Conan Is Brought From The Books And Comics To The Big Screen, And It Delivers The Goods. One Word .... CROM !!!

In 1982 I viewed this movie and would have given it a six. It was kind of slow with mediocre acting and grand but bland sets. So I rewatched in 2018 and didn't change my opinion much but I had an appreciation for what a pioneering effort it was in making (non-Superman) comics into movies and launching certain actors to stardom. It was quaint io see Arnold in this novice role and how he matured in later films. I value the historical significance of this endeavour and look forward to the discussed continuance of Mr S in the Conan role.

Conan The Barbarian (1982) Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sandahl Bergman, James Earl Jones, Max von Sydow, Cassandra Gava, Ben Davidson, Gerry Lopez, Mako, Valérie Quennessen, William Smith, Luis Barboo, Franco Columbu, Nadiuska, Jack Taylor, Sven-Ole Thorsen, Pilar Alcón, and Jorge Sanz Directed By: John Milius Review THIEF. WARRIOR. GLADIATOR. KING. This is the big one, the most recommended sword/sorcery movie. This created that sub-genres boom in the 80s for being pretty successful at the box office. Based on Robert E. Howard's most famous character, the film follows the most famous sword/sorcery character Conan as a child he watches his family get slaughtered right before his eyes. Young Conan is taken and enslaved until he is disbanded to learn how to become a killing machine. Conan becomes a thief with his new companions Subotai and Valeria. After having stolen from a serpent group, the king asks them to rescue his daughter the princess. Now Conan and his companions must use there skills to rescue the princess and put an end to Thulsa Doom. The film has very little dialogue which amplifies the performance of each actor on screen. Apparently not only did Arnold get acting tips from James Earl Jones but he also had to slim down a little for those awesome moments when he would have to spin the sword around. Max Von Sydo who plays the king Osric wanted to take on the role for his son who is a huge fan of the comics and he thought it would be a lot of fun. Sandahl Bergman who plays Valeria was a professional dancer had to learn how to do all her own stunts in the film nearly losing a finger in the process. Gerry Lopez was a good friend of the directors and John thought he would be good for the part after a screen test. Mako plays the Wizard and is the narrator, this dude well hes just awesome. The effects in this mostly still hold aside from the obvious blue screen in the opening of the film. We can assume that is why the director chose to go low-key on the fantasy element. That way he wouldn't have to rely on too many effects. The best effect in the film however is the giant snake in the temple of doom. Basil Poledouris the composer of the film had composed two hours of music being attached very early on. The director had envisioned this film with very little dialogue. Its a fantastic score that keeps you in tune with the film. They made it production wise as a very believable world as if this might have happened long ago. I wasn't really disappointed at the fact that there is no big battle between Conan and Doom because throughout the film I knew that most memorable thing about this film would be its performances, music, direction and overall story. This is a grand epic tale. Conan The Barbarian is one of the greatest fantasy epics but I choose to see it as more dramatic adventure film than anything else. I heard that Arnold and Chris Morgan have being trying to bring back Conan, Arnold has come back as the terminator I only hope he makes a big return as Conan sometime soon. I'm giving Conan The Barbarian a 10 out of 10.

There is no point in complaining that artworks don't succeed in being what they are not trying to be. A lot of people seem to want this picture to be what it isn't. It is in fact a very straightforward "Bildungsroman", and/or an "Odyssey", where the hero grows up and travels through many trials and tribulations towards his triumphant revenge. Just like Odysseus.Visually it's tremendously effective, and it certainly doesn't need special acting skills. The hero just has to grow up to look like a hero, and he sure does. All the stars in this movie have what it takes, and how. Arnold looks great --- yes, that's the word; and so does Sandahl, a Valkyrie personified; and the rest all fit perfectly. What's to knock, or dislike ? It's just a comic, or what these days they call a graphic novel. A tremendous coming-of-age. The baddies get truly thumped, just like that nosy camel. Luckily, I've never read anything by Howard.