Wake up. Iphicles!
What's wrong? What is it?
- You must cancel the festival. - I can't. You know that.
Well, I... I've-I've just had the most terrible dream.
I... I saw the virgins. They came for us.
You must cancel the festival or you'll die.
Shhhh, my love. It was just a dream.
Lie down and go back to sleep.
Mother? Is something wrong?
I need you to do something for me.
Hmm.
- Pay up, old man. - But, that's all the money I have.
Too bad. A challenge is a challenge, and ya lost.
But there's no way I could've beat you.
You should've thought of that! Before you made the bid!
Give me the money!
Why don't you pick on someone your own size?
Fine.
This isn't exactly what I had in mind.
Save the excuses.
First one to drop, loses.
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 wicked stepmother, Hera,
the all-powerful queen of the gods.
But wherever there was evil, wherever an innocent would suffer,
there would be Hercules.
We're just gettin' started, friend.
No... we'll take turns.
That way, I'll make sure you don't cheat.
Now, your turn.
So, that's how he beat me.
You snitch you'll die.
You know--
excuse me.
I'm... I'm not normally much of a drinker.
I feel like I've had twice as many as you.
Huh... gotta hand it to ya.
Ya hung in longer than anyone we've ever faced.
- We? - Huh?
- Uh, I mean, 'Me.' - Oh.
Wait a minute. Wait a minute.
- There are two of you. - Nah, you're just drunk.
That's all. Double-vision.
- There's only one of us. - Only one of you.
Yeah.
- Double Vision. - Yeah, yeah.
Oh.
Well... in that case I better putcha back together again.
Let's get outta here!
See ya later, sucker!
Hey, that's my friend!
Yeah.
Hey. Come on, you guys.
Break it up.
Get your foot out of my mouth.
That's not my foot!
Ooh, I will never drink again.
Hercules! I have to find Hercules.
I was told he was here. Hercules?
- Yeah. - Look, I need to talk--
Sh... not so loud.
So what is this stuff, anyway?
It's called coffee. My father just started importing it from the East?
We're the only kingdom in all the land that has it.
No offense, but this isn't somethin' to brag about.
So-- what's your problem, exactly.
I don't know exactly.
Well, then what's your problem, vaguely?
Mmm, I don't know that, either. My mother didn't say.
She only told me to invite you to the festival of Dionysus?
And well, not to take, 'No' for an answer.
Look, the truth is, I'm not real big on
celebrating the gods especially the god of wine.
But, it's a royal invitation. My mother is Queen Camilla.
That's funny. I never would've guessed you're a prince.
- All the same, I-I have to decline. - You don't understand.
I think somethin' is gonna happen at the festival somethin' bad.
Please, Hercules. It's the first time my mother
has ever asked me to do anything. I can't let her down.
A festival for Dionysus, huh?
Ah, I guess that old lush isn't as bad as most of the gods.
Besides maybe someone there will have advice on hangovers.
So, what goes on at this festival?
Basically we pray to Dionysus to bless the new wine then everyone drinks!
You don't have to drink, Hercules.
Only the virgins have to drink.
For over a thousand years, Dionysus has watched over Meliad.
And each year, we have celebrated with this holy festival.
Now, you have been selected to play its most sacred role.
Tonight, when the moon reaches its full height
the new wine will flow over your lips
and with it Dionysus himself.
Then, you will know his will
either to confirm King Iphicles' reign, or to end it.
If you must spill the king's blood, don't think--
All right, good priest. There's no point in scaring these pretty girls.
Let them go and enjoy their preparations.
- I-I-I-I'm telling them the law! - Yes, we all know.
But, there's no doubt, this festival will only confirm
my father for another year.
Go be bathed be oiled and perfumed.
Let my servants fuss and fawn over you while you prepare for tonight.
Pentheus, have you seen Nestor?
I thought he was supposed to be here.
Well, you know my brother he's rarely where
he's supposed to be when he's supposed to be there.
I wouldn't worry.
I need a word with you, my lord.
I saw that runt brother of yours leaving the city last night.
