Hercules (1997 film)
A 1997 Disney animated film based on Greek myth.
Hercules is a 1997 American animated musical fantasy comedy film loosely based on the legendary hero Heracles (known in the film by his Roman name, Hercules), a son of Zeus in Greek mythology. Produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation, the film was directed by John Musker and Ron Clements, and features an original musical score by Alan Menken. It follows the titular Hercules, a demigod with super-strength raised among mortals, who must learn to become a true hero to earn back his godhood and place on Mount Olympus.
Quick Facts
- Director
- John Musker / Ron Clements
- Producer
- Alice Dewey Goldstone / John Musker / Ron Clements
- Screenplay
- Ron Clements / John Musker / Donald McEnery / Bob Shaw / Irene Mecchi
- Story
- Kaan Kalyon / Kelly Wightman / Randy Cartwright / John Ramirez / Jeff Snow / Vance Gerry / Kirk Hanson / Francis Glebas / Mark Kennedy / Bruce M. Morris / Don Dougherty / Thom Enriquez
- Starring
- Tate Donovan / Susan Egan / Danny DeVito / James Woods
- Music
- Alan Menken
- Editing
- Tom Finan
- Production Companies
- Walt Disney Feature AnimationThe 2014 reissue was produced under its current name, Walt Disney Animation Studios.
- Released
- 13 June 1997 · United States
- Runtime
- 93 minutes
- Country
- United States
- Language
- English
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Development of Hercules began in 1992 following a pitch adaptation of the Heracles mythological stories by animator Joe Haidar. Clements and Musker joined the project in 1993 after their idea for Treasure Planet was shelved. The filmmakers studied multiple interpretations of Greek mythology but abandoned darker mythical aspects such as Hercules's birth through Zeus's adulterous affair with Alcmene. The first script draft was inspired by screwball comedy films of the classic Hollywood era and 1990s popular culture. British cartoonist Gerald Scarfe was recruited as production designer and produced over 700 character designs. Research trips to Greece and Italy provided inspiration for the background designs. The animation was done in Burbank, California and Paris, with computer animation used in several scenes, predominantly in the Hydra battle sequence.
Reader's Guide
Hercules was released on June 27, 1997, and received generally positive reviews from film critics, with James Woods's performance as Hades receiving particular praise. The animation (particularly the visual style) and music received a mixed response. The film under-performed in its theatrical release notably in comparison to previous animated Disney films, ultimately earning $252.7 million in box office revenue worldwide. The film was later followed by Hercules: The Animated Series, a syndicated Disney television series focusing on Hercules during his time at the Prometheus Academy, and the direct-to-video prequel Hercules: Zero to Hero (1999), which consists of four episodes from the TV series. The film's legacy includes its distinctive visual style and the voice performance of James Woods, which became a highlight for many viewers.
Did You Know?
- The film features six original songs written by Alan Menken and David Zippel.
- British cartoonist Gerald Scarfe produced over 700 character designs for the film.
- Computer animation was used predominantly in the Hydra battle sequence.
- The film's production budget was $85 million.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Hercules (1997 film)?
Hercules is the demigod protagonist of Walt Disney Feature Animation's 1997 animated musical, a son of Zeus who was raised as an ordinary mortal. He serves as the central hero of the story, navigating the tension between his divine heritage and his human upbringing.
What are Hercules (1997 film)'s powers and role?
In the film, Hercules wields superhuman strength inherited from his father Zeus, yet he was brought up among regular humans. His narrative role is to demonstrate that he can be a genuine hero through his own decisions and actions, ultimately earning back his rightful seat on Mount Olympus.
Why is Hercules (1997 film) important?
Directed by John Musker and Ron Clements, the film offered a comedic, modernized take on the classic Greek myth and became a major box-office success, earning roughly $252.7 million worldwide against an $85 million production budget. It stands as one of the defining Disney animated musicals of the late 1990s.
Who composed the music for Hercules (1997 film)?
Alan Menken wrote the original musical score for the picture. The film was released on June 27, 1997, as a full-length animated musical fantasy comedy from Walt Disney Feature Animation.
More in Sword and sorcery films 1-24
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced