How a 1958 Greek Mythology Movie Inspired Schwarzenegger’s Conan

by

In essence, the memorable portrayal of Conan the Barbarian in the films, played by Arnold Schwarzenegger, might never have occurred without his earlier role as Hercules. While it’s true that the movie adaptation strays from Robert E. Howard’s original Conan novels, the muscular actor’s interpretation of the sword-fighting, beast-defying hero remains a cherished aspect of 1980s cinema. When discussing fantasy films from the 1980s, Conan the Barbarian is often one of the first titles that spring to mind.

It’s important to acknowledge that while Howard’s books laid the groundwork for the Conan character and its universe, several other factors played significant roles in transforming Conan the Barbarian into the cinematic legend we know today. One such factor was a distinct fantasy film from almost three decades earlier, starring the same actor. In 1958, an unknown actor named Steve Reeves brought the title character to life in the live-action adaptation of the legendary demigod from Greek mythology, Hercules. The following year, he reprised his role in the sequel, Hercules Unchained. Despite not making a significant overall impact on the film industry, these films paved the way for a new subgenre and helped shape the career of Steve Reeves.

Steve Reeves’ 1958 Hercules Film Spawned A New Fantasy Movie Trend

Hercules Led To A Wave Of Fantasy Movies Headlined By Bodybuilder Actors

Much like Arnold Schwarzenegger, Steve Reeves was a renowned bodybuilder prior to his foray into acting. He held titles such as Mr. America, Mr. Olympia, and Mr. World from 1947 to 1950. This impressive background paved the way for him to secure minor roles in films, culminating in the starring part of Hercules in a 1958 Italian production set in Greek mythology. In this movie, Steve Reeves’ portrayal of Hercules rescued the captive Iole (played by Sylvia Koscina), demonstrated remarkable feats of strength, and engaged in fierce battles with formidable creatures.

In contrast to numerous preceding fantasy films, Hercules stood out, for it relied less on its narrative and more on Steve Reeves’ charisma and athletic prowess. The action sequences were strategically framed to emphasize Steve Reeves’ impressive physique. Given that Steve Reeves aspired to embody the epitome of Greek ideals for physical perfection, his portrayal of Hercules effectively conveyed an authenticity that resonated with viewers.

Following the success of ‘Hercules’, many filmmakers (and bodybuilders) became intrigued. A series of films imitating this theme ensued, some even being new adaptations of ‘Hercules’. Notably, several bodybuilders transitioned into acting and led movies in the Italian subgenre of fantasy films known as “sword and sandal“, such as Reg Park, Kirk Morris, Mark Forest, Ed Fury. Similar to ‘Hercules’ and ‘Hercules Unchained’, these films focused on robust, muscular main characters who showcased their physiques prominently throughout the narratives. Additionally, they included colossal beasts for the protagonists to conquer and beautiful women for them to protect.

How Steve Reeves’ Hercules Role Inspired Arnold Schwarzenegger & Conan The Barbarian

Steve Reeves’ Hercules Movie Was A Precursor To Conan The Barbarian

Steve Reeves’ trend, significant in its time but already extinct by the late 1970s when Arnold Schwarzenegger entered the scene, nonetheless played a crucial role in shaping Schwarzenegger’s career choice. Schwarzenegger himself has acknowledged this influence, stating that watching Reeves as Hercules and one of his inspirations, Reg Park, inspired him to pursue bodybuilding with the goal of achieving a similar physique [on Facebook]. Moreover, Reeves and Park provided Schwarzenegger with “a vision beyond” just bodybuilding, making him see that he could leverage his success in this field to enter acting.

In the 1980s, the genre of sword-and-sandal films saw a resurgence, largely due to the release of “Conan the Barbarian” and its star. The movie was seen as a modernized, high-budget reinterpretation of what Steve Reeves had achieved with “Hercules” and the numerous fantasy films that came after in the late 1950s and 1960s. Although Steve Reeves’ films were not directly linked to those of Conan, his influence on them is clearly discernible.

Read More

2025-05-19 22:09