken his vow. No one would
be happier for you to abandon these
labors than me, but if you do,
you've much to lose.
ALCMENE
More to lose, if you finish them.
Megara will yet find a labor that
will kill you. Even before the
labors, we...we've plotted your
destruction.
HERCULES
Why, Mother?
ALCMENE
Because you are the son of Zeus,
you are the enemy of Mother Hera.
And because I wanted the throne,
which was rightfully mine, for
Iphicles.
HERCULES
I never sought your throne, Mother.
ALCMENE
All I saw were those who barred our
way...Eurystheus...you...your sons.
HERCULES
My sons...
ALCMENE
Do not complete these labors, for
you have no cause.
No cause?
HERCULES
No cause???
DEIANEIRA
Hercules! These labors have
meaning...
HERCULES
I enslaved myself to my enemies
over a crime that I did not commit.
Show me the meaning in that.
DEIANEIRA
These labors have become the
struggle for the soul of Tiryns and
the heart of its people. Your
labors have become the battlefield
in the war between Zeus and Hera.
HERCULES
I do not choose sides in Zeus and
Hera's war! The only soul I
struggle for is my own. I'm no
one's symbol or savior, Deianeira!
DEIANEIRA
You are, whether you wish it or
not. That is what a hero is.
EXT. OUTSIDE THE WALLS OF TIRESIAS' SHRINE - DAY
A crowd gathers.
TIRESIAS
Finish the task you agreed to,
Hercules.
HERCULES
Then the gods punish me for a crime
of which I am innocent.
TIRESIAS
You slew the children.
HERCULES
Defending myself, whilst bewitched
by others.
TIRESIAS
I have told you the god's will.
Defy them if you wish.
HERCULES
I'm tired of others telling me what
the gods want. I'll be my own
Oracle and speak to them myself.
EXT. CLIFF OVERLOOKING SEA - DAY
Hercules' Oracle.
HERCULES
Gods and men, hear the Oracle of
Hercules! I pray to Zeus and Hera,
Apollo and Artemis, to Ares and
Athena...to Poseiden...Afrodite,
Pluto, Demeter and all the other
gods and goddesses! I pray to them
one and all, and all as one! And
to all gods I make sacrifice.
Not a sacrifice of blood, but of
reverence to their nobility, their
love, their honor, their courage,
their kindness, their justice.
But to their pettiness, their
wantonness, their cruelty, their
savagery, their vanity, their
injustice, I make no sacrifice. I
pay no reverence! I deny all that
is ungodly in them!
I will worship the beauty they have
bestowed...my fellow beings, the
animals, the mountains and seas and
green earth. The sky and the light
of the sun and the moon and the
stars that keep us from darkness.
I will worship and try to emulate
all that is great in the
gods...nothing more. If that is
not good enough for them, so be it.
When my time comes, they can judge
me worthy or not. But if they are
truly great, and truly just, then
they can ask no more of any man
than what I offer.
INT. PALACE OF TIRYNS - ANTAEUS' TOWER CELL - NIGHT
MEGARA
He'll be back now...I know him.
ANTAEUS
Then let him come, and let his doom
be my way.
MEGARA
Will it be his doom?
before.
You failed
ANTAEUS
This time, I'll destroy him.
MEGARA
Even so, the triumph of his death
will go to Eurystheus, and he will
still rule.
ANTAEUS
Not for long. To the one who slays
Hercules, all kingdoms will kneel.
And to you my Queen. Then Zeus
will tumble and Hera will reign
supreme once more.
MEGARA
Yes...let it be your way. This is
my last chance. You are my last
hope. Wear this into battle. I
want it to be the last thing he
sees when you kill him. I want him
to know who brings about his
downfall.
EXT. PALACE OF TIRYNS - DAY
EURYSTHEUS
So, our servant returns. Did the
gods not answer your prayers
yesterday?
HERCULES
I've come to finish my labors...not
for you. Not for the gods. But
for my own honor.
EURYSTHEUS
Well, since you're returned
chastened, I'll allow you to serve
me in this last labor, and forgive
you your demand of my daughter.
HERCULES
Don't take pride in your broken
vow, King. When I return, I'll no
longer be your slave, and I'll
demand again what you refuse on
fair request.
MEGARA
If you return, Hercules. In the
far corners of our kingdom is a
lake. Its water flow into the
bowels of a great mountain that
belches smoke. Inside this
mountain, this water turns into a
river of fire, called the Styx.
LINUS
...the river Hades.
MEGARA
Yes...the River of Hades. The
Realm of the Dead. The flaming
waves of the Styx lead to the Gates
of Hades. Guarding these gates, is
Cerberus, the Three Headed Dog.
Hercules must bring him back to us!
EXT. VOLCANIC MOUNTAIN & LAKE - DAY
Linus and Hercules survey the Great Mountain.
INT. MOUNTAIN GROTTO - DAY
Linus and Hercules pole their boat on the river.
LINUS
If this isn't Hell, it's close
enough.
HERCULES
Maybe there is a three-headed dog.
Maybe.
LINUS
Is that the Gate to Hades?
HERCULES
Pretty dog house...now where's the
dog?
LINUS
Hercules...look!
ANTAEUS
You can look for him, if you get
past me.
HERCULES
So the dog is really a bull. Why
not? Birds become harpies, lions
sphinxes...why shouldn't a dog be a
bull that is really just a man.
But I've beaten the man before.
ANTAEUS
Not in my domain you haven't.
Here, I am invincible!
Hercules and Antaeus battle.
LINUS
No, Hercules! Don't kill him! He
was the one with Alcmene! I saw
the thunderbolt on his arm and I
thought him Zeus! But...he may be
your father.
