[ Panting ]
[ Chattering ]
Jason!
Got here as fast as I could. What happened?
Oh, she said she was feeling dizzy a few days ago.
[ Chuckles ] I thought it was nothing,
until last night when she complained of chest pains.
Her mother died of a weak heart.
Where is she? Outside.
Hello, Mother.
Hercules.
What are you doing?
[ Chuckles ] Don't look so surprised. I tend to my garden every day.
You should be in bed, resting. Oh, stop it. I'm feeling much better.
Besides, why would I want to be inside on a day like today? Hmm.
Hercules, you can stand there with that look on your face,
or you can sit down and enjoy the day with me.
You are so stubborn.
[ Chuckling ] Where do you think you get it from?
[ Sighs ]
It looks beautiful.
I started this garden the day...
I found out Amphitryon had died in the war.
Bringing it to life somehow helped me accept his death.
And when you went off to fight against Parthus,
I sat here every day, praying that my son would come home to me.
My prayers were answered.
That was the first war I ever fought in.
I'm sorry I put you through that.
No apologies, Hercules. You did what you had to do.
I just wish I could have protected you from what you saw.
[ Chuckling ] Looks like you could use a bath.
- And whose fault is that? - You offered to help.
And besides, you've always been a messy child.
Well, thanks, Mom. I appreciate that.
You got that mama's boy doing your dirty work again, Alcmene?
Oh, let me guess. You two freeloaders are here for lunch?
Ooh. Ooh.
What's up, guys? Ah, no good.
The Parthans crossed the border into Caylan territory.
King Eteocles has managed to push 'em back, but the Parthans have declared war.
[ Iolaus ] Yeah. If they win, Corinth could be next.
The Caylans have been our allies since your father was king.
Now it's my turn to make sure they don't fight alone.
We're gonna join them on the front line, Herc.
What do you say, buddy?
I say we're going to war.
Yeah. Yeah.
[ Jason ] Yeah. Let's go get 'em.
[ Man Narrating ] This is the story of a time long ago,
a time of myth and legend,
when the ancient gods were petty and cruel,
and they plagued mankind with suffering.
Only one man dared to challenge their power--
Hercules.
Hercules possessed a strength the world had never seen,
a strength surpassed only by the power of his heart.
He journeyed the earth, battling the minions of his wicked stepmother, Hera,
the all-powerful queen of the gods.
But wherever there was evil,
wherever an innocent would suffer,
there would be... Hercules.
- [ Screeching ] - [ Roaring ]
Hail!
I was so eager to go off and fight...
I had no idea what I was in for.
Well, you were young. Yeah.
You know, all a mother wants to do...
is protect her children from all the pain in the world. Hmm.
Because you love them so much, you hold onto the illusion you can do that.
And the truth is I couldn't.
None of us can.
I held that same illusion for my children.
You shouldn't be so hard on yourself.
[ Chuckles ] I can't help it.
I just wish you hadn't had to have grown up so fast.
You know, even when things were at their worst,
I always had a place to call home,
thanks to you.
I don't want you to go. Mom. [ Sighs ]
Look, I've already lost someone I love to war.
I won't go through that again. I won't.
[ Sighs ] Don't worry, Mom. It's not gonna happen to me.
Don't you tell me not to worry.
This isn't the same as rousting a couple bullies.
There's a good chance your strength won't be enough.
Maybe.
But at least I'll be fighting for something I believe in.
A just cause doesn't make war noble, Hercules.
Well, why did you send me to the academy? What did you think all that training was for?
I didn't send you there to become a soldier.
I sent you so you'd learn how to take care of yourself.
I did.
And I will.
Come on.
Please come back to me, Hercules.
[ Man ] Your Highness, King Eteocles requests your presence in his tent.
[ Jason ] Lead the way.
Well, it seems I'm in the presence of greatness.
I was gonna say the same to you. Thank you for coming, Jason.
I wouldn't have missed it for the world. You'd do the same for Corinth.
From what I've heard, your kingdom's in good hands.
Your father would have been proud.
Well, I've had help. These are my friends, Hercules and Iolaus.
