Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #5565 in DVD
• Released on: 2003-08-25
• Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
• Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: PAL, Widescreen
• Original language: English, Portuguese
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 123 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
The film that launched Arnold Schwarzenegger's international career, Conan the Barbarian is still regarded by many as his finest hour. Limited to a mere handful of lines and expertly directed to play up the Nietzschean strength of the character by John Milius, the Austrian Oak has never looked more suited to a role, his muscle flexing and sword twirling apparently effortless. The extraordinarily finely detailed production design ensures that the barren Spanish countryside perfectly suits the Hyborean-era backdrop envisioned by author Robert E Howard. Whether dressed in rags or riches, Schwarzenegger and companions Subotai (Gerry Lopez) and Valeria (Sandahl Bergman) look believably born to their surroundings. Backing their own very fine performances are brilliant supporting roles from James Earl Jones as serpentine baddie Thulsa Doom and Max Von Sydow as doomed King Osric.

Plot-wise the film is simply the transformation of a wild barbarian into a worldly-wise king who, via a quest for revenge, finally learns the riddle of steel. The script is highly regarded for its dazzling set-pieces (the opening village raid, the orgy of body parts) and quotable dialogue ("They shall all drown in lakes of blood"), and it comes complete with an anti-peace movement reactionary subtext for anyone who cares to look close enough. One other element deserving mention is the extraordinary score by Basil Poledouris, which inspires the film with a sense of operatic grandeur.

On the DVD: Conan the Barbarian appears as a suitably mythic special edition DVD. Sadly the magnificent score can only be heard in a mono mix, but the very fine picture is presented in 2.35:1. The extras package is phenomenal, too. Several deleted scenes have been re-edited into the film, but are available to view independently as well. There's a quick split-screen special effects feature showing how the ghostly spirits were added to Conan's resurrection. "The Conan Archives" is an 11-minute slide show of drawings, costumes and advertising. Best of all is the fantastic 53-minute "Conan Unchained" documentary interviewing every conceivable contributor who all reminisce with great fondness. It's slightly better seeing Schwarzenegger and Milius than hearing them talk in their commentary, which inevitably re-tells many of the same anecdotes in between puffs of Arnie's stogies. --Paul Tonks

DVD Description
DVD Special Features:

Commentary by Arnold Schwarzenegger and director John Milius
Documentary -- Conan Unchained: The Making of Conan
Deleted scenes
Cast and crew biographies
Production notes
The Conan Archives -- video montage of stills
Special effects split screen video
Theatrical trailers
Widescreen 2.35:1 Anamorphic
Language: English, Dolby Digital (5.1)

Synopsis
Years after the brutal murder of his parents, Conan the Barbarian (Arnold Schwarzenegger) sets out on a perilous quest for vengeance on the evil Thulsa Doom (James Earl Jones). With his trusted companions, Conan has a series of marvelous adventures which culminate in a face-off against Thulsa Doom. The film, directed by John Milius, is vigorous and bloody sword-and-sorcery epic featuring Schwarzenegger's breakthrough role.

Customer Reviews

A Classic
Years after the brutal murder of his parents, Conan the Barbarian sets out on a perilous quest for vengeance on the evil Thulsa Doom. With his trusted companions, he has a series of marvelous adventures which culminate in the fulfillment of his long hoped for goal. A vigorous and bloody sword-and-sorcery epic featuring Schwarzenegger's breakthrough role.

The amazing electrifying choral music of Basil Poledouris goes a long way in trying to convey the adventures and excitement of battles and conquests of the prehistoric age.

In playing Conan, Arnold was fresh off his first documentary movie, where he won the Mr. Olympic title, so he was particularly pumped. All the cast members were fairly new to film, and it also had a fairly seventies feel to it as well.

Still, the combination of a classic hero and the great James Earl Jones as the evil Doom makes this film a very thrilling adventure to watch again and again. One particular scene to note is the raid on the mountain palace - the paradise hall. Another very bloody scene is near the ending, when two warriors stood again many on horseback. I love this film . . .

