EPISODE · Nov 1, 2022 · 1H 45M
Hercules
from Deconstructing Disney · host Erin Casey Westin, Rachel Casey
Episode SummaryUnlike its eponymous protagonist, Hercules (1997) is more “zero” than “hero.” Erin and Rachel discuss the film’s rampant misogyny and obnoxious product placement. Compelling vocal performances and soaring musical numbers–the last of Alan Menken’s contributions during the Disney Renaissance–can’t rescue this box office disappointment from the River of Death. Much like Achilles, it just doesn’t go the distance. Episode BibliographyCallaway, T. (2012, August 1). Susan Egan: Belle, Meg, Glamour and Goop - Part 2. The Mouse Castle. Retrieved October 9, 2022, from http://www.themousecastle.com/2012/08/susan-egan-belle-meg-glamour-and-goop.htmlClements, R., & Musker, J. (Directors). (1997). Hercules [Film]. Walt Disney Pictures.Crouch, L. (1997, February 13). Disney Promotional Tour A Herculean Undertaking. Sun Sentinel. Retrieved October 11, 2022, from https://web.archive.org/web/20160304063452/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1997-02-13/news/9702120413_1_hera-movie-animatorDiSessa, K. J. (2020, November 24). The Illusion of Empowerment: A Feminist Analysis of Disney's "Hercules". Inquiries Journal. Retrieved October 22, 2022, from http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1842/the-illusion-of-empowerment-a-feminist-analysis-of-disneys-herculesDiuguid, C. (1997, June 16). Herculean block party. Variety. Retrieved October 13, 2022, from https://variety.com/1997/scene/vpage/herculean-block-party-1116679409/Dreher, R. (1997, June 22). 'Hercules' Is A Bit Hipper This Time Out. Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved October 11, 2022, from https://web.archive.org/web/20160304130239/http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1997-06-22/entertainment/9706201020_1_hercules-john-musker-scarfeGillespie, S. A. (2012, May 7). John Musker Question Countdown #3 — Howard Ashman. Howard Ashman. Retrieved October 16, 2022, from https://www.howardashman.com/blog/john-musker-question-countdown-3/The Great Greek Hero. (1997, November 9). The Sunday Times On The Web - Mirror Magazine. Retrieved October 11, 2022, from https://www.sundaytimes.lk/971109/mirror2.htmlHartl, J. (1997, June 22). Disney's `Hercules' Plays Up The Comic Side Of An Epic Tale -- Missing From The Disney Treatment Of The Hercules Story Will Be Some Darker Details Of His Life, Including His Illegitimate Birth. The Seattle Times. Retrieved October 9, 2022, from https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/?date=19970622&slug=2545749Hercules (1997 film). (n.d.). Wikipedia. Retrieved October 9, 2022, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hercules_(1997_film)Hill, J. (2001, April 5). Part Four: Who the hell do we get to play Hades? Laughing Place. Retrieved October 9, 2022, from https://www.laughingplace.com/w/leg/?legacyasppage=w/News-PID115030-115034.aspHill, J. (2012, October 19). Disney favorite Susan Egan to perform this Sunday afternoon at LBCC's Music Scholarship Gala Concert. Jim Hill Media. Retrieved October 9, 2022, from https://jimhillmedia.com/disney-favorite-susan-egan-to-perform-this-sunday-afternoon-at-lbccs-music-scholarship-gala-concert/Howe, D. (1997, June 27). Disney's Myth Conception. The Washington Post. Retrieved October 16, 2022, from https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/longterm/movies/review97/herculeshowe.htmJohnson, T. (1997, February 5). ‘Hercules’ hangs out at the malls. Variety. Retrieved October 11, 2022, from https://variety.com/1997/scene/vpage/hercules-hangs-out-at-the-malls-1117435863/Kempley, R. (1997, June 27). Disney's 'Hercules': Myth for the Masses. The Washington Post. Retrieved October 16, 2022, from https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/longterm/movies/review97/herculeskemp.htmKlady, L. (1997, June 16). Hercules. Variety. Retrieved October 16, 2022, from https://variety.com/1997/film/reviews/hercules-2-1200450181/Maslin, J. (1997, June 13). Oh, Heavens! What a Hero! The New York Times. Retrieved October 13, 2022, from https://www.nytimes.com/1997/06/13/movies/oh-heavens-what-a-hero.htmlNess, M. (2016, March 17). I Can Go the Merchandising Route: Disney's Hercules. Tor.com. Retrieved October 16, 2022, from https://www.tor.com/2016/03/17/i-can-go-the-merchandising-route-disneys-hercules/Primo, C. (2018, November 16). Balancing Gender and Power: How Disney's Hercules Fails to Go the Distance. MDPI. Retrieved October 22, 2022, from https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0760/7/11/240/htmRanieri, N. (2015, May 9). We Don't Know Jack. Ghost archive. Retrieved October 23, 2022, from https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/facebook/448057295246344/982460605139341Ranieri, N. (2015, May 23). In Search of Hades. Ghost archive. Retrieved October 23, 2022, from https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/facebook/448057295246344/988317501220318Rickey, C. (1997, June 22). Hercules, The Original Superhero He's A Myth Who's Hard To Miss, Starring On Tv And In A New Film. The Latter, By Disney, Cleans Up His Story Considerably. Philly.com. Retrieved October 9, 2022, from https://web.archive.org/web/20160304071845/http://articles.philly.com/1997-06-22/entertainment/25525365_1_zeus-alcmene-hercsRizzo, F. (1997, June 16). HERCULES GETS A MAKEOVER – Hartford Courant. Hartford Courant. Retrieved October 9, 2022, from https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-xpm-1997-06-17-9706170026-story.htmlScherer, R. (1997, June 13). Disney's Herculean Feat: Stopping New York Traffic For Movie Premiere Parade. Christian Science Monitor. Retrieved October 13, 2022, from https://www.csmonitor.com/1997/0613/061397.us.us.5.htmlSiskel, G. (1997, June 19). NO. 4 `BATMAN' STRIKES OUT – Chicago Tribune. Chicago Tribune. Retrieved October 13, 2022, from https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1997-06-20-9706200276-story.htmlSmith, J. L., & Byrne, C. (1997, October 9). Greeks put Disney's 'Hercules' on trial. The Nation, C1.Smith, S. (1997, June 26). The Soul of 'Hercules'. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 11, 2022, from https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-06-26-ca-6922-story.htmlTuran, K. (1997, June 25). 'Hercules' is not your professor's version of the tale, but it is another triumph from Disney animation and quip masters. : Didja Ever Hear the Myth About. . . ? Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 16, 2022, from https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-06-25-ca-6546-story.htmlVHS BTS. (2019, February 8). Zero to Hero: the Making of Hercules. YouTube. Retrieved October 16, 2022, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MP2d-gKAyGU
What this episode covers
Unlike its eponymous protagonist, Hercules (1997) is more “zero” than “hero.” Erin and Rachel discuss the film’s rampant misogyny and obnoxious product placement. Compelling vocal performances and soaring musical numbers–the last of Alan Menken’s contributions during the Disney Renaissance–can’t rescue this box office disappointment from the River of Death. Much like Achilles, it just doesn’t go the distance.
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Hercules
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