Welcome. It's a pleasure to be here, Your Highness.
Sit down, gentlemen. Eat! You're gonna need your strength.
Two summers ago the Parthans suffered a terrible drought.
We offered hunting privileges in our western region.
And let me guess, that wasn't enough for them.
Now, they're trying to claim ourterritory as their own.
[ Sighs ]
Most of my troops are defending our border,
but I've sent a small battalion into enemy territory.
They've established a foothold next to the king's fortress.
Once we join them, I'll lead a charge inside.
Take out the brain, the body's useless.
Jason, would you do me the honor of serving as my second-in-command?
- I won't let you down. - Gentlemen,
you're three of Cheiron's best.
By this time tomorrow, we'll be dictating the terms of their surrender,
and you'll return home as heroes.
- To victory! - [ Together ] Victory!
You'll be okay. But just stay off this leg for a while.
Calimachus.
Well, well, if it's not the Academy's finest.
It's good to see you. I wish it were under better circumstances.
Now that you mention it, I'm surprised to see you here.
I don't like what the Parthans are doing any more than you do,
but I can't take a life in good conscience.
Tending the wounded's the best thing I can do to help.
You haven't changed a bit, Cal. I'm glad.
Hey, what is this, an academy reunion?
What are you doin' here, buddy? I thought you gave up manhood for a life of medicine.
Well, you won't be sayin' that when I'm stitchin' your head back on.
Fall in, men!
- We're movin' out! - All right, boys.
Time to see what we're made of.
[ Chattering ]
[ Man ] Stay sharp, men. We're in Parthan territory now.
[ Man ] Something here, my Lord.
Be careful.
[ Chattering ]
- Hemlock. - Poison.
The stakes don't kill you, it will.
Crude, but effective-- almost as good as ours.
You mean, we have those too?
In case somebody drops by unexpected.
- Isn't that what we're doin'? - Yeah, but we're the good guys.
Hey, where's Nikos?
Must have fallen behind.
[ Sighs ] That boy's gonna get himself killed!
I'll get him. We'll catch up.
You okay, Nikos?
My wife and I have a house just over that hill.
This is the first time we haven't been together since we've been married.
I wonder what she's doing now.
She's probably looking out the window wondering the same thing about you.
Hercules, you think we're gonna make it?
Yeah.
A lot of the guys have been saying that...
if we pull this off, we'll be like heroes.
But what I keep thinking is, what if I make my wife a widow?
Where's the glory in that?
Come on.
[ Eteocles ] All right, then. Let's move!
The battalion's just over the hill.
[ Man ] Keep your eyes on the trees as well.
[ Arrow Whistling ] [ Grunts ]
[ Shouting ] [ Man ] He's hit! He's hit!
Ambush!
[ All Shouting ]
[ Grunting ]
[ Man ] Behind you!
[ Grunting ]
[ Shouting, Grunting Continue ]
Look out!
Aaah!
[ Grunting ]
[ Shouting ]
- Eteocles! - [ Groaning ]
Jason!
By the gods, they cut off his arm! He's losing blood fast.
Let's get him out of here, quick.
Oh, Eteocles! [ Groaning ]
Eteocles! [ Coughing ]
This war-- it's yours now.
Please, Eteocles, forgive me!
[ Hercules ] Jason, we gotta get back to the battalion! Come on!
Have you, um, sent word to Iphicles?
But he's at sea. He won't get the message for a few days.
[ Footsteps Approaching ] Iolaus,
did Hercules drag you all the way down here for nothing?
[ Sighs ] Far be it for me to pass up a home-cooked meal.
Besides, am I gonna miss out on the chance of seeing you?
[ Chuckling ] You smooth talker.
I'll get my shawl. Okay.
- Where are you going? - [ Sighs ] She wants to go to the market.
Is that a good idea? You talk her out of it.
He has a point.
How are you holding up? I don't know.
I'm tired of pretending nothing's wrong.
You should've seen her last night.
Nothing worse than watching someone you love in pain.
Don't give up hope, Jason.
I haven't.
But I'd be foolish not to prepare myself.
