Rose McIver, Michael Hurst & Murray Keane in "Hercules and the Amazon Women" (1994)

Monday, July 13, 2009

Rose McIver, Michael Hurst & Murray Keane in "Hercules and the Amazon Women" (1994)

Before the series "Hercules: The Legendary Journeys" premiered, several made-for-television prequels were produced introducing key characters in the show's universe. The first of these films was "Hercules and the Amazon Women," which finds Hercules visiting his good friend Iolaus who is preparing to get married. The two receive a desperate call for help from a village of men who are being terrorized by unseen creatures. Even before the adventure begins Hercules & Iolaus are faced with another obstacle...a little crying girl played by 7-year old Rose McIver (Summer, RPM). The two find her in the forest crying over the supposed death of her father, but when Hercules gets close to the girl, she attacks him and turns into the monstrous Hydra, a multi-headed creature sent by his wicked stepmother Hera. Hercules defeats the beast and continues his journey. He and Iolaus, played by Michael Hurst (voice of Vexacus, Ninja Storm), confront the beasts only to discover that they are actually Amazons wearing animal skins as a disguise to prey on the men who enter their territory. In the fight, Iolaus is killed by one of the Amazons, crushing Hercules who is taken prisoner by the women, who not only prey on the men but use them to procreate and continue their bloodline. Hercules convinces the women to abandon their ways taught to them by Hera and rejoin their men in the village. In the end, Hercules calls upon his father Zeus' power to bring Iolaus and the others who have died back to life. Murray Keane (Benny, RPM) also appears in the film, playing one of the male villagers, Tiber who is a messenger and in love with one of the Amazons. Also featured are Kim Michalis (Mrs. Bradley, Ninja Storm) and Nick Kemplen (voice of Osiris, Jungle Fury). A full zip of Michael Hurst's screencaps is available to download below.

Rose McIver