Hercules in the Maze of the Minotaur facts for kids

Hercules in the Maze of the Minotaur is an exciting television movie. It's the fifth movie in the Hercules: The Legendary Journeys series. In this story, Hercules has stopped traveling and fighting monsters. He now lives a quiet life with his family. But when a village far away is threatened by a scary, unseen monster, Hercules must return to his heroic ways. The monster's story mixes ideas from Greek mythology.

Plot Summary

The main actor: Kevin Sorbo

Two men are searching for treasure in a forest. They follow their map and find a cave hidden by bushes. Inside, they discover a large wooden door. As they try to open it, a monster breaks through! It chases them. One man is caught, but the other escapes. The monster tells him to bring Hercules.

Meanwhile, Hercules is working on his farm. He sees his sons fighting. Hercules tells them that fighting is only good when it stops others from being hurt. He shares a story about fighting a boxer named Eryx to protect people. His sons understand.

Later, Zeus appears to Hercules in the stable. Hercules tells Zeus that he enjoys his peaceful life with Deianeira and their children. Zeus gives him a scale from a sea serpent. Hercules remembers when he and Deianeira were swallowed by a sea serpent while looking for Troy.

That night, Hercules tells his children a bedtime story. He talks about when he first met Deianeira. He explains how he brought fire back to her village from Hera's temple. When the children fall asleep, Hercules and Deianeira talk. She asks if he misses his adventures. He admits that he does.

The next day, Hercules is surprised by Iolaus, his old friend. They talk about their past adventures. Iolaus mentions learning new fighting moves. They playfully spar, and Hercules still wins. Deianeira tells Iolaus that Hercules has been sad since he stopped adventuring.

A man arrives, asking Hercules to help his village. A monster has taken his brother. Hercules first refuses, saying he promised to stay with his family. That evening, Deianeira tells him he should not stop being a hero for her or the children. She encourages him to go.

The next day, Hercules and Iolaus leave for Alturia. On their way, a young couple finds the cave. They enter, but the Minotaur attacks them.

When Hercules and Iolaus reach Alturia, a woman denies any monster exists. Below the village, the Minotaur speaks to Zeus. He says he has been feeding on hate. The Minotaur teases Zeus for not being able to kill him.

In a tavern, Hercules and Iolaus get into a fight. Some men do not believe Hercules is real. Outside, two men are killed. The villagers blame Hercules and chase him and Iolaus. The man who asked for help takes Hercules to the cave where his brother was captured.

Zeus appears and explains who the monster is and why he wants Hercules. He asks Hercules to kill the Minotaur. Inside the cave, the Minotaur challenges Hercules. They begin to fight. As Hercules is about to win, the Minotaur claims to be Hercules's brother. Hercules cannot kill him. But the Minotaur attacks again, forcing Hercules to defeat him. As the Minotaur dies, he changes back into human form. Zeus says it did not have to end this way.

Hercules frees Iolaus and the other people held by the Minotaur. With the village safe, Hercules and Iolaus return home.

Main Cast

• Kevin Sorbo as Hercules
• Michael Hurst as Iolaus
• Tawny Kitaen as Deianeira
• Anthony Quinn as Zeus