Hercules Returns: PLEASE!
I was reading about some stupid but fun movies on DVD Verdict, and thought I’d get their opinion on a movie released in 1993 that was one of the silliest, and most quotable movies of all time - Hercules Returns.
It turns out they haven’t reviewed it. Neither has Rotten Tomatoes. “What is wrong with the world”, think I.
Searching IMDB finds it, but sadness sets in as I realise that it can only be bought legally on VHS from the UK (and if memory serves the quality wasn’t great to begin with).
To my international reader - Hercules Returns was a movie made by a few of our comedians by re-dubbing an old 1960’s Hercules movie with new dialogue. It’s some of the funniest stuff to ever be made in Australia, and is one of those films that gets mentioned in passing in a social situation, and dominates the rest of the evening being quoted over and over until someone says they haven’t seen it, and you all troop to the nearest (or furthest if necessary) video shop to hire it immediately because they MUST SEE IT NOW.
“I’ll fight you on one condition… that you lower your nipples.”
Seriously, this is a must see for any Aussie. Sadly, it is becoming increasingly difficult to induct friends into the Hercules Returns club because it’s just so difficult to find now.
So I researched. You can buy it on eBay, but as there has never been a DVD release it makes it tough for me to believe that these ‘extremely rare’ copies are anything but bootleg forgeries. And it’s a real shame - a proper DVD transfer of this would be marvellously popular - judging by the gushing comments on IMDB, and the number of (ahem) copies available online.
Eventually I found the email address of the sales contact for the film, and sent them this email:
To whom it may concern,
I would simply like to enquire as to the possibilities of Hercules Returns, a wonderful Australian film, being released on DVD here in Australia. I have found it available on VHS in the UK, and on (presumably bootleg) DVD from eBay an other sellers, but would love to own a properly converted (and fully legal) copy of my own on DVD.
You may get requests like this all the time, and I may not even have the correct email address (as found on the Australian Film Commission website), but if you could let me know if this might be in the works (sometime in the next twenty years even?), or who I might have to bribe to make this happen I (and a thousand other fans) would be eternally grateful.
Thanks for your time in this matter, and I will attempt to contact you by phone or mail to confirm this address if I have not heard in a few weeks.
Sincerely,
—
Josh Nunn
As I said, I’ll contact them again in a few weeks, and post the progress here. When I have it in my hands I will force everyone I know to buy it and watch it. Once they’ve seen it they’ll thank me.
Josh
I am Tim [name withheld] - I look after our home entertainment properties and also our
DVD label. I will look into Hercules and get back to you.It may well be possible…
Tim
Hooray! This is the best news ever. I eagerly await his contact, and I’ll keep you posted.
Why hasn’t Hercules Returns been released yet on DVD?
Simple fact is we are still looking for the right distribution company to release the film in all its glory! Don’t fret. The DVD of Hercules Returns should be released some time this year with special features and audio commentary. Any DVD versions of Hercules Returns you currently see on Ebay etc are pirated off the VHS and are illegal. Just warning you.
So there you go - IT IS COMING PEOPLE!
Rejoice!
Update 2006-12-25 It’s here! Check out my latest post on this subject for an explanation and review!
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Tagged with comedy • hercules returns • movie
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2006-06-14 at 9:02 pm
I have an original VHS copy of the movie and know that one day it will wear out
I’d really like to get it on DVD
2006-06-14 at 9:15 pm
Oh, looks like I should step it up then hey?
2006-06-18 at 6:05 pm
I haven’t seen this movie for maybe…10 years, and I’ve been looking for it for about just as long! I can’t believe it’s so hard to find when it’s such a classic! It’s sad really isn’t it? Maybe we should start a petition…
2006-06-19 at 1:44 am
Well I found another email address to pester, and have sent off another email, but email is cheap - so I plan to send an *actual* letter to them and see what happens. I also have a phone number for general enquiries, so I might ring that tomorrow and find out if this is even going to get us somewhere.
2006-06-19 at 2:13 am
I just came on the net, thinking of this awesome movie Hercules Returns I saw almost 10 years ago for the first time, and after searching for it EVERYWHERE, it’s unbelievably nowhere to be seen on DVD!! What is this world coming too???
RELEASE HERCULES RETURNS on DVD Pleeeeeaaaase!!!
Well done for writing to the Film makers! Hopefully they’ll realise that it is a world favourite film!
