You know nothing. (THUNDER RUMBLING) - IOLAUS: You think you know the truth about him? You know nothing. (LIGHTNING CRASHING) His father was Zeus. The Zeus. King of the gods. His mother, Alcmene, a mortal woman. Together, they had a boy. Half human, half god. But Zeus' queen, Hera, saw this bastard child as an insult, a living reminder of her husband's infidelity. Alcmene named the boy Hercules, which means "glory of Hera," but this failed to appease the goddess. She wanted him dead. (HISSING) (CRUSHING) Luckily, he took after his father. Once he reached manhood, the gods commanded him to perform Twelve Labours, twelve dangerous missions. If he completed them all and survived, Hera agreed to finally let him live in peace. (ROARING) He fought the Lernean Hydra! (ROARING) (PANTING) He battled the Erymanthean Boar! But his greatest Labour was the Nemean Lion. (LION GROWLING) This was no ordinary beast. (ROARS) It had a hide so tough, no weapon could penetrate it. (ROARING LOUDLY) But even this monster was no match for the son of Zeus. What a load of crap! Every word is true. (MEN LAUGHING) -(IOLAUS WHIMPERS) -GRYZA: You know what I think? This friend of yours doesn't even exist. (MEN CONTINUE LAUGHING) - Laugh all you want. He's coming. And be warned, Gryza, he despises pirates. Macedonia has been good to us. Plenty of villages ripe for pillaging. We are here to stay. Finish him. (GASPING) - The more you struggle, the faster you drop. (GRYZA CHUCKLES) - Indeed, your fleet is strong. I... Yet, as I was about to explain before I was so rudely interrupted, the Nemean Lion was strong, too. Yet, he still destroyed it. And not with a sword or a spear or arrows. No! I did it with my bare hands! Or so they say. Hercules. - Is this all the men you have? There's forty of us. One of you. The king of this land has offered me gold to dispose of you. So leave or die. I get paid either way. Make him bleed. (MEN YELLING) Five men with a single blow. Still think you can destroy the son of Zeus? Bring me his head! (MEN YELLING) Seems they need more convincing, Autolycus. That s why we're here. (MEN SCREAM) -Atalanta. -(GROANS) Amphiaraus. May Zeus forgive you. -Tydeus? -(YELLING) (ALL GRUNTING) (MEN SCREAMING) Die, Hercules! (SCREAMING STOPS) Ah, good man. (CHUCKLES) (PANTING) (ROPE SNAPPING) Hurry! Hurry! Uncle! (YELPING) Uncle, hurry! Hurry! Hurry! (SCREAMS) Any longer, Uncle... - And the girls would finally be safe from your attentions. The rest of you may go. But not you. Captions were made possible with funding from NZ On Air. Able 2017 AUTOLYCUS: Thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen, -seventeen... -That was fun. ...eighteen, nineteen, twenty. Twenty pirates at two gold pieces a head, minus the headless ones. Let's see. Not a bad night. You see how the pirates ran? My story softened their resolve. Their resolve must be broken, Iolaus. When you spread the legend of Hercules, make it bigger, scarier. The more they believe Hercules is truly the son of Zeus, the less likely they are to fight. Oh! Aye. -Amphiaraus? -Mmm? Care to join us here on Earth? A lion and a crow in strange alliance, fighting across a sea of corpses. If you're going to use those herbs, Amphiaraus, at least share. Huh? (ALL CHUCKLING) -(UPBEAT MUSIC PLAYING) -(INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS) THUG: Hold it! Hold it! Hold it! Hold it! Fight it! Keep practicing, boys! -So, who's next? You? You? -(SNIFFING) Ah! That s a pretty sight. One more payday, Autolycus, that's all we need. Then we get to live like the kings we've served. Or live simply. You still dreaming of barbarian lands? Beyond the Aegean. At the shores of the Black Sea. That is where I will live out the rest of my days in solitude. Boring, if you ask me. Maybe so, Autolycus. But I'll never find peace unless I move as far away as possible. What of Tydeus? Without you to temper his rage, I fear what he may become. Tydeus will go with me. Civilisation has become too civilised for us. Uncle! Join us. The girls are eager to welcome you. See? I told you I knew Hercules. Are you his servant? I m his nephew. Are you really? I tell of Hercules' Twelve Labours, like the Nemean Lion, the Apples of Hesperides, the Belt of Hippolyta with its buxom naked Amazons and exciting bondage. I immortalise... He talks, while the rest of us fight. It is a wonder you