I suppose I've learned the hard way--
hope for the best, but expect the worst.
[ Hercules ] There's Eteocles' trench. We made it.
[ Jason ] By the gods. [ Iolaus ] There's nobody left alive.
[ Iolaus ] I'm not goin' in there. You don't have a choice.
It's too dangerous out in the open.
Here.
Those savages!
Those murderous Parthans! [ Groaning ]
I'll kill every last one of 'em!
Nobody survived.
For every man here, I'll kill two of theirs!
Jason! Shh! Quiet.
The Parthans think everyone in the trench is dead. If we don't be quiet, we will be.
Hey, Herc, I'm gonna need a hand over here. [ Groans ]
We'll take care of this.
The arm's severed at the elbow. He's lost a lot of blood.
Hand me the sword.
The herbs will deaden the pain.
I'm glad it's more than just a decoration.
The healer I trained under gave it to me.
I guess you could call it a good-luck charm.
Hold him down.
Bite on this.
[ Sizzling ] [ Screaming ]
Thanks. Does he have a chance?
It doesn't look good.
We'll have to wait and see.
You know, I think I can understand why you won't take a life,
but it can't be any easier losin' somebody you're tryin' to save.
You know, you're probably right.
I don't know if I'd have the strength to do it.
Sure, you would. You, of all people.
I don't know. Maybe.
Besides, it's not just death that I have to deal with.
When I save a life, you know, somebody's son, somebody's daughter,
there's nothing more gratifying in the world.
What if there's nothing you can do?
Then it's my job to make sure they don't die alone.
Herc,
what're we still doing here, huh?
We should be back at base camp, before there's another attack.
Nikos can't be moved.
Well, if we hang around here long enough,
we're gonna end up as dead as the rest of these guys.
No! No, we are not goin' anywhere!
It's my duty to finish what Eteocles started.
- We carry out the mission. - Are you out of your mind?
Jason, we're the only ones left.
- We don't stand a chance! - All right!
We can't leave Nikos here,
and we can't move him yet.
All right. The Parthans don't know that we're here.
They would've attacked by now.
We're gonna stay put, take turns on watch.
Now, does anybody have a problem with that?
[ Groaning ]
Keep him quiet.
[ Shouting ]
[ Shouting Continues ]
[ Gasping ]
No! Aaah!
No! No! No! Jason!
No! No!
Shh! They'll hear you.
I let Eteocles die! I-- I was supposed to cover his back!
I was supposed to-- Shh. It was an ambush.
It's not your fault, man.
It's your turn on watch.
Now, can you handle it? Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.
You sure? Yeah. Yeah.
How's he doin'?
Can you keep him talking?
He's gotta stay awake.
Hey, pal.
Hercules.
We're gonna get out of here real soon.
[ Chuckles ] You're a bad liar.
Well, we are though.
You're gonna get to see your wife.
How'd you guys meet?
We've known each other...
since we were children.
Best friends all our lives.
She asked me to marryher.
- You're a lucky guy. - Yeah, I am.
[ Coughs ]
It's funny,
the smallest things could make her happy,
like a sunset,
or the sound of the rain--
things I never even thought mattered.
But they do, Hercules.
They matter.
Don't worry, buddy, you're gonna get to share those things with her real soon.
Nikos.
[ Alcmene ] Jason doesn't talk about that war much,
but I know he thinks about it, from time to time.
We all do.
I suppose, in a way, he still blames himself for the king's death.
Some scars never heal. Hmm, they fade a little,
but they don't go away.
You all right? Mm-hmm.
Would you mind if we stopped for a moment?
[ Sighs ] I'm just a little winded. I'll be fine.
Mother, why are you doing this? What are you talking about?
Look, Jason told me about last night. You are not fine.
I know you don't want to worry us,
but you don't have to pretend anymore.
Please, you should be in bed.
Let me take care of you.
Not even the best healer's gonna make a difference, Hercules.
I'm dying.
You can't be sure of that.
Well, I wasn't until this morning.
When I-- I saw the way you looked at me in the garden-- [ Scoffs ] Oh, God.
