Hercules Returns (M) PRESENTED IN 35MM FILM

Hercules Returns (M, 1993) Presented in 35mm Film by The Revival House Perth

When struggling Australian film dubber Harry Phillips (Bruce Spence) discovers a terrible 1957 Italian Hercules film gathering dust in a warehouse, he sees an opportunity to save his dubbing studio from financial ruin. He assembles his motley crew—including his ex-wife Lillian (Simone Buchanan) and a collection of eccentric voice actors—to create an entirely new English dubbing that transforms the incomprehensible Italian epic into a fast-paced comedy. As they dub the film in real-time during a test screening, Harry and his team ad-lib outrageous dialogue, anachronistic jokes, and absurdist humor that have nothing to do with the original film's actual plot. The chaos intensifies when the film's Italian producer suddenly arrives, furious that his serious historical epic has been turned into a comedy. What follows is a battle between artistic vision and commercial survival as Harry fights to maintain control of his creation while keeping the screening afloat.

Director David Parker crafts a delightfully meta-comedy about the art of dubbing and the power of creative interpretation. The 1993 film works as both tribute to and mockery of bad dubbing—showing how voice work can completely transform source material. Bruce Spence brings frantic energy to Harry, a man desperately trying to save his career through sheer audacity and irreverence. Simone Buchanan provides warmth and intelligence as Lillian, whose technical expertise grounds the chaos. The supporting cast of voice actors—each bringing distinctive personalities and comedic timing—creates a believable bohemian creative community. The film's greatest pleasure comes from watching the original terrible film being systematically destroyed and reimagined through brilliant dubbing. It's Australian cinema at its most playful, celebrating creativity, collaboration, and the redemptive power of humor in the face of commercial pressure. The film becomes increasingly anarchic as the screening progresses, matching its own dubbing philosophy.

Original format and audio experience of this film faithfully reproduced by The Revival House. Presented in 35mm film unless noted otherwise.

When: Wednesday, July 15th at 7:20PM
Where: The Revival House at the Como Theatre
Rating: M (Medium level coarse language)