share the same blood as Hercules. (WOMEN LAUGHING) Have fun. -Ladies. -BOTH: Oh... What do you want with Hercules? My words are for him, not you. Atalanta, it's all right. You certainly are a hard man to find. Maybe I don't want anyone to find me. I'm not just anyone. My name is Ergenia, daughter to Lord Cotys. Your father is most fortunate to have such a beautiful heir. My father is most unfortunate. He battles a warlord. Rhesus. Our land is torn by civil war. Every day villages are destroyed, crops ruined, innocents slaughtered. We all have problems. Well, perhaps I can convince you to make our problems your own. Unfortunately, my lady, Hercules is fully committed till the Feast of Dionysus. We could, however, advance you to the front of the line, for the right price. Hmm. I thought heroes fight for glory. - But mercenaries fight for gold. Lord Cotys is a rich man. - I like him already. If you agree to aid him, he will pay your weight in gold. Eat up. "A lion and crow in strange alliance." Told you. Where are we going? It is good to see you safe, my lady. This war claims more victims every day. We were concerned, my lady. Thank you, General Sitacles. I was well protected. Ah. The mighty Hercules. An honour. But not quite as big an honour as I expected. General, go tell my father Hercules is here. Uncle? Hera. Impressive. It's meant to be. It took five years and a thousand men to build her temple. Hera is the patron goddess of Thrace. Everyone knows the legend. How Hera seeks to destroy Hercules. Perhaps the right cause might finally reconcile you. Mother! Arius. -You're Hercules. -That's right. My name is Arius. I know all your Labours by heart. You killed the giant Geryon with a single blow, cleaned the Augean stables in one night. Hercules is probably tired. - And the Labour of the Hide, and the Labour of the Mares. That's enough, Arius. Come along. -(CHUCKLES) (WHISPERS) Stay away from him. Men who deal in violence attract violence. But he's Hercules. He's no mere mortal. He's the greatest! Lord Cotys will see you now. Have you ever met royalty, Hercules? Once or twice. -BOTH: Father! -Ah! (CHUCKLES) (APPLAUSE) Megara. Welcome home, my love. (ALL CHEERING) Hercules! Whenever I'm here, I imagine this is what Elysium must look like. (CHUCKLES) Well, men like us have the means to create our own paradise on Earth. Look. Magnificent, aren't they? Well, do not keep us in suspense. Are we safe from the monster Hydra? The Hydra's heads, Your Majesty. The masks of serpents. No wonder men thought they were monsters. You've done your sovereign a great service. Come. Let the people have their hero. MALE SERVANT: All hail King Eurystheus. And the mighty protector of Athens, -Hercules! -(CROWD CHEERING) CROWD: (CHANTING) Hercules! Hercules! Hercules! A man faced with such adoration might be tempted to think himself a god. I only want to be a husband and a father. (BOTH SCREAMING) Lord Cotys awaits. Hercules. Welcome. An honour to host such a legend. Lord Cotys. But in legend, you fight alone. My reputation would not exist without my comrades. Autolycus of Sparta. Tydeus of Thebes. Atalanta of Scythia. Iolaus of Athens. And Amphiaraus of Argos. Amphiaraus? The famed seer of Argos. It is said that you have glimpsed your own death, so you fight each battle knowing that it is not yet your time to die. What else can you tell of the future? Only what the gods see fit to reveal. A shame. It would have been a great gift to know the outcome of this war. The gods can be frustrating sometimes, Lord Cotys. (CHUCKLES) (SIGHS) With respect, I fear that the task ahead might not be suitable for a woman, even if she is an Amazon warrior. I stand corrected. (INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS) COTYS: When the kings of yesteryear built this citadel, it was intended as the high seat of all Thrace. But now Thrace is divided. This war has depleted our forces. We're left with nothing but farmers and merchants to replenish our army. It takes every one of us to resist Rhesus. People think that he cannot be killed by an ordinary mortal. Only by a god. Rhesus is a sorcerer. His magic words confuse men, bend them to his will. He leads an army of monsters, half-horse, half-human. Centaurs? -You've actually seen them? -They have been seen. COTYS: Come, Hercules. Let me show you what misery Rhesus has brought