HERCULES UNCHAINED (1959)
Article #364 by Dave Sindelar
Viewing date: 3-14-2002
Posting date: 7-31-2002

Hercules tries to prevent a war between the two sons of Oedipus, but ends up ensnared by the evil queen of Lydia.

I have to admit that this is one of my favorite sword and sandal movies; like its predecessor (HERCULES), it begins with a specific story in Greek mythology; in this case the Seven Against Thebes legend about the struggle between Eteocles and Polynieces for the kingdom of Thebes. Then, about thirty minutes into the movie, it takes a turn into typical sword and sandal territory; namely, Hercules is seduced by an evil queen. Still, it doesn’t stint on the spectacle, especially in the last half hour of the movie. Plus, Hercules gets to wrestle with Antaeus (Primo Carnera) at one point, gets to throw a big table at a bunch of hapless guards, fights a tiger, and bends some bars (underwater this time; is their no limit to this man’s talents?). Sword and sandal doesn’t get more fun than this.