Mark
Wellington, NZ
2006-06-19 at 2:19 am
Thanks Mark, I’ll keep trying. Sorry bout any wackyness on my site as you were visiting - I get so few visitors I just update it as I feel, without testing first.
If I get no satisfaction with the owners, I’ll put up their address for everyone to write to. It’s not hard to find though, so I’ll put it off till I’m sure I’m getting nowhere.
2006-06-19 at 10:35 am
I haven’t seen this movie for maybe…10 years, and I’ve been looking for it for about just as long! I can’t believe it’s so hard to find when it’s such a classic! It’s sad really isn’t it? Maybe we should start a petition…
2006-06-19 at 6:14 pm
Well I found another email address to pester, and have sent off another email, but email is cheap - so I plan to send an *actual* letter to them and see what happens. I also have a phone number for general enquiries, so I might ring that tomorrow and find out if this is even going to get us somewhere.
2006-07-05 at 5:03 pm
Hey give us the contact for the film and we can send emails too - and get our friends to send emails. There is about 500 websites from Australia alone with people who are looking for the movie. Maybe if you posted the contact details on the web somewhere or set up an online petition we can get them to sign on too and put some pressure on the company.
We got a copy of the movie in the early naughties from Village Roadshow as my Dad worked there. They said at the time that no one wanted to see the movie so they were just going to give it away or throw it in the bin!!!! We’ve watched the movie on average about 10 times a year since then.
2006-07-21 at 6:36 am
I am having a Hurcules Returns theme to my Midsummer (December 21st) party this year. Being pagan, my friends we right into the idea of an old fashioned toga party, and when I mentioned H R, half of them went “Huh?” and the other half immediently began quoting various parts of this incredible film!! We are looking for it on DVD as well. Good to know we’re not alone. Can’t deciede whether to be Delilah, “Don’t even thing about doing the next part…” , Muriel, “That’s like a little Dolphin isn’t it?”, or the Above Average Medium.
Jeylein
2006-10-14 at 2:08 am
Hurry up with the dvd already. Its my favourite movie and i cant even find it on vhs. Hercules rocks!! “Im just a smear toe jam between your mighty feet”
2006-10-18 at 7:34 pm
Hey, I think it’s awesome that H R is coming out on DVD! I first saw this movie around ten years ago, when it screened on SKY Movies for a month, and it is one of my all-time favourites. Hopefully when the DVD is finally released it won’t be too hard for us NZ fans to get hold of. Awesome idea to write to the filmakers by the way, it’ll be interesting to see where this goes!
2006-10-21 at 6:44 am
I want a part of this, if it ever happens. I have the movie on VHS, however, I want a copy on DVD, if it’s possible.
I have thought about converting it myself, but an original copy on DVD would be totally awesome. If it is a petition you want, put my name down mate, I’m there with pen in hand.
This is one hell of a movie.
Good luck with the attempt.
2006-11-22 at 4:15 pm
You can add me to the list too! Great to hear it might finally be available on DVD officially. Have seen the e-bay editions, however I figured if they are only rip-offs of the original VHS, which is not the best quality, it would be worth the wait for the official version.
I contacted Village Roadshow, the original VHS release label about last year asking if it was available on DVD, the response was no, not yet and unsure whether it would be in future. Your blog is reassuring and I will definately wait, after all, it’s been 10 years, what’s another one!
Add me to the list of people that want to see it on the shelves!
Cheers and good luck, I will keep an eye on your site.
Tanya L
2006-12-15 at 2:46 pm
Top film, been searching everywhere for good copy to no avail.
Watched this on a lads night in with loads of beer about 10 years ago! pissed ourselves!
Keep up the good work,needs to be re-released.
Rick UK
2008-05-06 at 2:14 pm
On my first day in Oz several years back (Being a Pom) I was gifted with a viewing of this, to my mind, funniest film ever ever ever.
I’ve been directed to this site having Googled somewhere to find a DVD version (I have it on VHS)
If you’re still up and running and you could give me a pointer, THAT’D BE GROUSE!!!!
2008-05-06 at 2:57 pm
Atlantic DVD who ships internationally for 19 Aussie dollars plus shipping:
It’s region 4 however, so be warned. The quality of the transfer isn’t great - in fact, someone has accused them of just ripping it from an old VHS copy, which is very probably true. You can see my review of the DVD package in my post Hercules Returns Returns!
I hope you can get it. I love it. Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment!