The film starts with shots of young male bodybuilders working out in a gym, posing on a stage and flexing their muscles.

Each of the labours are then announced by on-screen text in the form of a question, followed by related scenes of modern challenges intercut with the bodybuilders.

is followed by a huge line of stopped traffic on a motorway and people walking around outside their cars, Wird er die Rosse des Diomedes bezähmen?

(Hippolyta)) is followed by scores of young women marching in uniform, Wird er die Giganten bezwingen?

(Geryon)) is followed by shots of rubble of a destroyed apartment building and men in uniform searching the wreckage, Wird er sich der stymphalischen Vögel erwehren?

"Looking back on Herakles today, I find the film rather stupid and pointless, though at the time it was an important test for me.