Life in Mount Olympus for Hercules (Schwarzenegger) has grown very tiresome and boring. Thousands of years with beautiful women at your feet can obviously have that effect! He wants to travel abroad but his family will not grant him permission to leave. After blatantly disregarding the word of his father Zeus (Graves), Hercules manages to escape the old country and makes his way to New York City. Soon Hercules gets into all kinds of trouble due to his lack of experience, arrogance, and knowledge of modern civilization.
Hercules in New York is obviously meant to be fun, but I don’t think the producers knew what they really had on their hands back in 1970. This film is Arnold Schwarzenegger’s first role and before the film was released they actually over dubbed his entire vocal track! But without that distinct thick accent the movie just doesn’t have the same effect. 
Recently released on Trimark Pictures, they have restored his original audio, and let me tell you, it’s hilarious. Throughout the entire movie he speaks of himself in the third person which makes the dialogue even more ridiculous than his character.
Soon while in New York City, Hercules becomes a pro wrestler, champion power lifter, tips over a taxi cab, beats an escaped bear to death (Worst costume ever!!) in Central Park, gets in some trouble with the Mafia, takes his shirt off at random times to flex in front of Helen (Loomis), and rides a chariot right through Times Square in a high pursuit chase. Yea – no joke! Towards the end some of his friends come to help him, but to my understanding one may have nothing to do with Greek mythology being named Samson. I thought Samson was a biblical character!
I’m not really sure what else to say about this movie. I am still at a loss for words. Schwarzenegger (He is actually billed as Arnold Strong in this!) is an action hero of my childhood and it’s hilarious to see him in such a goofball role. One thing is for sure, he is huge in this movie. 
Probably the biggest in size (Other than in Pumping Iron of course) I have ever seen him. Another worthy mention in the film is actor James Karen, who I have always been a big fan of. He played the role of Mr. Teague, the developer in Poltergeist who “left the bodies and only moved the head stones.” He is also in the first two Return of the Living Dead flicks which are in my top favorite movies of all time.
Hercules in New York is worth a watch for the comedic value and not meant to be taken seriously. If you go into this movie, be prepared for its absurdity and poor acting by one of America’s biggest action stars (and pretty much everyone else involved). Would I watch it again? Sure, I would. But only to show someone how dopey this movie really is or if I just simply needed a laugh!
Someone put together this awesome mix of the Top 10 Dumbest Hercules in New York Moments. Enjoy!