Hmm... well, that's Nestor's loss, isn't it?
He's gonna miss quite a festival. Hmm.
Tell me about your adventures, Hercules.
Danger around every corner? Death up every tree?
Sometimes not usually up a tree, though.
I've always wanted to be a hero
killing monsters fighting all sorts of battles.
Well, believe me battles and killing make
better stories than they do memories.
Besides, your time will come. It's Prince Nestor, now.
That's for my older brother, Pentheus. He's the heir to the throne.
Ah, well, that's just as well.
You know what they say about power.
No... what?
Well, that it corrupts makes men into demons.
Not in Meliad, it doesn't. My father's a great man.
He's ruled for twenty-five years. He abolished slavery.
No one goes hungry. He put an end to all the wars.
You'd have to look pretty hard to even find a sword left in our city.
Well, then I hope the people in Meliad know how lucky they are to have him.
They do.
- Long live the king. - Ah-ha-ha!
There you are! How's the festival?
Just getting underway. Uh, your subjects certainly
don't need much encouragement to start celebrating.
Good, good, good. As long as you're here,
there is something I want to talk to you about.
With each festival comes the chance that my reign might end.
When the sun rises on Meliad tomorrow,
- you may be the new king. - Father, please.
We go through this every year.
You're as morbid as that old priest of yours.
Still, I want you to listen to what I have to say it's important.
It's not that difficult being a good king.
Just rule with your heart.
Govern with kindness, kindness.
Never, never, never with anger.
Our kingdom deserves nothing less.
I'll remember that.
And many, many years from now,
when the time finally comes I'll put it to use.
Then, my son, you will honor my memory.
- So, this is your festival, huh? - Part of it.
The real fun doesn't start until tonight.
What are we supposed to do until then?
Go mingle.
- Mingle? - Yeah.
Oh, but keep a low profile 'cause my mother
doesn't want anyone to know you're here.
So, whatever you do, don't do anything you'd do you know if you were you.
See ya.
Go... mingle.
Uh! Ah, sorry.
Yeah... very talented.
Nestor, where have you been?
We missed you at the gathering of the virgins.
Oh, well, hi, Pentheus. Uh, I've been around.
Really? I dropped by your room last night, and you weren't there.
Oh... well... uh... well, I couldn't sleep so I took a little walk.
A little walk. Goudrin said he saw you leaving the city.
He did? Oh... well... I... uh... hey,
did you get a haircut? It looks good.
Nestor! Nestor, up here!
Guess what? I've been chosen to lead the maidens.
- Well, that's great! - You must be very proud.
After all, Mother was lead maiden twenty-five years ago.
I'll see ya after the ceremony.
I'll think about you every minute until then.
Funny, isn't it? Things go bad for Father,
and I become king your girlfriend becomes my bride.
- What are you sayin'? - Oh, nothing, Nestor.
Relax. Everything's gonna be all right.
- Sure, I did Hercules. - Phegus, you're lyin'.
- You never defeated Hercules. - I sure did.
Why, I wiped the streets with him.
I had him beggin' for mercy!
Hey, he had more mama's blood in him than Zeus!
- Keep a low profile. - First, I got Hercules' attention.
Then I introduced myself. And then I said, 'Nighty-night, he-man.'
Buddy, you've just bought yourself a whole heap of trouble!
No trouble at all.
When they wake up tell them they're lucky I wasn't Hercules.
Come on, friend, let's get you some fresh air.
Hmm.
- Are you OK? - No, Hercules, I am not OK!
- Not now! - I can't believe this.
You're the last person I expected to see.
And you're the last person I wanted to see!
You'll try and stop all the bloodshed!
- Bloodshed? what bloodshed? - Oh, ahhhh... ah, nothin'.
Forget I said anything. Always a pleasure, Hercules.
See ya around. Oh, I should've seen him coming.
Oh, of all the times for my visionary powers to cloud over, why now?
Doom at the festival. Aww, I knew it was too good to be true.
- "Doom?" - Ah, I-I- said, "Room."
I-I need a room at the festival.
Ah, you don't know any inns that're offering discounts to the elderly, do you?
- I mean, an old guy like me. - You said, "Doom."
Now, tell me what's going on.
I thought this festival was just a celebration.
They bless the new wine. Everyone gets drunk.
- No big deal. - It is if Dionysus wants
the king to rule for another year.
- And, if he doesn't? - Well,
then the festival becomes my kind of bash! Oh-ho-ho-ho-ho!
The new wine drives the maidens into a murderous frenzy,
and they slaughter the king!
Aw, it's fantasic! Especially for the prince.
When the king dies, the maidens crown a
new king with a night of unbridled passion!
Ah, girls, wine, murder, mayhem!
What more d'you want?
But all I've heard is what a great king Iphicles is.
If that's true, there shouldn't be anything to worry about, right?
Oh, su-sure a-a-ab-- absolutely.
But, then why would you be here?
- You better tell me what's going on. - Here, you go!
Come on! Spit it out!
I want to know what you're seeing in the future,
and I want to know, now.
Don't let this get ugly.
Oop. Hi. My mother wants to see you.
Come on. I'll lead the way.
Well. Looks like I'll find out anyway.
Why can't you leave things alone?
Why must ya always spoil things?
Here we're goin' into the palace.
We can't have anyone seeing you in there.
Nestor, you're driving me crazy with all this mystery.
I need to know what's going on.
You'll know soon enough! Here.
Just put it on quickly.
Oh, Nestor, you naughty boy.
Surprise.
- My brother said you liked roses. - Thank you. It's lovely.
Nestor's lucky to have a girl like you.
How come you and I have never taken the time
to get to know each other better?
Pentheus, I don't think you should be in here.
Don't worry. We won't get in any trouble.
It's one of the benefits of bein' a prince.
I pretty much have run of the palace
the whole kingdom, for that matter.
Although there are some secret places I haven't been.
Ya got fire, too.
I bet Nestor has no idea.
I'm sorry, Hercules. I wish I had more to tell.
But at least, now you understand why there had to be so much secrecy.
If anyone in the kingdom knew that I had called you here,
they would think that I was trying to deny Dionysus' will
and I'd never do that.
If it truly is my husband's time to go,
then I must abide by that but it just can't be.
He is the finest king that Meliad ever had.
It's not his time to die.
Nightmares, feelings of gloom, huh!
Maybe, there's nothing wrong at all.
Maybe, I'm just being silly.
No, you're not being silly.
I ran into an old friend of mine a little while ago.
It's a long story, but if he's here
there's a good chance trouble's here, too.
Almighty Ares... god of war... all my life,
I've watched my father's feeble rule squander Meliad's power;
our once-mighty armies, dismantled; our weapons,
corroded by neglect all in the name of peace, and the wine idol, Dionysus.
But tonight with your help, by your plan, everything will change.
Tomorrow, I will be Meliad's new king and you,
Ares, will be her god.
A new era will begin; nations conquered; peoples enslaved--
Real warriors will rule again.
What are you doing here? You know not to interrupt my prayers.
I'm sorry, my lord. There's a stranger in our city.
I think he could be a problem.
Then find him and solve it.
Just what I wanted to hear.
I don't understand. She should be here they all should.
Doesn't look like they've been gone for very long.
Well, where are they now, Hercules?
Hercules, huh?
So, that's who you are. Welcome to the festival.
Too bad you won't live to see any of it.
Oh, it's OK, Goudrin. Hercules was invited here. I know--
You know nothing, runt!
Get him!
Nestor! Do you have any idea what you're doing?
- None, whatsoever! - Great.
I don't think you're showin' the prince the proper respect.
You stand back while your men fight?
I call that gutless.
Yeah? I call that smart.
After all, you are Hercules.
If you really are smart you'll tell me what I want to know.
Nestor! Hang on! Here! Give me your hand!
Hercules!
As long as you're givin' out hands how 'bout one for me?
That's it. No way out but the way we came in.
And I can't reach it.
You would't know of any secret passage, would you?
