The Hercules Blunder: Arnold Schwarzenegger’s First Film Regret
An Action Legend’s Laughable Debut
Before he became synonymous with iconic roles in films like The Terminator and Total Recall, Arnold Schwarzenegger had a rather rocky start in Hollywood. His first foray into movies, Hercules in New York, released in 1970, is a cinematic experience that sends shivers down the spine of his fans—and not for the right reasons. At just 22, Arnold was eager to conquer the American film scene, but it seems fate had other plans.
A Dream Turned Dismal
Imagine a young Arnie, fresh out of bodybuilding glory and ready to embark on his acting journey. We can all picture the excitement, right? Unfortunately, Hercules in New York turned out to be a low-budget fantasy flop that featured the legendary mythological hero making a not-so-epic trip to New York City. Spoiler alert: It didn’t go well. Critics and fans alike likely cringe at the thought of Arnold wrestling a bear—only to find out it was just a guy in a fur coat.
Arnold’s portrayal lacked the charisma we’ve come to expect, mainly because his thick Austrian accent was so pronounced that producers hired someone else to dub his voice. Ouch! It’s no wonder he later joked about the film, saying it was something he’s “tried to hide for centuries.”
The Bear Fight: A Scene to Forget
Cut to a 2017 interview where Arnold reminisced about watching Hercules in New York with his children. Picture this: They discover the film on TV and are captivated by their dad in a ridiculous bear fight. “I had to stop and watch this entire scene,” he recounted, likely laughing at the absurdity of it all. Perhaps even Arnold himself knows this moment is best left buried deep in film history.
IMDb’s Notorious List
While cult classic fans might argue there’s camp value in Hercules in New York, its presence on IMDb’s lowest-rated films chart—holding a notorious spot at 69—tells a different story. The production quality is lackluster, and, well, let’s face it: viewers deserve better than wrestling with faux bears. At least it’s not quite as bad as Disaster Movie or Manos: The Hands of Fate—those are in a league of their own.
From Flop to Fame
Despite the mockery and mediocre reception of his debut, Schwarzenegger rebounded spectacularly. He shifted gears to bodybuilding and eventually captured the world’s attention in documentaries like Pumping Iron. From then on, it was a meteoric rise—hello Conan the Barbarian and The Terminator! Arnie transformed his shaky start into a legendary career, proving that even the most infamous beginnings don’t have to define your legacy.
So, next time you hear someone mention Hercules in New York, grab some popcorn and think of it as a delightful piece of cringe-worthy cinema history—just don’t expect Arnold to be adding it to his list of proud achievements anytime soon!
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