us. Every week, more refugees arrive seeking my protection, most of them covered in blood, crippled or burnt by Rhesus' men. I feared nothing could ever be good again, till you arrived. I'm just a mercenary fighting for gold. How we view ourselves is of little consequence. How others perceive us is important. And your name, like it or not, is a rallying cry. I have seen too much reality to trust in legends, and I am not alone. Nobody has any faith anymore. The people need a hero. They need someone to look up to. My son believes in you. Bring us peace, and... I will believe in you, too. I'm convinced these are good people. - I see. And who's more convincing, Cotys or his daughter? All the gold on Earth is not as convincing as a pair of breasts. Maybe, but gold never ages. Which is why I got them to double our price. Double your weight in gold? (LAUGHS) Well done. - Amphiaraus? - If it be the will of Zeus. Which title sounds more terrifying to our enemies? "Hercules, saviour of Thrace" or "Hercules, a legend is born"? Both sound terrifyingly boring. - (CHUCKLES) What are we supposed to do with an army of farmers? Train them. -Oh shit. -(CHUCKLES) In war, there is one thing more important than killing. Surviving. My companions and I will show you how to stay alive, so that you may return home to your farms someday. Autolycus. Shield wall! Form! (YELLING) (MEN GROANING) (PANTING) Corpses! Every last one of you! Because your shield wall was weak. Dead. Dead. Very dead. Soldier, many lives depend on you. When attacked, lock your feet in the ground. Understand? Yes, sir. When a shield wall is strong, nothing can ever defeat it! You must learn to work together. React together. When you do, each individual will become a link in a chain that will be stronger than iron. I hope the enemy has a sense of humour. Right. Today's lesson, how not to stab yourselves! It is imperative that we strike now, My Lord, given this opportunity. COTYS: Ah! There you are! Hercules, my scouts have brought news. Rhesus is on the move. Archers who shoot lightning from their bows. An infantry, 4,000 strong, their minds bewitched. Demons march with them. - So now we're fighting demons? No stranger than the monsters I hear you faced, Hercules. My Lord, Rhesus is preparing to attack Bessi lands. He will be on them within six days. If the Bessi fall, we're next. Unless we intercept him. Your men need weeks, if not months of training before they're ready. The Bessi are a fierce but primitive tribe. If we do not protect them, then there will be a bloodbath. Face Rhesus with an untrained army, and you risk losing far more than a single battle. My Lord, Rhesus is coming. I vouch my life on it. The longer Rhesus lives, the more villages will be burnt and the more innocents will be killed. Assemble your men. We march tomorrow. Hercules, the gods have offered us a gift. We must not squander it. Are your gods going to be fighting with us? No. The son of Zeus will. (INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS) (FAINT GROWLING) (WHIMPERING) (SNARLING) -Ah! -(SCREAMING) (PANTING) - Your mother told you to stay away. You should listen. What's wrong with him? Tydeus is my most loyal warrior. He was born in war. When I found him, he was more animal than human. He never speaks of what he saw. He never speaks at all. But he relives it every night. Come. Let's find your mother. ARIUS: When I grow up, I want to be a great hero like you. HERCULES: Like me? - No hero is greater than Hercules. I know all your Labours. Like the Cretan Bull. You wrestled it for seven days and seven nights. Uh, that's a bit exaggerated. - And struck it 49 times with your club. Maybe not quite that many. - Until it fell dead and Crete was saved. It's my favourite Labour. Also Queen Hippolyta's Belt, with its buxom Amazons and exciting bondage. Do you even know what that means? - No. (LAUGHS) (MAN COUGHS) Mother. Arius. You're supposed to be in bed. Why are you in the hospice? My mother saves people's lives. Many of our physicians were killed during battle, so out of necessity, I taught myself the art of healing. If I could be like you, I would protect all of Thrace and no one would ever get hurt. (CHUCKLES) HERCULES: Here. I was going to give this to someone else, but I never got the chance. Only a hero may wear this. But to become a hero, you must grow strong. Is