I don't even know where we are.
My father never told me about the dungeon.
That's because he doesn't know about it
just one of the many improvements I've made around here.
Pentheus! Thank God! Get us outta here!
Goudrin's lost his mind! He tried ta--
Tried to what? Kill you?
But-- but why, Pentheus? It doesn't make any sense.
It makes perfect sense. If you were a man of power, you'd know why.
- I bet Hercules knows, don't you? - Yeah,
you're a power-hungry rat who wants
a throne that's not rightfully yours.
It is rightfully mine! And tonight, the maidens are gonna
do away with my father and crown me to take his place!
But you can't control the maidens only the wine controls them.
- What if I control the wine? - That's where I come in.
- I make sure you don't. - From down there?
I don't think so. Now if you'll excuse me,
as you can imagine, I'm pretty busy.
Oh, and Nestor don't worry about Marissa.
I'm sure she'll make a wonderful queen.
Goudrin?
Pentheus! Pentheus!
Pentheus!
I can't believe it my own brother.
Yeah well, right now,
we've got something even slimier than Pentheus to worry about.
Nestor!
Hercules!
Thanks.
Put that one over there!
The new wine! I can't wait!
And that one over there!
I think I killed it!
Then what're ya doing up there?
Sorry. You see?
It pulled me under, and then I started punchin' it,
and then it wrapped itself around me, so I just kept on punchin' it,
and punchin' it, and pu--
Nestor, hold that thought, would you?
Easy! Easy! The new wine is precious!
Subtle, yet capricious.
Line the moonbeam so that the great god,
Dionysus, may enter the wine.
You look beautiful, Marissa.
- Queen Camilla. - I was in your place, once.
That's how I became queen.
But, shouldn't you be at the palace? What're ya doin' here?
- Don't kill him. - What?
Something's wrong 25 years, I've never had such an awful feeling.
Aw, everything's gonna be fine, your Highness.
You don't have to worry.
It's starting I have to go.
Please, Marissa don't kill my husband.
Prince Nestor, your stairs await.
The time is drawing near!
The moon is almost touching the wine!
Come on, Nestor! Hurry up!
Oh-oh! Walk on your own feet, will ya?
A guy my age can't afford to break any bones!
Holy Zeus! Can't I go anywhere without bumping into you?
- I was about to say the same thing. - Huh?
- Which way to the ceremony? - This way.
All right, let's go. Not that way, this way.
A number of years.
- That way's not so good. - Ha-ha!
At last! A little bloodshed!
Hey! That was Hercules!
After him!
Where'd he go?
Look there!
Come here!
This way!
In there!
- He went this way! - No! Down here!
You two, again.
Ah!
There! Sixteen! Ya gotta drop on this one.
Ah, I think you're right. I'm feelin' awfully woozy.
As woozy as your brother is?
Two a' ya? And-- and you!
I'm gonna kill all a' ya!
How ya doin', Hercules?
Oh, I'm gonna be great, once you two do me a favor.
Check the tavern!
Let's let no one escape!
We know you're lookin' for Hercules.
But guess what? You found us.
- After you, Cletus. - No, I insist after you.
Boys? Food fight!
Excuse me!
Thanks.
Yeah. Yeah.
I hate those dreadful things. Do they really have to be here?
Camiller, if it's the will of Dionysus--
Surely, he can't be blind to everything you've accomplished.
Then we have nothing to worry about.
But, what if we do?
Then, my love, we'll go.
If it's Pentheus' turn, he'll make a great king.
The end for one becomes the beginning for another.
I know.
Here drink the last of the old wine
and let us face this together.
Look! The virgins!
Good people of Meliad! Let me welcome you
to the most sacred event in the festival of Dionysus
the opening of the new wine!
Don't miss it all!
Soon, you shall taste the sweetness of the harvest!
But first it must be consecrated by the lips of the innocent!
Ares, you stinking coward. I should've known you'd be behind this.
Now, maidens, raise your glasses!
Give yourselves over to Dionysus!
Drink! Drink!
