Jayne Mansfield doubles up as queen and Amazonian seductress in this myth-soaked sword-and-camp epic.

THE LOVES OF HERCULES

1960 · 01:38:00 · NC · Adventure / Fantasy · IMDB TMDB

Hercules decides to avenge the death of his wife, murdered at the hands of Éurito, king of Ecalia, but everything is a plot of an ambitious courtier. Hercules ends up falling in love with Deyanira, who is now a good queen.

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Quick Answer

What is The Loves of Hercules about?

The Loves of Hercules is a 1960 Italian-French adventure fantasy film directed by Carlo Ludovico Bragaglia about Hercules seeking vengeance for his wife's murder, only to become entangled in royal intrigue, Amazonian entrapments, and monstrous battles.

Key Facts

Director: Carlo Ludovico Bragaglia
Writers: Sandro Continenza, Luciano Doria, Alberto Manca
Release: 1960
Runtime: 1h 38m
Country: Italy, France
Language: English, Italian
Genres: Adventure, Fantasy
Also Known As: Hercules vs. the Hydra, Original title: Gli amori di Ercole

The SassyFlix Take

Jayne Mansfield pulls double duty as both tragic queen and Amazon queen, while Mickey Hargitay flexes as a vengeance-driven Hercules. Expect hydras, killer trees, and enough camp to fill the Colosseum. This is peplum at its pulpiest, with mythic monsters and a wardrobe budget that clearly favored the Amazons.

From the Vault

Proof that even Greek mythology isn’t immune to big hair and bigger drama.

Why Cult

Mythic Monster Mash

Hercules tangles with a three-headed dragon, killer trees, and even an ape man—classic sword and fantasy spectacle, Italian style.

Jayne Mansfield Dual Role

See Jayne Mansfield as both the sympathetic Queen Deianira and the Amazonian Queen Hippolyta, mixing glamour with a campy villainess twist.

Camp and Beefcake

This film leans into its camp roots, serving up psychotronic delights, lavish costumes, and plenty of beefcake courtesy of Mickey Hargitay.

Sword and Fantasy Extravaganza

From mob violence and betrayal to Amazons, witches, and a living forest, the film packs in nearly every wild trope Ancient Greece could offer.

About This Film

While Hercules (Mickey Hargitay) is away, his people and the woman he loves are killed by the king of Ecalia. Hercules learns of the murder of his wife and seeks vengeance, only to learn that the kingdom from which the murderers came is besieged from within, by a usurper to the throne. Jayne Mansfield portrays the king’s daughter, who sympathizes with Hercules and opposes the usurper; she and Hercules are parted when he is wounded battling a three-headed dragon and given aid by a group of Amazons, who bring him to their queen (also played by Mansfield). She proceeds to woo the strongman, not knowing that she has a unique way of terminating her relationships transforming her lovers into trees. Hercules manages to escape with his life while the queen is done in by one of her victims. He eventually returns to free the princess and her kingdom.

While Hercules is away, his people and the woman he loves are killed by the king of Ecalia. Hercules goes to Ecalia to revenge his dead. When he arrives in Ecalia he finds that the king is dead and queen Dianira reigns. He saves her and falls for her, but Dianira has been promised to Acheloo. His deed became more and more hard among Licos’s conspiracy, the Amazons, the Hydra and other monsters.

Film Details

Director Carlo Ludovico Bragaglia

Writers Sandro Continenza, Luciano Doria, Alberto Manca

Themes & Keywords

Psychotronic Film Death Revenge Monster Kiss Decapitation Strangulation Breasts Whipping Love Rescue Priest Betrayal Villainess Transformation Camp

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Loves of Hercules about? +

The Loves of Hercules follows Hercules as he seeks vengeance for his murdered wife, battles monsters, and becomes entangled with rival queens and court intrigue in ancient Greece.

Who directed The Loves of Hercules? +

The Loves of Hercules was directed by Carlo Ludovico Bragaglia.

When was The Loves of Hercules released? +

The Loves of Hercules was released in 1960.

How long is The Loves of Hercules? +

The Loves of Hercules has a runtime of 98 minutes.

What genre is The Loves of Hercules? +

The Loves of Hercules is an adventure and fantasy film.

Where can I watch The Loves of Hercules? +

The Loves of Hercules is available to stream on SassyFlix.