Seen The 1959 Hercule's Threads - But does anyone really know who has the US rights to the film? (1 Viewer)

[Capt D McMars]

Many years ago I suggested it to them NOTHING sadly - I know of a vid company is trying but no one knows anything AMC sent me this list! Look at the companies involved and no one knows!

Hercules Unchained (1959)
Company Credits
Showing all 60 company credits
Jump to: Production Companies (4) | Distributors (52) | Other Companies (4)
Production Companies
· Galatea Film
· Lux Film
· Lux Compagnie Cinématographique de France
· Urania Film
Distributors
· Lux Film (1959) (Italy) (theatrical)
· Daiei (1959) (Japan) (theatrical) (subtitled)
· Warner Bros. (1960) (USA) (theatrical) (dubbed)
· Warner-Pathé Distributors (1960) (UK) (theatrical) (dubbed)
· Warner Bros. (1960) (New Zealand) (theatrical) (dubbed)
· Constantin Film (1960) (West Germany) (theatrical)
· Union Film (1960) (Austria) (theatrical)
· Nyman Film (1961) (Sweden) (theatrical)
· Triangelfilm (1961) (Norway) (theatrical)
· AVCO Embassy Television (1969) (USA) (TV) (dubbed)
· AVCO Embassy Pictures (1973) (USA) (theatrical) (re-release) (dubbed)
· National Broadcasting Company (NBC) (1976) (USA) (TV) (network premiere)
· New Gold Entertainment (1976) (Italy) (TV)
· Parade Video (1997) (USA) (VHS)
· VCI Home Video (1997) (USA) (VHS)
· Navarre Corporation (1998) (USA) (VHS) (dubbed)
· Something Weird Video (SWV) (USA) (VHS)
· Timeless Video (1998) (USA) (VHS)
· United American Video (1998) (USA) (VHS)
· GoodTimes Home Video (2001) (USA) (DVD)
· United American Video (2001) (USA) (DVD)
· Alpha Video Distributors (2002) (USA) (VHS)
· TGG Direct (2003) (USA) (DVD)
· Alpha Video Distributors (2004) (USA) (DVD)
· Digiview Entertainment (2004) (USA) (DVD)
· Miracle Pictures (2004) (USA) (DVD)
· RsR Multimedia (2004) (Spain) (DVD)
· Umbrella Entertainment (2004) (Australia) (DVD)
· VCI Home Video (2004) (USA) (DVD)
· Westlake Entertainment Group (2004) (USA) (DVD)
· World Film Magic Distribution (2004) (USA) (DVD)
· EastWest Entertainment (2005) (USA) (DVD)
· Reel Media International (2005) (USA) (VHS)
· Rhino Home Video (2005) (USA) (DVD)
· Catcom Home Entertainment (2006) (USA) (DVD)
· Mill Creek Entertainment (2007) (USA) (DVD)
· Reel Media International (2007) (World-wide) (all media)
· Synergy Entertainment (2007) (USA) (DVD)
· PC Treasures (2008) (USA) (DVD)
· Shout! Factory (2010) (USA) (video) (MST3K version)
· Desert Island Films (2011) (USA) (DVD)
· Cobb Films (2014) (USA) (DVD)
· Voulez Vous Film (2014) (Germany) (DVD)
· Rai Movie (2016) (Italy) (TV)
· Delta Films S.A. (1960) (Spain) (theatrical)
· Lux Compagnie Cinématographique de France (1959) (France) (theatrical)
· 3GTG (2020) (World-wide) (all media)
· ClassicLine (Brazil) (DVD)
· Image Entertainment (USA) (video) (laserdisc)
· Nelson Entertainment (USA) (video) (laserdisc)
· Sultan Video (USA) (VHS)
· VidAmerica (USA) (VHS)
Other Companies
· Casa d'Arte di Firenze (costumes furnishing)
· Editrice Musicali Nord Sud (soundtrack)
· Florence and Frederick (ballet)
· Titra Sound Corporation (dubbing: US version) (uncredited)

some distriutors that stand out for distribution (US) are:
VCI - dvd both in 1997/2004
Shout Fact - 2010
Mill Creek 2007
Reel Media - 2005/2007 (are they even in biz anymore?
Alpha/Goodtimes/Digiview - are all down and dirty pop&drop outfits, filling the $ bins at Walmart

My bet is on Avco Embassy or WB...for US distribution...

 

[Ed Lachmann]

Still, Fox couldn't stop the German Explosive release of Sodom and Gomorrah in Europe, and I'd imagine the same is true of whatever American concern "owns" Romulus and Remus. Obviously Japan was able to do it, why not Germany? If Cristaldi owns it in Europe what's to stop a European BD to be released? Wish it could have been Criterion as Robert discussed, but they stopped pursuing the 1914 Cabiria restoration, too, which I found heartbreaking.

 

[Capt D McMars]

Very interesting. Very cool packaging. Strangely, the link has been removed from the distributors web site. Not an English release. Brings us back to the GATT treaty. I can only go out on a limb here and think it was not copyright reclaimed because all the lousy dvd & blu-ray Hercules burns out there, even in retail locations. We're not talking underground bootlegs here.

I just heard back from Atrus Films...3/3/23. I had asked them what happened to stop the release of these titles, since they where in mid roll out of both films and then nothing?
"Hello, the company that sold us the rights lied to us about the master. We are still looking for masters that will allow us to release them.
If you have any information about where we could find masters in very good condition we would be happy."

Regards,
M. Boissezon

 

[Capt D McMars]

View attachment 124033


The discontinued Artus releases

I just heard back from Atrus Films...3/3/23. I had asked them what happened to stop the release of these titles, since they where in mid roll out of both films and then nothing?
"Hello, the company that sold us the rights lied to us about the master. We are still looking for masters that will allow us to release them.
If you have any information about where we could find masters in very good condition we would be happy."

Regards,
M. Boissezon

 

[RobertMG]

I just heard back from Atrus Films...3/3/23. I had asked them what happened to stop the release of these titles, since they where in mid roll out of both films and then nothing?
"Hello, the company that sold us the rights lied to us about the master. We are still looking for masters that will allow us to release them.
If you have any information about where we could find masters in very good condition we would be happy."

Regards,
M. Boissezon

Shocking - this film had such a horrendous chain of custody who knows if the OCN is even around

 

[Stephen_J_H]

some distriutors that stand out for distribution (US) are:
VCI - dvd both in 1997/2004
Shout Fact - 2010
Mill Creek 2007
Reel Media - 2005/2007 (are they even in biz anymore?
Alpha/Goodtimes/Digiview - are all down and dirty pop&drop outfits, filling the $ bins at Walmart

My bet is on Avco Embassy or WB...for US distribution...

And Avco Embassy means StudioCanal/possibly MGM, if there is still a distribution deal.

 

[RobertMG]

And Avco Embassy means StudioCanal/possibly MGM, if there is still a distribution deal.

MGM confirmed they do not own the the rights if Studio Canal they would have released it by now - the film has not even played on TCM the head programmer at TCM said he thought maybe SHOUT has it but they too would have released it by now

 

[Capt D McMars]

MGM confirmed they do not own the the rights if Studio Canal they would have released it by now - the film has not even played on TCM the head programmer at TCM said he thought maybe SHOUT has it but they too would have released it by now

At this point Cristaldi Films are the only Euro distributors showing both films in their catalog. I pointed Artus Films to them, and we'll see. Maybe they can work out a deal and allow them to finish the projects.

 

[Capt D McMars]

Shocking - this film had such a horrendous chain of custody who knows if the OCN is even around

Agreed, the OCN maynot even exsist any more!!

 

[RobertMG]

At this point Cristaldi Films are the only Euro distributors showing both films in their catalog. I pointed Artus Films to them, and we'll see. Maybe they can work out a deal and allow them to finish the projects.

Hope so Cristaldi said US rights not available so maybe Artus would get it and USA customers could import it

 

[Capt D McMars]

Hope so Cristaldi said US rights not available so maybe Artus would get it and USA customers could import it

that's the plan...time will tell, I'll wait to hear back from Artus and if anyone else has any desent leads contact Artus Films at [email protected]

They were just to trusting and got in over their heads, and still willing to double down, as long as the elements can be acquired for the release!!

 

[Jobla]

I still wonder how the Japanese acquired and released their very good (but not English-friendly) Blu-rays. HERCULES looked to be HD.

VCI wanted to release a Blu-ray of HERCULES a couple of years ago, but it didn't happen.

 

[Capt D McMars]

It's a possibility that BFI has some, if not all of the elements needed to create and finish the project. I put Artus in touch with BFI, and the Artus Rep and BFI Rep added me in the loop so we'll see if anything comes from the search there.

 

[uncledougie]

If fanboys can facilitate a project like this, wouldn’t that be great! Sometimes companies need a little push to realize there’s demand out here for older titles that bring back adolescent memories of Saturday mornings at the local theater with popcorn and Slo Pokes. Hercules and Hercules Unchained were iconic sword and sandal features that led the way for countless imitators and like tangents. Hopefully elements can be found and remastered properly once copyright issues are resolved. Good work!

 

[Artanis]

Thought you guys might appreciate my home gym. All the posters are original. The Steve Reeves Hercules is now near pristine. I sent it off to University of Utah to the Department of Art & Art History. They have one of the finest movie poster restoration departments in the world. A very big influence on Reeves was Charles Atlas. The two pieces feature the comic book ads and actual signed certificates of course completion by Atlas. Working out isn't the most fun you can have, but it sure is fun in this gym.

 

[RichMurphy]

Thought you guys might appreciate my home gym. All the posters are original. The Steve Reeves Hercules is now near pristine. I sent it off to University of Utah to the Department of Art & Art History. They have one of the finest movie poster restoration departments in the world. A very big influence on Reeves was Charles Atlas. The two pieces feature the comic book ads and actual signed certificates of course completion by Atlas. Working out isn't the most fun you can have, but it sure is fun in this gym.

Perfect decor for a fitness enthusiast AND movie buff. Congratulations.

 

[RobertMG]

It's a possibility that BFI has some, if not all of the elements needed to create and finish the project. I put Artus in touch with BFI, and the Artus Rep and BFI Rep added me in the loop so we'll see if anything comes from the search there.

Should contact his son

Richard P. Levine maybe he knows -----​

 

[RolandL]

Thought you guys might appreciate my home gym. All the posters are original. The Steve Reeves Hercules is now near pristine. I sent it off to University of Utah to the Department of Art & Art History. They have one of the finest movie poster restoration departments in the world. A very big influence on Reeves was Charles Atlas. The two pieces feature the comic book ads and actual signed certificates of course completion by Atlas. Working out isn't the most fun you can have, but it sure is fun in this gym.

I remember those Charles Atlas comic book ads.

 

[Capt D McMars]

I remember those Charles Atlas comic book ads.

View attachment 182690

yep, they ran the same ads since the 1930s...a great run for sure!!!

 

[Artanis]

I remember those Charles Atlas comic book ads.

View attachment 182690

I haven't bought a comic book in decades. I wonder if Charles Atlas ads are still running in comic books? It wouldn't surprise me. Atlas made a bloody fortune! What kid wouldn't want to become a He-Man in only 7 days? I did, and sent him money a number of times. His courses flat-out worked. But my original courses were long gone and I had to find'em on eBay, Atlas really did build his body with Dynamic Tension ( a term he trademarked ) using common household items . It wasn't till Jack LaLanne who gets credit for building the first weight lifting machines, I think. Steve Reeves had a bunch of Jack's machines ( they were friends ), and then Steve started building or moding his own. Joe Vitale, big fan of Reeves actually bought all of Reeves old gym after he passed away. He has a three part video on YouTube called; Joe Vitale Gets Steve Reeves Gym. It's rather mind blowing the physiques Reeves, LaLanne and others created without any real science, let alone drugs. Mark Forrest (Lou Degni) was another great Hercules. Interesting note: DeMille and Paramount actually wanted Reeves in the starring roll of the 1949 epic, Samson And Delilah. But DeMille insisted that Reeves must shrink down, not be so big. Something Reeves refused to do at the time. So, Victor Mature was cast and he did a great job. I can't help but wonder what it might have been like with Reeves in the lead. It's ironic because Reeves actually did shrink down for other rolls. But Reeves knew the Samson story and thought getting smaller was ridiculous. For his role in Hercules, he was paid $10,000.