this the Nemean Lion's tooth? -It is. -ARIUS: Thank you. Thank you. Good night. Good night, Hercules. AMPHIARAUS: Have no fear. If you fall in the service of a just cause, your souls will go to Elysium, where they will dwell forever among the shades of heroes like Theseus. Odysseus! And the great Achilles. Or if you re lucky, you'll go to Hades, where all the fun people are. Iolaus. Your place is beside Lord Cotys, where it's safe. I've been giving it a lot of thought, and I really feel I'm ready to fight. You're a storyteller, not a warrior. - We share the same blood. And I will not see it shed. Chariot. - Now. - (SCOFFS) Thracians, the shield wall is your home. Your shelter. When you sleep, the wall is your blanket. When you fight, the wall is your armour. The shield wall will never break formation as long as there is breath in your body. Remember these words and you will taste victory. - Move the army out! - SOLDIER 1: Move out! SOLDIER 2: Move out! (HORSES NEIGHING) - Halt! - SOLDIER 1: Halt! Halt! SOLDIER 2: Halt! SOLDIER 3: Halt! SOLDIER 4: Stop marching! SOLDIER 5: Stand easy! We are too late. Rhesus has already been here. Leave the chariots. We'll go down on foot. Lion and crow cross a field of corpses. I hate being right all the time. - Halt. - SOLDIER 1: Halt! SOLDIER 2: Halt! SOLDIER 3: Halt! (SOLDIERS SHOUTING INDISTINCTLY) HERCULES: This head is rotting. A week old, at least. Yet some of these bodies are fresh. (YELLS) (YELPING) - IOLAUS: Uncle! - (BOTH GRUNTING) (SHRIEKS) And we've walked into a trap. Shield wall! Form a single square! Protect Lord Cotys! Iolaus, go. Shield wall! We're here to help them. Why are they attacking? This is Rhesus' doing. They say his spells have the power to cloud minds. Turn comrades against each other. King's guards, around Lord Cotys! Amphiaraus, do we die in this battle? My time has not come yet. Not sure about yours. That's comforting. (YELLING) I think he wants a challenge. (ALL CHEERING) Hercules' fists have been dipped in the blood of the Hydra! Lethal to anyone but him! Watch! (YELLING) (CHEERING STOPS) Did you see that? - The gods fight on our side! (ALL CHEERING) Hercules! Hercules! Hercules! ALL: (CHANTING) Hercules! Hercules! Hercules! (YELLING) (ALL YELLING) Battle position! Lady Artemis, if I am to fall, let me be judged not to be... (YELLING CONTINUES) (ALL GRUNTING) Stand fast! SITACLES: Hold your positions! Do not yield! No retreat! Stay in the wall! Hold the lines! Do not yield! Defend Lord Cotys! SITACLES: The wall has been breached! Seal up the shield wall! Defend Lord Cotys! Whip! Hercules! Bring the chariots! SITACLES: Defend your Lord! No! (URGES HORSES) (LAUGHS) (YELLING) (GRUNTS) Advance! SOLDIER: Advance! (GROANS) (SOLDIERS CHEERING) SOLDIER: Make way! Where is Rhesus? (INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS) Lord Cotys. We came here to save this village, but, no, they killed half my army. Rhesus. This is all his doing. And yours. I warned you. Your men are brave, but untrained, unprepared for battle. Give me time to make warriors. Very well. Cover up, before your loyal army sees you bleed like a mortal. I'm applying a salve of mint, chamomile and clay to seal the wound. This is extract of lithops for the pain. A powerful sedative. You should rest here after consuming it. It may have certain side effects. I don't need it. Ah, forgive me, I forgot. No mortal can harm Hercules. And, uh, your lion's hide is indestructible (?) Drink, son of Zeus. Arius' father was the same, he distrusted medicines. Where is he now? Taken by the gods before my son was born. I'm sorry. I never knew my father. Well, he must have been very, very strong. (LAUGHS) Tell me about Arius. Oh. He's a good boy. And someday, he will make a fine king. Do you have any children? Do they live in Athens? Thank you for your care. The sedative will help you rest. (MEGARA SCREAMS) (PANTING) (CHILDREN LAUGHING) (LAUGHING CONTINUES) (GROWLING) No! (SNARLING) (YELLING) (PANTING) AMPHIARAUS: It happened again, didn't it, hmm? Another vision of Cerberus, the three-headed beast of Hades? The gods show you things they don't share with others. There's a word for that. Madness. When we were driven from Athens, I consulted the Oracle of Delphi on your behalf. Do you remember her prophecy? "Hercules must finish the Labour that remains unfinished." And what is