MovieChat Forums > Hercules: The Legendary Journeys (1995) Discussion > Are the movies necessary to the series?

Are the movies necessary to the series?

posted 9 years ago by benjamincstanley
8 replies | jump to latest

Hi, I am a very new viewer. I've never really seen any Hercules or Xena. I'm about to begin watching the series on Netflix. I've found a guide someone made online that shows me how to watch the two series together. Thankfully, I got lucky. A few years ago, I got the 1st season of both Hercules and Xena on DVD, and they were the older versions. But I just never got around to watching them or getting any other of the seasons. Unfortunately, Netflix does not have the Hercules pre-series movies, nor does the current season 1 DVD of Hercules. However the old season 1 DVD set I have, does have all 5 movies. I'm watching the 3rd one now. But I'm just really curious, why was the series done this way? Why did they make 5 movies and then a tv show? And are the movies really relevant to the 1st season? I was just curious if the movies are not important, if maybe they started over with the show or something, as Netflix does not have them, the new DVD set does not have them. And they appear to be EXTREMELY hard to find. So I was just wondering if the fan base abandoned these movies as being non-canon or something?

[–] ssanders-10 9 years ago

The original plan was to make just the movies. It was when the movies proved popular that they decided to make the series.

The movies are not necessary to the series; the series treats some things in the movies as though they never happened. So since they're not critical, and given that they have separate origins, there may be somewhat different rights holders, they haven't bothered including them in recent distribution deals since it would be an unnecessary extra expense.

[–] benjamincstanley 9 years ago

Oh ok, thanks! Well I guess I'll go ahead and finish them since I have them. But I guess that makes sense then if the series acts like the movies never happened. I guess that would make them non-canon then?

[–] Samson_Lee 9 years ago

The movies did happen, a few episodes showed clips from the movies.

We get a couple movie mentions though. not much.

[–] benjamincstanley 9 years ago

So, in your opinion, are the movies important to the series? Or just something extra?

[–] Samson_Lee 9 years ago

Yes I do feel they are important to setting up the series and characters. Hercules meet his wife and has his kids.

I actually liked the movies better than some of the seasons, and I count it more as season 0 or part of season 1.

Just my opinion.

[–] benjamincstanley 9 years ago

Alright, great! Thanks! I'm looking forward to getting into the actual series and into Xena as well.

[–] 9 years ago

[deleted]

[–] AgentX2014 9 years ago

The movies not being included with season 1 (newer set) really irritated me. I feel the relationship started in Circle of Fire and it's progression really showcased how angry Herc is at the beginning of the regular series. While not seeing the movies wouldn't hurt in the long run, it would detract a bit from understanding the deep grief he feels through most of the first few seasons. Plus the scenes later when he visits the underworld for various reasons have the extra oomph a well placed cameo has when you are familiarized with the guest stars.