#14. HERCULES (PIETRO FRANCISCI, 1958)
#14. HERCULES (PIETRO FRANCISCI, 1958)This is where it all started. The film and the man who brought massive body builder physiques into the forefront of action cinema. Steve Reeves transitioned from champion Bodybuilder to the undisputed king of sword and sandal action epics.
Reeves plays Hercules, the mythological hero who perform his labors, sails with the Argonauts, and romances the beautiful Iole. This film ushered in a small period of international sensation for a new genre. Mythological action epics suddenly became a gigantic craze. In only five years, Reeves performed in 15 mythological productions – skyrocketing the genre and his name into the bright lights of stardom.
And boy was this man built. At the peak of his bodybuilding career he was 200 pounds with a 48 inch chest, 29 inch waist, and had 17.5 inch biceps. He became the inspiration for all bodybuilders to come. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Lou Ferrigno have both given Reeves credit for inspiring them to become the successful bodybuilding actors we all know and love.
So that’s why we’ve put Hercules at #14 on our list of Top 30 Muscle Movies. Not only was he a massive king of muscle, but he also set the trail for many other muscle bound movie stars that we will never forget.
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Photo courtesy of: Steve Reeves Biography