that, Hercules? Confront the beast that haunts you. Only then will you find peace. I speak from experience. No matter how far you run, no matter how fast you go, the beast will follow. Man cannot escape his fate. Room for one more in your company? It'd be a pleasure having female companionship for a change. Atalanta doesn't quite count. No offence. If only your manhood was as long as your tongue. Oh, both can satisfy in different ways. You're a famed storyteller, Iolaus. Grace me with a story. Any particular subject, My Lady? Murder ` of a woman and her three children. Is it true? Did Hercules slaughter his own family? - Who said so? - Oh, soldiers talk. They say if Hercules ever returns to Athens, King Eurystheus will have him executed. Hercules had completed his Labours and returned home, but Hera... No myths. I want the truth. No one knows the truth. Not for sure. We found Hercules alone. His wife, Megara, the children, dead. He remembers nothing. Do you believe he is innocent? We grew up together, both orphans, trying to survive in the streets of Athens. We found a home in the army. Looked out for each other. Hercules' strength... set him apart. The Kings of Athens started to send him on all the most dangerous missions. - The Twelve Labours. - And he took me with him. Fight by his side. And with each mission, our numbers grew. Scythia, the Amazon kingdom where the royal family had been assassinated. My family was gone. Everyone was gone. Hercules helped me avenge their murder. He became my brother-in-arms. Thebes, the city of corpses, where we found a single child still alive. Hercules took Tydeus in when everyone else saw nothing but a wild animal. You know how a rumour spreads. How a legend grows. Hercules' deeds were so incredible they could not possibly have been performed by a mere mortal. So we played along. We encourage people to think Hercules was the son of Zeus. It's good. Scares the enemy. Iolaus helps. He talks nice. And that, My Lady, is the truth. The truth. (SCOFFS) Whatever the truth, the death of his loved ones haunts Hercules. Only the gods can help him, if he listens. Uh... You can never have too much coinage with Burger King's new Change Range, starting from just $1 ` and the new Bacon Cheeseburger for just $3. You don't have a girlfriend. You don't need a lot of calls or text. You don't have a girlfriend. You don't need a lot of calls or text. You need data ` for dating sites, like Honey Badger. (LAUGHS) You do have a girlfriend. You need less data and more calls ` lovey-dovey calls. # You make me... # You don't have a girlfriend again. She won't return your calls. You need more text. Things change. Now your Prepay can too. Get more of what you need and less of what you don't with Vodafone My Flex Prepay. Come! Gather around, soldiers of Thrace, and behold. When Hercules gives an order, even the gods listen. Zeus' master ironsmith, using the forges of your own citadel, has crafted these divine weapons that will make you invincible. As steel is hewn into shields, so, too, will you be hewn into warriors. You shall carry the shield of Hercules! It's lighter. Infused with the souls of the Stymphalian birds from Hercules sixth Labour! Spirits of birds? How does that work, exactly? Well, much as birds take flight, so, too, are these shields lighter than air. It's in the fibres. Here. Try on the helmet of Hercules. It covers my whole face. Forged after Hercules' very own helmet, when he defeated the demon Geryon. SITACLES: You sure it wasn't your horseshit that frightened Geryon to death? Mmm? IOLAUS: General Sitacles, perhaps you would care to inspect the armour of Hercules? (CHUCKLES) Leather armour? Mmm? We will be skewered like pigs. - (SITACLES GRUNTS) - (SOLDIERS GASP) Linothorax. Hewn from the skin of the Erymanthian Boar. It's indestructible. Now, wait, if it's indestructible, how did Hercules cut it off the boar? He used an indestructible blade. (SCOFFS) (SOLDIERS MURMURING) SOLDIERS: One, two... (GRUNTS) One, two... (GRUNTS) One, two... (GRUNTS) One, two... (GRUNTS) (SOLDIER GRUNTS) HERCULES: Get up. Next! (SOLDIERS GRUNTING) Again! Both eyes open. Keep practising. (GROANS) - HERCULES: Firmer grip. Elbow up. - Good. - Shield wall! Form! - ATALANTA: Stand tall. - (SOLDIER GRUNTS) Excellent. - HERCULES: All right. - (SOLDIERS APPLAUDING) (ALL GRUNTING) Spread out. (IOLAUS