No, stop! Don't drink that wine!
It's been poisoned by Ares! No! Stop! Stop!
- Oh, Hercules, what're we gonna do? - Stop! Put them down!
- Oh, no! It's too late! - No, it's not.
We know where they're going.
You do what you can to stall 'em.
I'm heading to the palace.
Keep them away from the wine.
We'll have blood running in the streets.
You talk as though that's a bad thing!
- Just keep them away from it! - Well, I'm not takin' the blame!
They can blame Hercules! That's who they can blame!
Hercules!
It won't be long now, my lord.
- You said Hercules was dead. - I thought he was.
Well, you thought wrong. I didn't come this far to fail now.
Find him and kill him.
Whatever happens, Camilla know one thing
I love you with all my heart.
Well, well, well, look who's still drawring breath.
Yeah, I like it that way.
So do I now, I get to hear you scream.
So, Ares. This is where you've been hiding.
Hold it! All of you!
Nestor, my love it's so good to see you.
- Oh, please, ya have to stop! - We can't stop, now.
We're on our way to kill the king.
Now, to the palace.
You really ought to learn when to call it quits!
That won't do ya any good.
They drank Ares with the wine.
He's already inside them controlling them.
There's nothin' you can do.
I'll think of something.
Get away from there! Bar's closed! Scram! Shoo!
I'm warning you infidels I'm not kidding when I'm riled!
What's the...?
Don't be alarmed, your Highness, I'm Hercules.
I don't care who you are!
Get out of here, before you defile this ceremony!
He's here to help us, Iphicles.
The ceremony has already been defiled
by the people trying to murder you.
- Listen to him. - No, no, he's the one who should listen.
You may not agree with our customs
but if this is Dionysus' will--
What if it's not? What if it's Ares' will?
My father's blood at last.
Now comes the best part.
Welcome, ladies. Long live the--
You're dead. You're dead!
I saw your blood! I saw the blood. I saw it!
Pentheus!
It was wine, not blood!
Bad news, Pentheus...
your little brother's not the weakling you thought he was.
Ares, you must help me.
Here you go, your Highness. I believe this is yours.
Not if I have anything to say about it.
Ares is in my veins.
There's not one of you here who can stand in my way.
- Pentheus, I command you-- - Shut up, you pathetic old man.
If you had been a real king, this wouldn't be necessary.
Now, I want what's rightfully mine.
I've got that, right here.
You're gonna have to do a lot better than that.
- You can't stop the god of war. - Watch me.
Go on! Get out! Vamoose! Scram!
Ain't you people got homes! Look, it's not my idea!
If it were up to me, I'd be filling goblets and
watching you idiots drop like flies!
Everything's OK! Let them drink the wine!
Ah, that's it! Ah! My good deed for the decade is done!
- Nestor. - Oh, Marissa.
We owe you a great thanks, Hercules.
You saved my husband. You saved all of Meliad.
I only did what you asked of me.
You were right all along, Camilla. I should've trusted you.
- Thank you, Hercules. - You're welcome.
Maybe I'll drop by in a few years,
and see if you need a hand with anything.
Well, Pentheus might. He'll probably still be cleanin' up that dungeon.
Is that what you did with him? That's good.
- Goodbye. - Good luck, Hercules.
Bye.
No. You are not coming with me.
Oh-ho! You bet I am! Ha-ha.
Everyone in this city's now so happy, it makes me sick!
No offense, your Highness!
Thought I'd tag along with you for a few days.
Knowing you, we're bound to run into something terrible.
Ah, ha-ha-ha. Make that definitely run into something terrible.
Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!
How'd you feel about a monster with more than one head?
Hope you're not squeamish.
- I think I'm getting my headache back. - Oh! Ah!
It's just as well! I brought this goatskin full of wine!
A little bit of the hair of the dog that bit'cha, huh?
I-I got some got some pork rinds to go with it!
Or, how 'bout some fish, huh?
Or, garlic toads as well. Hm-hmm.
Stick to your ribs like dung to a loincloth.
Captioned by Grantman Brown