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The most crucial action made by the lead character, Hercules, in the 1997 film is his act of self-sacrifice by diving into the River Styx to retrieve Megara's soul. This is the moment that proves he is a "true hero" and restores his godhood.
The person who helps and inspires him to make this action is Megara (Meg).
The AI Summary mentions that Meg 'directly enables' the moment but doesn't acknowledge Phil's contribution. After Meg is injured, she and Pegasus find Phil and convince him to return to help Hercules, who had lost the will to fight. Phil's pep talk helps Hercules defeat the Cyclops using his wits rather than strength. This is an important supporting element showing multiple characters helped enable the crucial action.
While the AI Summary focuses on the River Styx sacrifice as 'the most crucial action,' it doesn't mention that after achieving godhood, Hercules makes another significant choice to give it up and remain on Earth with Meg. Some interpretations view this second choice as equally crucial to defining true heroism - choosing love and happiness over power and immortality. However, since the query asked for 'the most crucial action,' focusing on the River Styx sacrifice is reasonable.
While the summary correctly identifies both sacrifices, it could more explicitly emphasize the reciprocal, mutual nature of their sacrifices as a core theme. Several analytical sources note that both characters save each other, making them 'each other's heroes.' This thematic reciprocity is present but could be more emphasized.
The most crucial action made by Hercules in the 1997 film is his self-sacrifice by diving into the River Styx to retrieve Megara's soul, trading his own life for hers. This act of selfless love proves him a 'true hero' through the 'strength of his heart' and restores his godhood and immortality.
Megara (Meg) is the person who most directly enables and inspires this action through her own prior sacrifice. During the climactic battle with the Cyclops, Meg pushes Hercules out of the path of a falling pillar and is fatally crushed instead. This breaks Hades' deal that promised Meg's safety, restoring Hercules' strength and allowing him to defeat the Titans. However, Meg's subsequent death from her injuries forces Hercules to face his ultimate test: willingly sacrificing his own life to save hers.
Additionally, Phil (Philoctetes) plays a supporting role in this sequence. After Meg is injured and Hercules loses his will to fight the Cyclops, Meg and Pegasus find Phil and convince him to return. Phil's encouragement helps Hercules regain his confidence and defeat the Cyclops using his wits rather than strength, though this occurs before Meg's fatal injury.
The film emphasizes that true heroism is measured not by physical strength or fame, but by the willingness to sacrifice oneself for another out of love - a theme embodied in both Meg's sacrifice for Hercules and his reciprocal sacrifice for her.