GRUNTING) Careful you don't cut yourself, boy. AUTOLYCUS: Again! (SOLDIERS GRUNTING) Rhesus is here. Close enough to stick a blade between his ribs. - What did you see? - Centaurs. Half-man, half-horse. Hundreds of them. He saw shadows in the night. My Lord, I will go ahead into the Rhesus camp. I will bring word of his plans. If we let them get past Mount Asticus, Thrace will fall. You want to stop Rhesus? We'll go through the forest and they'll never see us coming. It'll slow down our chariots. A gamble. I have a plan. The scouts have returned. Rhesus has made his camp in Mount Asticus, 72 leagues away. Once these men are ready, we march. So, have you seen if we win or lose? The gods have been annoyingly silent on that matter. What they have told me is that I'm soon to discover if there truly is a heaven or a hell. When will you die? Within a week in a place that looks an awful lot like hell. As always, the gods are generous with hints, but cheap on specifics. (LAUGHS) Oh, cheer up, Hercules. I've lived, not always well, but long enough. I'm ready for what's next. Thracians! Halt! (SOLDIERS GRUNT) - Shield wall! Form! Battle positions! Tydeus? (YELLING) (SOLDIERS GRUNT) There is no enemy camp. This is the right place. SOLDIER 1: Halt! SOLDIER 2: Halt! Centaurs! They're real. (BLOWING HORN) (CENTAURS SHOUTING) It seems that we're expected. Centaurs? Rhesus! You have come looking for a fight, and we are happy to oblige. Hercules. The son of Zeus. Your legend ends here. HERCULES: Look at me. Do I look afraid? It is over, Cotys. Mount Asticus on your front. The woods at your back. And my troops outman you three to one. Surrender now and we shall consider being merciful. Men die who speak to My Lord in such a manner. You've made your choice. Go! In this moment, on this day, become the man you were born to be! You have it within yourselves to write your own legends! Let it be to death... or victory! (SOLDIERS CHEERING) Charge! HERCULES: Shield wall! - (SOLDIERS GRUNT) Flanks out! (SOLDIERS YELLING) Maybe today. Now! (SOLDIERS GROANING) Watch as the Amazon uses the arrows of Artemis... Silence, boy! - Spears forward! - (SOLDIERS GRUNT) (URGES HORSES) Archers, ready! Loose! (BOTH SCREAM) Advance! Set them aflame! Take cover! SITACLES: Defend Lord Cotys! Maybe not. Shield wall! Attack! Push forward! To kill a snake, cut off its head. (URGING HORSE) (SOLDIERS CHEERING) Victory is yours, Lord Cotys! It is not over yet! Yeah! (URGES HORSE) (HORSE NEIGHING) (PANTING) Fucking centaurs. (PANTING) (ALL CHEERING) ALL: (CHANTING) Hail, Lord Cotys! Hail, Lord Cotys! Hail, Lord Cotys! Hail, Lord Cotys! Hail, Lord Cotys! (SOLDIERS BOOING) SITACLES: Halt! (SOLDIERS LAUGH) Get up. Get up. (SOLDIERS LAUGH) -Up. -Enough! You helped a tyrant enslave a nation. All I did was stop you from burning more villages. - I burned no villages. HERCULES: Then who did? Ask yourself. If Cotys is beloved, why did he need to hire mercenaries to do his dirty work? Keep moving, dog. You've been fighting on the wrong side. - (MUSIC PLAYING) - (MEN LAUGHING) Where are you going? I'm taking some water to the prisoner. Sit down. It's time. (MUSIC STOPS) Thrace is finally united. One land. One King. One Thrace. ALL: One land! One King! One Thrace! Thrace is not a man, a king, or a god! Thrace is her people! - (GROANS) - (ALL LAUGHING) Who cares what Rhesus claims? Our work is done. Let's collect our fee and be gone. Don't do anything foolish. Where are you going? (GASPS) I saw pity in your eyes for Rhesus. Why? Look at me. Cotys is responsible for this war, isn't he? You lie very well. Clearly, your father's daughter. I didn't do it for my father. I did it for my son. If I disobeyed Cotys or resisted in any way, Arius would be executed. I did what any mother would. I protected my child. My husband was king. And Cotys poisoned him to take his place. Rhesus fought back. Civil war broke out. Arius is the legitimate king. My father is old. He will not live forever and once he is gone, my son will be a good king. And he will heal this land. That's a dream. And you can help. Please, when you leave Thrace, take Arius with you. Please keep him safe. Find another saviour. SITACLES: Hercules? The King commands your presence. My Lady. Ah, champion of Thrace! Something tells me we're not gonna get paid. - You could be right. - Oh, shit. You wanted conquerors, not