Epic - best fantasy flick ever
Ah, Conan the Barbarian. As a shaggy haired, Metallica T-shirt wearing adolescent i was obssesed by this tale of blood, gore, vengence, beards, swords, furskin boots and all things manly. Now, as an educated, clean shaven, suit wearing proffesional i decided to revisit this with little more in mind then to satisfy my curiousity as to why i loved it so. To my surpise, i found that this was indeed a real classic film of high calibar and, if anything, i enjoy it more as an adult then a boy.

There are some very obviously great things about this film, such as the wonderfully coreographed battle sequences and terrific amounts of gore flying skyward at any given moment, but i feel like the other reviewers have dealt with these sufficiently and i see no need to go over them. If you'll undulge me, I'd rather talk some of the more subtle feature which make this tale so great.

Conan is not the standard fantasy film shenanigan. If one's belief is suspended for the giant snakes, lustful witches, shape-shifing wizards and the like, the film is much more akin to historical epics like Spartacus or 300 Spartans. It is devoid of the usual cheese, corny lines and campness that have oft defined this genre. There's no elves, no spandex, no glitter and no hairspray. The storyline itself is darkness and brutality incarnate, and the sparse dialogue very well written with James Earl Jones getting some brilliant lines (esp his final speech before being slashed to ribbons). Another thing which gives this film a very authentic feel is that the locations and the brilliantly rugged costumes are quite believable, as are the wonderful swords and other weapons. An i was absolutly awestruck by some of the scenery from snow capped forests to sun-dried plains.

The acting also surprised me as being darn fine. Arnie is in his best role EVER due to his lack of dialogue. Instead of his usual embarrassing vocal delivery, he spends most of the film captivating the audience with his athletic prowess or simply staring moroosly while the wonderful score does the talking (we'll get to that later). In contrast we have the fabulously charismatic and decidedly evil Thulsa doom played byJames Earl Jones, an underrated actor who puts in a great show as the sophisticated and philosophical yet undeniably diabolic megalomanic. Supporting characters like Mako are also pretty good, and who could not enjoy Max Von Sydof as a natty old despot? And i love the fact that there are no silly comedic relief characters to spoil the film. The only really cringworthy moments are when the lead lady does a few of her 'i love youmore thenlife itdelf' speeches, but i can forgive her for her grace and elegance during the set pieces.

Conan is a very bloody film, very violent, and sometimes a bit sexist(it was the 80s). But the action is broken up by some scerene scenes, such as travelling through the mountains or practicing swordplay on the beach, which are truly beautiful and provide a nice break from the action as the beautiful soundtrack soars around the scenery. Ah, yes, the music...

Conan has the BEST soundtrack ever. Basil Poledouris did an icrediable job on the score, which is better then Star Wars or Lord of the Rings or anything else you can throw at it. From the spine chilling granduer of the Wanger influenced battle tunes to the subtle and soothing flow of the films quiter moments to the of rambunctious glee the orgy scene, the soundtrack compliments the film beautifully adding a serious and emotive touch to an already great film. In fact, the soundtrack is probably my favourite part of the whole deal. Seriously, i'd advise picking up the soundtrack too! and i never buy soundtracks

This is the bets fantasy film ever. While i'm not as big a fan of the gallons of blood and a female cast which can't seem to keep their clothes on as my younger self was, the epic soundtrack, wonderful storyline, stunning filmography and genuine feel made me enjoy this even more as an adult. Don't miss out!

The standard by which to set all sorcery fantasy films
John Milius got it right first time with this genre - and clearly still had fire in the belly fresh from his previous work on the mighty Apocalypse Now. The casting for this film was spot on with Arnie in his most convincing performance, and non-actors such as Gerry Lopez, Sandahl Bergman and Ben Davison were very watchable. But if BOTH Max von Sydow AND James Earl Jones sign up to appear in the same film, something has to be good. This film is very good, and I'll say it - all in all, not least considering the modest budget - it outperforms Jackson's Lord of the Rings by more than a length. The soundtrack is in a league of its own and the audio-visual historical subtleties are a delight for the imaginative antiquarian - Vikings, Celts, Tocharians, Mongols, Etruscans, Sumerians and Hittites all lend their nuance to the production if you sense carefully enough. Thulsa Doom is a superb villain - a perfect example of the once-great and just leader that realises his fading strength and compensates for this through limitless acts of aggression. Sounds like just about every boss I've worked for!

Is it just me, but did the character of Thorgrim look like one of the guys from ABBA on steroids?