Film Review: Disney’s Hercules (1997) - The Hero’s Journey

Figure 1. Hercules (1997)

The mythical wonder that is Disney’s ‘Hercules (1997)’, titled after the main character himself, has graced our screens for all these years, and yet, it still manages to dazzle our eyes with extreme colour and filled our ears with musical joy. Directed by Ron Clements and John Musker, it’s a perfect example of how to describe Joseph Campbell’s monomyth, The Hero’s Journey.

The story begins with the birth of the Hero, Hercules, son of Zeus. With immense strength and cheerful disposition, the realm of Gods seemed tranquil for a moment with the new arrival to the godly line-up. However, that happiness would be short lived, when the ever jealous Hades, lord of the underworld, would turn the small child in to a mortal. Despite what the original Greek mythology states about the main hero himself, Hercules is a happy-go-lucky chap with high hopes and not much clue about the hero business at the beginning. After becoming mortal and being adopted by two farmers, he is none the wiser about his actual heritage, and lives a simple life. This is what Campbell would describe as the ‘Ordinary World’; but Hercules feels that he’s destined for more.

Figure 2. Young Hercules

As Roger Ebert so eloquently put, “Is Disney repeating a formula? No more than mythology always repeats itself; as Joseph Campbell taught George Lucas, many of the eternal human myths have the same buried structures, and Disney's annual animated features are the myths of our time.” (Ebert, R 1997). Continuing on from the theory of ‘Hercules (1997)’ following the Hero’s Journey, Hercules finds out that he was adopted by the farmers and wishes to discover who he is. The Call to Adventure is when he receives his medallion with the symbol of the Gods imprinted on the back. He journeys to the temple of Zeus to seek answers, only to discover that Zeus, himself, is his real father. Initially, the hero ‘Refuses the Call’, with the help of his ‘Supernatural Aid’, Pegasus, he travels to meet the next Supernatural Aid and mentor, Phil, thus, ‘Crossing the First Threshold’.

With his training complete, the film’s self-titled hero heads off to his first real experience as a rookie hero, Thebes, a city of disaster, the ‘Belly of the Whale’. However, on the way to the big city, Hercules hears a cry for help, and rushes to action immediately, as he enters the ‘Road of Trials’. Not only was his training with Phil the first set of trials he had to face, but now he has to take on monsters of all shapes and sizes and strengths, testing his own abilities and combat skills. The cry came from a woodland area where a River Guardian had captured a “damsel in distress”, the ever sassy and aloof Meg. This is what oils be considered as the ‘Meeting the Goddess’. So, in typical Disney fashion, it was like love at first for Hercules. Meg is a sign of promiscuity, and ‘Temptation’, something that the plucky hero has yet to experience. This is especially prominent when Meg tries to seduce Hercules under Hades’ command, in order to discover his weakness. Little did she know that she herself, would also fall in love with him, thus commencing a musical number to express her conflicted emotions to the audience.

But unfortunately, things turn sour, as Meg is discovered by Phil to be a slave to Hades’ bidding. Concerned for Hercules’ feelings and safety, he confront the hero about this, trying to put across that she is a “fraud”. But Hercules doesn’t take the accusation very well, resulting in an argument between the two and then Phil storming away in order to return to his home. Hades sees his chance to cause mayhem, and in a fit of rage and confusion, Hercules agrees to a deal with the metaphorical, but perhaps literal, devil himself, to release his God-like strength for one day, but on the condition that Meg doesn’t get hurt.

With a shake of the hand and maniacal laugh, Hades takes flight to release the Titans, a band of monstrous and supernatural brutes, and proceeds to storm Mount Olympus to battle Zeus. Beat up and betrayed, Hercules is so close to giving up, but with a stroke of luck and Meg’s help, Phil returns to give him a serious pep talk. This could be distinguished as the ‘Atonement with the Father’, even though Phil may not be his biological, but he could be perceived as a father-like figure, stern yet encouraging. The hero pushes on despite all odds, and just when all hope was not lost, it was dashed away quickly when Meg tried to save Hercules from a falling column, therefore putting herself in danger and getting hurt in the process. Like she says, “People do crazy things, when they’re in love”. The deed is done and the deal is broken, and so a Hercules regains his true strength and flys straight into battle to help the Gods.

Figure 3. Hercules Saves Meg

But tragedy strikes when the ‘Apotheosis’ happens. Meg loses her own battle, and her life is lost to the underworld. Bereaved, but determined, when Hercules returns to find Meg has passed, he refuses to accept her fate, and travels to the underworld itself to confront Hades, creating the ‘Refusal of Return’ to his ordinary world. The ‘Ultimate Boon’ to save his one true love and bring her back.

With all odds stacked up against him, Hercules takes a risk and makes a deal with Hades, who is best known for making deals, especially ones that benefit him. The deal was for the hero to dive in to the pit of souls and fish out Meg’s soul to return to her body. The catch, however, is that ones he dives in, his life force will deplete rapidly, and if he should fail, Hades would get to keep Hercules’ soul. Disregarding the risks, and with Hades’ seeing no way to lose, they both agree to the terms, and off the edge he leaps in to the ‘Magic Flight’.

Figure 4. Meg and Hercules

Tense, and on the edge of their seats, the audience prays that the hero prevails. As if the Gods themselves had heard and answered, the ‘Rescue from Without’ is created, meaning that by sacrificing his own life to save another, Hercules has now become a true hero and therefore becomes a God, who just so happen to be immortal to boot. ‘Crossing the Return Threshold’ and leaving the underworld with Meg’s soul, Hercules places it back in to her physical body, and she is revived. Our hero is victorious, and everyone couldn’t be happier. Becoming the ‘Master of Two Worlds’, Hercules has finally understood what it is to be a true hero, as well as achieving God-like status, something that he has always dreamed about. The saviours of Greece are whisked away to Mount Olympus and begin to celebrate their victory in style. However, dreams can change, and with Meg being mortal, Hercules realises what he now truly wants. Requesting his ‘Freedom to Live’, Hercules declares his love for Meg and returns with her back to Earth so that they may be together, because he “finally knows where he belongs”.

Overall, ‘Hercules’ (1997) is a powerful and compelling story about love, adventure and what it means to trust our hearts. Perhaps it is a carbon copy of other stories that also follow Campbell’s The Hero’s Journey, but perhaps it’s also better to look at why so many stories follow this monomyth in the first place. Is it successful? Is it too cliché? What is known, though, is that has been within society since the beginning of narrative itself, and perhaps that isn’t such a bad thing.

Bibliography

Ebert, R. (1997) “Hercules” (1997) In: https://www.rogerebert.com/ [Online] At: https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/hercules-1997 (Accessed on 22.10.19)

Illustrations

Figure 1. “Hercules” (1997) [Movie Poster] At: https://disney.co.uk (Accessed on 22.10.19)

Figure 2.  “Young Hercules” (1997) [Movie Still] At: https://disney1.fandom.com/wiki/Hercules_(character) (Accessed on 22.10.19)

Figure 3. “Hercules Saves Meg” (1997) [Movie Still] At: https://i0.wp.com/www.caps.media/199/7-hercules-br/full/hercules-br-disneyscreencaps.com-9839.jpg?strip=all (Accessed on 22.10.19)

Figure 4. “Meg and Hercules” (1997) [Movie Still] At: https://www.vulture.com/2014/07/disneys-hercules-is-an-underrated-masterpiece.html (Accessed on 22.10.19)