ANTAEUS
Amphitryon gave me this. Maybe I
paid him back by usurping his
bridal night.
The battle grows even more fierce.
Hercules is struggling.
ANTAEUS
(showing Megara's scythe)
Now Hera will be served!
HERCULES
I know who you serve! And it
doesn't matter who my father
is...Zeus, Amphitryon or Cretan!
It doesn't matter! I am not my
father! Yes, Antaeus! Seek the
Mother's strength. I rely on my
own. My birth doesn't
matter...only my life. I make it
have meaning. No one else.
We are not gods, Antaeus. Only
men.
Hercules vanquishes Antaeus.
He picks up Megara's scythe.
EXT. TIRESIAS' SHRINE - DAY
Hercules and Linus return.
HERCULES
Mother, I relieve you of a long
burden.
ALCMENE
My life is chained to burdens.
Which one, my son?
HERCULES
I killed the man you thought my
father. He was not Zeus. I'll do
no more penance for his death,
Tiresias, whether my father or not.
TIRESIAS
Your labors are done, Hercules.
HERCULES
Even though I don't bring back
Cerberus?
TIRESIAS
What do you bring back?
Myself.
HERCULES
TIRESIAS
It is enough.
HERCULES
Will Eurystheus think so? Will he
honor his bargain, and betroth Iole
to Hyllus?
TIRESIAS
Your labors are done, Hercules, not
your war with Eurystheus. You'll
find no victory there until the
high-born woman of Tiryns dies.
HERCULES
No more prophecies, Tiresias! I'll
not kill Megara to get Iole for my
son.
TIRESIAS
Megara is not of Tiryns.
HERCULES
She is its Queen...
ALCMENE
She is not its Queen. The throne
is mine, and through me, yours.
HERCULES
I don't want your throne, Mother.
And I'll exact no revenge for you.
ALCMENE
I don't ask you to. I ask nothing
of you. But it is time I do
something for you. I have never
kissed my son. I do not know how
to live in your new world,
Hercules. Though I have wronged
you for so long, let me give you
victory now.
Yes...
Mother!
TIRESIAS
HERCULES
ALCMENE
I am the high-born woman of Tiryns,
and I gladly die!
Alcmene flings herself over the cliff.
EXT. PALACE OF THEBES - STEPS AND SQUARE - DAY
VOICE IN CROWD
Where's the Three Headed Dog?
Coward!
Jeers from the crowd as Hercules and his family approach the
dais.
EURYSTHEUS
This is our triumph!
Guards!
GUARD
Bow to your master!
HERCULES
No longer my master.
done!
My labors are
EURYSTHEUS
Are they? You hear the crowd, they
ask the question I ask...where is
Cerberus, the Hound of Hades?
HERCULES
I don't have him.
Coward!
Dog?
EURYSTHEUS
Where is the Three Headed
HERCULES
The only dog I found had one head.
And I killed it. Here is his
collar.
Sad. Savage pair. To
have no greater ambition than to
thwart me. You serve neither men
nor gods.
EURYSTHEUS
What do you know of gods? When
have they ever smiled on you?
HERCULES
It doesn't matter if the gods smile
on me or curse me. I make my own
destiny. Give Hyllus and Iole the
chance to make theirs.
EURYSTHEUS
He tries to steal my child...seize
the traitor...seize him!
See, Tiryns! The great hero turns
on his master!
A huge battle breaks out.
with Iole.
Megara retreats into the palace
NESTOR
Remember who captured the Cretan
Bull!
SHEPHERD
Nimea remembers its debt, too!
Hercules!
EURYSTHEUS
He failed! He failed! He's
disgraced himself! He's no hero!
Eurystheus backs up toward the palace.
EURYSTHEUS
He slew children! He defies me,
his lord. He defies the gods with
blasphemous prayers...
HERCULES
Eurystheus! I don't want your
throne! Stay your weapons! Unite
the House of Perseus, through our
children. Just keep your word!
And there'll be a better future for
all.
Hercules and Eurystheus have their bows trained on each
other. A guard comes forward, carrying Hyllus.
Hyllus!
DEIANEIRA
EURYSTHEUS
Drop you bow, Hercules, and the boy
lives. Shoot me and he dies.
HERCULES
If I drop my bow, you'll kill us
both! Hyllus, do you trust me?
HYLLUS
With my life, Father.
EURYSTHEUS
It will be your life! Or your
father's. My arrow is pointed at
his head. Now, lower your bow,
Hercules!
Hercules shoots, past Hyllus, killing the guard. Hercules
deflects Eurystheus' arrow and Hyllus throws his dagger into
Eurystheus. Eurystheus shoots his arrow toward Iole, but it
plunges into Megara instead. Deianeira rushes forward and
picks up Iole.
MEGARA
Seems Tiresias' prophecy comes
true.
HERCULES
The union of our two children will
heal all ills.
MEGARA
No my ills...
Hercules!
Hercules!
LINUS
CROWD CHANTING
Hercules! Hercules!
EXT. FOREST OF DEIANEIRA - DAY
Hercules and Deianeira are wed.
LINUS
A poet is no priest, but he knows
love when he sees it. Drink from
the wedding cup. May your life
together forever be as sweet as the
wine you share. The labors are
over...the woes all depart. Home
comes the hero, home to his heart.
DEIANEIRA
We children of nature have no words
or rituals to bless the blending of
two hearts, my love.
HERCULES
Our hearts need none. I offer only
a prayer...may Hera and Zeus find
the love we know.
END OF PART TWO.
THE END
ROLL END CREDITS.