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Conan the Barbarian (film)
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Conan the Barbarian is a 1982 film by director John Milius and is recognized as the acting breakthrough of bodybuilder Arnold Schwarzenegger. It is loosely based on the Conan the Barbarian stories by Robert E. Howard and was written by Oliver Stone and John Milius, set in the mythical Hyborian Age. It was followed in 1984 by a lighter, more child-friendly, but less successful sequel, Conan the Destroyer. Both it and its sequel are sword and sorcery epic tales that include magic, monsters, and fantastical events.
film opens with a quotation from Friedrich Nietzsche: "That which does not kill us makes us stronger."
A yet-unseen Wizard (Mako) narrates this story.
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Encyclopedia
Conan the Barbarian is a 1982 film by director John Milius and is recognized as the acting breakthrough of bodybuilder Arnold Schwarzenegger. It is loosely based on the Conan the Barbarian stories by Robert E. Howard and was written by Oliver Stone and John Milius, set in the mythical Hyborian Age. It was followed in 1984 by a lighter, more child-friendly, but less successful sequel, Conan the Destroyer. Both it and its sequel are sword and sorcery epic tales that include magic, monsters, and fantastical events.
Plot
The film opens with a quotation from Friedrich Nietzsche: "That which does not kill us makes us stronger."
A yet-unseen Wizard (Mako) narrates this story. As a young Cimmerian boy, Conan witnesses the destruction of his village at the hand of three Vanir warlords: Thulsa Doom (James Earl Jones) and Doom's lieutenants, Rexor (Ben Davidson) and Thorgrim (Sven-Ole Thorsen). Conan's father (William Smith) valiantly fights the bandits, but Thorgrim and Rexor mortally wound him, finally killing him with their pack of trained dogs. Doom himself hypnotizes and then decapitates Conan's mother. The battle standard carried by the invading Vanir - two snakes facing each other over a moon and a rising sun - is burned into the memory of young Conan.
Sold into slavery along with the other children from his village, Conan is forced with others to push a human-powered mill, The Wheel of Pain. Reaching adulthood as sole survivor, he has become broad and strong, (at this point the viewer is introduced to an adult Conan via the massive back and stoic stare of a 32-year-old Arnold Schwarzenegger). After a period (enduring the elements), a lone horseman appears. Conan, it appears, is purchased on the premise that size alone is good enough qualify him to fight as a gladiator. His owner sees such potential in Conan that he takes the young slave to the Far East. There Conan is trained as a swordsman by "War Masters." After many successful fights, his owner spontaneously sets him free. After discovering a broadsword from an Ancient Atlantean king in a tomb, Conan dedicates his life to vengeance.
During his travels, Conan meets two thieves: Subotai (Gerry Lopez), a Hyrkanian archer; and Valeria (Sandahl Bergman). The trio learn that a doomsday cult has arisen, one which makes extensive use of snake symbolism. While breaking into one of the cult's fortified temples, in Shadizar, Conan discovers Rexor overseeing a human sacrifice, a confirmation of the cult's connection to Thulsa Doom. The thieves succeed in making off with (among other things) a large jewel famously dubbed "The Eye of the Serpent," and a jade amulet in the shape of Thulsa Doom's Vanir battle standard; the emblem of the Snake-god Set. In the process, Conan and his fellow thieves are forced to kill Thorgrim's pet, a giant snake guarding the treasure.
As the three enjoy their stolen wealth, Valeria becomes Conan's lover. The wealth is their undoing; drunk with excess, Conan and his companions are captured by soldiers of King Osric of Ophir (Max von Sydow). Initially appearing enraged, he then reveals his respect for their exploit in challenging the snake cult, and offers them a fortune to return his daughter, who has been seduced into joining the cult. He shows them a dagger, the "Fangs of the Serpent", with which a father was killed by his cultist son by plunging it into his heart, and fears a similar fate awaits him.
Subotai and Valeria are uninterested in challenging Thulsa Doom, so Conan makes off on his own, pursuing his family's killer to Set's Mountain of Power. He happens upon the Wizard Akiro (the story's narrator). Akiro is a recluse who watches over the Mounds: a haunted Stonehenge-like cemetery. Conan is respectful of the Wizard's status, and the two become friends almost immediately.
Arriving at the Mountain of Power, Conan mugs a priest for his robes. He dons a wreath made from the flowers he picked. Conan uses the snake-amulet he stole from Rexor's tower in Shadizar as a pass to reach the head of the worshippers. However, a guard becomes suspicious and shows it to Thorgrim and Rexor. Conan is captured, tortured and brought before Thulsa Doom. He explains that the destruction of Conan's Cimmerian village was part of a campaign to solve the "Riddle of Steel," which supposedly is the key to the true nature of the warrior. Doom tells Conan the Riddle: "Steel isn't strong: flesh is stronger." To prove his point, Thulsa Doom bids one of his followers - a beautiful young girl - to jump from a high ledge to her death, which she promptly does. Doom charges that his flesh, as a weapon, is much more potent than any sword. Doom orders that Conan be crucified in the desert, on the Tree of Woe.
