Hercules (1997 movie) facts for kids

Hercules is a fun animated musical movie from 1997. It's based on the famous Greek mythology hero, Heracles. In the movie, he is called Hercules, which is his Roman name. Hercules is known as the son of Zeus, the king of the gods in Greek myths.

The movie was made by The Walt Disney Company. It was directed by Ron Clements and John Musker. Hercules is the 35th animated movie in the Walt Disney Animated Classics series. The song "Go the Distance" from the movie was nominated for an Academy Award and a Golden Globe Award.

Meet the Characters: Voice Cast

Many talented actors lent their voices to the characters in Hercules. Here are some of the main ones:

• Hercules is voiced by Tate Donovan. As a teenager, his speaking voice was done by Josh Keaton, and his singing voice was by Roger Bart. Hercules is based on the strong hero from Greek myths.
• Philoctetes, also known as Phil, is Hercules's trainer. He is voiced by Danny DeVito.
• Hades, the villain who rules the underworld, is voiced by James Woods.
• Megara, a clever and independent young woman, is voiced by Susan Egan.
• Pegasus, Hercules's winged horse, makes sounds voiced by Frank Welker.
• Zeus and Hera, Hercules's birth parents, are voiced by Rip Torn and Samantha Eggar.
• The Muses are five goddesses who narrate the story through songs. They are Calliope, Melpomene, Terpsichore, Thalia, and Clio. Their voices are Lillias White, Cheryl Freeman, LaChanze, Roz Ryan, and Vanéese Y. Thomas.
• Pain and Panic are Hades's funny but clumsy helpers. They are voiced by Bobcat Goldthwait and Matt Frewer.
• Amphitryon and Alcmene are Hercules's kind adoptive parents. They are voiced by Hal Holbrook and Barbara Barrie.
• The Fates are three old women who can see the future and cut the thread of life. They are Clotho, Lachesis, and Atropos, voiced by Amanda Plummer, Carole Shelley, and Paddi Edwards.
• The famous actor Charlton Heston is the narrator at the beginning of the movie.

Awards and Nominations

Hercules was recognized for its music and animation.

• Academy Awards: The song "Go the Distance" was nominated for Best Original Song.
• Golden Globe Awards: "Go the Distance" was also nominated for Best Original Song.
• Saturn Awards: The movie was nominated for Best Fantasy Movie.
• Young Artist Awards: Josh Keaton was nominated for his voice work as young Hercules.
• Annie Awards: These awards celebrate animation.
  • The movie was nominated for Best Animated Theatrical Feature.
  • It won awards for Individual Achievement in Producing (for Alice Dewey, John Musker, and Ron Clements).
  • It won awards for Individual Achievement in Directing (for John Musker and Ron Clements).
  • It won awards for Individual Achievement in Character Animation (for Nik Ranieri as Hades's animator).
  • It won awards for Individual Achievement in Effects Animation (for Mauro Maressa).

See also

In Spanish: Hércules (película de 1997) para niños