You could never hide anything from me. Your eyes always gave you away.
Come on.
Maybe I'm wrong.
I'll stop pretending if you will.
I won't let you go without a fight.
Don't look so sad.
I'm not afraid.
And I won't waste whatever time I have left...
sitting around feeling sorry for myself.
So, let's go.
It's a beautiful day,
and I want to spend it with my son.
Hey. Hey.
[ Man Groaning ]
- You hear that? - Somebody's hurt out there.
We've gotta help them.
Well, what if it's one of theirs?
Then I hope he dies a slow and painful death. [ Groaning Continues ]
We can't just leave him out there, Jas.
Oh, yes, we can. If the Parthans see you, then we're all dead.
I know you feel responsible for Eteocles' death, Jason,
but letting whoever's out there die is not gonna make you feel any better.
[ Groaning Continues ] I hope you know what you're doing, buddy.
Stay here. [ Grunts ]
[ Panting ]
What're you doing here? You should be back in the trench!
If it's not safe to move him, you won't know.
[ Grunts ]
He's a Parthan.
I'll need to make a tourniquet for his leg before we can move him.
- Who are you? - Don't worry. We're here to help.
[ Arrow Whistling ] [ Grunts ]
- [ Groaning ] - [ Jason ] Come on! Come on! You can make it!
-[ Iolaus ] Come on! Get him in here! -[ Jason ] Look out!
[ Iolaus ] Come on! Come on! Hurry up!
Come on! Come on! Come on! Let's move it!
Go!
Move! Move! Move! Yes.
Stay down!
[ Groaning ]
Here. Let me help. Oh, no! No! Break it off.
[ Grunts ]
Now go help him. Quit tryin' to be such a hero, Cal.
Look who's talking.
I'll be okay. Go help him.
No! No way does that vermin get any of our water.
He can have myrations, Jason.
What's your name? My name's Hercules.
This is gonna hurt a little bit.
[ Groaning ]
I'd rather die than have to breathe the same air as you.
- You're welcome. - Herc, they know we're here now.
Yeah, but they don't know how many. We still got a little time.
- And if we run? - [ Sighs ]
They got us pinned down. Wouldn't make it very far.
Look, Herc, I know you're not one to cash in on special favors,
but now would be a really, really good time to call up the old man.
Zeus never helped me before.
I doubt he's gonna start now.
Besides, I fight my own battles.
Mother, there's something I've always wanted to ask.
Do you resent Zeus for what he did to you?
Hmm. I admit I was angry when I found out Zeus had come to me as Amphitryon,
but all that went away the day you were born,
and, like it or not, I have Zeus to thank for blessing me with you.
But if I had one wish for you, son,
it would be to have you reconcile with your father.
Please. You've been carrying that burden for too long.
It's time to let it go. It's a little too late.
Too many people I love have--
He's been a disappointing father.
Well, don't blame Zeus for what's happening to me.
This is my battle, not his.
[ Gasps ] Oh!
Did you want to dance? [ Chuckling ]
I'm all right. Fine, but I'm takin' you home anyway.
Hey, Herc, I could do with some water.
Thanks.
There must be something more I can do.
Remember what I said about not dying alone?
You're doing all you can.
[ Rumbling ]
[ Rumbling Continues ]
It's a Nafoline Cannon! Come on, let's go!
Everybody out! Now!
Jas, give me a hand!
[ Grunting ]
[ Groaning ]
Let's make a break for those woods over there. No way!
We're pinned down. We don't have a chance!
I say we go. Let's go now!
[ Panting ]
Hey! What're you doing? I'm gonna draw their fire!
- Cal, I can't let you do that. - I've gotta do it. Otherwise, you'll all be killed!
It's your turn now. Cal!
[ Grunting ]
Get up! Push!
Hey! Hey!
Aaah!
[ Screams, Grunts ]
[ Shouting ] Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey!
[ Arrow Lands ] Hey-- [ Grunts ]
[ Shouts ]
Cal!
You okay?
You consider yourself lucky to be alive.
Go ahead and kill me. You'll do it sooner or later.
You're a bunch of bloodthirsty thieves.
