The Legend of Hercules

Archers, hold!

King Galenus of Argos! Show yourself!

My sword against yours. Victor takes all!

This city, or mine, this army, riches...

subjects, all! Not another soldier will die!

And I could do to replenish my ranks.

What say you, most brave and merciful king of Argos?

Will you spare these men?

King Amphitryon, I accept your challenge.

Prepare to die.

Amphitryon! Amphitryon! Amphitryon!

The campaign ends here, for now.

Chiron told me you took Egypt

because they attacked our ships.

That's right.

But Argos, our neighbor, they presented no threat.

I see Chiron has been expanding your Curriculum.

I do not need a tutor to tell me when there's peace.

I took Argos for you.

For me? You took Argos for its gold.

Yes. That, too.

But I'm told they're obsessed with the gods here, just like you.

You know, if they had as many soldiers as they have priests...

it would be my body on the pyre tonight.

You summoned me, Majesty? How is Prince Iphicles tonight?

What will you teach him, Chiron?

- Will you teach him war? - It cannot be ignored, Majesty.

History is but a chronicle of war.

And war is but a chronicle of grief...

recounted in the tears of young men's Mothers.

Sometimes, Majesty...

I question who between us is the tutor and who is student.

In my own vanity, I thought I could bring Tenderness...

to a man whose craving for power is sated by nothing...

and only grows with each victory.

No god's wrath could bring the anguish...

that my king has beset upon this land.

And so I prostrate myself before you, Goddess.

Deliver us from this curse.

Help my people.

Majesty!

Hera accepts your gift.

Goddess Hera?

Queen Alcmene... approach.

Majesty, no!

Closer. Let me look upon you.

You will have your deliverer. Another son you shall bear.

No. Please not by this man. Please, Goddess--

Tell me, would you betray your king...

as my king betrays me in his lust for you?

Would you have his mortal son to quell your sorrow...

and bring peace to this land?

Would you bear the son of Zeus?

For the sake of peace, I would.

Then, for the sake of peace, I shall permit it.

Name him what you wish, but I shall know him as "Hercules".

Hercules

Where is he?

Who is he?

Who is this man you spurn me for night after night? Who?

Please, Majesty! - Where is he?

My king!

Intruder! Search the camp! Find him! Find him!

Speak. -It's a boy, Sire.

A fine, large boy.

His name will be Alcides...

and he will never be an equal to his older brother.

Hercules.

Your name shall be Hercules.

Be careful, there are snakes in the trees!

I didn't know you fear them! - Watch out!

So, what else do you fear?

I fear but one thing. I always have.

Your departure, each and every time.

Is this another private hideaway?

You just wait. I think you'll like it.

Alcides!

Stop!

Alcides!

Lose something?

You made me nearly faint with fright!

Come. Come here.

I like your necklace.

My mother once gave this as a parting gift to my father.

And though she's with the gods now...

I want you to have it.

It's only stone...

but I wish it were gold.

I wish there were a substance finer

than that to have you remember me by.

There is.

My mind's eye.

Where your face has been etched since

the day I first saw you.

Careful. Your horse could have lost its footing.

You be careful... brother.

Princess, your father is worried.

A search party was dispatched.

It's lucky you knew where to find us.

Yes. Though I'd rather it had been some other man's luck.

Princess, you rode out without saying a word.

And what word would have permitted me to?

And what word would have permitted me to?

There is a feast tonight and she must not be late.

Yes, my Prince. - No, brother.

You ride with me.

We'll see each other tonight.

Saw your hoof marks in the forest.

Tell me, what would you have done

if she'd been thrown and broken her neck?

I thought you knew her better.

More likely I would break my neck.

I saw more than hoof marks today.

Did you? - Watch yourself!

I've known her just as long as you have, and with a more mature eye!

I'm older than you, Alcides, and heir to the throne!

Let's back away slowly. Don't turn your horse.

No, let's escape. Your horse can outrun it. - Yours wouldn't.

What are you doing?

Now, back your horse behind me. - Oh, yes, of course.

And what a tale of bravery the next king of Tiryns will have to tell tonight.

Iphicles! The point of this was for one of us to get away.

A Nemean lion. - A man eater! They can't be killed!

Our spears are useless!

Alcides!

Iphicles. Where have you been?

What is that thing? Take it off.

Why, it appears to be the skin of the Nemean lion!

The lion, which I killed but two hours ago.

Look, this is where it struck. You see, Father?

But I'm all right. No cut to the eye. - Where was your brother in this contest?

Alcides?

He ran away at the first sign of danger.

Have you ever known my brother flee danger?

Have you, Princess?

No. Never.

Well... I thought you knew him better than that.

Tell them. Father.

So it has a chance to sink into some of the thicker heads here.

My friend, King Tallas the Brave, ruler or Crete...

we have enjoyed free commerce between our lands...

tonight we make a bargain for something far greater.

The peace between our houses will be sealed four moons hence...

with the harvest moon, when my heir, Prince lphicles..

Will take the Princess of Crete to be his wife!

Yes!

Hebe! Hebe, stop!

Why don't you enlighten me on what just happened.

I believe the announcement took them by surprise, Father.

The only surprise is that you allowed her to behave in such a manner...

without even lifting a finger, lion slayer.

What could I have done?

I am Amphitryon the Conqueror...

ruler of the realm, vanquisher of Argos.

You are my son, and tonight you stood and watched...

as your future wife made a fool of you and me...

in front of our most formidable threat: Crete.

Look at them. It makes you look weak.

I'm sorry, Father. - I don't want you to be sorry.

I want you to be a man.

You're the future king of Tiryns. Act like it.

Hebe! Hebe, stop!

Stop! Stop!

Come here.

I won't marry him.

I'd rather die.

I love you.

I love you, too.

I need you strong.

Are you strong?

I want to leave with you... tonight.

If we can make it across the river to Tyga...

the King's men Won't follow us.

That's them! - Go, Hebe, run west!

No, I won't leave you! - I'll be right behind you! Go!

After them!

You two, follow her! Now!

You heard the orders! Don't hurt the Prince!

Faster!

Stop! Stop! - Alcides!

Hebe! - Help!

Alcides!

Help!

Alcides!

Captain Sotiris.

Is the Fourth Battalion ready to sail tomorrow?

160 men, Your Grace, ready and accounted for, as you commanded.

Good. You'll take half. No more.

Half? - You are young.

Learn to keep 80 in line and we'll see about expanding your command.

You disapprove?

No, Your Grace.

We'll be victorious and honor your name.

I have him, Father!

I understand you're having some trouble with the arrangements we've made.

Your arrangements you may find spoiled by the next harvest moon.

I think not. You sail to Egypt tomorrow.

There's been a revolt in Heliopolis, north of the Nile River delta.

You will enjoy war, Alcides, and you will forget all this.

I certainly don't fear for your survival.