Conan is found by Valeria and Subotai, near death. They bring him to Akiro, whom Valeria orders to revive Conan. In response to his technique, Akiro tells Valeria that the Gods of the Mounds will exact a terrible price on whoever asks for such. Valeria tells him that she "will pay them!" Akiro's spells ward away spirits to ensure Conan's survival. As Conan's broken body heals, Valeria tells him that - if need be - she will rise against death itself to fight by his side.
Conan and his fellow adventurers enter the Mountain of Power to rescue King Osric's daughter. They witness a bizarre feast, at which the cult members dine upon a green stew consisting of human body parts. The thieves battle Thulsa Doom's guards, who are led by Rexor and Thorgrim. They sweep into Doom's orgy room, scatter the snake-lord's harem and grab the princess. Sadly, Valeria is mortally wounded during the escape when Thulsa Doom shoots her with an "arrow" which is actually a hypnotized venomous snake. She dies in Conan's arms. Conan brings Valeria back to the Mounds. Despite Akiro's claims that no fire will burn here, Conan cremates his lover on a funeral pyre.
Thulsa Doom, Rexor and Thorgrim lead their small army of "Vanir" riders to recover Osric's daughter. They find the Mounds laced with boobytraps set by Conan. Conan prays to Crom, the Cimmerian God of Steel, to help him gain revenge against Doom's warriors (ending with that if Crom will not help then "to hell with you, I do it myself"). The Vanir are ambushed or (like Thorgrim) tricked and killed by traps. Rexor angered at his friends death charges at Conan, catching him by surprise. The two engage in a fierce battle with Conan on the defensive. Rexor gains the upper hand and just as he is about to slay Conan, he is struck across the eyes by the heavenly sword of Valeria, making good on her vow to return should Conan ever need her.
As Rexor recovers from his blindness, he resumes his attack on Conan. Conan parries his blows easily, cleaving through the sword that Rexor stole from Conan's father. At last, the hulking villain is savagely hacked to death by the child he orphaned. Thulsa Doom attempts to kill the princess with another enchanted arrow-snake, but this one is deflected by Subotai's shield. The princess calls out for her father and Doom's spell over Osric's daughter is broken at last.
That night, a torch-bearing Thulsa Doom preaches to his cult members, who also bear torches: the gleam in the eye of Set, as it were. Conan, led by Osric's daughter, kills a cult sentry, then emerges from the shadows behind Doom. The snake-lord attempts to hypnotize the barbarian, as he hypnotized Conan's mother years ago. But Conan is too strong-willed for him; he beheads Doom with his father's half-sword. The barbarian casts Doom's corpse from the temple balcony, down the steps leading up the Mountain of Power. The decapitated body and severed head of their leader come to rest at the feet of Set's followers... along with the broken sword of Conan's father. The awakened "Orphans of Doom" drop their torches into a ceremonial fountain at the base of the Mountain, then vanish into the darkness for home.
Alone, Conan sits on the Mountain of Power's steps for some time. He wonders what he should do with his life, now that he has fulfilled the one purpose which consumed him for so many years. Finally he stands up and sets fire to the Mountain of Power, which illuminates the night like a giant torch. With Subotai and Akiro in tow, Conan returns the wayward princess to Ophir. In a scene not shown in all versions, they find King Osric dead, assassinated by a rival, and so his daughter becomes Queen of Ophir.
The film's epilogue shows an aged Conan "wearing the jeweled crown of Aquilonia upon a troubled brow". It is revealed that Conan, Subotai and Akiro sought more adventures in the West. This is what Akiro said:
- So, did Conan return the wayward daughter of King Osric to her home.
- And having no further concern, he and his companions sought adventure in the West.
- Many wars and feuds did Conan fight.
- Honor and fear were heaped upon his name and, in time, he became a king by his own hand... but that is another story.
In an alternate DVD release of the film, the final line, both written on screen and spoken by Akiro is "... in time, he became a king by his own hand... and this story shall also be told."
Alternate versions
Universal has released the film in several different versions. The original theatrical cut ran at 129 minutes. For its video release the studio offered the theatrical version as well as two shortened prints; one at 115 minutes, the other at 123 minutes. The theatrical cut was utilized for the film's first DVD release in 1998. In 2000 Universal released a collector's edition DVD. In addition to numerous special features, the version contained on this disc features an additional two minutes of footage, for a slightly extended 131-minute running time. This new cut is the only version currently available; all others are out of print.
The original UK video release featured a shortened ending which did not show the Princess in the final scenes as Conan re-entered the Mountain Of Power to slay Thulsa Doom. Only on its first DVD release did it feature the 'restored' ending seen in today's releases.
Cuts
For nearly all the releases in the UK, the film has been cut, mainly to remove some of the horse 'falls' from the battle sequences, especially in the climactic Battle Of The Mounds, a typical example being when Conan is charged by Rexor and Conan cuts at the horses legs - the scene where Rexor and the horse crash to the ground is omitted. Also, the sex scene with the witch was trimmed in some initial releases, but has been restored in later DVD versions. The last UK DVD release in 2007, the "Definitive" edition, still has the horse falls scenes cut, but other versions, such at the French and US releases, do not, and are uncut.