[ Jason ] Us? You people tried to steal land that didn't belong to you!
My forefathers owned that land before the Caylans settled there.
And that gives you the right to start slaughtering people?
You think we haven't suffered losses? You brought that on yourselves!
Are the Caylans supposed to stand there and let you people march in?
- They shouldn't have been there in the first place! - Enough!
What are we doing here, guys?
We're killing each other over this.
There's enough land between the two kingdoms for everyone.
Some things are worth fightin' for. This is not one of 'em.
That's not your decision to make, Hercules.
You're right, Jason. It's yours.
You're a king.
And being a good leader's not about winning wars.
It's about keepin' the peace.
And you, before you go off accusing anybody of being an animal,
know that he risked hislifeto save you.
Now, we can sit around and argue about who was here first...
while guys like us are out there getting killed,
or we can put an end to this war.
So, what are you thinkin', Herc?
[ Sighs ] What's your name?
[ Sighs ] Teresius.
Teresius, can you get us in to see your king?
If I go there with you, I could be hanged for treason.
And you could be executed on the spot.
We all have a risk to take.
Are we in?
Hercules, would you give us a moment alone, please?
I don't know what to say.
Do you know why I love you so much?
Because we've already said everything...
we'd ever want to say to each other.
How many people are that blessed?
[ Sighs ] I feel so useless.
She's the one doing all the comforting.
[ Chuckles ] I'm not surprised.
You may have the blood of a god,
but your real strength comes from her.
[ Sighs ]
I can't just stand by and do nothing.
Hercules,
you know you're the best friend I--
And I've seen you do some things which I thought were impossible.
But maybe there are some battles you just can't win.
Ready your weapons!
[ Grunting ]
Hold your fire!
Get down on your knees, or they'll kill us all.
We surrender!
He's one of ours! Open the gates!
[ Man ] Bring them in!
Close the gates! [ Man #2 ] Let's kill them now!
[ Man ] Death to the Caylans!
[ Grunting ]
You are the one that captured the King of Corinth?
No, Your Highness.
They saved my life.
They're here of their own free will.
You're either very brave, or you're very foolish.
Foolish for believing this war is just, Your Highness?
If we continue, there won't be anyone left on either side to celebrate victory.
A noble thought, young man, but it's remarkably naive.
We've sacrificed too much to stop now.
Well, I think we've sacrificed too much to go on.
[ Jason ] King Eteocles was our ally.
Now that he's dead, I have the authority to recall his troops,
if you'll listen to what we have to say.
That sounded like a threat.
I could have you killed where you stand.
[ Hercules ] Ours is a mission of peace, Your Highness.
Our lives are in your hands.
Up.
Go on. Share your land with the Caylans.
Your kingdoms can live together in peace,
and we'll know that our brothers did not die in vain.
- And why should I trust you? - Corinth has nothin' to gain in this war.
But in peace, we gain a new ally.
And I'm to believe that all our differences will just disappear with the wave of a hand?
No, it will take time.
But if any part of you does want peace,
then we can't be that different.
May the gods help you if you're lying.
Dispatch a message for all fronts.
Cease fire.
All of Corinth is talking about what you did, Hercules.
I couldn't be more proud.
This belonged to a friend of mine,
a kid about my age.
I had to watch him die, Mother, to realize you were right.
There's no glory in war.
For every boy that's not coming home,
100 more will, and that's because of you.
You did everything you could.
Then why do I feel like I failed?
[ Sighs ] You're safe now, son.
You're home.
I have known you since you were a boy, Iolaus,
and it has been a joy watching you grow into the man you are.
[ Sighs ] You always made me feel like--
like part of the family, Alcmene.
[ Sighs ] Thank you.
On the bureau, son, I-- I have something for you.
In the jewel box.
You kept it.
You do deserve it.
You always have.
I love you, Mother.
You have made my life complete.
I couldn't have asked for a greater gift.
I have no regrets, my love,
no regrets.
[ Sighs ]
[ Screams ]
[ Crying ]
I'm sorry, son.
Alcmene was a beautiful woman.
Zeus.