| Fun
Fact: It was originally supposed to be Arnold's voice narrating the film instead of Mako, but the studio changed it because they didn't think the audiences would understand with Arnold's accent. |
| Arnold's
Injury List: 1.Attacked by dogs 2.Fell off horse and tore a ligament 3.Neck sliced by axe 4.Smashed head on rock 5.Thrown off by camel |
Conan
the Barbarian
Directed by John Milius
U.S. Release Date: May 14, 1982
Tag: "Thief, Warrior, Gladiator, King"
Gillinator Rating: 9/10
Long ago in the mythical Hyborian Age, a Cimmerian named Conan saw his family slaughtered and their village burned when he was a boy. After that, he became a slave chained to the wheel of pain for many years, until he was strong enough to fight in the pit matches. He was a mighty gladiator, and was eventually released by his owner. Sent out into the wildnerness, he was now free to pursue his one ambition-- to track down the assassins of his family and avenge their death. He picks up companions along his journey and has many great adventures. In time, he became a king by his own hand... but that is another story.
Gillinator Review
Conan was the film that first established Arnold as an action star, and to many fans, it is still their favorite. It has an epic quality, creating a whole fantasy world with its own gods, races, symbols, and cults. Conan is not a man of many words, but when he does talk, people listen. He is not a hero in the conventional sense, in that he does not do charity work. He is driven by the single purpose of revenge, and he will stop at nothing until it is fulfilled. Arnold was made to play this role, as he probably saw his own determination reflected in Conan. His acting is first rate, he often says more with his eyes and expression than with words. James Earl Jones is also phenomenal as Conan's nemesis, Thulsa Doom, an evil man who claims that flesh is stronger than steel. Sandahl Bergman plays Valeria, a theif whose toughness and cunning attract Conan, and Jerry Lopez plays Subotai, another theif that Conan befriends. The cinematography is often breathtaking, the massive and meticulously decorated sets are excellent, as are the costumes. The special effects are primitive in comparison to today, but they do the job effectively enough, like the giant snake that is not mechanical but seems to thrash Conan rather well. The sound effects also have a gritty reality to them that enhances the film's material more than the often overdone effects of today. The score by Basil Poledouris is possibly the best score in any Schwarzenegger film, it is epic, beautiful, and complelents the action perfectly. Altogether, this movie is much more than a sword and sorcery flick, but it brings to life a legend that is bigger than the 129 minutes it is contained in. Conan is one of the great characters in film, and no one could have brought him to life like Arnold.
DVD Extras
The Special Edition DVD has a bunch of goodies, including trailers, a new retrospective called Conan: Unchained (very good), and special effects footage of the spirits (not so good). The deleted scenes are nothing too interesting, but the movie itself is actually an extended version that includes an "Ahab" speech that Conan gives while preparing for the big battle, where he questions his motivations, and an extended ending with the princess who wants to worship him, but he ignores her and they walk away together. Then there is a commentary track with John Milius and Arnold, which is fun to listen to, if not extremely informative. It's mostly, "Oh yeah, I remember that scene. That was a good shot." Close to the beginning, Arnold says, "Weren't we going to make a second film?" to which Milius replies, "We did." I guess Arnold wanted to forget that one.
Definitely Conan's prayer to Crom while Thulsa Doom's troops are gallopping closer. It's Arnold's best dramatic monologue ever, and it embodies Conan's essence of being perfectly.
Arnie Quotes
"To crush your enemies, see them drivem before you, and to hear the lamentations of their women!"
"CROM!"
"Grant me one thing. Grant me revenge! And if you do not listen... then to hell with you!"
(James Earl Jones)"Contemplate this on the tree of woe."