heroes. You betrayed me, Cotys. Betrayed? A mercenary who has long since sold his conscience for gold can hardly presume to judge his employers. Let's not quibble about details. We all know your legend, Hercules. But here is mine. When I was a general in the army of Thrace, I had dreams of ruling this kingdom. But thanks to you, my dreams have grown. I now crave an empire. My thousands will train more thousands, and they even more. The lessons of Hercules will spread. What you began here can never be stopped. And if you fear what such an army may do, then lead it. You want me... to serve you? Oh, spare me the moral outrage. Child killer. (ALL GASP) Getting us all killed, bad idea. Well, I must take this as a "no." In that case, your services are no longer required. You will be paid in full. Bring them the gold. If we hurry, we could be spending our fortunes in Macedonia. Take mine, too. What do you think you're doing? Let's go. There will be no more innocent blood on my hands. I can't leave without setting this right. Oh, I see. And who's gonna be paying us for this suicidal endeavour? Thrace needs our help. To hell with Thrace. We have gold. You remember the Black Sea. That beach you spoke of is within reach. Leave now, be free. I would never be free. In this fight, you're alone. Never saw that one coming. - How can you just walk away? - You can't just leave. - Why not? - It's all right. You've sacrificed your lives for me. Now you can finally be free. Whatever debt you feel you owe me is paid. Debt? You think we follow you because we owe you? Look around, Hercules. We're family. All we have is each other. We will fight for you. And if it's our time, we will die for you. Because you would die for us. Take that, too. I have no need of it. This is madness. You want madness? Tonight, a spear of flame will pierce my heart. Is that not the most insane death you've ever heard of? Crazy. The lot of you. Autolycus. Iolaus. Go with Autolycus. I think I'll stay. - Nephew. Uncle, all I've ever done is tell stories of great deeds performed by others. It's time I stopped telling their stories. Started living my own. Well, you may have all completely lost your minds, but not me. Not me. Autolycus? Live like a king, my friend. - (URGES HORSES) - (HORSES NEIGHING) What about Cotys? He paid us to save Thrace. Let's not disappoint him. Uh... You can never have too much coinage with Burger King's new Change Range, starting from just $1 ` and the new Bacon Cheeseburger for just $3. (MAN) THINKS: 'Man, Steve is really smelly. 'Oh, sort that out. 'He smells like a teenager's watch band. 'I look like Tintin. He's cool ` Tintin. 'How do you tell a guy he smells? Do you have a smell intervention? 'Maybe just wait for his birthday and just go, 'Happy birthday, Steve!' CAR HONKS 'Ooh, sorry! 'And for a present you give him a deodorant and say, "Oh, here's a nice necklace. '"It's actually a car deodoriser. Pop that round your neck, mate."' TYRES SCREECH, CRASH! CAR RADIO CONTINUES PLAYING BREATHES LOUDLY (CREAKING) SITACLES: Lay down your arms. Lay down your arms! Or your nephew dies first. (WEAPONS CLATTERING) I invite you to join me. You refuse. I order you to leave. You return. (GRUNTS) Get your hands off me. I overheard her conspiring with Hercules. They were planning to remove the young Prince from your protection. - No. No! - (ARIUS SCREAMING) Let go of him! Don't touch him! (SHOUTS) Arius! No! (SCREAMING) No, you're hurting him! No! ARIUS: Hercules, no! Help me! Stop! ERGENIA: No. Arius. (CRYING) No. - Arius! No! - (GROANING) (PANTING) (GROWLING) (SNARLING) MAN: Magnificent, aren't they? An extraordinary species. Incredibly loyal. As long as they're fed. - Remember them? - Eurystheus. They remember you. Confused, Hercules? Kingdoms are won with armies, but empires are made by alliances. King Eurystheus and I will now rule all of Greece. (SNARLING) Cerberus only exists in my mind. Speak a little louder, Hercules. I didn't quite catch that. The wolves. They were there that night. The wolves were there. You drugged me. (MEGARA SCREAMING) The wolves were there the night my family was murdered. My men told me how your children screamed as my wolves gnawed on their bones. (GASPS) As their fangs despoiled your daughter's pure flesh. When the people called out your name louder than mine, you see, when they saw you as a