Hercules Unchained (1959) Original Title: Ercole e la regina di Lidia Director: Pietro Francisci Writers: Pietro Francisci, Ennio De Concini Starring: Steve Reeves, Sylvia Lopez, Gabriele Antonini Runtime: 97 minutes Country: Italy Language: Italian (dubbed in English) Genres: Peplum, Mythological Fantasy, Sword & Sandal 🧾 Synopsis Fresh from his legendary labors, Hercules is tasked with delivering peace between two quarreling brothers fighting for control of Thebes. But when he drinks from a mysterious spring and loses his memory, he falls under the seductive spell of Queen Omphale of Lydia. As Hercules indulges in luxury and forgets his duty, his friends must find him and break the enchantment before war consumes the land. 🎭 Cast Steve Reeves as Hercules Sylvia Lopez as Queen Omphale Gabriele Antonini as Ulysses Sylva Koscina as Iole, Hercules’ wife Sergio Fantoni as Eteocles Mimmo Palmara as Polynices Ivo Garrani as Creon Fulvio Carrara as Castor Marisa Valenti as Servant of Omphale 🎞️ Production Notes This was a direct sequel to the massive hit Hercules (1958) and helped solidify Steve Reeves as the global face of sword-and-sandal cinema. The role of Queen Omphale is inspired by the Greek myth where Hercules served her for a year as punishment—one of the few myths where the hero becomes subservient to a woman. Filming took place in Rome and Naples, with set design that exaggerated the wealth and exoticism of Lydia. This is one of the few peplum films to prominently feature Ulysses as a main character, showing his cunning beside Hercules’ strength. Sylva Koscina, who returned as Iole, later appeared in numerous Italian comedies and dramas. 🧠 Trivia Sylvia Lopez, who played Queen Omphale, tragically died of leukemia just months after the film's release at age 26. The amnesia storyline is not part of traditional Hercules mythology but was added for dramatic tension and romance. Steve Reeves famously did all his own stunts, including chariot work and the scene with the chained lions. The film was a box office smash in Europe and helped launch a wave of mythological hero films across Italy and the U.S. Reeves refused to continue the role beyond two Hercules films due to concerns about being typecast and recurring injuries. Omphale’s palace sequences used actual ancient Roman villa architecture around the Bay of Naples. #Hashtags #HerculesUnchained #ErcoleElaReginaDiLidia #SteveReeves #QueenOmphale #SwordAndSandal #PeplumCinema #ItalianMythologyFilms #ClassicFantasy #AncientHeroes #AmnesiaPlot #GreekMythologyMovies #1950sAdventure #CultCinema #SylviaLopez #EpicBattlesAndRomance