Cast
For a large budget film, the cast of Conan the Barbarian includes an unusual number of then-inexperienced actors. Dancer Sandahl Bergman and surfer Gerry Lopez were cast in major supporting roles as Conan's closest companions. In addition to Schwarzenegger, the cast also included several famous bodybuilders including William Smith, Sven-Ole Thorsen and Franco Columbu, as well as former Oakland Raiders star Ben Davidson. Schwarzenegger was paid a salary of $250,000 for his role in the film.
Relation to Robert E. Howard's stories
The movie is regarded as a slight departure from Robert E. Howard's Conan series but several key scenes, as well as the tone of the film itself are taken directly from Howard's original Conan stories.
Some scenes were also influenced by Howard's stories but were slightly altered. Examples: While a character named Valeria appears in Red Nails, the film character's attachment to Conan and her return from the dead to save his life are more akin to Bêlit of Queen of the Black Coast. Conan's killing of a vulture, using only his teeth, while he was nailed to a cross is a direct borrowing from a scene in A Witch Shall Be Born. Certain elements seem to have been borrowed from non-Conan sources, including the face-changing Snake Folk and the Thulsa Doom character which originated in Howard's Kull stories. Conan's encounter with the witch in the film bears some similarity to Worms of the Earth from yet another of Howard's series, Bran Mak Morn. Thulsa Doom's monologue about fearing the dark are also drawn from that work.
Other elements of the film have no relation whatsoever to Howard's stories, including the "Riddle of Steel", the Black Sun Cult of Set, Conan's adolescence in slavery, and his service as a gladiator in the East. Howard's Conan was still with his tribe in Cimmeria around the time he was 15 or 16, taking part in the destruction of the Aquilonian outpost of Venarium.
Soundtrack
Originally, producer Dino De Laurentiis had planned a soundtrack of pop music for the movie, but was eventually persuaded by Milius to use a full orchestral score. For this purpose, Milius hired Greek-American composer Basil Poledouris, a former classmate from the film department at the University of Southern California, and tasked him to make "a continuous musical drama." The result was a choral and orchestral soundtrack that fills nearly every moment of the film, with pronounced use of leitmotifs to portray mood and character.
The violent early portions of the movie are filled with intense pieces including "Anvil of Crom", played by 24 french horns, strings and timpani, and "Riders of Doom", inspired by Prokofiev's "The Battle on Ice" from the score of the "Alexander Nevsky" movie by Sergey Eisenstein and the derived cantata. Thulsa Doom's theme, which recurs throughout the film, is based on the Gregorian chant "Dies Irae". A number of quieter pieces fill the middle of the movie, including "Civilization", "The Leaving", "The Search" and the sensuous "The Orgy" (co-written with his daughter Zoë resembles Gustav Holst's The Planets Op.32 Jupiter) before the music again intensifies for a series of battle sequences at the end of the film. Other string sections resemble Ralph Vaughan William's "Variations on a Theme by Thomas Tallis", namely "Atlantean Sword".
Several of the pieces, including the "Anvil of Crom" are frequently used in the movie trailers of other films by Universal Pictures, like Ridley Scott's Gladiator. Much of the film's music was also reused in Conan the Destroyer.
"Riders of Doom" is usually used for the first trailers for several games in the Legend of Zelda series.
The soundtrack has become a classic amongst movie-music collectors. The score for Conan the Barbarian is considered by many to be one of the finest examples of motion picture scoring ever written.
Track listing from original soundtrack album
- "Prologue/Anvil of Crom" - 3:39
- "Riddle of Steel" / "Riders of Doom" - 5:38
- "Gift of Fury" - 3:50
- "Column of Sadness / Wheel of Pain" - 4:09
- "Atlantean Sword" 3:51
- "Theology" / "Civilization" - 3:14
- "Wifeing (Love Theme)" - 2:10
- "The Search" - 3:09
- "The Orgy" - 4:14
- "Funeral Pyre" - 4:29
- "Battle of the Mounds (Part 1)" - 4:53
- "Orphans of Doom" / "The Awakening" -5:32
In the 90's, the soundtrack was re-released on CD on the Varese Sarabande label (VSD-5390) and featured an expanded score with extra/extended tracks, although the prologue narration on the opening track was removed:
Track listing from expanded VS soundtrack album
- "Anvil of Crom" - 2:34
- "Riddle of Steel" / "Riders of Doom" - 5:36
- "Gift of Fury" - 3:50
- "Wheel of Pain" - 4:09
- "Atlantean Sword" - 3:50
- "Theology" / "Civilization" - 3:13
- "Wifeing (Love Theme)" - 2:10
- "The Leaving" / "The Search" - 5:59
- "Mountain of Power Procession" - 3:21
- "Tree of Woe" - 3:31
- "Recovery" - 2:11
- "The Kitchen" / "The Orgy" - 6:30
- "Funeral Pyre" - 4:29
- "Battle of the Mounds" - 4:52
- "Death of Rexor" - 5:34
- "Orphans of Doom" / "The Awakening" - 5:31
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