god, how long before they saw you as their king? I wanted nothing! Precisely! Your sin, Hercules, was that you had no ambition! I can deal with an ambitious man! He can be bought! But a man who wants nothing has no price! Killing you would have turned Athens against me. I had to ruin your name. My wife! My children! Well, you have our permission to join them in death. All of you! Starting with my faithless daughter! ERGENIA: Let go of me! (GRUNTS) No! No! No! Unhand me! No! She's your own flesh and blood! I will raise Arius to be my worthy successor! You stay away from my boy! You monster, you bastard! You are a monster! You are a monster! - No! - (GRUNTS) ERGENIA: You are not a man! You're a demon! AMPHIARAUS: Who are you? ERGENIA: No, no, no! Are you a murderer? Damn you! I curse you! Are you a mercenary who turns his back on the innocent? Stay away from my son! Are you only the legend? Or are you the truth behind the legend? Father, please. Please, please... - We believe in you. - (ERGENIA SOBBING) We have faith in you. Have faith in yourself. (GRUNTS) Remember the man that you are. The gods will punish you! You cannot escape it! AMPHIARAUS: Remember the deeds you have performed, the Labours you have accomplished! No. No! - Stop it! - Leave her alone! - AMPHIARAUS: Now, tell me! - (SCREAMING) Who are you? I am Hercules! (GASPS) Unleash the wolves! (WOLVES SNARLING) HERCULES: Get away! Ahh! Three wolves should be more than enough for one lion. - (WOLF WHINES) - Ahh! Hurry! (GRUNTING) - Hurry! - Hurry! No! (GRUNTING) (JAW CRACKING) Ahh! (WOLF WHINES) The gods have revealed the truth. The final Labour is complete. But I' m just getting started. Doesn't take a vision to know what's waiting for us up there. (ALL GRUNTING) (SOLDIER SCREAMS) My time. (SOLDIER SCREAMS) Excuse me. That was my moment, my fate. You're welcome. (SCREAMS) I'm going after Eurystheus! (GRUNTING) Hercules, listen to me. None of this is my fault. You see, Cotys poisoned my mind. Turned me against you. (LAUGHS NERVOUSLY) I like you. Now stop. I command you to stop! I'm your King! You took an oath to obey me! You swore to Zeus! Wait, wait. You fight for gold. I have plenty of gold. Name your price. Find it in your heart to forgive. You want forgiveness? (GRUNTS) (GROANS) Ask my family for forgiveness. (GRUNTS) (GRUNTING) I've never killed a god before. (GROANS) I really think I'm ready to fight now. Well done, warrior. (MEN SHOUTING) - Eurystheus? - Dead. - We need to find Arius. - HERCULES: Follow me. Soldiers of Thrace! You followed me in battle. Follow me now. Don't be fools! Hercules is mortal! Not a god! Anyone who sides with him will die! And I will show you. Bring him. - Arius! - Mama! No! He's your grandson! You failed to save your children, Hercules. - But you may yet save him. - (WHIMPERS) Please, Father, no! Admit defeat! Bow to me! You have until the count of three! One! Two! - (GROANS) - (SOLDIERS MURMURING) Don't just stand there! Kill someone! SOLDIER: Protect Lord Cotys. Arius, run! Mother! Get the boy! (SCREAMING) (TYDEUS YELLING) (GROANS) (CONTINUES YELLING) Ahh! Tydeus! - Attack! - (SOLDIERS YELLING) HERCULES: Hold them back! COTYS: Spears! (BOTH GROANING) Go through the fire! (SOLDIERS YELLING) Here! Help me! Easy, Tydeus. (ALL YELLING) (BOTH GRUNTING) (SOLDIERS SCREAMING) H... Hercules. (LAUGHS) (TYDEUS CHOKING) Lock shields! March! Find peace, my brother. As you said, Hercules, there is no way to defeat a shield wall! There is no way out! Come out and face me! (GRUNTING) You're no hero! You're no god! You're nothing but a mercenary! Your wife and children deserved to die! (YELLING) (GASPS) (CONTINUES YELLING) What's he doing? Get back up there! Hercules must die! Come on! Kill the filthy bastard! (WHIMPERS) (COTYS SCREAMING) (THUNDER RUMBLING) ALL: (CHANTING) Hercules! Hercules! Hercules! Hercules! Hercules! Hercules! Hercules! Hercules! Hercules! Hercules! Hercules! Hercules! Hercules! Hercules! Hercules! Hercules! AMPHIARAUS: You want to know the truth about Hercules? There it is. To be honest, I prefer it to the legend. The world needs a hero they can believe in. Is he actually the son of Zeus? I don't think it really matters. You don't need to be a demigod to be a hero. You just need to believe you're a hero. It's what worked for him. But then again, what the hell do I know? I m supposed to be dead by now.